Gigabyte G32QC Gaming Monitor Review: 32 Inches of Class-Leading Contrast

Solid big-screen performance at a more accessible price

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Gigabyte G32QC
(Image: © Gigabyte)

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To read about our monitor tests in-depth, please check out Display Testing Explained: How We Test Monitors and TVs. Brightness and Contrast testing is covered on page 2. 

Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level 

To compare the G32QC’s performance, we have panels ranging from 27 to 32 inches. VA monitors include the Gigabyte Aorus CV27Q, Dell S3220DGF and MSI MAG321CURV. IPS is represented by the BenQ EW3280U and Razer Raptor 27. All support HDR at various peak outputs. 

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Gigabyte G32QC
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The G32QC delivers more than enough brightness for any possible environment and enough to offset its backlight strobe should you engage the Aim Stabilizer blur-reduction feature. Gigabyte claims 350 nits, but we measured over 426 in the uncalibrated Standard mode.

That makes the black level of 0.0804 nit very impressive because it results in a 5,301.5:1 contrast ratio. That’s a legitimate number because there was no detail clipping in either shadow or highlight areas. 

After Calibration to 200 nits 

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Gigabyte G32QC
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Calibration (see our G32QC recommended calibration settings on page 1) barely change the G32QC’s contrast. The black level stayed super low at 0.0426 nit, eclipsed only by the Aorus CV27Q, which clips a little shadow detail to achieve its number. The G32QC's resulting contrast is excellent at 4714.2:1, making it the highest contrast monitors in our database.

That performance extended to the ANSI test where the G32QC wins by a huge margin. The only monitor that comes close to this level from our recent reviews is the Asus PG43UQ, which costs more than three times as much as the G32QC. This shows great component selection and quality control on Gigabyte’s part.

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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.

7 Comments Comment from the forums
  • warezme
    Looks nice for the price. This one is definitely worthy of consideration based on stats. I wish it was 4K but no big deal if it isn't.
    Reply
  • Carlos Enrique
    8 bit, VA, no USB hub...Next, please.
    Reply
  • milleron
    For my money, Carlos, you're exactly right. But I suppose this monitor is pretty good for the US$400-500 range.
    Reply
  • snowlock
    Don't do it.
    I had this thing 35 days before the backlight started failing. Gigabyte refuses to do return shipping on their defective items after 30 days. Return shipping was $300 via fedex. Skip the middleman and just burn your money instead.
    https://ibb.co/6XM72Yb
    Reply
  • BlackHoleBox
    The explosion of VA "gaming" monitors over the past few years is one of the worst things that could happen to people who value image and motion quality.

    Samsung and AUO flooded the market with low grade 32" VA panels leading to countless no-name companies dropping them into cheap cabinets with other substandard components and overpricing them in the name of "gaming" monitors. And since idiots bought them up in droves, the availability of IPS displays shrank and their prices skyrocketed.

    So screw you Samsung. Screw you too, AUO.
    Reply
  • TK31
    Had this monitor for about 3 months now... It's great! Sure the backlight isnt the best in the market if you really squint on a completely white screen but for the purpose it serves me (gaming/movies) its perfectly fine. Its hard to find a 165hz 1440p 32" monitor for this price (in my local market anyway).

    One gripe though is it takes ages for the monitor to wake up. From the time signal is given to when an image appears on the screen.

    I had doubts originally with Gigabyte and how much money I was about to sink in, but it was all good in the end. Admittedly my experience seems rare, or just nobody bothers sharing positive experiences.
    Reply
  • shaolin95
    BlackHoleBox said:
    The explosion of VA "gaming" monitors over the past few years is one of the worst things that could happen to people who value image and motion quality.

    Samsung and AUO flooded the market with low grade 32" VA panels leading to countless no-name companies dropping them into cheap cabinets with other substandard components and overpricing them in the name of "gaming" monitors. And since idiots bought them up in droves, the availability of IPS displays shrank and their prices skyrocketed.

    So screw you Samsung. Screw you too, AUO.
    Nonsense. And calling others idiots because they have different requirements just shows how childish you are.
    IPS with the blooming, pathetic contrast level and light gray blacks is not perfect either. Both have pros and cons depending on the user needs.
    Reply