LG UltraGear 27GP850-B: A 1440p 180Hz Gaming Monitor That Still Has Plenty to Offer
The LG UltraGear 27GP850-B is not a new gaming monitor. LG identifies the model as a 2021 product. Yet its combination of a 27-inch QHD Nano IPS panel, 165Hz refresh rate, optional 180Hz overclocking, 1ms response time and support for both NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible and AMD FreeSync Premium means it remains relevant for PC gaming in 2026.
The more difficult question for South African buyers is price. The monitor has appeared locally at significantly different prices over time, and current availability is not consistent.
That makes the 27GP850-B a product where the price matters almost as much as the specification.
A 27-inch QHD gaming monitor
The 27GP850-B uses a 27-inch IPS panel with a 2560 × 1440 resolution.
That puts it in the QHD category, commonly referred to as 1440p.
For PC gaming, 1440p remains a useful middle ground between 1080p and 4K. It provides considerably more screen detail than Full HD without demanding the same level of graphics performance as native 4K.
The 27-inch size also gives the monitor a pixel density of approximately 109 pixels per inch, based on its resolution and physical screen size.
LG specifies a 16:9 aspect ratio, a 0.2331mm pixel pitch and viewing angles of 178 degrees horizontally and vertically.
Nano IPS targets colour and speed
LG uses a Nano IPS panel in the 27GP850-B.
The company rates the monitor’s typical DCI-P3 colour gamut at 98%, with a minimum specification of 90%. It also lists factory colour calibration.
That makes the monitor useful beyond gaming.
The wide colour gamut can benefit users who also edit photographs, video or other visual content. However, the 27GP850-B remains primarily a gaming monitor rather than a professional colour-critical display.
It does not offer hardware calibration, according to LG’s specifications.
165Hz with a 180Hz overclock
The monitor has a native maximum refresh rate of 165Hz, with LG supporting an overclocked 180Hz mode.
This is one of the monitor’s strongest gaming features.
A 165Hz display can update the image substantially more frequently than a conventional 60Hz monitor. At 180Hz, a new frame can theoretically be displayed every 5.56 milliseconds, compared with 16.67 milliseconds at 60Hz.
The difference is most noticeable in fast-moving games, particularly competitive shooters, racing games and other titles where rapid camera movement is common.
There is an important limitation, however.
LG specifies that the 180Hz overclocked mode operates through DisplayPort. The monitor’s HDMI inputs support QHD at up to 144Hz.
PC gamers wanting the maximum refresh rate should therefore use DisplayPort with compatible hardware.
1ms response time
LG lists a 1ms GTG response time when the monitor is operated in its Faster response-time mode.
Response-time figures on gaming monitors should always be treated carefully.
A manufacturer’s 1ms specification does not mean every pixel transition will take exactly one millisecond in every situation. Actual response behaviour varies according to the transition, overdrive setting and operating conditions.
Still, the specification places the 27GP850-B firmly in the high-refresh competitive-gaming category.
G-SYNC and FreeSync support
The 27GP850-B supports both major adaptive-sync ecosystems.
LG lists NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible certification and AMD FreeSync Premium support.
Adaptive sync allows the monitor’s refresh behaviour to coordinate with the graphics card’s frame output.
This can reduce tearing and help produce a smoother image when frame rates fluctuate.
For PC gamers, support for both ecosystems is useful because the monitor does not lock buyers into a particular graphics-card manufacturer.
HDR is included, but don’t confuse DisplayHDR 400 with premium HDR
LG gives the monitor VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification and lists HDR10 support. Its typical brightness is 400cd/m², with a minimum specification of 320cd/m².
That means the monitor can accept HDR content.
It is important not to confuse that with the HDR performance offered by high-end OLED or Mini-LED monitors.
The 27GP850-B uses an IPS panel with a typical 1000:1 contrast ratio and does not have a high-zone local-dimming system listed in its specifications.
As a result, its HDR capability is best viewed as an additional feature rather than the main reason to buy the monitor.
For traditional PC gaming, its QHD resolution, high refresh rate and adaptive-sync support are considerably more important specifications.
Gaming features built into the monitor
LG includes several features aimed specifically at gamers.
These include:
- Dynamic Action Sync
- Black Stabilizer
- Crosshair
- FPS Counter
- Motion Blur Reduction
- Game Optimizer
- Adaptive Sync
- Overclocking
LG also provides a user-defined key and automatic input switching.
Black Stabilizer is intended to make dark areas easier to see, while Dynamic Action Sync is designed to reduce perceived input delay.
The Crosshair feature adds an on-screen aiming reticle, although its usefulness will depend on the game and the player’s preferences.
