Gigabyte has earned a stellar status for offering high quality gaming screens at an especially approachable value just like the M32UC and the Gigabyte GS32QC continues that custom.
At $239/£251.99/AU$334.40, potential patrons will get a strong 31.5-inch show that additionally offers a curved 1440p display screen decision and 165Hz refresh charge. Expect a 1ms response time alongside the power to overclock the show to 170 Hz for extra in-game efficiency.
Beyond that, its value level additionally offers show options starting from protecting 109% of the sRGB colour house to AMD Freesync Premium. There are even HDR capabilities, although there can be some severe settings maneuvering to get colour accuracy excellent, because the monitor’s default settings are actually flat.
Through its value level, there are some apparent sacrifices. This features a design that stops posability of the monitor; particularly for individuals who want a selected viewing angle. Then there are different lacking issues like an absence of inner audio system and USB connectivity. Again, at this value level, these points are excusable. That doesn’t imply that the gaming monitor is a no-frills bundle. It’s fairly removed from it.
The GS32QC does have some vital extras that’ll impress sport fanatics exterior of efficiency. Extras like crosshair overlay and goal stabilizer are satisfying, however then again, Black Equalizer does extra hurt to picture high quality than good.
HDR picture high quality is flat-out horrible by default however can look considerably respectable if some colour correction settings are modified. Alongside PC avid gamers, multi-console avid gamers have just a few HDMI ports for good measure exterior the singular DisplayPort. Thankfully, SDR picture high quality is nice for this value.
Gamers on a sub $300 funds in want of a 32-inch 1440p show with a excessive refresh charge and further gaming-centric options ought to look no additional. The Gigabyte GS32QC does sufficient magic to compete with a number of the best gaming monitors that promote for twice its value. Just be aware of the caveats as one manages expectations.
Gigabyte GS32QC: Price & availability
The Gigabyte GS32QC is priced at $239 (£279.99, AU$469) and is out there now. Potential patrons within the U.S., UK, and AU should buy the gaming monitor by means of Gigabyte’s buying portal, which is able to take you to numerous retailers in your area that promote the monitor the place you might be.
For a 31.5-inch gaming monitor with a 170 Hz max refresh charge, there aren’t lots of rivals in its class, but when the $239 is an excessive amount of, customers can get the 32-inch AOC C32G2 1080p monitor that has an analogous refresh charge and might be bought for $209. Though it doesn’t have any HDR capabilities, it has higher posability. Another good different is the 27-inch Monoprice Dark Matter 27, which you will get for simply over $200.
Gigabyte GS32QC: Specs
Screen measurement: | 31.5″ VA 1500R |
Aspect ratio: | 16:9 |
Resolution: | 2560 x 1440 |
Brightness: | 300 cd/m2 |
Response time: | 1ms |
Viewing angle: | 178°(H)/178°(V) |
Contrast ratio: | 3500:1 |
Color help: | 16.7M |
Inputs: | 2 x HDMI 2.0 1 x Displayport 1.4 1 x Earphone Jack |
Weight: | 5.86 kg / 12.91909 lb |
Gigabyte GS32QC: Design
Setting up for the Gigabyte GS32QC is fairly simple. Considering it’s additionally round 13 lbs, maneuverability makes the method even less complicated. All customers should do is join the stand to the neck through pre-installed screws and each to the monitor rear. The simplicity of placing the GS32QC collectively pertains to the commonly boring all-black plastic design. Don’t anticipate any aggressive angles or RGB lighting. This gaming monitor is supposed solely for performance. That additionally lends to the inputs positioned on the again panel.
On the best close to the neck is the ability port that fortunately doesn’t require a battery pack. On the far reverse facet to the best are two HDMI ports, a sole DisplayPort, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. This is ideal for PC avid gamers who personal a number of consoles as effectively. Considering the value, it is smart for extras corresponding to exterior audio system and USB hubs to be absent. Just perceive that it is a true plug-and-play machine. One of probably the most vital design flaws is the truth that the GS32QC can solely tilt up and down. This means there is no peak or tilting to the facet.
A small nub on the backside of the decrease bezel serves as the ability button along with in-display controls. Holding the nub for a number of seconds will flip the monitor on and off. Making colour adjustments, altering inputs, and including crosshair overlays amongst others are completed by clicking within the nub and going from there.
Gigabyte GS32QC: Features
Though it could have been good to have G-Sync compatibility, the Gigabyte GS32QC does provide FreeSync Premium which is appropriate with the best graphics cards from Nvidia anyway. Considering the gaming monitor is geared towards fanatics and extra esports avid gamers, it is a respectable variable refresh charge answer to be supplied at this value.
