Iiyama GB2470HSU-B5: The Ultimate Gaming Monitor?

Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the iiyama GB2470HSU-B5, a monitor that's been making waves in the gaming community. Is it truly the ultimate gaming monitor? Well, buckle up, because we're about to break it all down. We'll cover everything from its technical specs and design to its performance in real-world gaming scenarios, helping you decide if this monitor is the right fit for your gaming setup. Let's get started!

Unboxing and First Impressions

Alright, so the first thing you'll notice is the unboxing experience. It's pretty straightforward, nothing too fancy. Inside the box, you'll find the monitor itself, the stand (which requires minimal assembly), a power cable, an HDMI cable, and some documentation. The design is sleek and understated, with a matte black finish that should blend seamlessly into most gaming setups. The bezels are reasonably thin, which is always a plus for immersion, especially if you're considering a multi-monitor configuration. The stand offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments, allowing you to find the perfect ergonomic position for those long gaming sessions. No one wants neck strain after a marathon gaming session, right? The overall build quality feels solid, and the materials don't feel cheap, which is reassuring at this price point. The monitor is relatively lightweight, making it easy to move around if needed. The back of the monitor features a standard VESA mount, giving you the option to use a monitor arm if you prefer. Now, let's talk about the initial setup. Plugging in the cables is a breeze, and the on-screen display (OSD) is intuitive and easy to navigate. You'll find all the essential settings, such as brightness, contrast, color temperature, and overdrive, allowing you to fine-tune the image to your liking. The OSD also includes several pre-set gaming modes, such as FPS, RTS, and MOBA, which can be a good starting point for optimizing the image for different game genres. Overall, the unboxing and setup experience is hassle-free, and the monitor feels well-built and thoughtfully designed.

Tech Specs: What's Under the Hood?

Now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty – the tech specs. The iiyama GB2470HSU-B5 boasts a 23.8-inch IPS panel with a Full HD (1920x1080) resolution. While some might scoff at 1080p in this day and age, it's still a sweet spot for many gamers, especially those prioritizing high refresh rates and smooth gameplay over ultra-high resolution. The monitor features a blazing-fast 165Hz refresh rate, which is a significant upgrade over the standard 60Hz or 75Hz found on many budget monitors. This higher refresh rate translates to noticeably smoother motion and reduced motion blur, giving you a competitive edge in fast-paced games. The panel also supports AMD FreeSync Premium, which helps eliminate screen tearing and stuttering by synchronizing the monitor's refresh rate with your AMD graphics card's frame rate. If you're rocking an NVIDIA GPU, don't worry, as the monitor is also G-Sync compatible, providing similar benefits. The response time is rated at 0.8ms (MPRT), which is impressively low and helps minimize ghosting. The monitor also offers a typical brightness of 250 cd/m² and a contrast ratio of 1000:1. While these numbers aren't groundbreaking, they're perfectly adequate for most gaming scenarios. The viewing angles are wide, thanks to the IPS panel, ensuring consistent image quality even when viewed from off-center. In terms of connectivity, the monitor features HDMI and DisplayPort inputs, as well as a headphone jack. Overall, the tech specs are solid for a 1080p gaming monitor in this price range, offering a good balance of performance and features.

Gaming Performance: Does It Deliver?

Okay, the big question: How does the iiyama GB2470HSU-B5 actually perform in games? In short, it delivers a fantastic gaming experience, especially for the price. The 165Hz refresh rate and low response time make a noticeable difference in fast-paced games like CS:GO, Valorant, and Overwatch. Motion is incredibly smooth, and the reduced motion blur allows you to track targets more easily. The AMD FreeSync Premium (and G-Sync compatibility) works flawlessly to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering, providing a buttery-smooth gaming experience. Even in demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Assassin's Creed Valhalla, the monitor performs admirably, provided you have a powerful enough GPU to push high frame rates. The colors are vibrant and accurate, thanks to the IPS panel, making games look rich and immersive. The monitor also excels in dark scenes, with decent black levels and good shadow detail. One thing to note is that the monitor's overdrive setting can introduce some overshoot (inverse ghosting) at higher levels. However, this can be easily mitigated by adjusting the overdrive setting to a lower level or turning it off completely. Overall, the gaming performance is excellent, offering a competitive edge in fast-paced games and an immersive experience in more cinematic titles. It's a great choice for gamers who prioritize smooth gameplay and responsiveness over ultra-high resolution.

