NZXT Canvas 32Q Gaming Monitor Review: Style and Substance Meet Value

The NZXT Canvas 32Q is a 32-inch curved QHD/VA gaming monitor with 165 Hz, Adaptive-Sync, HDR and extended color.

Reviews
By Christian Eberle
published
NZXT Canvas 32Q
(Image: © Tom's Hardware)

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I’ve managed to find a few other VA QHD 165 Hz panels in my test database to compare the Canvas 32Q. They are Monoprice’s 42891, Viotek’s GNV32DBE and BenQ’s EX2710R. To fill out the group, I’ve included the IPS-based Cooler Master GM32-FQ and Corsair 32QHD165.

Pixel Response and Input Lag

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

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NZXT Canvas 32Q
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

165 Hz will give you a response time between six and seven milliseconds. The Canvas 32Q is in the 7ms category, giving it the same level of motion blur as a 144 Hz monitor. Its overdrive helps some, and if you want even more reduction, you’ll have to forgo Adaptive-Sync and use the MPRT backlight strobe. Overall motion resolution quality, in either case, is on par with other 165 Hz QHD screens.

For overall lag, the Canvas 32Q is one of the quicker 165 Hz monitors I’ve tested, coming in a total time of 31ms. That’s very responsive from a casual gamer’s standpoint like mine. Very skilled players will want to consider a 240 Hz screen, but most enthusiasts will have no problems racking up frags on the Canvas 32Q.

Viewing Angles

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

VA screens aren’t known for great viewing angles, but the Canvas 32Q does a respectable job. Light is reduced by around 30% at 45 degrees off-center and the color shifts to green, like an IPS monitor. From the top, you can see green and red shifts, a 50% light reduction, and washed-out detail.

Screen Uniformity

To learn how we measure screen uniformity, click here.

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

My Canvas 32Q sample was a tad hot in the upper left and center zones, while the rest of the screen had an even tone. Brighter gray and color patterns showed no issues. I could not see any problems with actual content during dark scenes. Bright highlights also looked white and neutral in tone.

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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.

3 Comments Comment from the forums
  • digitalgriffin
    It's specs and performance remind me of the panel used by the dell s3220dgf. But the dell is a lot cheaper.
    Reply
  • WINTERLORD
    your link is broken that monitor isnt yet listed on amazon, also yall wrote a news clip bout monitor sales being down does this mean monitors will get more expinsive or will they get cheaper?
    Reply
  • dk382
    I think it's time Tom's Hardware does more comprehensive response time testing than the single value they're showing. 0 - 100% doesn't even come close to showing the whole story with response times. What are the other black and near-black rise times, for instance? Black or near-black to other near-black shades are often slower than 0 - 100% on VA panels, and you get smearing in dark shades as a result, which is something not even mentioned in this review.
    Reply