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Brightness and Contrast

To read about our monitor tests in-depth, please check out Display Testing Explained: How We Test PC Monitors. We cover brightness and contrast testing on page two.

Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

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Gigabyte Aorus FI32U — (Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The FI32U isn’t quite as bright as the others in SDR mode, but a 32-inch screen can manage just fine in most indoor environments at 329.7 nits. You’d be best to avoid very sunny windows though. The black level is about average at 0.3571 nit, and contrast is just over 923:1. These are reasonable numbers, but if you really want maximum image depth, a VA panel, like the FV43U, will be superior.

After Calibration to 200 nits

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After calibrating the monitors to 200 nits brightness (see our recommended settings for the FI32U on page 1), the FI32U’s contrast dropped to 870.3:1. This is a little disappointing given the other monitors’ results. The FI32U’s local dimming feature can improve this number to around 6,600:1 but at a cost in overall brightness. We only recommend using local dimming if your room is dark.

ANSI, or intra-image contrast, stays solid at 870.1:1. This speaks to the FI32U’s quality control which is excellent. Though the panel doesn’t deliver a ton of contrast, it is well made with no visible uniformity issues and a smooth-toned image.

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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.

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