Image Quality: Colors and Clarity

Let's talk about image quality beyond just gaming. The iiyama GB2470HSU-B5, with its IPS panel, really shines when it comes to color accuracy and vibrancy. Colors pop, and the viewing angles are wide, meaning you don't have to be sitting perfectly centered to get a good picture. This is great for sharing your screen or just relaxing and watching videos. The Full HD resolution, while not the sharpest out there, is perfectly adequate for everyday tasks like browsing the web, working on documents, and watching movies. Text is clear and easy to read, and images look crisp and detailed. The monitor's brightness is decent, but it might struggle a bit in very bright environments. However, in most indoor settings, it's more than sufficient. The contrast ratio is typical for an IPS panel, providing good distinction between light and dark areas. The monitor also supports various picture modes, allowing you to optimize the image for different content types. For example, there's a movie mode for watching films, a text mode for reading documents, and a game mode for playing games. Overall, the image quality is excellent for a monitor in this price range, offering a good balance of color accuracy, clarity, and brightness. It's a great choice for both gaming and everyday use.

Ergonomics and Design: Comfort is Key

Now, let's shift our focus to ergonomics and design. The iiyama GB2470HSU-B5 doesn't just perform well, it's also designed with comfort in mind. The stand is highly adjustable, offering tilt, swivel, and height adjustments. This allows you to find the perfect viewing angle and reduce strain on your neck and back. The monitor also supports VESA mounting, so you can easily attach it to a monitor arm for even more flexibility. The design is sleek and understated, with a matte black finish that blends seamlessly into most environments. The bezels are relatively thin, which is a plus for immersion and multi-monitor setups. The monitor is also lightweight and easy to move around. The on-screen display (OSD) is intuitive and easy to navigate, allowing you to quickly adjust settings without any hassle. The buttons are located on the bottom of the monitor and are easy to reach. Overall, the ergonomics and design are well-thought-out, providing a comfortable and user-friendly experience. It's a monitor that you can comfortably use for long hours, whether you're gaming, working, or just browsing the web.

Pros and Cons: Weighing the Options

Alright, let's break it down with a good old pros and cons list for the iiyama GB2470HSU-B5:

Pros:

• High Refresh Rate: The 165Hz refresh rate provides incredibly smooth and responsive gameplay.
• Fast Response Time: The 0.8ms response time minimizes ghosting and motion blur.
• AMD FreeSync Premium (and G-Sync Compatibility): Eliminates screen tearing and stuttering for a smooth gaming experience.
• IPS Panel: Offers excellent color accuracy and wide viewing angles.
• Adjustable Stand: Provides tilt, swivel, and height adjustments for optimal comfort.
• Affordable Price: Offers excellent value for the features and performance.

Cons:

• 1080p Resolution: Some may prefer a higher resolution like 1440p or 4K.
• Limited Brightness: The brightness might struggle in very bright environments.
• Overdrive Overshoot: The overdrive setting can introduce some overshoot at higher levels.

The Verdict: Is It Worth It?

So, is the iiyama GB2470HSU-B5 worth your hard-earned cash? Absolutely! It's a fantastic 1080p gaming monitor that offers a compelling combination of performance, features, and affordability. The high refresh rate, fast response time, and AMD FreeSync Premium (and G-Sync compatibility) make it a great choice for gamers who prioritize smooth gameplay and responsiveness. The IPS panel delivers excellent color accuracy and wide viewing angles, making it suitable for both gaming and everyday use. The adjustable stand provides comfortable ergonomics, and the sleek design blends seamlessly into most environments. While the 1080p resolution might not be for everyone, it's still a sweet spot for many gamers, especially those on a budget or those who prefer to prioritize high refresh rates over ultra-high resolution. Overall, the iiyama GB2470HSU-B5 is a highly recommended gaming monitor that offers excellent value for the price. If you're looking for a smooth, responsive, and affordable gaming experience, this monitor should definitely be on your shortlist. So, there you have it, folks! Our comprehensive review of the iiyama GB2470HSU-B5. We hope this has helped you make a more informed decision. Happy gaming!