Don't have the space for a large TV in your gaming den? How about the Asus ROG Strix XG32UQ Gaming Monitor instead? This 32-inch 4K monitor has two HDMI 2.1 ports that lets you game at 4K 120Hz with a Sony PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S. Simply connect it to your preferred game console (or even both). It also does 4K 144Hz (overclockable to 160Hz) for PCs via DisplayPort. Along its other gaming features, the XG32UQ is one capable gaming monitor, albeit a fairly pricey one.

The XG32UQ comes pre-calibrated, and it certainly looks great. Text looks crisp, while colours appear spot-on using the default Racing Mode. There are seven picture presets available, though I don't recommend the overly-cool Cinema Mode for watching movies. The blacks aren't truly dark since it's an IPS panel, but viewing angles are excellent. Reflections are muted from the matte finish. The screen peaks at 600 nits brightness for HDR content. It's not the brightest, but decent enough for a monitor. HDR movies such as Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness — using the new native Disney+ app on the PS5 — looked lively and vibrant. But there's no Dolby Vision. Enabling HDR on Windows takes a bit of effort, so it's probably easier watching HDR content with a console.

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A downside of using the XG32UQ as a display for your game console is its lack of built-in speakers. It has a headphone jack, though going the wireless route, such as the Sony Inzone H9 (and its spatial audio support), may be a good option, especially for those with a PS5. And while it has a USB hub with two USB-A ports, I would have preferred a USB-C port instead. You can VESA mount the XG32UQ, and it also offers height adjustment, as well as swivel, and tilt. Like Asus' XG259CM monitor, there's a tripod socket at the top of the monitor stand for a DSLR camera or a smaller, portable display. A very niche feature, no doubt.

I mostly tested the XG32UQ with a PS5 since my PC isn't powerful enough to do 4K 144Hz. PS5 games like God of War Ragnarök, looked great on this monitor. It felt really smooth, especially with the Performance and High Frame Rate option. The PC version of Hades, running at 4K resolution and 144Hz, looked sharp and colourful, too. The XG32UQ supports variable refresh rate technology — AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and Nvidia G-Sync — so you should get tear-free performance with a proper graphics card. Asus' ELMB Sync feature claims to reduce motion blur even further. But honestly I didn't find the effect significant, and it reduces the overall screen brightness.

At S$1,429, the Asus ROG Strix XG32UQ is, as expected, on the pricey side. But you're getting a 4K display with a good refresh rate, accurate colours, and HDMI 2.1 ports that are ideal for the latest consoles. Needless to say, it's definitely a good fit for a high-end PC that can produce the goods at 4K resolution. And it comes with plenty of gaming features, too. A similar 32-inch 4K gaming monitor from a budget brand like Prism+ is selling at S$1,299. So the XG32UQ, with all its bells and whistles, is hardly exorbitant. You can get it now from Lazada, and Shopee.

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Note: Review unit provided by Asus.