Cooler Master Raises the Bar for Entry Level Monitors with GA2501

[btarunr]

Cooler Master introduced the GA2501, its most affordable monitor, which is expected to raise the bar for what constitutes entry-level. This 24.5-inch planar monitor covers all the basics, but with a premium-looking design that doesn't come across as cheap. The monitor offers a Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) resolution using an IPS panel, that offers 84% coverage of DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB; and 109% coverage of sRGB. Vital specs of this Full HD IPS panel include 1 ms (GTG) response time, 100 Hz refresh rate, 250 nits maximum brightness, and 1500:1 static contrast ratio. As it's an IPS panel, you of course get 178°/178° viewing angles. The panel is embedded into a 3-side thin bezel body.

There are two very interesting aspects about this monitor. Firstly, its connectivity that includes an HDMI and a D-Sub—that's right, you get legacy analog connectivity with this monitor. With this, you can have the native resolution, but at a reduced 75 Hz refresh rate. A D-Sub cable isn't included in the box, though. What is included, is an HDMI cable, since this is the monitor's sole digital input, and you need it for the full 100 Hz refresh rate. And now, the second very interesting aspect about this monitor is its price. In Europe, the Cooler Master GA2501 is selling for just 110€, including taxes. How's that for an entry-level product?



View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[Chaitanya]

Would have liked to see Display port but at that price might be worth overlooking that one shortcoming.

Edit: checked the product sheet and its definitely not worth the cheap price, its a 6bit + FRC panel.

 

[Onasi]

“How's that for an entry-level product?”
Mediocre. The AOC 24G2SP can often be found at 140-150 bucks, is 144hz, comes with a better stand and is decently tuned.

 

[mtosev]

Nice monitor for the price.

 

[TumbleGeorge]

“How's that for an entry-level product?”
Mediocre. The AOC 24G2SP can often be found at 140-150 bucks, is 144hz, comes with a better stand and is decently tuned.

EU shops pretend this model to have 165Hz and price of 180€ in Germany.

 

[Chaitanya]

“How's that for an entry-level product?”
Mediocre. The AOC 24G2SP can often be found at 140-150 bucks, is 144hz, comes with a better stand and is decently tuned.

so $30-40 more expensive compared to this CM which should be $110 in US(since usually its 1:1 conversion between US and EU).

 

[Onasi]

EU shops pretend this model to have 165Hz and price of 180€ in Germany.

It does, as an OC mode, I believe. Or maybe it’s native now and 144 was the pre-refresh model.

so $30-40 more expensive compared to this CM which should be $110 in US(since usually its 1:1 conversion between US and EU).

I think it’s a fair premium for a better stand and panel, honestly. And not so much that I would put them in different price tiers. Having FreeSync Premium and GSync Compatible VRR that actually works is also a benefit.

 

[Chaitanya]

I think it’s a fair premium for a better stand and panel, honestly. And not so much that I would put them in different price tiers. Having FreeSync Premium and GSync Compatible VRR that actually works is also a benefit.

If thats a true 8bit panel then yes additional 30-40 buck might be worth it, else not so much.

 

[bug]

It's priced about right, it's only a 24" model after all. 6bit+FRC isn't a concern, but uniformity, backlight bleeding and general QC are.

 

[remixedcat]

Holup!!! Coolermaster ....

That Coolermaster?? They make monitors now???

Wow!!

 

[lexluthermiester]

It's priced about right, it's only a 24" model after all. 6bit+FRC isn't a concern, but uniformity, backlight bleeding and general QC are.

Agreed. 6bit&FRC isn't a deal breaker for gaming. Content creation, sure, but then again, no one doing content creation is going to be looking at this kind of display anyway.

Holup!!! Coolermaster ....

That Coolermaster?? They make monitors now???

Wow!!

Right? This is an interesting move for them and not an unwelcome one.

 

[Minus Infinity]

Raises the bar by offering garbage class 16:9 aspect ratio @ 1080p

 

[lexluthermiester]

Raises the bar by offering garbage class 16:9 aspect ratio @ 1080p

What? What's garbage about it?

 

[Luke357]

It's priced about right, it's only a 24" model after all. 6bit+FRC isn't a concern, but uniformity, backlight bleeding and general QC are.

24.5" is actually a decent jump from 24". 25" class monitors are a nice sweet spot for 1080p. I used to use an HP 25er as my main display and it worked well for what I did at the time.

 

[tussinman]

At least in the US the 24 inch 100hz ips monitors started to blow up towards the end of 2022/early 2023. My local store has like 5 of them on display current, all $80-120 range. They replaced the budget 75hz monitors which where popular 2020/2021

The MSI 24.5 100hz IPS which is probably the exact same monitor in the opening post is currently on sale (Amazon and b&h) for 80 dollars.

1080p might be old but I'm glad people aren't stuck now days with TN panels and 60hz