Gigabyte M32Q  Monitor Review

Reviewed Jul 20, 2021 at 11:05am
Retest Apr 18, 2023 at 10:53am
Tested using Methodology v1.2 
Gigabyte M32Q

Track

Track

 12

The Gigabyte M32Q is a great monitor with a 32 inch 1440p IPS screen. It has wide viewing angles, good peak brightness, and good reflection handling. This monitor delivers an amazing gaming experience, with an outstanding response time, superb low input lag, and a few great gaming features. It supports FreeSync and G-SYNC variable refresh rate technologies for a nearly tear-free gaming experience. There's an optional black frame insertion feature (BFI), and unlike most monitors on the market, it even supports BFI with a variable refresh rate, meaning you can get the best of both worlds. It also has a few unique extra features, including a built-in keyboard, video, and mouse switch (KVM), allowing you to control two sources at once with a single keyboard and mouse. Of course, due to the IPS panel, it's not as well-suited for a dark room, as it has low contrast and bad black uniformity, but overall, it's a great monitor for pretty much any usage.

Our Verdict

0.0
Mixed Usage 

The Gigabyte M32Q is a great monitor for most uses. It's great for office use, with wide viewing angles, lots of screen space to work, good peak brightness, and good reflection handling. It excels as a gaming monitor, with some great gaming features, an incredibly fast response time, and of course, low input lag. It's also a good choice for watching videos, and a great choice for media creation, with an impressive color gamut and outstanding accuracy out of the box.

Pros
  • Image remains accurate at an angle.
  • Excellent gray uniformity.
  • Outstanding response time.
  • Low input lag.
Cons
  • Blacks appear gray in a dark room.
  • Stand can't be rotated to a portrait orientation.
0.0
Office 

The Gigabyte M32Q is a great office monitor. It has good peak brightness and good reflection handling, so glare shouldn't be an issue. It has wide viewing angles, great for sharing the screen with someone else, and has excellent gray uniformity. The 32 inch, 1440p screen is great for multitasking. The stand can't rotate to portrait orientation, though, which might be limiting for some users, and blacks appear gray in a dark room, so it's not great for working late.

Pros
  • Good reflection handling.
  • Image remains accurate at an angle.
  • Excellent gray uniformity.
Cons
  • Blacks appear gray in a dark room.
  • Stand can't be rotated to a portrait orientation.
0.0
Gaming 

The Gigabyte M32Q delivers an amazing gaming experience. It has an extremely fast response time, delivering clear motion with little blur behind fast-moving objects. It also has low input lag, and it supports both FreeSync and G-SYNC variable refresh rate (VRR) technologies. It also looks great even in a bright setting, with good peak brightness and good reflection handling. Also, it has an optional black frame insertion feature to reduce blur, but unlike most monitors, this feature is even available when VRR is enabled.

Pros
  • Good reflection handling.
  • Outstanding response time.
  • Low input lag.
  • Versatile BFI feature that works with VRR.
Cons
  • Blacks appear gray in a dark room.
0.0
Media Consumption 

The Gigabyte M32Q is very good for watching videos. The relatively large size and high pixel density deliver a clear, sharp image, and the image remains accurate at an angle, great for watching with a few other people. It has good peak brightness and good reflection handling, so glare shouldn't be an issue, but it's not great for watching in the dark, as it has low contrast and bad black uniformity.

Pros
  • Good reflection handling.
  • Image remains accurate at an angle.
  • Excellent gray uniformity.
  • Outstanding color accuracy out of the box.
Cons
  • Blacks appear gray in a dark room.
  • Bad black uniformity.
0.0
Media Creation 

The Gigabyte M32Q is a great monitor for media creators. The large screen makes it easier to see more of your work at once, and the wide viewing angles make it easy to share your work with someone else. It has outstanding accuracy out of the box, and a superb SDR color gamut, with great coverage of the Adobe RGB color space. It has amazing gray uniformity and superb gradient handling, so you don't have to worry about dirty screen effect or banding. It's not great in a dark room, though, as it has a low contrast ratio and bad black uniformity.

