If you want better Gradient smoothness
Choose ASUS ROG Strix OLED XG27ACDNG. It scores 5.0 vs 2.0 for Gradient smoothness, with a 4.4 overall score.
LG 27GX790A-B Monitor Review
Bottom Line
A remarkably fast 480Hz OLED with crisp motion, deep blacks and vivid gaming color. Its price, VRR flicker, softer desktop text and need for a powerful PC make it a specialist rather than a universal upgrade.
Serious competitive PC gamers with hardware capable of very high 1440p frame rates, especially those who prioritize target tracking and quick response.
Budget shoppers, console-only users, heavy coders and people needing bright-room office clarity or single-cable laptop docking will find better-balanced alternatives.
Verdict
The LG 27GX790A-B is built for people who can actually use 480Hz at 1440p. Its near-instant OLED response keeps moving targets unusually crisp, while deep blacks and vibrant colors give games an image quality that fast LCDs struggle to match. The adjustable metal stand, HDMI 2.1 inputs and broad adaptive-sync support make the hardware easy to live with. Yet this is not a do-everything display. A strong gaming PC is essential to unlock its top refresh rate, and variable-refresh flicker can distract in dark scenes. The matte WOLED panel can look soft around small text, some units show gray banding, and bright-room performance trails newer OLED designs. USB-C docking and speakers are absent. At a substantial discount, it is a compelling esports monitor; for mixed productivity or console-only use, sharper or cheaper alternatives make more sense.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
86 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.032 (37%)
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Positive 3.5-4.426 (30%)
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Neutral 2.5-3.49 (10%)
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Negative 1.5-2.417 (20%)
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Very negative below 1.52 (2%)
Pros highlights
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A native 480Hz refresh makes motion dramatically smooth and is its clearest reason to buy, provided the PC can render enough frames.
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This is a standout fit for serious esports players who can drive 1440p at very high frame rates: targets stay crisp and controls feel immediate.
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Almost blur-free 480Hz motion is the defining attraction, keeping fast-moving targets and small details clear in competitive games.
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Extremely rapid pixel transitions keep edges crisp even through frantic camera movement, supporting the monitor’s esports strengths.
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HDR is especially captivating when bright effects appear against deep black surroundings. Some comparisons favor newer OLEDs for sustained brightness, but the older panel can track intended HDR tones more faithfully.
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The fast, colorful OLED gaming experience wins strong praise, but this specialized screen leaves value-focused and productivity-first buyers with better options.
Cons highlights
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The monitor looks strongest on sale: its unique 480Hz speed can justify the premium for enthusiasts, but regular prices invite faster or sharper rivals.
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Brightness is generally adequate for a gaming room and HDR highlights stand out, but sunny offices and the newest OLED rivals reveal its limitations.
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DisplayPort 2.1 is a welcome gaming connection, but UHBR13.5 bandwidth still requires compression for 1440p at 480Hz, and occasional handshake problems have been reported.
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Reaching the full 480Hz benefit calls for unusually high, steady frame rates and a powerful PC. Lesser rigs still run smoothly but leave much of the panel untapped.
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Frame-rate swings can produce pronounced brightness flicker, most conspicuously in dark scenes, so stable frame caps or fixed refresh may be preferable.
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There are no integrated speakers, leaving users to rely on a headset, desktop speakers or the headphone output.
Use Cases
Best for
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OLED contrast, rich colors and punchy highlights make movies and video engaging, particularly in a controlled lighting environment.
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Deep blacks and powerful small highlights bring atmospheric games to life, especially in darker environments. Large bright scenes are less impressive.
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Near-black OLED pixels and bright pinpoint highlights create particularly striking contrast in a dim space, whether gaming or watching movies.
Not ideal for
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Single-cable laptop dockingMissing USB-C video and power means this cannot serve as a simple one-cable monitor-and-charger setup for a laptop.
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Budget-conscious buyersA 480Hz OLED carries a premium that most budget builds will struggle to justify; meaningful discounts make it far more attractive.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Monitors, this product is above average in competitive gaming suitability, Screen bezel design, HDR performance, near average in input lag, VRR compatibility, below average in productivity versatility, Image scaling, Gradient smoothness.
