The Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3 puts a great QD-OLED display in a well-rounded package (2024)

About the Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3

The Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3 is another 2024 gaming monitor using the new third-generation QD-OLED panels from Samsung, offering a 360Hz refresh rate and refined subpixel arrangement that avoids some of the unfortunate fringing issues seen on earlier WOLED and QD-OLED panels.

Like other OLED monitors, the Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3 emphasizes its thin panel but leaves no room for an internal power supply, so the monitor relies on an external power brick.

The monitor sets itself apart somewhat with features like its Tactical Switch, which shrinks the display down to a 24-inch, 1080p, 360hz mode for more focused gameplay with a simple press of a shortcut button. It also features a special audio DAC for higher-quality sound when headphones are connected via the integrated 3.5mm headphone jack.

Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3 specs

• Price: $800
• Display size: 27 inches
• Resolution: 2560 x 1440 pixels
• Refresh rate: 360Hz
• Peak brightness: 250 nits (rated average in SDR), 1,000 nits (3% window peak); 248.1 nits (tested in SDR), 470 nits (test in HDR 10% window peak) 870 nits (test in HDR 4% window peak), 985 nits (test in HDR 1% window peak)
• HDR support: VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400
• Color depth: 10-bit
• ** Color saturation:** 99% DCI-P3 (rated); 100% sRGB (tested), 99% DCI-P3 (tested)
• Contrast ratio: 1,500,000:1 (rated), 8,860:1 (tested)
• Pixel response time (GtG): 0.03ms
• Ports: 2 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x USB-B (upstream), 2 x USB-A 3.2, 1 x USB-C DP Alt Mode 18W PD, 1 x 3.5mm headphone, 1 x 3.5mm mic
• VRR Support: AMD FreeSync Premium Pro
• Other features: Dual 5W speakers, ESS Sabre HiFi audio DAC, Tactical Switch, VESA mount (100x100), KVM switch, four-way adjustable stand, built-in cable routing, Kensington lock
• Warranty: 3-Year warranty (includes OLED burn-in)

What we like

It’s exceptionally fast

The star of the show is the Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3’s speed. The fast, 360Hz refresh rate lets the display present new images at an exceptional speed that can keep up with the fast action in first-person shooters like Overwatch 2 just fine.

But there’s a second aspect that’s just as crucial: pixel response time. This is how fast each pixel is actually able to shift to display the correct, new visual data, and for QD-OLED displays that shift happens incredibly fast. On a monitor with a slow pixel response time and a high refresh rate as seen in some VA panels, fast camera movements can smear on-screen objects and scenery across the screen, making it difficult to keep track of what you’re seeing. With the Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3, that issue is largely nonexistent, keeping opposing players in Overwatch 2 clear even in fast-paced team fights.

With FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync compatibility, the Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3 is also able to remain clean even if your framerate isn’t matched to the monitor’s max 360Hz refresh rate. These VRR capabilities ensure each frame is presented in whole, instead of tearing as the monitor tries to present a new frame before it’s finished presenting the prior one.

This proved helpful while I played Far Cry 6, which benefited from the smoothness and visuals of the display but was difficult to run at 360 fps.

Strong color and contrast make for a great image

It’s hard to say that color and contrast play second fiddle here, but the reality is that Gigabyte has enough competition that there isn’t a lot of room to slip up even an iota. The QD-OLED panel on the Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3 is undeniably gorgeous. It covers 99% of the DCI-P3 color space for rich, vibrant colors and has a deep contrast ratio while medium highlights can reach up to 870 nits for larger window areas or even as high as 985 nits for small highlights.

That puts it in good position to rival the Alienware AW2725DF, which launched at $900 but has since settled down to about $800 and is similarly colorful and bright, but the Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3 manages to be slightly brighter.

That said, it doesn’t have the color accuracy of the Alienware display. In fact, it manages an average dE of 2.26 and a max dE of 3.9 out of the box—the amount by which a display’s measured color differs from the intended color. A max dE of 2 or 3 would be good enough for most people, so these levels aren’t bad, but it rules out the display for professional work before calibration. The Alienware AW2725DF’s dE of 1.26 before user calibration makes it a viable creator display in addition to its gaming chops.

The Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3’s contrast and color pair nicely with the screen’s 1440p resolution, which keeps the visuals reasonably sharp thanks to the 108 pixels per inch density. This new generation of panel avoids the color fringing issues that cropped up on earlier WOLED and QD-OLED monitors, which could sometimes see unintended colors appear at the edges of other pixels, including text, creating blurry and inaccurate visuals.

It doesn’t get much better looking than blazing fast, color-rich QD-OLED.

It doesn’t skimp on ports

At $800, the Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3 is on the lower side of the market for third-generation QD-OLED displays, though the Alienware AW2725DF’s recent discount to under $800 poses some threat. In spite of the relatively low price, it doesn’t skimp where others might have.

The Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3 includes a pair of high-speed USB-A ports for peripherals that can link up to your system either over a USB-B connection or a USB-C connection. This lets you connect the monitor to a desktop and a laptop and easily switch between them, shifting the peripherals between the systems as well via the integrated KVM switch.

