If you prioritize higher resolution and exceptional text and image clarity for productivity or photo editing, the LG UltraFine 5K would be an excellent choice, but its higher cost reflects these premium features, and it's not ideal for gaming due to lower refresh rates. Conversely, the Gigabyte M28U offers a balance of performance for casual and competitive gaming with its higher refresh rate and variable refresh rate support, as well as a respectable performance for productivity at a lower price point; however, it falls short for high-end photo editing and doesn't match the LG's superior resolution and clarity. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Gigabyte M28U (IPS)
Good response time
Advantages of the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS)
Good for media consumption
Best in class text clarity
Best in class image clarity
Good brightness
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
5.7/10
5.0/10
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
7.7 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
14.0 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
N/A
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
312 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
The Gigabyte M28U (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Gigabyte M28U (IPS) is somewhat better.
Cost
$470
$1,179
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Gigabyte M28U (IPS) has a price of $470 and the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) costs $1,179.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.1/10
6.0/10
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
5120 x 2880
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1228:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1200:1
312 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
495 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
65.0 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
99.0 %
Matte
COATING
Glossy
The Gigabyte M28U (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
Productivity
8.8/10
8.7/10
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
5120 x 2880
160 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
218 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Glossy
The Gigabyte M28U (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are both very good for productivity.
Media Consumption
6.7/10
7.0/10
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
5120 x 2880
1228:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1200:1
312 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
495 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Matte
COATING
Glossy
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) to be good for media consumption, while the Gigabyte M28U (IPS) is only fair.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Gigabyte M28U (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Gigabyte M28U (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Gigabyte M28U (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Gigabyte M28U (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Gigabyte M28U (IPS) and the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) compare to other monitors
"Fundamentally the M28U is an impressive 4K monitor; between the resolution, refresh rate, and IPS panel, it's a great all-rounder for the step up to 4K. Even beyond PC gaming, the inclusion of a HDMI 2.1 port offers 120Hz gaming for consoles, so it's quite the multi-faceted package for its price. Gigabyte has made no major sacrifice to tick all the checkboxes with the M28U."
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec monitors team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest monitor information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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About the monitor team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Monitors Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.