Comparison summary
83 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher26 (31%)
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Same as average within 0.3 pts26 (31%)
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Below average 0.4+ pts lower31 (37%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| productivity versatility | 2.0 | 4.4 | -2.4 |
| Image scaling | 1.0 | 3.2 | -2.2 |
| Gradient smoothness | 2.0 | 4.2 | -2.2 |
| Display-mode switching reliability | 1.7 | 3.6 | -1.9 |
| Text fringing | 2.0 | 3.8 | -1.8 |
| competitive gaming suitability | 4.9 | 3.6 | +1.3 |
| Shadow detail | 2.0 | 3.7 | -1.7 |
| Screen bezel design | 5.0 | 3.4 | +1.6 |
Consider This Instead
If you want better screen uniformity
Choose TCL 32R84. It scores 5.0 vs 2.4 for screen uniformity, with a 4.2 overall score.
If you want better warranty and support service
Choose Dell Alienware AW2725DF. It scores 4.8 vs 2.7 for warranty and support service, with a 4.2 overall score.
If you want better GPU demands
Choose LG 27GX700A-B. It scores 4.0 vs 1.9 for GPU demands, with a 3.6 overall score.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
- Better: new generation brightness, colors and dual-mode The newer B model adds more brightness, stronger colors, and a 720Hz dual-mode option.
- Better: refresh rate and successor value The successor has a faster panel, making the older version worthwhile primarily at a discount.
- Better: successor model and value The 27GX790B-B replaces this model with newer OLED technology; price dictates the better buy.
- Alternative: 4K text sharpness versus refresh ASUS favors 4K text clarity and bandwidth but trades away LG’s 480Hz motion.
- Better: resolution and professional gamut The ASUS model prioritizes sharper 4K output and a slightly wider measured gamut.
- Compared: HDR accuracy and RGB Tandem brightness The 27GX700A-B is brighter, while the 27GX790A-B is faster and handles HDR brightness more faithfully.
- Compared: brightness and color versus gaming speed The newer RGB Tandem model gets brighter, while the 27GX790A-B keeps a 480Hz gaming advantage.
FAQ
Does the LG 27GX790A-B really reach 480Hz?
Yes, it is designed for 1440p at up to 480Hz with an appropriate connection and compatible hardware. To see a corresponding improvement, the game and PC need to deliver very high frame rates.
Is it good for competitive shooters?
Yes. Near-instant pixel transitions, unusually clear motion, and low lag are its standout strengths, particularly at high frame rates.
How does it compare with a 4K OLED monitor?
The LG favors motion speed over pixel density. A 27-inch 4K OLED generally offers sharper fine text and more detailed graphics, while this model supports up to 480Hz at native QHD.
Can it be used with a PS5 or Xbox?
Yes, both consoles can use its HDMI connections and benefit from OLED contrast. Neither can deliver 480Hz, so it may be overkill for a console-only setup.
Does the screen suffer from VRR flicker or burn-in risk?
Changing frame rates can cause noticeable VRR brightness flicker, especially in dark scenes. OLED care features reduce wear risk, but extended static content still needs attention.
Is it suitable for office work and editing?
It works for routine tasks and offers useful color adjustment, but 1440p WOLED text fringing and some gray-uniformity issues make it less ideal for reading, coding or precision work.
Does it include USB-C charging or speakers?
No. It has a modest USB-A hub, modern HDMI and DisplayPort connections, and a headset output with spatial-audio processing, but no built-in speakers or USB-C dock.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
YouTube - Alex Hitt
- Review score
- 3.8
YouTube - Verified Reviews
- Review score
- 3.7
YouTube - RTINGS Computer
- Review score
- 3.9
YouTube - khensationalreviews
- Review score
- 3.4
YouTube - Marty Explains Tech
- Review score
- 4.7
Article Reviews
displayverdict.com
LG's 27-inch 1440p 480Hz WOLED with DisplayPort 2.1 and high measured brightness, now often cheaper since the 540Hz model arrived.
- Review score
- 4.2
itechguides.com
The LG 27GX790A-B review finds a superb 480Hz 1440p OLED for competitive PC gaming, but limited HDR brightness and OLED trade-offs matter...
- Review score
- 3.7
monitorgarage.com
The LG 27GX790A-B focuses on a 480 Hz, 27-inch 1440p WOLED. Response and hardware calibration are strong arguments, while the matte finish...
- Review score
- 3.6
cgmagonline.com
The LG UltraGear 27-inch OLED GX7 27GX790A is expensive, but its top-tier performance makes it a long-term investment for both pro-level...
- Review score
- 4.6
pcgamer.com
480 Hz's worth of sizzling WOLED speed.
- Review score
- 3.7
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