Iiyama Unveils Its First Curved Gaming Display: 31.5-inch, FHD, 144 Hz, FreeSync
by Anton Shilov on December 16, 2017 9:00 AM EST
Iiyama has announced the G-Master G3266HS-B1, its first curved monitor for gamers. The new display belongs to entry-level class and offers an FHD resolution along with dynamic refresh rate of up to 144 Hz enabled by AMD’s FreeSync technology. Pricing of the LCD looks rather competitive in Europe, but the U.S. MSRP remains to be seen.
The Iiyama G-Master G3266HS-B1 monitor is based on a 31.5” VA panel with a 1920×1080 resolution, a 144 Hz refresh rate, a 3 ms response time as well as a 1800R curvature. Brightness, contrast and viewing angles offered by the monitor are typical for modern inexpensive VA panels: 400 nits, 3000:1, and 178°/178°, nothing unexpected. The display supports AMD’s FreeSync technology, but Iiyama does not disclose its ranges. The manufacturer says that the G-Master G3266HS-B1 can display 16.7 million colors, but remains tightlipped about supported color spaces. Since the monitor is aimed at gamers, it is safe to say that it will be used with Windows-based PCs, which is why it has to support sRGB.
When it comes to connectivity, the monitor features everything an inexpensive LCD has to: a D-Sub and a DVI-D for legacy systems, as well as DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI for modern computers. In addition, the monitor has 3.5-mm audio-in/out connectors, and two integrated speakers. As for ergonomics, the G-Master G3266HS-B1 has a fixed stand and cannot regulate its height, tilt, swivel, but can be attached to a VESA wall mounting that supports appropriate adjustments.
| Iiama G-Master 31.5" Curved Gaming Monitor | ||
| G-Master G3266HS-B1 | ||
| Panel | 31.5" VA | |
| Native Resolution | 1920 × 1080 | |
| Refresh Rate Range | 144 Hz | |
| Dynamic Refresh Rate | AMD FreeSync | |
| G-Sync Range | unknown | |
| Response Time | 3 ms (gray-to-gray?) | |
| Brightness | 300 cd/m² | |
| Contrast | 3000:1 | |
| Pixel Pitch | 0.3632 × 0.3632 mm² | |
| Pixel Density | 69.93 PPI | |
| Viewing Angles | 178°/178° | |
| Curvature | 1800R | |
| Inputs | HDMI 1.4 DisplayPort 1.2 D-Sub DVI-D |
|
| Audio | 3.5 mm audio in/out jacks Stereo speakers |
|
| Detailed Information | Link | |
The G-Master G3266HS-B1 is listed on Iiyama’s website, but is not yet available for sale or pre-order anywhere in the U.S. Meanwhile, a number of stores in Austria and Germany offer the monitor for €390 - €400 ($461 - $473), which is lower compared €485 that Acer charges for its XZ321Q (with similar specs) in Germany. We are not sure about the MSRP of the G3266HS-B1 in the USA, where it has not been officially announced yet, but it is logical to expect Iiyama to maintain a similar pricing policy as in Europe.
Iiyama is a bit late to the curved displays party that began in 2014 – 2015, but it definitely needed to get there to stay relevant on the market of gaming monitors. The G-Master G3266HS-B1 seems like as good start as any to see whether its clients bite a curved gaming display. The company went with rather moderate specs, and judging by the price of the product in Europe, it wanted to make its monitor competitive in terms of affordability.
Related Reading:
- ASUS Announces ROG Strix XG32VQ and ROG Strix XG35VQ: Large, Curved, & Fast
- ASUS Launches ROG Swift PG27VQ: Curved 27-inch LCD with 165 Hz G-Sync & RGB Lighting
- Alienware Announces AW3418DW and AW3418HW Ultra-Wide Curved Displays
- ASUS ROG Strix XG27VQ Available: 27” Curved, FHD@144Hz & FreeSync w/ELMB
- LG’s 34UC89G 21:9 Curved Display with G-Sync, 144 to 166 Hz, Available for $999
Source: Iiyama
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limitedaccess - Sunday, December 17, 2017 - link
Generalist usage is very important for many buyers. Even if they want a gaming focused display that display could be used for many other tasks as well. In that sense gaming focused displays that are non curved would be a pro, while curved would be a negative.Even gaming is a rather broad category. How is a curved display for non first person or to some extent third person games? What if you primarily played overhead type view games? What about those that primarily play competitive games? Is a curve a benefit or detriment or those people looking or a gaming display?
The idea of a curved monitor being better in every way, or even specially for gaming is flawed.
Hurr Durr - Sunday, December 17, 2017 - link
Color correctness or curve is the last consideration for competitive play, they only want speed.Alexvrb - Monday, December 18, 2017 - link
I never said it was better in every way. Far from it. Where did you get that idea? Look at the comment I was replying to. "For productivity the curve is annoying". Well, for gaming it's typically fine. If it wasn't, they wouldn't sell. Tons of gamers love em. If you don't, that's swell, buy a flat one.peevee - Monday, December 18, 2017 - link
What's wrong with a mild curve for productivity?Hixbot - Saturday, December 16, 2017 - link
I think most desktop use case you would want flat. If you're buying a monitor for only games and movies, and won't Web browse, word processor, design, or other computing tasks, buy curved. Actually even for games and movies, curved just adds geometric distortion. It would be cool if a game or movie could know how far your sitting from the monitor and correct the geometry for peripheral vision, but until then you are watching flat content on a curved screen.sonny73n - Monday, December 18, 2017 - link
Curve, curve! Do you see things around you convexed? If not, why do you need a concaved monitor? And how do you keep your eyes all times at the center of your curved monitor arbitrary arc?Samus - Saturday, December 16, 2017 - link
That's because it is a gimmick on TV's. You simply aren't close enough to even notice the curve. On a monitor you are two feet away from the immersion works better.Also, this monitor looks awesome. Finally 144Hz VA panels.
Alexvrb - Saturday, December 16, 2017 - link
I have to agree that curved displays are nice for gaming (though not essentialy). As this is a gaming-focused display, those not gaming should probably look elsewhere for a display.As far as high refresh VA panels go, I agree but we definitely need testing for input lag.
Lolimaster - Saturday, December 16, 2017 - link
The new VA Quantum Dot monitors from Samsung would be great with that 144Hz 1080p/1440p without the crappy curve.Solandri - Sunday, December 17, 2017 - link
The curve is structural. Take a piece of paper, grab the bottom corners and try to hold it upright. The top half will fold over. Now try it again except give it a slight curve. The top half will stay up.The curve gives the structure some rigidity against flopping over. This wasn't important when TVs had big tubes, or LCD backlights required they be 2 inches thick. But the thinner you make the frame, the less rigidity it has. Curving it can give you back some of that rigidity without having to make it thicker or use stronger structural materials like steel.