In recent years, 1440p resolution has gone from being largely forgotten to becoming the darling of many manufacturers. The LG UltraGear 27GX790A-B is the best example. This 27-inch model with an OLED panel and a massive 480Hz refresh rate arrives to take over from the iconic 27GR95QE, improving on virtually all the key aspects for demanding PC gamers and offering a very serious experience with Xbox Series X|S and other current-generation consoles as well.
If you're looking for a monitor to push your system to its limits in competitive gaming and fast-paced shooters, and you're coming from more modest displays (1080p and 144Hz, for example), the leap this LG offers is significant. You could even say enormous. This applies to image quality, contrast, and color, as well as fluidity and latency. However, it's not a product designed for every budget or compatible with every hardware.
First look at the LG UltraGear 27GX790A-B and key specifications
The combination of OLED + 1440p + high refresh rates began to become commonplace around 2023. And in just a couple of years, the technology has matured considerably. The LG UltraGear 27GX790A-B is a product of that evolution. It maintains the 27-inch format at 2560 x 1440 pixels (QHD), but doubles the refresh rate compared to the first generation, reaching a spectacular 480 Hz and offering a response time of just 0,03 ms.
This response time is so low that input lag is virtually imperceptible under optimal conditions. It's worth noting, however, that as with other similar monitors, effective latency increases when you reduce the resolution or refresh rate. For example, if you set it to 1080p and 60Hz because your PC can't handle more. In that scenario, you lose much of what makes this panel special, and it would probably make more sense to look at more modest options.
In contrast, with a top-tier setup, the LG UltraGear 27GX790A-B delivers a carefully balanced image, showcasing sharpness, color reproduction, HDR, refresh rate, and response time, all within the 27-inch screen size many consider ideal for competitive gaming and esports. While its predecessor was already highly regarded, this model refines even the finest details and pushes the refresh rate to levels that, until recently, seemed like science fiction.
From a commercial standpoint, LG has also made some smart moves. While it remains an expensive monitor, the launch price of the 27GX790A-B has fallen below the psychological barrier of €1,000. In stores like Amazon, it has been seen for around €979. That's approximately €200 less than the first 27-inch OLED monitors released in 2023. It's still a significant investment, but within its segment, it no longer feels like such a prohibitive luxury.
Design, ergonomics and build quality of the LG UltraGear 27GX790A-B
In terms of design, LG has shown restraint. The UltraGear 27GX790A-B follows the aesthetic lines characteristic of the UltraGear range, with a sober gaming look but with the occasional light accent on the back. The first thing that catches the eye is the extremely thin profile of the panel and its very narrow bezels. This contributes to both immersion and potential multi-monitor setups.
The base abandons the classic V-shape of previous models, opting instead for a completely flat, pentagonal metal design that provides a stable platform and takes up less usable space in front of the user. A redesigned metal mast is anchored to this base, maintaining a very solid construction and a premium feel. There is no play or unusual noise when handling it.
This stand now includes a cable management hole. A simple yet quite effective cable management solution , and for many, more convenient than previous systems. In terms of ergonomics, LG has done a truly excellent job: the 27GX790A-B allows for extensive adjustment of height, tilt, swivel, and even vertical positioning (pivot mode), which is very useful for content creators and anyone who wants a second monitor for chats, streams, or other tools.
From a practical point of view, this combination of adjustments makes it very easy to adapt the monitor to any desk and gaming posture, whether with a keyboard and mouse nearby, an articulated arm (it is also compatible with VESA mounting) or even a slightly further away setup if you are going to combine it with a console.
Connectivity: strengths and weaknesses in the UltraGear 27GX790A-B
In terms of video inputs, the LG UltraGear 27GX790A-B takes a significant leap forward. It incorporates two HDMI 2.1 ports and one DisplayPort 2.1 , replacing the older DP 1.4 of its predecessor. The presence of DisplayPort 2.1 is key to handling high refresh rates at 1440p without bottlenecks and taking advantage of compression techniques that are virtually invisible to the naked eye.
Thanks to this setup, you can seamlessly connect a high-end PC and one or two consoles (for example, an Xbox Series X and a PS5 Pro or similar) and switch between them directly from the OSD. For Xbox gamers, this translates to support for 1440p, VRR, and 120Hz in compatible games. It's an ideal combination, although the monitor can achieve even greater performance with a PC capable of shooting hundreds of frames per second.
On the downside, the data and audio connectivity falls a bit short of what one would expect from such an advanced product. Although the monitor includes three USB ports , none of them are USB-C, a standard that is becoming increasingly common in laptops, desktops, and accessories. There's also no optical audio output, only a headphone jack with DTS Headphone:X support.
These omissions don't ruin the experience, but they are noticeable shortcomings in a monitor at this price point. Many users would appreciate, for example, being able to connect a laptop with a single USB-C cable (video, data, and charging) or having a direct optical output for a more advanced sound system. LG delivers mixed results here: the video is excellent, but they could have been more ambitious in other areas.
