LG 27GX790A review: Is this 480 Hz OLED monitor the future of competitive gaming?
As refresh rates climb and OLED panels become viable for mainstream gaming, LG has fired a shot across the bow with the 27GX790A — a 27-inch OLED monitor boasting an eye-popping 480 Hz refresh rate. Tailored specifically for ultra-competitive PC gamers, particularly in shooters like CS2 and Valorant, this display marries blazing-fast motion clarity with the rich contrast and instantaneous pixel response OLED is known for. But beyond the spec sheet, does it actually give players an edge? And how does it handle real-world usage, including input lag, burn-in risk, and HDR performance? In this review, we break down how the 27GX790A stacks up, who it’s for, and whether it’s worth early adoption in an increasingly crowded field of high-performance gaming monitors.
Display performance: 480 Hz meets OLED speed
Where most high-end competitors are still maxing out at 360 Hz on IPS panels, the LG 27GX790A is rewriting the rules by combining a native 480 Hz refresh rate with OLED’s near-instantaneous 0.03 ms gray-to-gray response times. This isn’t upscaling or overclocking — it’s a true 480 Hz experience at 1080p, meaning motion clarity during rapid flicks and strafing is on another level. Notably, the panel leverages LG Display’s second-generation OLED tech, which includes improved brightness and pixel wear management to help mitigate burn-in. During CS2 benchmarking, the faster frame delivery translated directly into better target tracking and micro-correction — areas where milliseconds matter. For professional and aspiring esports players, this level of display fluidity can be the difference between a confident AWP flick and second-place disappointment.
Image quality and OLED advantages
Beyond speed, OLED represents a quantum leap in image fidelity compared to traditional IPS or TN gaming monitors. The 27GX790A delivers perfect black levels, unmatched contrast ratios, and vivid color reproduction, making it suitable for both competitive and cinematic gaming. Factory-calibrated for sRGB and DCI-P3, it offers excellent out-of-the-box color accuracy. HDR10 support is present, though peak brightness is capped around 275 nits in HDR mode — decent, but not on par with full HDR1000+ displays. Still, for most indoor environments, the visual payoff is undeniable, especially in night maps or darker scenes where subtle shadows can define gameplay strategy.
Latency and input lag: Built for reflex gaming
No amount of visual fidelity means much if a monitor lags behind your inputs. Fortunately, LG has dialed down latency to imperceptible levels. According to independent tests, the 27GX790A exhibits less than 1 ms of total input lag when paired with a GPU capable of sustaining high framerates at 1080p. Combined with VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) support via both NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible and AMD FreeSync Premium, the monitor prevents tearing and judder even during volatile frame pacing — crucial in games like Apex Legends or CS2 where pacing can change frame to frame. Input response is immediate, and motion blur reduction is handled without the need for black frame insertion (which OLEDs don’t require).
Design, burn-in protection, and usability
The 27GX790A stays true to gamer aesthetics without venturing into overkill. Its minimal bezels, matte anti-glare coating, and robust metal stand lend it a premium, no-nonsense look. Connectivity is appropriate for its class: DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.1 (x2), USB hub, and headphone out are all onboard. What sets it apart, particularly for skeptics of OLED in static-use scenarios, is its built-in protective tech. LG includes pixel shift, screen saver triggering, and a panel refresh cycle users can initiate manually. These features significantly reduce static image retention concerns, making it viable even for multitaskers who use the display as a secondary HDR media screen or creative tool between match queues.
Final thoughts
LG’s 27GX790A is a display engineered with one singular goal: be the fastest, clearest monitor on the battlefield. While the 1080p resolution may deter content creators or 4K enthusiasts, for competitive gamers, it’s a calculated tradeoff for maximum refresh rate and responsiveness. The OLED panel’s deep blacks and cinematic color range add a visual polish that IPS panels at this tier simply can’t match. Is it overkill for casual play? Probably. But for those grinding rank in CS2 or aiming for pro-level play, it’s as close as monitors come to a competitive advantage. At around $999 MSRP, it’s a premium investment — but one that feels justified if every frame counts.
Image by: Claire Thatcher
https://unsplash.com/@clairethatcher
