By In contrast to the latest generation of 4K OLED panels, the LG UltraGear 27GX790A-B is a 27-inch OLED monitor that maintains 1440p resolution while raising the refresh rate to an astounding 480Hz. Even the most wired competitive gamers will be pleased with its class-leading motion clarity, although it is not the first 480Hz OLED display.
LG Ultragear 27GX790A-B specs and features
The UltraGear 27GX790A-B’s OLED panel is unquestionably its most notable feature. It has an LG WOLED panel with the greatest refresh rate of the newest generation of OLED displays, up to 480 Hz, and a native resolution of 2560 x 1440. Along with adaptive sync, the display is officially compatible with Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.
- Size of display: 26.5-inch widescreen 16:9
- Resolution in native: 2560 x 1440
- Type of panel: WOLED
- Rate of Refresh: 480 Hz
- Adaptive sync: Nvidia G-Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, yes
- HDR: Indeed, VESA True Black 400 DisplayHDR Accredited
- Ports: One DisplayPort 2.1, two HDMI 2.1, and one USB-B 3.0 upstream, one 3.5mm headphone jack, and two USB-A 3.0 downstream
- Mounting VESA: 100×100 mm
- No audio
- OLED Panel warranty: “internal and functional parts only” are covered for two years, including the panel.
- Cost: $999.99
The other characteristics of the display are a little less remarkable. It has no RGB LED lighting system, built-in audio, or USB-C for power delivery or video input. Delivering the maximum refresh rate is the priority in this situation. The LG Ultragear 27GX790A-B’s MSRP of $999.99 is comparable to those of competing models, such as the Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP.
Design
The design of the LG UltraGear 27GX790A-B is consistent with that of the company’s most recent UltraGear monitor lineup. It has a unique yet subtle dark gray charcoal finish that adds to its streamlined, covert appearance. This results in tiny bezels on all sides of the front, including a small bottom chin. The thin OLED panel is fastened to a small, hexagon-shaped backplate in the rear, which houses the monitor’s menu controls and connectivity.
The UltraGear 27GX790A-B may be a little too understated for some gamers’ setups. Although it has RGB-LED lighting, there isn’t much room for customization, and the illumination’s brightness could be increased. However, I personally like gaming monitors that have a discrete appearance, and the 27GX790A-B does.
Although some brands, like Asus, continue to employ tripod-style supports that require more desk space, the stand’s overall design and range of adjustment are comparable to those of competitors. Additionally, the UltraGear 27GX790A-B features a 100x100mm VESA mount for compatibility with monitor arms and stands from third parties.
Connectivity
With two HDMI 2.1 connectors and one DisplayPort 2.1 port, LG’s UltraGear 27GX790A-B has three video inputs in total. That’s a good amount for a gaming monitor, but I would have preferred a USB-C video input because it’s a terrific alternative, particularly when linking a laptop and a desktop. Every video input that is accessible supports the full resolution and refresh rate of the monitor.
It’s a little disappointing that the display has USB connectivity. The device does not include a USB-C port; instead, it has two USB-A downstream ports that are powered by a single USB-B upstream port. That’s acceptable if you only want to use a wired keyboard and mouse to make managing cables easier, but it reduces the monitor’s usefulness for prosumers who require
Features
The lower bezel of the LG UltraGear 27GX790A-B has a joystick-style control that owners can use to access its capabilities. It operates similarly to rivals, providing quick and easy navigation via clearly marked menus.
In addition to standard image quality settings like color temperature changes, gamma mode options, and several image presets, LG offers gaming-specific features like on-screen crosshairs and dark-level equalizers that bring out details in dark places. For a monitor of this quality, everything is usual, yet LG does it flawlessly.
As an alternative, you can access the majority of Windows’ monitor functionality by using the LG Switch application. The app works OK, but I don’t particularly like the way it appears—it somehow looks like a smartphone.
As is typical even for high-end gaming monitors, the UltraGear 27GX790A-B lacks speakers. It’s important to note, though, that the 32-inch OLED 240Hz model from LG, the UltraGear 32GS95UE-B, has a PixelSound system, which is among the greatest monitor sound systems on the market at the moment. Additionally, it would have been good to have it included in LG’s 27-inch OLED lineup.
Performance
Now, let’s get to the main justification for purchasing the LG Ultragear 27GX790A-B.
The WOLED panel of the Ultragear 27GX790A-B has a refresh rate of up to 480 Hz. Although some competitors surpass 500Hz, that is the greatest refresh rate currently offered by any consumer OLED panel and is comparable to the top LCDs.
Smoother animation and less motion blur are typically associated with faster refresh rates, and the Ultragear 27GX790A-B meets these standards. I described the motion clarity of the Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP, the first 27-inch 1440p 480Hz OLED display with an LG WOLED panel, as “almost perfect” in my review. This also applies to LG’s substitute.
League of Legends test clips displayed a visual that was almost as sharp as a still image. Hitpoint bars, writing, spell effects, and character silhouettes were all easily readable in addition to being readable. In a first-person game like Valorant, a fast camera pan showed almost flawless clarity in far-off objects. This is superior to a 240Hz OLED, which already provides excellent motion clarity. However, keep in mind that to fully utilize the 480Hz refresh rate, a game must render at a frame rate of up to 480 frames per second. This implies that to fully utilize the motion clarity of the 27GX790A-B, you will require robust hardware.
Comparing the Ultragear 27GX790A-B to Asus’ 480Hz alternative, it has a little drawback even though it looks fantastic in motion. Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB), as Asus calls it, allows black frame insertion at 120 and 240 Hz. By introducing a black frame in between each regular frame, motion blur can be minimized in exchange for a decrease in apparent brightness, thanks to a trick of human perception. When playing games below 240 Hz, the ROG Swift PG27AQDP has an advantage in motion clarity thanks to Asus’ ELMB.
Conclusion
For competitive gamers seeking exceptional motion clarity, contrast, and color performance, the LG UltraGear 27GX790A-B is a great option. A 1440p 480Hz OLED panel has a distinct edge in motion clarity, even though its sharpness and color gamut aren’t comparable to the new 4K 240Hz QD-OLED monitors that are starting to appear on retail shelves.
The 27GX790A-B performs extremely similarly to its closest rival, the Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP. Although the LG variant is more compact than the Asus model, it does not have a threaded mount on top of the stand. At lower refresh rates, LG’s motion clarity won’t be as good as the Asus’s because it doesn’t have a black frame insertion option.
The decision between the two ultimately boils down to personal preference or which monitor happens to be on sale at the time of purchase.
