Cooler Master GM32-FQ Gaming Monitor Review: Accurate Color, Low Input Lag

The Cooler Master GM32-FQ is a 32-inch IPS/QHD gaming monitor with 165 Hz, Adaptive-Sync, HDR and extended color.

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Cooler Master GM32-FQ QHD 165 Hz
(Image: © Cooler Master)

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Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

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Cooler Master GM32-FQ QHD
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The GM32-FQ’s ADS panel certainly gives it healthy light output, but it isn’t quite as bright as the Corsair 32QHD165, which uses a conventional IPS part. The backlight is a factor here, so it shouldn’t be assumed that ADS panels will automatically be brighter. But 387 nits is plenty of power for any indoor environment.

With a respectable black level of 0.3258 nits, the GM32-FQ has a slight contrast advantage over most IPS monitors, though a few like the Monoprice have more dynamic range. More notably, though, it has better contrast than the GM27-FQS, which could be the deciding factor in a purchase decision.

After Calibration to 200 nits

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Cooler Master GM32-FQ QHD
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Since I didn’t calibrate the GM32-FQ, its final contrast result is nearly the same. I only dropped the brightness slider to 200 nits to create a level playing field. Its advantage over the GM27-FQS is now a little smaller, but I still consider that a win. The Monoprice is an over-achiever among IPS monitors and should be considered exceptional. And VA technology will deliver even more contrast.

With a few noted issues in the uniformity test, the GM32-FQ’s intra-image contrast measures a bit lower. It still retains its position relative to the other screens and another example could score higher in this test. But this is decent performance for an IPS display.

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.

1 Comment Comment from the forums
  • wakuwaku
    In practice, the GM32-FQ has a higher output than the GM27-FQS and is therefore certified VESA DisplayHDR 400, a figure I verified in testing.

    I would like to point out this line is inaccurate. Specifically that there are no Cooler Master monitors that are certified DisplayHDR 400 at the time of me writing this post.

    Cooler Master markets this monitor as DisplayHDR 400 "compatible". It is on the website, the spec sheet on the website and on the box packaging. They didn't market it as DisplayHDR 400 certified, which is what your review is implicating.

    You can check the webpage here:

    https://www.coolermaster.com/catalog/setup/monitors/gm32-fq/
    and the spec sheet here:

    https://www.coolermaster.com/catalog/setup/monitors/gm32-fq/#specifications
    You can also check the DisplayHDR list of certified HDR400 monitors here:

    https://displayhdr.org/certified-products/#tab-400
    There are no Cooler Master monitors or specifically the GM32-FQ when you search the above list.

    To think that a reputable and popular site like tom's can have reviewer that can't be bothered to read up official information and specs and check them before posting a review. I have similarly pointed out Techpowerup making the same mistake, albeit on a different Cooler Master monitor, and now here I am again doing the same thing. Maybe all you reviewers should contact Cooler Master and tell them that their marketing is so misleading that reviewers keep getting it wrong.

    https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/cooler-master-gm34-cwq-argb.296809/post-4797404
    Reply