Backlighting and monitor controls
On the back, the LG UltraGear 27GX790A-B retains the classic hexagonal RGB lighting ring , located in the center of the chassis. This rear section is slightly thicker than the side edges, but it doesn't feel bulky or intrusive, and it blends well into the overall design.
The lighting is configurable from the on-screen menu, allowing you to choose a fixed color within a limited palette or activate a simple rotation effect between different tones.
The practical result is that the backlighting is more for adding a subtle touch to your setup than creating a spectacular lighting effect . The intensity is moderate, so if you have RGB LED strips, lamps, or additional screens on your desk, they will most likely overshadow the monitor's own effect. Even so, those looking for a bit of extra personality will appreciate it.
Even more interesting is the control system. The 27GX790A-B does away with the remote control that came with previous models and opts instead for a joystick with a button located on the bottom, from which the entire OSD is controlled. With this stick, you can adjust brightness, contrast, picture modes, select the video source, manage audio, and configure the aforementioned backlighting, among many other options.
The menu is organized into different levels, with quick access to the most frequently used functions (source, game mode, monitor off, etc.) and specific subsections for gamma, interface language, OLED panel cleaning, headphone volume, and so on. Navigation is intuitive and quite fast.
PC gaming performance and console experience
Being a monitor clearly geared towards gamers, what really makes the difference is how the LG UltraGear 27GX790A-B performs in real-world games.
Where it truly shines, unsurprisingly, is in competitive shooters and esports-oriented titles. Games like Fortnite or Overwatch 2 can easily exceed 400 FPS at 1440p with a powerful GPU, and this is where the panel's 480Hz refresh rate comes into play. The smoothness is hard to describe if you've never experienced anything like it: movement is incredibly fluid , the sharpness in fast-paced scenes is astonishing, and stuttering and tearing are completely eliminated thanks to support for variable refresh rates like G-Sync and FreeSync.
In this frame rate range, each extra frame adds clarity to the scene. This results in cleaner transitions, less blur, and a more immediate response to your inputs.
The vibrant colors and contrast typical of OLED technology complete the package. Blacks are profoundly black thanks to individual pixel deactivation, and dark scenes in games like Dead Space Remake gain a brutal level of immersion.
As for consoles, the 27GX790A-B works flawlessly with PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. You can play at 1440p, with VRR and up to 120Hz in compatible titles, taking advantage of technologies like FreeSync or the equivalent on each platform. However, on consoles, you won't be able to utilize the monitor's 480Hz refresh rate. The console's limit is significantly lower. Even so, the OLED panel and low latency are noticeable, and the improvement over a conventional LCD TV is clear.
Usage in Windows: work, browsing, and preventing burn-in
Although designed with gaming in mind, the LG UltraGear 27GX790A-B can also be used seamlessly for desktop tasks, office applications, and browsing . The 1440p resolution on the 27-inch screen offers a comfortable pixel density, with sharp text and ample space for multiple windows. With proper Windows scaling, the experience is enjoyable.
However, depending on the image mode you use, the display may appear somewhat muted or geared towards gaming. Therefore, it's advisable to create a specific profile to work with more neutral tones and brightness adapted to your environment. For semi-professional photo or video editing, the OLED panel offers very good color reproduction, although in those cases you might want to calibrate it more carefully.
As with any OLED monitor, there's a concern about potential image burn -in if static content, such as taskbars, HUDs, or heavily emphasized interfaces, is displayed for extended periods. LG includes several features to minimize this risk. These include periodic pixel cleaning routines, slight image shifts, and other techniques designed to extend the panel's lifespan.
As long as you take basic care (don't leave the same static image on for many hours every day, use a screen protector, vary the content displayed on the screen, etc.), you shouldn't have any serious problems. Current OLED TVs have improved significantly in this regard compared to earlier generations.
In everyday use, writing long texts, reviewing documents, and browsing the web are perfectly manageable with this monitor. However, to be honest, where it truly shines is when you launch a game and take advantage of its 480Hz refresh rate and ridiculously low latency.
Price, positioning and market alternatives
Within the ecosystem of 1440p OLED gaming monitors, the LG UltraGear 27GX790A-B stands out as an absolute benchmark. The combination of a fast OLED panel, 480Hz refresh rate, minimal input lag, excellent color calibration, and a size perfectly suited for esports makes it one of the best competitive monitors you can buy right now.
The big dilemma for many users with graphics cards like the RTX 4070 Super or Ryzen 7 7800X3D is this: can you really take advantage of the jump to 480Hz at 1440p? In very demanding games, you might fall short (around 200-250 FPS). However, in optimized or simpler titles (Valorant, CS, Overwatch 2), you can easily approach or even exceed 400 FPS. If you intend to keep the monitor for several years and enjoy playing competitive games where your setup can push high framerates, this LG monitor offers plenty of room for improvement.
Overall, the LG UltraGear 27GX790A-B presents itself as a monitor designed for those who want to play at 1440p at the highest possible speed. There are no compromises on latency or image quality. There are aspects that could be improved, but when you're immersed in a game and the OLED panel is working its magic, these details become secondary. What remains is an incredibly addictive experience for anyone who values competitiveness and extreme fluidity.