Shopping for a 4K monitor to pair with your new game console? The LG 32GQ950 UltraGear Nano IPS Gaming Monitor is worth taking a look. It has everything you'll need for console gaming, namely two HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 120Hz support. PC gamers meanwhile can enjoy up to 160Hz refresh rate at 4K resolution with a high-end computer. And you get HDR support, as well as plenty of gaming features. What's not to like? Well, it's pricey.
Quick specs
- 32-inch IPS panel, 3,840 x 2,160 pixels
- Up to 160Hz refresh rate, 1ms response (GTG)
- AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, Nvidia G-Sync compatible
- DisplayPort 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1, 2x USB-A (hub), headphone jack
The LG 32GQ950 seems to be cut from the same cloth as the Asus ROG Strix XG32UQ. Both are 32-inch, 4K IPS gaming monitors with a 144Hz refresh rate that goes up to 160Hz (overclocked), and 1ms grey-to-grey response. They support variable refresh rate technologies from AMD and Nvidia so your visuals will be smooth without screen tearing. And besides a DisplayPort connector, these monitors come with two HDMI 2.1 ports that support the 4K 120Hz output from the latest gaming consoles. However, they lack built-in speakers, so you'll need to plug in headphones if you're playing console games.
While the LG and Asus monitors have similarly-capable screens, their designs differ in certain areas. For starters, the LG has its ports located in the middle of its back panel. This is unlike most monitors, that like the Asus, have their ports under the monitor. Because of this design, I found it very convenient to switch cables on the LG. However, I prefer the Asus monitor when it comes to height adjustment and swivel. Unlike the LG, the Asus' display can be lowered till it almost touches the desk. This means there's more leeway to adjust the screen for the most comfortable, ergonomic position. In addition, the LG lacks the swivel function found in the Asus. But the LG 32GQ950 can pivot to portrait orientation, which I wasn't expecting. This requires first tilting the screen forward at an angle for the required clearance to rotate the display.
As you'd expect from a premium IPS monitor, the LG is bright with vibrant colours. It's VESA DisplayHDR 1000 certified (but not Dolby Vision). The HDR badge will appear momentarily at the top right when playing HDR games and videos. HDR performance was decent for a LCD — bright and impactful — though there was some backlight bleed and greyish blacks. For convenience's sake, I recommend a game console like the Xbox Series S instead of a Windows PC for your HDR fix. The monitor also has a gaming-centric OSD that shows key gaming settings (such as refresh rate, and response time) at a glance. The OSD is easy to use, particularly with the joystick at the underside of the monitor.
At S$1,799, the LG 32GQ950 UltraGear Nano IPS Gaming Monitor is more expensive than the Asus ROG Strix XG32UQ (around S$1,400). Both 4K monitors are almost perfect for console gaming (except for the lack of speakers), especially if you lack the space for 4K TVs that tend to come in larger sizes. They also perform similarly in games, though I prefer the LG's HDR presentation. Design-wise, both have something going for them (LG's port placement, and Asus' swivel function). It probably boils down to price, which means the Asus appears the better deal. But the LG is a capable alternative that's worth monitoring for future price drops. It's available from Lazada, and Shopee.
Note: Review unit provided by LG.
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