Dell G3223Q 32-inch 4K Gaming Monitor Review: Exceptional Color Accuracy And Speed

A 32-inch 4K IPS gaming monitor with 144 Hz, Adaptive-Sync, HDR 600 and extended color

Dell G3223Q
Editor's Choice
(Image: © Dell, Shutterstock)

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The G3223Q sports some of the best out-of-box color accuracy I’ve measured. It’s good enough that no calibration is required, and in fact, I could not improve on the initial test results for any image parameter.

Grayscale and Gamma Tracking

Our grayscale and gamma tests use Calman calibration software from Portrait Displays. We describe our grayscale and gamma tests in detail here.

In Standard mode, the G3223Q’s grayscale tracking is reference level. All errors are under 1dE except for 90%, which just cracks the line. This is top-level performance, equal to any professional screen. Gamma tracking is a tad dark but well within the acceptable range. This mode employs the monitor’s full DCI-P3 gamut.

If you want sRGB, you’ll find it in the Creator picture mode. There, you can choose the gamut and gamma but oddly, not the color temperature. That is fixed at D65, and like Standard mode, it has no visible errors. 100% brightness just touches the 3dE line, but I could not see an issue with the naked eye. 1.65dE is a very good score. Gamma is a bit darker when set to 2.2, measuring closer to 2.3. It is possible to alter the gamma, but none of the settings are right on 2.2.

Comparisons

I was unable to get better numbers in the G3223Q’s Custom Color picture mode, so I’m comparing the default (Standard preset) values for grayscale and gamma tracking, which are exemplary. 0.79dE is good enough to win the out-of-box contest and finish third after the other monitors are calibrated. It doesn’t get better than that. This factory calibration is truly on-point.

Color Gamut Accuracy

Our color gamut and volume testing use Portrait Displays’ Calman software. For details on our color gamut testing and volume calculations, click here.

The G3223Q’s color gamut tests showed similarly excellent performance. The default DCI-P3 gamut in Standard mode has no visible errors. Red is a tiny bit over-saturated, but that doesn’t affect actual content in any way. Hue and saturation targets are right where they should be.

Choosing the sRGB option in Creator mode delivers the same excellent result with an average error of just 1.95dE. With every point in or on its target box, there is nothing to fault. Users needing a precise sRGB mode will have their wish fulfilled here.

Comparisons

1.52dE is good enough to put the G3223Q in first place. The sRGB mode’s 1.95dE would slot into fourth place which is impressive. These numbers are completely unaltered by picture adjustments other than setting brightness to 200 nits. That is excellent performance worthy of any professional application.

The G3223Q’s DCI-P3 gamut volume is about average at 92.35%. But some of the newest screens I’ve tested boast volumes over 115%. If accuracy is the deciding factor, the Dell is technically a little more accurate than the top four since none of its primaries are over-saturated. But if maximum color is your goal, there are screens that offer more. The Dell’s sRGB volume of 99.53% is also a very precise result. You can use the G3223Q for color-critical work right out of the box. Not many monitors can make that claim.

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.

  • saunupe1911
    Dang I want one! Dell monitors have the best value and decent support too. They will replace it even if it has 1 dead pixel.
    Reply
  • cknobman
    I am struggling to see the appeal of such an expensive monitor when it has such poor contrast, edge lit lighting, and fake "HDR".
    With FALD, mini LED, and OLED out there now these edge lit monitors just dont cut it anymore.
    Reply
  • saunupe1911
    cknobman said:
    I am struggling to see the appeal of such an expensive monitor when it has such poor contrast, edge lit lighting, and fake "HDR".
    With FALD, mini LED, and OLED out there now these edge lit monitors just dont cut it anymore.

    Ok sooo who makes a 32 inch gsync compatible monitor with those technologies? Especially one under $1k with HDMI 2.1 and display port?
    Reply
  • blppt
    I'm skeptical that any IPS panel can do even decent HDR. Any one I've ever seen does "blue/grey" blacks, which makes HDR entirely unacceptable.
    Reply
  • wifiburger
    why are all these 4k high refresh panels still crazy expensive after being on the market for years and years ?
    Reply
  • cknobman
    saunupe1911 said:
    Ok sooo who makes a 32 inch gsync compatible monitor with those technologies? Especially one under $1k with HDMI 2.1 and display port?

    Well under $1k is hard to find in this specific size.
    But if I was buying today there are several LG OLED 42-48 inches in size under $1k that would be worlds better than this dell.

    For $1300 I'd personally get the Samsung Neo G7. Mini LED and completely worth the extra money.
    Reply
  • 10tacle
    cknobman said:
    Well under $1k is hard to find in this specific size. But if I was buying today there are several LG OLED 42-48 inches in size under $1k that would be worlds better than this dell.

    ^That is exactly what I did, bought the Gigabyte Aorus 48" OLED monitor for $799 ($999 with a $200 rebate which I received finally 3 months later). It is the LG C1 OLED panel which is native 120Hz and has more input options like a real monitor. I'll never go back to LCD/LED now. The deep black levels are what I remember from the plasma and CRT days - best option for gaming with a lot of night scenes or in my case, using MSFS to fly at night a lot. Even my very good LG 4K 32" VA monitor just looks too washed out.
    Reply
  • saunupe1911
    cknobman said:
    Well under $1k is hard to find in this specific size.
    But if I was buying today there are several LG OLED 42-48 inches in size under $1k that would be worlds better than this dell.

    For $1300 I'd personally get the Samsung Neo G7. Mini LED and completely worth the extra money.

    Yeah still too expensive and too large. I don't want a monitor larger than 32 inches as I run dual setups. 32 inches is the sweet spot...that's what makes this monitor special. I love LG OLEDs being a 77 inch CX owner but I'm really waiting on Mini LED to get cheaper or for QD OLED to makes it's way to monitors before I upgrade my dual S3220DGF setup.
    Reply
  • Kridian
    I was expecting $275.
    Reply
  • Makaveli
    Kridian said:
    I was expecting $275.

    You would be lucky if this is $500 by Christmas 2023.
    Reply