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The Asus XG32VQ sports an impressive, 32-inch 144Hz VA screen with FreeSync to provide gamers with excellent visuals and engrossing experience. This product is part of the ROG Strix lineup of products for players that sell for a friendlier price than the G-Sync equipped ROG Swift variants. The Asus XG32VQ is a fantastic option if you want a large screen for competitive gaming with some mixed usage on the side.
Asus XG32VQ Specifications
- Screen Size: 32 Inches
- Resolution:2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment (VA)
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Response Time:4ms
- Contrast Ratio: 3000:1
- Brightness: 300 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: No
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes 100 x 100
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, Mini DP 1.2 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 1, USB 3.0 x 2, 3.5mm Jack
- Dimensions With Stand(WxHxD): 28.09″ x 23.23″ x 11.78″
- Weight: 20.28lbs
Design and Features
The Asus XG32VQ is almost perfectly identical to the AOC Agon AG322QCX save for the distinct ROG Strix treatment and the OSD functionalities. We love the sleek, matte black exterior and the use of red accents which looks more subtle than the orange on the Swift monitors. The face isn’t entirely bezel-free, although the dual stage design composed of a thin plastic layer and panel border is almost invisible during use.
One unique aspect of the Asus XG32VQ that some brands are now copying is the patterned rear chassis with unique angular lines for the vents. The details may be different from this model, but the general idea of the design is almost identical to the rest of the 2nd generation of Asus gaming monitors. The curving bulge apexes into a circular attachment point for the stand which also includes the monitor’s RGB LED lighting.
Users can sync this part to the rest of the build if you are using Asus Aura Sync-certified products. We have to admit that these RGB add-ons are growing on us, making it easier to build a thematic system that can also create a light show for a given area like a game room. The illumination may also act as a bias light to help with eye comfort for extended use or be turned off if so desired.
Aside from the aesthetics, another thing we love from the Asus XG32VQ is its concealed I/O layout and the use of a joystick for OSD navigation. The panel which comes with a removable plastic cover includes DisplayPort 1.2 plus with a mini version, a lone HDMI 2.0 slot, and two USB 3.0 ports. While not as impressive as other FreeSync monitors’ connectivity options, we think this is already suitable for most uses.
Cable management is a breeze thanks to the plastic cover which siphons all your wires into a neat bundle making it easier to shoot them into the tidy hole. Most users will, at a minimum connect three cables which include the primary video input, power line, and the USB upstream (Type B) cable if you want to utilize Aura Sync.
The Asus XG32VQ uses the signature helix stand which comes with height, tilt, and swivel adjustments. The movements are stiff at the beginning but smooth during the rest of the travel, ensuring that the massive display will hold the angle you set for comfortable use. There is also an LED projector with the ROG eye logo at the bottom with an included customizable filter. If these features are too much or unsuited to your tastes, you can remove the mechanism to attach a VESA mount to the monitor.
Display and Performance
The Asus XG32VQ boasts a 32-inch VA panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, and 4ms response time which are all suitable for competitive gaming. The Quantum Dot treated screen also has a max brightness of 400cd/m2 and a contrast ratio of 3000:1 for deep shades and excellent visibility. At a glance, 1440p looks less crisp and is more suited to a 27-inch form factor, although the sharpness and cleaner lines of a higher pixel count are still present.
Due to the capabilities of VA panels mixed with enhancements, the Asus XG32VQ is indeed able to exceed 100% of sRGB coverage especially in reds and greens for more vivid colors. Accuracy, however, isn’t ideal for photography or color critical work since this model posted a DeltaE average of around 3.0. For gamers, this is a huge plus, since cartoony or even gritty titles are presented with a likable color pop that adds to the visual experience.
If there’s one thing the Asus XG32VQ is excellent at, it would be its contrast ratio which is anticipated with VA models like this one. Contrast plays anywhere between 2600:1 to 2800:1 at comfortable brightness settings which in turn contributes to fantastic visibility and satisfying blacks and grayscale performance. Users can experience this advantage to its full effect in dark or macabre games like Vermintide 2 and Hunt: Showdown, where the noire of the eerie atmosphere plays a huge role.
Another excellent facet of the Asus XG32VQ is its panel uniformity, whereas its bigger sibling, the XG34VQ, suffered a bit. The colorimeter recorded a top deviance of 10% on the top corner of the screen which is unnoticeable during gaming or mixed use. Colors were also largely unaffected, with errors maxing out at Delta E 2.9 at the top from the ideal 6500K point.
Competitive gamers also get a lot of mileage out of the Asus XG32VQ since it only has an input lag of around 4ms which in practice, is almost zero. There were no delays and control to screen transitions were flawless. We noticed a bit of ghosting when swiping the mouse or when the action accelerates, but you can correct this by setting the Overdrive to level 3 in the OSD.
Finally, the Asus XG32VQ comes with FreeSync that works at a range of 48Hz to 144Hz. There are some variants out there that can utilize FreeSync at 30Hz to 144Hz, but at least, with this model, LFC will kick in if your frames drop below 48FPS. This feature is valuable if you have an AMD-based gaming rig which will still experience stress since playing at 1440p is still considerably demanding.
Thoughts on the Asus XG32VQ
The Asus XG32VQ is an excellent gaming monitor all throughout thanks to its impressive specs and a very capable VA screen. The combination of a high-contrast panel and Quantum Dot technology provides an exciting and engrossing visual experience especially when playing AAA titles. The monitor’s physical features are well-loved by reviewers and the enthusiast communities, although most would still prefer subdued or subtle designs.
If we have complaints about the Asus XG32VQ, it would be the slightly grainy screen surface and the somewhat weak color accuracy. The XG32VQ also carries a premium over the older AG322QCX, and the Quantum Dot equipped Samsung C32HG70 which heats up your selection for a 32-inch gaming monitor. The monitor is indeed excellent, but practicality will point you in the direction of the other two models.
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