Gigabyte GS32QC Curved 170 Hz Gaming Monitor Review: A Jumbo Screen at a Tiny Price

32-inch QHD VA 1500R curved gaming monitor with 170 Hz, Adaptive-Sync, HDR and wide-gamut color.

Reviews
By
published
Gigabyte GS32QC
(Image: © Tom's Hardware)

Why you can trust Tom's Hardware Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

To compare the GS32QC’s performance, I’ve mined a group of VA and IPS panels from the test database. At 165/170 Hz are MSI’s MAG325CQRF and G272QPF, Galax’s VI-01 and AOC’s CQ27G3S. Also here is the 240 Hz AOC CQ27G3Z.

Pixel Response and Input Lag

Click here to read up on our pixel response and input lag testing procedures.

Image 1 of 2
Gigabyte GS32QC
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

So, what does 240 Hz get you? In this case, 1ms faster panel response, which translates to slightly smoother motion. But the GS32QC is right in the mix at 6ms and with its superb overdrive, it nearly matches the motion resolution and feel of the AOC. And check out the input lag numbers. The GS32QC actually beats the 240 Hz AOC by 1ms. This is a very quick display and one that delivers a lot for the money. That lower frame rate saves the buyer a bit of cash with a high performance-to-price ratio.

Test Takeaway: You don’t necessarily need to pay for 240 Hz to have high motion resolution. A 165/170 Hz panel with a good overdrive like the GS32QC will match the experience and feel with screens that refresh faster. And you’ll save some coin in the process. For $250, it’s hard to beat, or at least you’ll need to spend a lot more money to beat it.

Viewing Angles

Gigabyte GS32QC

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

VA panels don’t typically impress in my viewing angle photos, but the GS32QC is clearly better than most. There is a brightness reduction and red shift at 45 degrees horizontal, but it’s not severe. The top view is also pretty solid. You can still see all the brightness steps and light hasn’t gone down significantly. This is excellent performance among VA monitors.

Screen Uniformity

To learn how we measure screen uniformity, click here.

Gigabyte GS32QC

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

My GS32QC sample looked smoothly toned and uniform under normal room lighting, but I could see a slight glow across the bottom of the screen when I viewed it in total darkness. This anomaly wasn’t visible in normal content. In this test, it delivers results typical of value-priced monitors.

MORE: Best Gaming Monitors

MORE: How We Test PC Monitors

MORE: How to Buy a PC Monitor

MORE: How to Choose the Best HDR Monitor

Christian Eberle
Christian Eberle
Contributing Editor

Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.

2 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Findecanor
    With a curve you must sit close to avoid distortion, and at this short distance 93 PPI is too low for productivity. That should have been in the "cons" column IMHO.
    Reply
  • frankanderson1
    -
    No speakers, USB ports or LED lighting

    That should be under Pros, not Cons. :)
    Reply