The LG 32GP850-B offers a large, 32-inch screen with a QHD resolution and a high refresh rate that makes it perfect for all-around gaming. It’s more expensive than similar models like the Gigabyte G32QC, but this product has a faster, 180Hz IPS panel for better color accuracy. Let’s check out if it’s worth chasing the LG 32GP850-B’s advantage with $200 or more versus its VA-based competition.
LG 32GP850-B Specifications
- Screen Size: 32 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 180Hz
- Response Time: 1ms (Faster)
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
- Brightness: 350 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 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, USB 3.0 x 3, 3.5mm x 1
- Dimensions With Stand(WxHxD): 28.1″ x 23.6″ x 11.5″
- Weight: 15.9 lbs
Design and Features
The LG 32GP850-B is part of the UltraGear lineup, so it uses the same sleek aesthetic we’ve seen on the brand’s recent gaming models. the monitor has a matte black finish that will not scratch easily along with some discrete red accents on the base. The display is bezel-free on three sides, but there are inner borders that aren’t distracting while the massive screen is in use.
You have to free up some space for the LG 32GP850-B since it is quite large and about as big as a basic LCD TV. It could interfere with your speakers if they are big enough and it needs almost a foot of depth from your desk. It’s not too heavy at 15.9 pounds, but you might need to upgrade your table if you have a lot of peripherals on deck.
Build quality for the LG 32GP850-B is great since LG did not skimp on material quality and its manufacturing standards. The plastic panels are sturdy and they don’t have cosmetic defects like uneven gaps or seams. The stand is slightly wobbly, but that only happens if you accidentally nudge it or if you are using its manual controls.
The LG 32GP850-B has an OSD joystick that is conveniently placed under the LG logo on the bottom bezel. It’s also compatible with the brand’s OnScreen app, but the noticeable upgrade here is the revamped OSD menu. It’s not animated with a more attractive UI, but it’s less smooth than the previous versions during navigation.
The stand included with the LG 32GP850-B offers tilt and height adjustments which are decent, allowing you to get a comfortable view if you only use one monitor. it needs swivel or even pivot if it’s going on the sides of your main display, but that will be rare since this isn’t a regular variant made for reading your stream chat or viewing maps in War Thunder.
Connectivity for the LG 32GP850-B isn’t the best we’ve seen, but it does have all you will need for gaming purposes. It has DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.0 slots, although the former is the only port that can go up to 180Hz while the latter is limited to 144Hz. You also get a trio of USB 3.0 ports and a 3.5mm jack for headphones for your peripherals and accessories.
What’s missing from the monitor is a pair of high-quality speakers that at least could be used for movies. A more powerful pair like LG’s MaxxAudio should be standard for expensive models, but we’d be happy with a lower-end alternative for other uses. Conference calls are now more common because of the pandemic, so we reckon every new model should include a pair for it.
Display and Performance
The LG 32GP850-B sports a 32-inch IPS panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, 165Hz native and 180Hz overclocked refresh rates, and a 1ms boosted response time. The backlight has a 350 cd/m2 output while contrast is still listed at 1000:1 like most IPS panels. This model is limited to HDR10, but it’s priced higher since it uses IPS instead of VA panels found on cheaper monitors like the Gigabyte G32QC.
1440p isn’t as sharp as the more common 27-inch monitors, but you still get a noticeable increase in details and space thanks to the higher pixel count. You get a large display with more room and excellent visibility, so it is very nice to use all around. 4K is clearly better at this size, but there aren’t a lot of options out there at the same price range and refresh rate.
The LG 32GP850-B renders 100% sRGB with some extensions and around 95% of DCI-P3 for excellent vibrancy. The DCI-P3 output is a bit short of the 98% claim, but it’s close enough so the differences won’t be as noticeable as anyone would fear. The default accuracy is equally impressive since the deltaE average is only at 1.45, giving us the impression that this monitor is factory calibrated.
Using a colorimeter on the LG 32GP850-B improved its dE average to an amazing 0.71, so it’s also usable for editing purposes. However, colorimeters aren’t accessible to many since they aren’t cheap, so we only recommend buying one if you are into editing or content creation. Gamers will already be happy with the monitor with only a few tweaks such as setting a comfortable brightness level.
The LG 32GP850-B reached 410 cd/m2 in SDR and around 425 cd/m2 when its fed an HDR10 signal. Its contrast ratio is limited to 1052:1 at 50% brightness, so it can’t produce deep blacks like its VA counterparts. These results aren’t impressive, but what’s great about it is the monitor will work great even if your room is well-lit or bright.
Panel uniformity for the LG 32GP850-B could use some improvements since there are clouding issues on the top and bottom edges of the screen. it’s not as noticeable in full-color, but black images or very dark scenes will reveal the deviances. Thankfully, this isn’t a permanent flaw due to the nature of IPS, so there are better units out there.
The LG 32GP850-B has a fast IPS panel with very minimal blurring which you won’t be able to see. You don’t need the Faster setting of the overdrive as suggested since it doesn’t improve the display and it will induce overshoot. The monitor works great for competitive gaming with its overdrive set to its Normal level so you don’t have to push it further.
The LG 32GP850-B is a FreeSync Premium gaming monitor but it’s also compatible with Nvidia’s G-Sync. It’s nice to have this duality since you aren’t stuck with either GPU brand when the time to upgrade arrives. Input lag is limited to 5ms at 180Hz, so you don’t have to worry about delays or de-synced instances while gaming.
Thoughts on the LG 32GP850-B
The LG 32GP850-B is an excellent choice if you want an upsized IPS gaming monitor with a high refresh rate and excellent image quality. It’s not capable of high contrast, but its vibrant colors and superb default accuracy should make up for that. Its gaming performance is also top-notch with excellent response times and low input lag.
The LG 32GP850-B is indeed more expensive than its VA counterparts, and that’s its main drawback. however, it’s quite close to the 240Hz 1440p variants which are at least $300 more expensive when it comes to speed. This monitor is a great buy, but keep in mind that there are cheaper options with very minor disadvantages in the market right now.
Pros:
- Excellent Image Quality and Color Performance
- FreeSync and G-Sync Compatible
- Fast and Responsive
- Solid Build Quality
Cons:
- Higher Price Tag
- Limited Contrast
- No Swivel and Pivot
About the Author: 
Paolo is a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations and he believes that it’s every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.
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