Iiyama GB2470HSU-B1: The Ultimate Gaming Monitor?
Alright, gamers, tech enthusiasts, and everyone in between! Let's dive headfirst into the world of gaming monitors, and specifically, the iiyama GB2470HSU-B1. In this in-depth article, we're going to break down everything you need to know about this monitor. We'll cover its specs, performance, features, and, most importantly, whether it's worth your hard-earned cash. So, grab your favorite energy drink, settle in, and let's get started!
First Impressions: What's in the Box and How Does It Look?
First impressions matter, right? When you unbox the iiyama GB2470HSU-B1, you're greeted with a sleek and understated design. It's not overly flashy, which, in my opinion, is a good thing. It means it'll fit seamlessly into any setup, whether you're rocking a minimalist battlestation or a decked-out gaming cave. The bezels are reasonably thin, providing an immersive viewing experience without being distracting.
Build Quality: The build quality feels solid. It doesn't feel cheap or flimsy. The stand is sturdy and offers a good range of adjustments, including tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustment. This is a huge plus because it allows you to dial in the perfect viewing angle for maximum comfort during those long gaming sessions or workdays. Cable management is decent, with a clip on the stand to help keep things tidy. Overall, the iiyama GB2470HSU-B1 makes a positive first impression with its clean design, solid build quality, and ergonomic stand.
Connectivity: Let’s talk ports! The iiyama GB2470HSU-B1 comes with a decent selection of ports, including HDMI, DisplayPort, and VGA. This ensures compatibility with a wide range of devices, from modern gaming consoles and PCs to older hardware. The inclusion of a headphone jack is also a welcome addition for gamers who prefer to use wired headphones. There's also a USB hub, which is always handy for connecting peripherals like keyboards, mice, and headsets. While it's not the most extensive port selection, it covers all the essential bases and should be sufficient for most users.
Diving into the Specs: What Makes This Monitor Tick?
Okay, let's get down to the nitty-gritty specs. The iiyama GB2470HSU-B1 is a 24-inch Full HD (1920x1080) monitor with a VA panel. It boasts a 165Hz refresh rate and a 1ms MPRT response time. Now, for those who aren't fluent in tech jargon, let's break that down.
Panel Type: The VA panel offers a good balance between color accuracy, viewing angles, and contrast. It's a step up from TN panels in terms of color reproduction, making games and movies look more vibrant and immersive. While it might not be as color-accurate as an IPS panel, it's still perfectly adequate for most gaming and general use scenarios.
Refresh Rate: The 165Hz refresh rate is a significant upgrade over the standard 60Hz or 75Hz monitors. It means the screen can display up to 165 frames per second, resulting in smoother and more fluid motion. This is especially beneficial in fast-paced games where every millisecond counts. With a higher refresh rate, you'll experience reduced motion blur and ghosting, giving you a competitive edge.
Response Time: The 1ms MPRT response time is another key specification for gaming. It refers to the time it takes for a pixel to change color. A lower response time means less motion blur and ghosting, resulting in clearer and sharper images during fast-paced action. While some monitors claim even lower response times, the 1ms MPRT of the iiyama GB2470HSU-B1 is still excellent and provides a noticeable improvement in clarity.
Other Notable Specs: The monitor also features AMD FreeSync Premium technology, which helps to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering by synchronizing the refresh rate of the monitor with the frame rate of your graphics card. This results in a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience. It also has a decent brightness of 250 cd/m² and a contrast ratio of 3000:1, which contributes to good image quality. In short, the iiyama GB2470HSU-B1 has a solid set of specifications that make it well-suited for gaming and general use.
Performance in Action: How Does It Handle Games and Everyday Tasks?
Alright, specs are important, but what really matters is how the monitor performs in real-world scenarios. I put the iiyama GB2470HSU-B1 through its paces with a variety of games and everyday tasks, and here's what I found.
Gaming: In games, the monitor truly shines. The 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time make a noticeable difference in smoothness and clarity. Fast-paced action games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, and Apex Legends felt incredibly fluid and responsive. I experienced minimal motion blur and ghosting, which allowed me to track targets more easily and react more quickly. The AMD FreeSync Premium technology also worked flawlessly, eliminating screen tearing and stuttering even during intense firefights. The colors were vibrant and engaging, and the contrast ratio provided good depth and detail.
Everyday Tasks: Outside of gaming, the iiyama GB2470HSU-B1 performed admirably. The Full HD resolution is sharp and clear, making it comfortable for browsing the web, working on documents, and watching videos. The VA panel provides good viewing angles, so the image doesn't distort when viewed from different positions. The monitor also has a blue light filter, which reduces eye strain during long work sessions. Overall, the iiyama GB2470HSU-B1 is a versatile monitor that can handle both gaming and everyday tasks with ease.
Features That Stand Out: What Else Does This Monitor Offer?
Beyond the core specs and performance, the iiyama GB2470HSU-B1 has a few extra features that are worth mentioning.
Built-in Speakers: The monitor has built-in speakers, which are decent for casual listening. However, if you're serious about audio, you'll probably want to invest in a dedicated set of headphones or speakers. But, for basic audio needs, the built-in speakers are a convenient option.
Overdrive Settings: The monitor has adjustable overdrive settings, which allow you to fine-tune the response time to your liking. Experimenting with these settings can help you find the optimal balance between image clarity and ghosting.
Black Tuner: The Black Tuner feature allows you to adjust the black levels in the image, making it easier to see enemies in dark areas of games. This can give you a competitive advantage in certain situations.
Pre-Set Game Modes: The monitor has several pre-set game modes optimized for different genres, such as FPS, RTS, and MOBA. These modes automatically adjust the monitor's settings to provide the best possible experience for each type of game. While these modes are a good starting point, you can always customize the settings to your own preferences.
The Verdict: Is the iiyama GB2470HSU-B1 Worth It?
So, after putting the iiyama GB2470HSU-B1 through its paces, the big question remains: is it worth buying? In my opinion, the answer is a resounding yes. This monitor offers an excellent combination of performance, features, and value. The 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time provide a smooth and responsive gaming experience, while the VA panel delivers good color accuracy and contrast. The inclusion of AMD FreeSync Premium technology eliminates screen tearing and stuttering, further enhancing the gaming experience. The monitor is also well-suited for everyday tasks, thanks to its sharp Full HD resolution and comfortable viewing angles. And let's not forget the ergonomic stand, which allows you to adjust the monitor to your perfect viewing position.
Who is this monitor for?
The iiyama GB2470HSU-B1 is best suited for:
- Budget-conscious gamers: Looking for a high-refresh-rate monitor without breaking the bank.
- Casual gamers: Who want a monitor that can handle both gaming and everyday tasks.
- Gamers who play fast-paced games: Where responsiveness and clarity are crucial.
- Anyone who values ergonomics: And wants a monitor with a highly adjustable stand.
Alternatives to consider:
If you're willing to spend a bit more, you might consider the ASUS VG248QG or the BenQ ZOWIE XL2411K. These monitors offer similar features and performance, but they may have slightly better color accuracy or additional gaming-specific features.
Final thoughts:
Overall, the iiyama GB2470HSU-B1 is an excellent gaming monitor that offers a great balance of performance, features, and value. If you're looking for a 165Hz monitor that won't break the bank, this is definitely one to consider. So there you have it, folks! My comprehensive review of the iiyama GB2470HSU-B1. I hope this has been helpful in your quest for the perfect gaming monitor. Happy gaming!