It doesn’t damage that the show is HDR-compatible, too, although making adjustments or utilizing options by means of the OSD menu controlling nub is usually a bit cumbersome; particularly when in the midst of a sport. Having OSD software program in Windows that may streamline no matter private touches or adjustments must be made is a greater technique to go.
The GS32QC does have three fundamental sport help features that may assist avid gamers achieve a bonus. The most blatant are the handful of crosshair overlays which work high-quality when enjoying video games of Call of Duty, Fortnite, and different first-or-third-person shooters.
Then there’s the goal help that reduces movement blur in speedier video games like F1 2023. Be aware that it gained’t work if the refresh charge is beneath 100Hz and if FreeSync is activated. One technique to keep away from utilizing goal assists altogether is by turning in-game movement blur off.
Finally, there may be an on-screen timer which works wonders for velocity runners.
Gigabyte GS32QC: Performance
Taking a gaming-first method, the Gigabyte GS32QC leans extra on technical efficiency than general picture high quality. PC gaming rigs which can be highly effective sufficient to succeed in excessive body charges in video games like Doom Eternal, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, Fortnite, and the like will run high-quality on the gaming monitor.
Don’t anticipate any lag or legacy points even when FreeSync is turned on. Games run high-quality and having assists like crosshair overlays helps with hitting targets in shooters. Anyone with a funds rig between 1080p and 1440p native resolutions ought to discover the GS32QC a pleasant buttery easy begin.
General SDR picture high quality is greater than strong for one of these funds gaming monitor. Contrast is improbable at 3500:1 and the monitor makes probably the most of its 300 cd/m2 brightness.
Colors are daring and crisp whereas blacks are deep. Visuals pop appropriately when enjoying extra visually arresting video games like Alan Wake II. One factor customers would possibly need to keep away from although is utilizing the Black Equalizer, which causes extra hurt than good with regards to picture high quality. However, it gained’t matter a lot for individuals who are extra involved with profitable than picture high quality anyway.
The greatest factor that holds again the Gigabyte GS32QC is the HDR. Toggling HDR in Windows monitor settings lends a flat and drab picture. The solely technique to barely repair that’s by means of GPU colour settings.
Using inventive software program like Adobe Photoshop and Premiere, colour correction was just about unattainable. This implies that creatively-minded avid gamers are most likely going to both follow SDR settings or look elsewhere utterly.
Having a curved VA monitor does create points with direct lighting sources like lamps and daylight close by since this causes obvious points that aren’t essentially a difficulty when enjoying in a darkish to dimly lit space.
Should you purchase the Gigabyte GS32QC?
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
Value | Priced at $239 (£251.99, AU420), the Gigabyte GS32QC presents a 31.5-inch gaming monitor with a 170 Hz max refresh charge, aggressive regardless of restricted rivals. | 4.5 / 5 |
Features | While the GS32QC does not have a complete lot of options, the options it does have work effectively sufficient. | 3.5 / 5 |
Design | Easy setup and light-weight construct complement its simplistic but practical design is a spotlight of the Gigabyte GS32QC’s. However, restricted tilting choices symbolize a notable design flaw. | 3.5 / 5 |
Performance | The gaming monitor excels in delivering easy gaming efficiency with excessive body charges and useful options like crosshair overlays, whereas providing strong SDR picture high quality with daring colours and deep blacks. Just know that the Gigabyte GS32QC falls quick in HDR functionality and will have points with glare from direct lighting sources resulting from its curved VA panel design. | 4 / 5 |
Average Rating | The Gigabyte GS32QC is a compelling selection for budget-conscious avid gamers in search of efficiency with some notable gaming-centric options and SDR picture high quality. Just know that the low price comes with some issues. | 3.88 / 5 |
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How I examined the Gigabyte GS32QC:
My two weeks with the Gigabyte GS32QC had been cut up between enterprise and pleasure. During the day, the monitor was used throughout common duties together with Google Docs, Asana, and Adobe Suite.
Adobe Suite software program together with Photoshop and Premiere Pro had been used to look into colour correction and to check picture high quality. To take a look at video capabilities, numerous YouTube movies had been performed to get a play of picture high quality as effectively. As a technique to take a look at streaming and enter capabilities, numerous picture-in-picture modes as effectively.
I performed aggressive video games to check out the efficiency of the monitor, together with Fortnite and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III. To take a look at picture high quality, I performed Hogwarts Legacy and Alan Wake II, amongst different titles. Tests for common duties and gaming had been completed in each SDR and HDR modes.
I’ve spent the previous a number of years protecting screens alongside different PC elements for Techradar. Outside of gaming, I’ve been proficient in Adobe Suite for over a decade as effectively, so I do know an excellent monitor once I see one.
- First reviewed April 2024