That’s a respectable addition, especially as the Alienware’s USB-C connection doesn’t support display or upstream data to a connected laptop.

The USB-C connection can supply up to 18 watts of power. That won’t be enough for a lot of laptops under load, but it can keep a connected tablet, a Steam Deck or Asus ROG Ally running. The monitor includes a DisplayPort 1.4 port and a pair of HDMI 2.1 ports for full video bandwidth.

There are even two separate 3.5mm audio ports for headphones and a microphone. The headphone connection is powered by an ESS Sabre HiFi DAC.

The speakers aren’t half bad

Plenty of gaming monitors don’t even bother to add speakers, even those priced at over $1000 like the LG UltraGear OLED 34GS95QE-B. That’s not always a big deal as gaming on a monitor’s built-in speakers is hardly recommended, but it’s no small nod to usability (and a nice value add) for a monitor to include them. So Gigabyte’s inclusion here is a nice concession.

All the better that they’re a decent pair of 5-watt speakers. They don’t create an impressive stereo effect, but they pump out reasonable volume with a bit of depth. They can play over the noise of an air conditioner well, and music gets the benefit of a touch of bass. They do sound a little boxed in and harsh at max volume but do the job they need to.

What we don’t like

The best settings can be hard to find

By default, the Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3 won’t impress as much as it should. Like most monitors, it ships in an eco mode that limits brightness and many other features to use less energy. Out of the box, brightness peaks at just 179.3 nits. Most users will want to switch out of this mode immediately. Enabling HDR is one quick way to do so, but even then, the monitor defaults to a fairly limited HDR mode which only sees highlights peak at around 447 nits, even for smaller windows.

It can take a bit of digging around to get to the best settings. Disabling eco mode enables a higher peak brightness for SDR content, and switching over to the HDR Vivid mode in the monitor’s settings allows for much higher peak brightness levels. It’s those smaller HDR highlights that really dazzle, so it’s strange Gigabyte would tuck this option away outside of the defaults.

OLED dimming shows up when HDR is enabled

One of the more annoying things about WOLED and QD-OLED displays is the different levels of brightness they’re limited to when displaying on-screen content. Because brighter pixels require more power, a whole window of maximum-brightness pixels would take more power than the monitor is capable of, so an Auto Brightness Limiter (or ABL) is put in place to manage the brightness and power. This helps prolong the life of individual pixels by reducing the strain placed on them.

This is why we see 100% white window brightness levels so much lower than windows that occupy 10%, 4%, and 1% of the screen. Sometimes, the effect of this power limitation is that shifting on-screen content will cause the display to dim other parts of the screen. For example, if you open a new window that calls for bright pixels, you may see other areas on the screen suddenly dim as the display balances out the power needs.

This behavior was more prominent on earlier OLED monitors but the latest generation have avoided it fairly well. The Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3 does a pretty good job, too, with none of this dimming noticeable in SDR mode. But once you turn on HDR, it doesn’t manage the base white level as well, and the dimming behavior occurs throughout regular use.

This effect isn’t so noticeable in games, but unless you’re someone who regularly toggles HDR on and off, you could run into this dimming issue on the Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3. It’s avoidable, but regrettable nonetheless.

The stand is functional but ugly

Nearly all of the OLED and QD-OLED monitors to hit the market recently have been fairly stylish. That’s largely thanks to their thin displays, which let them show off a bit. The Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3 is no exception. In fact, the rear of the panel features a couple of subtle RGB effects shining out of the small housing that sits on the back of an otherwise thin display panel. The stand it sits on is kind of ugly, however.

The stand has a visible slider for vertical height adjustments and includes a clip for cable routing, but it’s not very attractive nor does it allow for smooth cable management. The gap in the stand’s neck is also too narrow for some cables. The base of the stand continues Gigabyte’s tradition of edge boomerangs. In this case, it doesn’t meld well with the rest of the stand.

You can always swap it out for a VESA-compatible monitor arm, but a nicer stand would have been great.

Should you buy the Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3?

Yes, if you want an excellent monitor at a great value

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The Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3 is a banging gaming monitor. Its QD-OLED panel puts on an excellent show with stunning color that can shine bright and sink into deep darkness all at once. Those visuals speed along wonderfully at 360Hz. That’s a common experience for gaming monitors with this Samsung Display QD-OLED panel, but Gigabyte sets the Aorus FO27Q3 apart with decent speakers, plenty of ports, a USB hub and KVM switch, and a competitive price tag that make it stand out from the pack.

The Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3 may not be the ultimate display. The Alienware AW2725DF has it beat in a couple respects, like color accuracy, and you could jump up to a 4K 32-inch option like the MSI MPG 321URX for just $150 more, trading out some speed for higher resolution and brightness. The $750 MSI MAG 271QPX may put some pressure on the Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3, but its omission of USB-A ports and speakers is plenty to justify the extra $50 Gigabyte asks for.

Samsung also offers its own monitor with this panel in the Odyssey OLED G6 which goes for $800, but it lacks speakers.

Despite the alternatives, the Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3 doesn’t fall so far behind them on any counts to feel like an unworthy challenger. And with so many helpful extras to make up any lost ground, it manages to earn its place for those who want a well-rounded option that’ll leave little to be desired.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.