The stand is more flexible than many gaming monitors
The included stand supports height adjustment, tilt and pivot.
That is useful for anyone spending long periods at the desk.
The display can also be mounted using a 100 × 100mm VESA mount.
The monitor is approximately 614mm wide and weighs 6.3kg with its stand attached. Without the stand, LG lists the weight at 4.2kg.
Connectivity is adequate, but dated by current standards
The 27GP850-B provides:
| Connection | Specification |
|---|---|
| HDMI | 2 × HDMI |
| DisplayPort | 1 × DisplayPort 1.4 |
| USB upstream | 1 × USB 3.0 |
| USB downstream | 2 × USB 3.0 |
| Headphone | 3-pole headphone output |
| USB-C | No |
| Thunderbolt | No |
| Speakers | No |
LG lists DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI inputs. The HDMI inputs support QHD up to 144Hz, while DisplayPort supports QHD at 165Hz and the 180Hz overclock.
There is no USB-C video connection.
That is one area where the monitor shows its age. Newer gaming and productivity monitors increasingly use USB-C, sometimes with power delivery, allowing a laptop to connect to the display with a single cable.
The 27GP850-B does not provide that functionality.
Power consumption is relatively modest
LG lists typical power consumption at 48W, with a maximum of 65W. Sleep-mode consumption is below 0.5W.
For South African gamers, this is worth considering when comparing a monitor with larger displays or more power-hungry technologies.
The monitor uses an external power adapter and accepts 100-240V at 50/60Hz.
That means it is electrically compatible with South Africa’s 230V supply.
Of course, the monitor’s actual electricity consumption depends on brightness, refresh rate, connected USB devices and usage.
The 2021 launch date matters
The biggest issue with the 27GP850-B in 2026 is not its specification.
It is its age.
LG identifies the model year as 2021.
Five years is a long time in the gaming-monitor market.
Since the 27GP850-B was introduced, manufacturers have moved towards OLED panels, Mini-LED backlighting, higher refresh rates, USB-C connectivity, HDMI 2.1 and increasingly high-resolution displays.
That does not make the LG obsolete.
It simply changes how it should be evaluated.
A 27-inch 1440p IPS monitor at 165Hz or 180Hz can still provide an excellent gaming experience. The important question is whether the price is low enough to make the older technology worthwhile compared with newer alternatives.
South African pricing is difficult to pin down
This is where buyers need to be careful.
PriceCheck’s historical data shows the 27GP850-B was last offered by Import It All at R19,987 on 25 January 2026, but it currently shows no active offer for that listing.
That price should not be treated as the normal South African market price.
For comparison, another South African retailer previously listed the monitor at R8,049 including VAT, although that listing is now marked out of stock.
PriceCheck also recorded a previous Takealot listing at R6,999 in August 2025.
The enormous difference between those figures illustrates why buyers should not simply search for the model number and purchase the first listing they find.
Imported stock, availability, warranties and retailer margins can have a significant effect on the final price.
South African pricing and availability should therefore be checked at the time of purchase.
Is the LG 27GP850-B still worth buying in 2026?
The answer depends heavily on price.
If found at a competitive price, the 27GP850-B still has a strong gaming specification:
- 27-inch QHD resolution
- Nano IPS panel
- 165Hz native refresh rate
- 180Hz overclocking
- 1ms GTG response-time claim
- G-SYNC Compatible
- FreeSync Premium
- DCI-P3 98% typical coverage
- DisplayHDR 400
- Height, tilt and pivot adjustment
Those specifications remain perfectly respectable for a 1440p gaming PC.
But the monitor’s lack of USB-C, HDMI 2.1, built-in speakers and newer panel technologies shows its age.
For someone building a gaming PC around a mid-range or upper-mid-range graphics card, 1440p at high refresh rates can still be a sensible target.
For someone with a high-end GPU who wants OLED contrast, 4K resolution or very high refresh rates, newer monitors may be more appropriate.
The verdict
The LG UltraGear 27GP850-B demonstrates why specifications need context.
A monitor launched in 2021 can still deliver a strong gaming experience in 2026 when it combines 1440p resolution, a high refresh rate, adaptive sync and a responsive IPS panel.
But buyers should not pay a premium simply because the monitor carries the UltraGear name.
The price is the deciding factor.
At a competitive price, the 27GP850-B remains a capable 1440p gaming monitor. At an inflated import price approaching R20,000, its five-year-old specification becomes much harder to justify when newer gaming monitors are available.
For South African gamers considering this model today, the best approach is therefore to compare the actual local price against current 27-inch QHD alternatives before buying.
