GIGABYTE has released an affordable 31.5-inch, 2K QHD curved gaming display named “GS32QC”. Designed with a sleek and minimalistic base to save desk space, it features a 1500R curvature VA panel. Its specs include a brightness of 300 cd/m^2, a contrast ratio of 3500:1, and color coverage of 109% sRGB. The monitor offers a 165Hz refresh rate, overclockable to 170Hz, a 1ms (MPRT) response time, and is backed by FreeSync Premium. The GS32QC comes with a highly competitive price tag of NT$6690.
Key Features:
- Screen Size: 31.5 inches, 16:9 aspect ratio
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 pixels
- Color Range: 109% sRGB
- Panel Type: VA with a 1500R curvature
- Standard Brightness: 300 cd/m^2
- Standard Contrast: 3500:1
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz (OC to 170Hz)
- Response Time: 1ms (MPRT)
- Viewing Angles: 178° horizontal, 178° vertical (with CR≧10)
- Inputs: 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4
- Audio: 3.5mm headphone jack
- Dimensions: 709 x 497 x 238 mm (stand included)
- Weight: 5.86 kg (with stand)
- Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): FreeSync Premium
- Mounting: VESA 100x100mm
- Adjustability: Tilt forward and backward between +20° and -5°.
GIGABYTE GS32QC curved gaming screen unboxing / 2K OC 170Hz 1500R VA panel
The GIGABYTE GS32QC offers an excellent balance of value and performance, presenting gamers with a moderately larger 31.5-inch display. This monitor showcases a standard 2560 x 1440 2K QHD resolution, complemented by a 1500R curvature VA panel. This curvature enhances the viewing experience on the expansive screen, offering better coverage and comfort for close-up viewing.
Sporting a VA panel, the GS32QC impresses with its high 3500:1 contrast ratio, 300 cd/m^2 brightness, and a color spectrum of 109% sRGB. This makes it ideal for a variety of tasks including competitive gaming, immersive AAA titles, watching TV shows, and office tasks. For gaming enthusiasts, the monitor boasts a 165Hz refresh rate, overclockable to 170Hz, and a 1ms (MPRT) response time. Additionally, it supports FreeSync Premium for synchronized gaming. While it wasn’t NVIDIA G-Sync compatible during the review phase, users can still enable G-Sync compatibility to enhance the visual smoothness.
Aesthetically, the GS32QC embraces a sleek and minimalist base design, optimizing desktop space. However, it falls short in adjustability, offering only basic elevation functions. Users might need to resort to improvisations like using books for height adjustments. In terms of connectivity, the monitor is equipped with two HDMI 2.0 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4 input, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Additionally, it integrates well with the Gigabyte OSD Sidekick software for easy screen adjustments.
Begin by separating the stand and the base of the monitor. Once done, securely connect them together. Next, insert the stand into the designated mounting hole on the screen’s rear side. By leveraging the strength of the stand, you can now elevate the monitor and position it on your desk.
The GIGABYTE GS32QC comes with the following accessories: a basic user manual, a DisplayPort cable, a power cord, and a cable clip.
The streamlined and simple base takes up little space on the desktop and only provides elevation adjustment
The GS32QC upholds GIGABYTE’s signature minimalist design. Its stand occupies a compact footprint of just 24×19.8cm and offers a tilt adjustment ranging from +20° to -5°. However, for height adjustments, one might have to resort to placing magazines or books beneath the base to achieve the desired screen elevation.
The monitor features two HDMI 2.0 ports and one DisplayPort 1.4 for video inputs. Additionally, it includes a 3.5mm headphone jack and incorporates an integrated transformer design.
The 31.5-inch 1440p, OC 170Hz, 1500R curved gaming
The GS32QC is capable of displaying images at a resolution of 2560 x 1440, with an overclockable refresh rate of 170Hz, utilizing an 8-bit RGB in Standard Dynamic Range (SDR). The monitor’s color performance is noteworthy, boasting a 109% sRGB color gamut. The high contrast offered by its VA panel provides superior color gradation.
For individualized use, apart from opting for the Image > Preset mode, you might consider adjusting the settings as follows: brightness to 80, contrast at 80, natural color saturation set to 12, Gamma at 3 (which is equivalent to 2.2), the color temperature set to standard, and super-resolution to 2.
These adjustments are suggested due to the nature of the 31.5-inch panel. When matched with the 2560 x 1440 resolution, the pixel density is slightly more spread out. Employing super-resolution can subtly enhance the image’s sharpness. As for contrast and color saturation modifications, they are mainly to cater to those who prefer a brighter display, given that the default settings on the GS32QC might appear somewhat muted to some users. Ultimately, these adjustments boil down to individual preferences.
With its 31.5-inch display combined with a 1440p resolution, the VA panel’s high contrast offers impressive image gradation and detail. This ensures users can relish an immersive, large-screen experience right in the comfort of their homes.
