The Cooler Master Tempest GP27U’s excellent picture quality, fast gaming performance, and sleek design make it a great choice for hardcore gamers. However, off-center viewing problems and calibration requirements may disappoint.
The Cooler Master Tempest GP27U is a premium gaming monitor released in late 2022. As a high-end option, this monitor boasts features that productivity enthusiasts and hardcore gamers should expect from the best computer monitors. The 27-inch MiniLED panel offers a 4K resolution with a 160 Hz refresh rate. It’s compatible with AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-SYNC VRR technologies.
This Cooler Master monitor provides DisplayPort and HDMI 2.1 connectivity options for compatibility with PCs and gaming consoles. Unlike many top-rated gaming monitors, the device also features a USB-C port and a built-in KVM switch, so you can work from two different machines at the press of a button. For another high-end gaming monitor, check out our HP Omen 27qs review or our Samsung Odyssey G85SB review.
The Cooler Master Tempest GP27U is an excellent all-around computer monitor that appeals mostly to gamers due to its impressive picture quality and advanced gaming features. With a 4K resolution, wide color gamut, and high brightness levels, you’ll be immersed in any game you play here. Plus, it offers a 165Hz refresh rate, variable refresh rate features, and a tested 1ms response time for better performance.
The Tempest GP27U isn’t without its flaws, though. You’ll need to do some calibration to get accurate color representation, and wide-angle viewing can wash out the colors and cause some blooming. The Tempest is an excellent gaming monitor with many advanced gaming features, but if you’re on a budget or looking for a productivity monitor, you may want to consider other options.
Reason to Buy
Excellent Picture Quality
With a 4K resolution and wide color gamut in the top 10% of others tested in this category, this gaming monitor excels in creating a beautiful and immersive image quality. Plus, in spite of its relatively low native contrast ratio (1,072:1), the monitor is capable of producing deep blacks thanks to its full-array MiniLED panel.
Fast Response Time
The Tempest GP27U is quick thanks to its tested 1ms response time, which is in the top tier of this category and on par with the highest-performing options available today.
Low Input Lag
With a tested input lag of around 3.9ms, this monitor ranks at the top of our list when compared to other tested gaming monitors. As such, the actions you take on your keyboard or mouse happen almost instantaneously on the monitor. This is excellent for FPS games and productivity applications, requiring accurate and timely inputs.
Flexible Refresh Rates
The monitor offers an impressive 165Hz refresh rate, which makes motion handling a breeze. Fast-moving objects on the display look great, and you won’t experience many screen tears during crucial moments in your game.
Reason to Avoid
Needs Calibration
You’ll likely need to do deeper color calibration to get the best out of the monitor’s superior image quality. It can be an intimidating task if you haven’t done this before.
Poor Viewing Angles
If you’re looking at the monitor at an off-center angle, you may notice some blooming and color washout. This doesn’t make for a great couch co-op experience with friends.
KVM Switch Needs Work
The included KVM switch is great for switching between machines, but its functionality can be finicky and unreliable. If you run two machines on the same monitor, you may still want to use an external switch.
Tempest GP27U Specs
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Available Inputs
3.5mm, DisplayPort, HDMI, USB
Bluelight Filter
Yes
Built-In Webcam
No
Curved Screen
No
Display Type
IPS
Flicker Free
Yes
HDMI Inputs
2
HDR Format
HDR10
High Dynamic Range (HDR)
Yes
Max Resolution
3840 x 2160 (4k)
Panel Type
Flat Series
Refresh Rate
160 Hz
Response Time
1 ms
Rotating Screen
Yes
Screen size
27"
Sync Technology
AMD FreeSync
All Specs
Test Results
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The Cooler Master Tempest GP27U is a premium gaming monitor released in late 2022. As a high-end option, this monitor boasts features that productivity enthusiasts…
The Cooler Master Tempest GP27U is a premium gaming monitor released in late 2022. As a high-end option, this monitor boasts features that productivity enthusiasts and hardcore gamers should expect from the best computer monitors. The 27-inch MiniLED panel offers a 4K resolution with a 160 Hz refresh rate. It’s compatible with AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-SYNC VRR technologies.
This Cooler Master monitor provides DisplayPort and HDMI 2.1 connectivity options for compatibility with PCs and gaming consoles. Unlike many top-rated gaming monitors, the device also features a USB-C port and a built-in KVM switch, so you can work from two different machines at the press of a button. For another high-end gaming monitor, check out our HP Omen 27qs review or our Samsung Odyssey G85SB review.
If you read our Samsung T55 review you’ll see that the Tempest wins in resolution with 4K vs. 1080p, but the T55’s curved display and…
If you read our Samsung T55 review you’ll see that the Tempest wins in resolution with 4K vs. 1080p, but the T55’s curved display and VRR functionality can be more appealing. For another curved gaming monitor, consider reading our Dell Alienware AW3423DW review .
The Innocn 27M2V offers MiniLED backlighting and 4K resolution, but it tends to perform better with variable refresh rate (VRR) functionality, while the Tempest offers…
The Innocn 27M2V offers MiniLED backlighting and 4K resolution, but it tends to perform better with variable refresh rate (VRR) functionality, while the Tempest offers better motion handling. The Innocn also boasts better local dimming. Read our Innocn 27M2V review to learn more.
The Cooler Master brand as a whole offers a wide range of top-rated gaming monitors, each offering different features and price tags. For example, the…
The Cooler Master brand as a whole offers a wide range of top-rated gaming monitors, each offering different features and price tags. For example, the Cooler Master GM series typically offers a 1080p Full HD resolution as compared to the Tempest’s 4K. The Cooler Master GA Series offers 100Hz refresh rates as compared to the Tempest’s 165Hz.
