Tested using Methodology v2.0.1
Updated Feb 19, 2025 04:48 PM
Tested using Methodology v2.0.1
Updated Feb 19, 2025 04:48 PM
Gigabyte M27U
LG 27GR93U-B
The LG 27GR93U-B and the Gigabyte M27U are both 4k gaming monitors. They have many similar features, especially for gaming, but the LG supports higher HDMI bandwidth, so it doesn't need to use compression for demanding signals like on the Gigabyte. That said, the Gigabyte has a few extra features for productivity, like a USB-C port and KVM switch, making it the better choice for multitasking with different devices.
Gigabyte M27U
LG 27GR93U-B
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Gigabyte M27U vs LG 27GR93U-B: Main Discussion
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As monkeyisland mentioned, because the Gigabyte has more limited HDMI bandwidth (24 Gbps), it needs to use compression for its max refresh rate with 4k signals. This is technically visually lossless, so it’s hard to tell any differences versus a monitor that doesn’t require DSC.
For the user it means very little. You will not notice any difference at all if the signal was compressed. HDMI 2.1 relies on Display Stream Compression (DSC), which is a compression algorithm that is “visually lossless”, and that means that the output is indistinguishable from the original to the lay human eye. I honestly wouldn’t worry about this too much, especially if you have a mid-high end graphics card that can perform compression without breaking a sweat.
A bit more info… HDMI 2.1 supports a maximum “uncompressed” bandwidth of 48 Gbps, which is enough to support signals up to 4K/144Hz without any compression. Anything higher than that, and the signal will have to be compressed by the graphics cards before it is pushed to the monitor.
The HDMI 2.1 on the M27U however does not support the full 48 Gbps bandwidth (it only supports half that bandwidth at 24 Gbps). This means that the M27U monitor will require compression for even lesser demanding signals, possibly anything higher than 4K/75Hz when using the HDMI 2.1 port.
Interesting tidbit; If you do not plan on hooking up a PS5/Xbox to the M27U, or if you’re concerned about compression, then you would be better off using the DisplayPort 1.4 port, which supports a maximum bandwidth of 32Gbps, enough to support signals up to 4K/120Hz without compression. This is a higher signal than what the HDMI 2.1 port on the M27U can deliver without compression. The M27U has a max refresh rate of 160Hz, so if you plan to play games in 4K at that high refresh rate, there will be compression/chroma subsampling whether on HDMI 2.1 or DisplayPort 1.4.
What exactly does it mean for the user if M27U needs “compression” for demanding signals?