Gigabyte has entered the expanding dual-mode gaming monitor market with two new 27-inch displays that lets you switch between 4K and ultra-fast 1080p. The Gigabyte G27U, announced on October 17, 2025, and the Gigabyte G27UP, unveiled two days later on October 19, both feature SuperSpeed IPS panels with the ability to toggle between 4K UHD at 160Hz and Full HD at 320Hz.
Dual-mode is one of the most significant trends in gaming displays in 2025. The technology addresses the persistent challenge for PC gamers: the trade-off between resolution and refresh rate. High-resolution 4K displays deliver stunning visual detail for immersive single-player experiences but typically max out at 144-160Hz. Conversely, competitive gamers prioritize high refresh rates of 240Hz or more for faster response times, often at the cost of resolution. It’s also a compromise in terms of PC hardware, as most mainstream GPUs will have trouble running AAA games at both high resolutions and high refresh rates.
Dual-mode displays solve this problem by allowing users to switch between configurations via a hotkey, eliminating the blurriness that usually results from running 1080p content on a native 4K screen. This technology initially appeared in premium OLED panels in 2024, manufacturers like Alienware, ASUS, MSI, and now Gigabyte have brought the feature to more affordable IPS-based monitors in 2025.
Specifications
| Specifications | Gigabyte G27U | Gigabyte G27UP |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 27 inches | 27 inches |
| Panel Type | SuperSpeed IPS | SuperSpeed IPS |
| Panel Format | Flat | Flat |
| Native Resolution | 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD) | 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD) |
| Dual Mode Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) | 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) |
| Native Refresh Rate | 160Hz (4K mode) | 160Hz (4K mode) |
| Dual Mode Refresh Rate | 320Hz (FHD mode) | 320Hz (FHD mode) |
| Response Time | 1ms GTG | 1ms GTG |
| Color Depth | 10-bit | 10-bit |
| Color Gamut (DCI-P3) | 95% | 95% |
| Brightness (Typical) | 350 nits | 350 nits |
| Brightness (Peak HDR) | 400 nits | 400 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 | 1000:1 |
| Viewing Angles | 178° / 178° (H/V) | 178° / 178° (H/V) |
| Adaptive Sync Technology | FreeSync Premium G-SYNC Compatible | FreeSync Premium G-SYNC Compatible |
| Connectivity | ||
| HDMI Ports | 2x HDMI 2.1 | 2x HDMI 2.1 |
| DisplayPort | 1x DisplayPort 1.4 (with DSC) | 1x DisplayPort 1.4 (with DSC) |
| USB Type-C | None | 1x USB Type-C (15W Power Delivery + DP Alt Mode) |
| USB Hub | None | 1x USB Type-B upstream, 2x USB Type-A downstream |
| USB Type-A | 1x USB 2.0 Type-A (for firmware updates) | 1x USB 2.0 Type-A |
| Audio Output | 3.5mm headphone jack | 3.5mm headphone jack |
| KVM Switch | No | Yes |
| Gaming Features | ||
| Tactical Switch 2.0 | Yes | Yes |
| Black Equalizer 2.0 | Yes | Yes |
| Night Vision | Yes | Yes |
| Smart OD (Overdrive) | Yes | Yes |
| Aim Stabilizer Sync | Yes | Yes |
| Game Assist | Yes (crosshairs, timers, PiP modes) | Not specified |
| Picture-in-Picture / Picture-by-Picture | Yes (via Game Assist) | Yes |
| Ergonomics | ||
| Height Adjustment | 130mm | Full range (specific measurement not provided) |
| Tilt | -5° to +21° | Full range (specific angles not provided) |
| Swivel | +/-15° | Full range (specific angles not provided) |
| Pivot | Clockwise | Yes (rotate) |
Both the G27U and G27UP are built around 27-inch SuperSpeed IPS panels with identical dual-mode capabilities. In 4K mode, you get 3840×2160 resolution at 160Hz, but switching to Full HD mode delivers 1920×1080 resolution at 320Hz, targeting competitive titles where split-second reaction times provide an advantage.
The displays feature a 1ms gray-to-gray (GTG) response time, with the G27UP also claiming 0.5ms MPRT (Moving Picture Response Time). Additionally, both monitors cover 95% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, offering wide color reproduction for both gaming and content creation tasks. The displays achieve 350 nits typical brightness in SDR mode and 400 nits peak brightness with HDR support.
For smooth gameplay, both models are certified for AMD FreeSync Premium and listed as NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible, ensuring tear-free visuals when paired with modern graphics cards. Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.1 ports, DisplayPort 1.4 with Display Stream Compression (DSC), and a standard headphone jack.
Ergonomics are well-addressed as well, with stands offering 130mm of height adjustment, -5 to 21 degrees of tilt, +/-15 degrees of swivel, and clockwise pivot capability. Both monitors use Gigabyte’s four-sided ventilation system to maintain optimal temperatures during extended gaming sessions.
Key Differences: G27U vs G27UP
While the two monitors share core display technology, they target slightly different user segments. The G27UP is positioned as the more feature-rich productivity-oriented option.
The G27UP includes a built-in KVM switch (allowing you to control multiple computers with a single set of peripherals), which is a valuable feature for professionals who work across multiple systems. It also adds:a USB Type-C port with 15W Power Delivery and DisplayPort Alt Mode, plus a full USB hub with one Type-B upstream port and two Type-A downstream ports. These additions make the G27UP more suitable for hybrid use cases combining gaming and professional workflows.
Market Context
Gigabyte’s dual-mode IPS market entry follows similar moves by competitors throughout 2025. The Alienware AW2725QF was among the first (comparatively) affordable IPS dual-mode monitors, retailing for around $500. ASUS has the ROG Strix XG32UCG, a 32-inch variant with similar specifications. MSI’s MPG 274URDFW E16M adds mini-LED backlighting and AI features that automatically detect game types and switch modes accordingly.
The G27U and G27UP are positioned as mid-range options, althouth pricing for these models has not been officially announced at the time of publication. For reference, Gigabyte’s earlier M27UP model, which shares the dual-mode feature set, launched in China at approximately CNY 1,999 (around $278 USD), though that model has a different feature set.
As mentioned previously, the dual-mode segment extends beyond IPS panels. Premium OLED variants from manufacturers like LG offer 4K at 240Hz switching to Full HD at 480Hz, though these are significantly more expensive at $1,000 to $1,400.
Both of the Gigabyte monitors will appeal to users with mid-range graphics cards and more mainstream PC builds. The ability to drop to 1080p for higher frame rates means even GPUs that struggle with 4K gaming can deliver smooth high-refresh-rate experiences in competitive titles, while also offering the option for 4K when playing less demanding games.
At this point, we would link to an official press release, but there is none at the time of writing. Gigabyte has not announced official pricing or availability dates for either the G27U or G27UP as of October 21, 2025. The monitors were revealed through display specification databases and industry news coverage rather than formal press releases with retail information.
