Samsung - 27" Odyssey G5 (G50F) QHD Fast IPS 180Hz 1ms G-Sync & FreeSync Compatible Gaming Monitor (DisplayPort, HDMI) - Black

Samsung 27" Odyssey G5 QHD IPS 180Hz gaming monitor is one of Samsung’s latest entry/mid- range QHD gaming monitors with quick response time, higher refresh rates, and a simple design. After using this monitor for a week, it's proven to be a great addition to my multipurpose setup. In the Box: - Monitor w/ Stand - Power Supply (External Brick Required) - HDMI Cable - DisplayPort Cable - Manual Setup: Monitors these days are very easy to set up on their included stands. This one is no different. There is a base with a retained screw that is meant to be turned by hand. Simply place the stand on the base and tighten the screw. The monitor then tilts and clips onto the stand. This monitor also supports VESA mounting if you have another method of mounting that you prefer. The monitor includes both an HDMI and DisplayPort cable which makes new installations extremely easy. The only downside to this monitor is the power supply does have an external “brick” that you will need to find a place for under/behind your desk. Once powered on, the monitor will prompt you to register it to your Samsung account. You can navigate the menus using the controller on the backside of the screen. This is one of my biggest complaints about this monitor as it is somewhat hard to reach due to its positioning high, off center, to the left. Usage: Once you navigate the menus and adjust the settings, it really brings this monitor to life. With this being an IPS panel, it’s not going to be the same experience as an OLED, but I have been very impressed with the colors, brightness, and anti-glare (matte) finish screen which is easy to see in almost any light. The 27” size is perfect for most desk setups that don’t have additional space for larger sizes or curved displays. The design of this monitor is very minimalistic which makes it suitable for any environment. RGB lighting and complex designs are cool but it only adds cost. When it comes to gaming, the experience is very enjoyable for this price point. The 1ms response time and up to 180Hz refresh rate, is a good combination of performance and resolution. Colors are saturated and blacks are very good. FPS games are enjoyable as is racing. If you’re coming from 1080p and/or a slower refresh rate monitor, you will see the difference immediately. This monitor supports FreeSync and G-Sync which allows for seamless integration with most graphics cards from the past decade. I found no issues with compatibility but keep in mind your computer or graphics card may limit you to lower specs if it doesn’t support the full 180hz at 1440p. The monitor also has “virtual aim point” which allows for on-screen crosshairs that can be adjusted to your preference/game. There is a 3.5mm headphone jack on the backside if you want to use wired audio. Pros: - DisplayPort & HDMI Cables Included (Auto Input Switch) - Stand Adjustability (Height, Tilt, Swivel, Pivot) - QHD Resolution w/ HDR10 (Good Colors, Adjustability, Modes) - Competitive Response Time/Refresh Rate Cons: - External Power Supply (Not Built Into Monitor) - No USB-C Input or Charging - No Bonus Stand Features (I.e Phone Holder, 1/4" Thread Top Of Stand, etc.) Overall: The Odyssey G5 has proven to be a great monitor for gaming but also for other day to day tasks you may perform. The 1440p resolution is a good sweet spot because it provides a noticeable increase in pixel density (clarity) over 1080p and the 180Hz refresh rate is snappy enough for most gaming experiences but plenty for other tasks. The design is refreshingly minimalistic but the stand retains all of the features and adjustments that are beneficial for flexibility. The controller on the rear is a little difficult to use compared to some others I have used but the menu is easy to navigate. This is a solid monitor for this price point and I would recommend it to anyone looking.