The GS32QC is equipped with gaming assistance tools such as game timers, refresh rate display, screen alignment, and crosshair aiming. These features can be conveniently accessed via the on-screen display (OSD) buttons.
The refresh rate function shows the real-time screen update rate. If Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) is activated – be it G-Sync or FreeSync – the monitor’s refresh rate will adjust in tandem with the game’s frames per second (FPS). This feature not only ensures smoother gameplay but can also serve as an indicator to verify if VRR has been successfully activated.
The monitor offers multiple crosshair styles, which can be displayed at the center of the screen. This feature is particularly beneficial for first-person shooter games, providing players with a consistent and stable aiming point to enhance accuracy and gameplay experience.
The monitor’s default black balance setting is set at 10, which meets the needs of standard usage. For gaming scenarios with darker visuals, users have the option to tweak this feature. Adjusting the black balance can enhance the screen’s overall luminosity and contrast, ensuring optimal visibility and detail even in shadowy game scenes.
OSD Sidekick software adjustment and OSD functions: game assistance, update frequency, black balance
While the GS32QC doesn’t come with a USB HUB feature, users can still manage the on-screen display (OSD) settings via HDMI and DP cables, thanks to the integrated software. This functionality is realized through the OSD Sidekick software, which has been incorporated into the GIGABYTE Control Center. Once the software is installed, users can access the OSD Sidekick adjustment features therein.
Key features available within the software include:
- General Settings: Users can modify the screen signal, LED light signal, set shortcut buttons, adjust OSD transparency, and set OSD display duration.
- Display Settings: Adjustments can be made for various display parameters, such as graphics mode, brightness, contrast, sharpness, and black balance.
- App Info: This feature enables automatic mode-switching based on the running program, ensuring optimal display settings for different applications.
- Gaming Tools: The software also allows control over gaming-specific features, making it a versatile tool for enhancing the gaming experience.
All these functions ensure that users have comprehensive control over their monitor’s settings without having to rely on physical OSD buttons.
As for the screen OSD, it can also have more complete control settings for your reference.
VRR: G-Sync compatibility, FreeSync support and response speed G2G test
The GS32QC is equipped with Adaptive-Sync technology and offers support for the FreeSync feature. During testing, it was found that the G-Sync compatibility could also be enabled via the driver to achieve display synchronization. However, at the time of this testing, the monitor wasn’t officially recognized by NVIDIA’s list, though this may change with future updates.
In hands-on testing, using NVIDIA’s G-Sync pendulum demo, the G-Sync feature was successfully activated, resulting in a visibly smoother synchronized display. Similarly, for those using AMD graphics cards, the monitor is compatible with FreeSync Premium. This ensures that users, regardless of whether they sport an AMD or NVIDIA GPU, have the ability to utilize the Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) synchronization function for a smoother gaming experience.
Using the NVIDIA LDAT testing tool, a thorough evaluation of the GS32QC’s response time and display lag for G2G (gray-to-gray) pixel transitions was conducted. The results are as follows:
- In the G2G Sweep test, with VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) activated, the GS32QC clocked a response time of 3.3ms at 165Hz and exhibited an average overshoot of 6.8%.
- Regarding the display delay, the lag time measured around 3.2ms when running at 170Hz.
These figures are impressive, particularly for a monitor with a VA panel. While its performance may not surpass the latest high-speed IPS displays or top-tier OLED panels, the GS32QC undeniably provides a quality that caters to the gaming requirements of the vast majority of users. This makes it a commendable option, especially considering its panel type.
Summary
The GIGABYTE GS32QC boasts a myriad of features, making it an appealing choice for various users. Here’s a succinct review based on the provided information:
The GS32QC is highlighted by its expansive 31.5-inch screen, with 2K QHD resolution and a 1500R curvature. The curve provides an immersive feel, enveloping the viewer, which is ideal for gaming and cinematic experiences. The OC 170Hz refresh rate ensures smooth visuals, further complemented by both FreeSync support and G-Sync compatibility. Activating VRR ensures even smoother dynamic images.
From a color perspective, testing revealed an admirable 93% sRGB color gamut coverage. The color accuracy measured an average Delta-E of 3.8. Fast-paced motion tests like the UFO Test did show some minor trailing or afterimages, yet without causing extreme overshoot, a common issue when overdrive settings are excessively high.
Positioned as an affordable option for gamers looking to transition to a larger 2K display without breaking the bank, the GS32QC is particularly compelling. With its competitive price of NT$ 6,690 in Taiwan, it stands out as a cost-effective solution in the 2K segment.
In essence, for gamers or movie enthusiasts desiring an immersive, large-scale 2K experience without an exorbitant price tag, the GS32QC is a commendable choice.
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Title: GIGABYTE GS32QC Review: A Cost-Effective 2K Gaming Delight
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