Cooler Master GM25FP: A Simple Monitor That Fails to Stand Out

In the 2020s, it has become a trend for various manufacturers of computer components and accessories to expand their offerings, particularly in the realm of monitors. I have tested monitors from Corsair, Gigabyte, and Alogic, among others. Cooler Master, which has been providing monitors primarily for gaming since 2020, is another example.

I’m less certain if they were available in Sweden before now; I haven’t seen them myself. Most models in stores appear to have become available in 2024. This summer saw the introduction of a small range of new models, one of which I have tested to determine whether Cooler Master can be added to the list of monitor suppliers that maintain quality or if they should be avoided.

The GM25FP is a lightweight, minimalist-designed monitor with a 24.5-inch IPS panel at 1080p resolution, priced around 2,500 SEK. This places it roughly in the middle price range for similar monitors, with options both more expensive and cheaper, and everything in between.

Discreet Design Appeals

The monitor does not attract attention with its exterior. The matte black plastic chassis and stand are as anonymous as they come, and nothing about its appearance screams “gaming,” apart from its specifications—image refresh rate up to 180 Hz, fast response times of 1 millisecond (especially with the more critical mprt measurement), and Adaptive Sync support. While 180 Hz isn’t enormous (as some monitors in this price range offer 240 Hz or more), it’s still quite capable.

However, it is also a perfectly adequate monitor for work, provided you don’t mind the 1080p resolution. Since this is the most common resolution in laptops, connecting one via HDMI will provide a larger workspace and better ergonomics. The monitor includes a good blue light filter for extended periods of use without straining your eyes and well-balanced color settings for text work and web browsing.

These settings can be accessed through an easy-to-navigate menu controlled by a joystick on the back. The menu includes a small collection of game modes for various genres, as well as a special “hdr” profile suited for streaming movies. The GM25FP is said to support HDR10, but with a panel brightness of 250 cd/m², the dynamic effect is hard to gauge. It mainly adds a bit more color range compared to its normal sRGB level.

Decent Base Quality, But Nothing Extra

The monitor offers convincing contrast, with smooth surfaces free of blooming or banding in gradients. There is relatively little so-called blooming between individual pixels, though it’s impossible to eliminate completely in an IPS panel, and some light leakage in dark areas from the backlight.

SDR movies look vivid, and HDR films similarly, but the difference in experience is mostly marginal. The same goes for gaming—good base level brightness and quick response are present, as expected from a monitor of this type, but it doesn’t stand out in any particular way.

You get three video inputs: one DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.0 ports. This is sufficient for a 1080p resolution, even at 180 Hz refresh rate. However, it’s a bit disappointing that there is no USB-C port for video. This could have made it a more versatile monitor for docking laptops, including many gaming laptops that support USB-C.

Skip the Sound, Please

In addition to the video ports, there are only two other connections: a power adapter port and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. The monitor becomes an active audio device for the computer as soon as it is connected with any of these ports. I could do without this feature, as the monitor lacks built-in speakers, and the audio output from the headphone port is not impressive.

It doesn’t seem possible to turn this feature off in the menu, which would have been useful. You likely have better audio equipment connected to your PC and would want to keep it. Therefore, you’ll need to manage this on the computer side for each connected device.

The purpose of testing this monitor was to determine if Cooler Master makes good monitors or not. If the GM25FP is any indicator, they make mediocre monitors. It is acceptable if you have modest requirements and get a good deal, but there are many more well-known competitors such as AOC, Philips, Asus, and Samsung, offering 24-inch IPS or PLS panels with accurate colors, fast refresh rates, and often more adjustability.

Specifications