Samsung continues the trend of offering a nice all around monitor for the price. All the main technologies you’d want at this price point are here: A punchy IPS panel, 27” at 1440p resolution, included HDMI & DisplayPort cables and connections, and a clean design that fits in with just about every setup. __ Screen __ While this can’t compete with an OLED for the deepest blacks or brightest colors and contrast, it still looks great and provides crisp text when not gaming just by virtue of being an LCD. That’s the funny thing about OLED, it can be great, but at lower pixel densities (including 1440p), text often looks rather bad due to how the sub pixels are typically arranged in that technology. Had this been an OLED, I’m sure I would be noting that as a significant negative, despite image quality. Instead, this panel hits the perfect LCD sweet spot of 1440 at 27” with a rather nice IPS panel. It’s fast and responsive in games, with great color balance. HDR10 support makes those colors pop even more (for media that supports it). Most people use their monitors for more than gaming, so it’s hard not to recommend a monitor like this - it will serve most people very well. Windows applications look good, while games shine with a smooth refresh rate. I saw no signs of ghosting or screen door effects during my use so far. One slight downside is that isn’t the brightest display at only 300 nits. It seems plenty bright in a dark room, but in bright sun it may not get bright enough for some people. Finally, I did see a bit of reflected edge lighting during black or darkened screens. This causes a bit of a wide glow from the corners that shifts a bit as you move your head. In practice, this didn’t hurt my impression as most content isn't so dark, but it’s good to keep in mind. __ Design __ Samsung chose a nice design for this monitor. The base is sturdy and looks a lot better than the models this replaced. From the front, its screen appears nearly edge to edge with only a small lip at the bottom. At the sides, it gives a very thin impression, and from the back it looks both professional and interesting (with almost an understated industrial-gamer look). Nothing is over the top or flashy. The ports on the bottom can be a bit hard to access, but it’s all very straightforward with a port for HDMI, another for DisplayPort, and lastly, the barrel port for power. All the cables you need are included, so no secondary purchases are necessary. There aren’t any speakers integrated here, but you really wouldn’t expect them in this product category. As for the interface, a single joystick nub at the back is fairly easy to feel for and operate for quick access to controlling display settings like brightness. A small integrated clip at the rear allows some cable management - not the cleanest design, but it gets the job done. __ Summary __ I continue to be impressed by Samsung’s more entry-level gaming offerings. While no OLED, it strikes the perfect balance of providing a quality panel at a respectable 1440 resolution - all at my top suggested size of 27” and an attractive price point. These specs are perfect for most people, making it a great multi-purpose monitor… Of course this is also a gaming monitor. As such, the G-sync/FreeSync support, DisplayPort compatibility, and a fast 180Hz refresh rate made my games look very smooth. Even the design is both interesting and modern looking. Samsung has a hit on their hands, it’s very easy to recommend.

I’m always excited to receive and test new products, and this monitor is no exception! The monitor comes very well packaged and was super easy to assemble. The monitors display and color clarity is stunning with awesome color definitions that takes my breath away. It has refresh rate of 180hz with an impressive response time of 0.03ms, which enables my fast reactions and a smooth gaming experience. All of this combined reduces game choppiness, screen lag, and image tearing. While your gamer friends are playing on an older monitor platform and slower refresh rates, you’ll definitely have the advantage with this product! The OLED screen with QHD resolution provides a quality picture. Color accuracy is spot-on. The manufacturer boasts of an OLED Safeguard keeping the screen cool by actively helping to prevent burn-in with a Thermal Modulation System, Logo and Taskbar Detection, and Screen Saver. Standard with this product, Samsung offers a 3-year warranty protection period, so rest assured you will have no worries for many years to come. So far, I only managed to run a game or two with this monitor and honestly the experience, performance and colors on the monitor were awesome. I was very pleasantly surprised and impressed with the build and operational capabilities of this monitor. This OLED monitor in my opinion {although not top of the line} is fantastic and it does everything quite well. it works as advertised with no hiccups. The Samsung OLED display with QHD resolution delivers exquisite picture quality through its quantum dot technology. Colors pop with awesome color accuracy and brightness. My personal gaming experience and overall general use was amazing, and I have nothing but praise for this product. It provided me with a gaming experience, that I'm accustomed to. Awesome product this is beautifully manufactured and a welcomed edition to my overall computer and gaming experience. Highly recommended.