Pros
  • Good reflection handling.
  • Image remains accurate at an angle.
  • Excellent gray uniformity.
  • Outstanding color accuracy out of the box.
Cons
  • Blacks appear gray in a dark room.
  • Bad black uniformity.
  • Stand can't be rotated to a portrait orientation.
0.0
HDR 

Pros
None
Cons
  • Blacks appear gray in a dark room.
  • No local dimming.
  • Bad black uniformity.
  • 0.0
    Mixed Usage
  • 0.0
    Office
  • 0.0
    Gaming
  • 0.0
    Media Consumption
  • 0.0
    Media Creation
  • 0.0
    HDR
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Apr 18, 2023: Confirmed that 1440p works on this monitor with the PS5.
    2.  Updated Sep 20, 2022: We bought and tested the HP X27q, which is a similar budget gaming monitor. We added a few relevant comparisons to this review.
    3.  Updated May 02, 2022: We tested the monitor with the PS5's new variable refresh rate feature and confirmed that it's not compatible, since the PS5 only supports HDMI Forum VRR.
    4.  Updated Apr 08, 2022: Updated to Test Bench 1.2, resulting in changes to the results and scores with the Response Time and Input Lag. Added tests for Console Compatibility and macOS compatibility and made minor changes to other tests, which you can see in our Changelog.

    Check Price

    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    We tested the 32 inch Gigabyte M32Q, which is part of Gigabyte's 'M' Series gaming monitors, designed with productivity in mind and all feature a built-in KVM (keyboard, video, & mouse) switch. It's also available in a 27 inch size, but the smaller size has a slightly different panel, so our review here isn't valid for that size.

    Model Size Native Resolution Max Refresh rate Panel Type
    M34WQ 34" 3440x1440 144Hz IPS
    M32Q 32" 1440p 170Hz IPS
    M32U 32" 4k 144Hz IPS
    M28U 28" 4k 144Hz IPS
    M27Q (rev. 1.0) 27" 1440p 170Hz IPS
    M27F 27" 1080p 144Hz IPS

    If you come across a different type of panel or your Gigabyte M32Q doesn't correspond to our review, let us know, and we'll update the review. Note that some tests, like gray uniformity, may vary between individual units.

    Our unit was manufactured in April 2021; you can see the label here.

    Popular Monitor Comparisons

    The Gigabyte M32Q is an impressive gaming monitor, and it's one of the few 32 inch monitors available with an IPS panel. It has a few extra features that help it to stand out against the competition.

    For more options, check out our recommendations for the best 32-inch monitors, the best gaming monitors, and the best 1440p monitors.

    MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD

    Track

    The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD and the Gigabyte M32Q offer very similar performance overall. The biggest difference between them is in their design. If you prefer a larger screen, go with the Gigabyte, but if ergonomics are more important to you and you don't plan on VESA mounting the monitor, the MSI might be the better choice.

    Gigabyte M32U

    Track

    The Gigabyte M32U is a bit better overall than the Gigabyte M32Q. The M32U has a higher resolution screen, resulting in better text clarity thanks to the higher pixel density. The M32U has two HDMI 2.1 ports, making it a better choice for Xbox Series S|X or PS5 gamers.

    LG 32GP850-B/32GP83B-B

    Track

    The Gigabyte M32Q and the LG 32GP850-B/32GP83B-B are very similar 32-inch, 1440p gaming monitors, with only a few minor differences. The Gigabyte has a slightly better stand, and it has a unique KVM feature that allows you to work with two sources at once with a single keyboard and mouse, so it's the better choice for productivity.

    LG 27GP850-B/27GP83B-B

    Track

    The Gigabyte M32Q is slightly better than the LG 27GP850-B/27GP83B-B. The Gigabyte has better vertical viewing angles, slightly better ergonomics, a more versatile black frame insertion feature that's available over a wider range of refresh rates, and it has a larger screen. The Gigabyte also offers slightly better connectivity, with a built-in KVM and USB-C port.

    Show more 
    How We Test Monitors
    How We Test Monitors

    We buy and test more than 30 monitors each year, all of which we purchase ourselves, without cherry-picked units or samples. We put a lot into each unbiased, straight-to-the-point review, and there's a whole process from purchasing to publishing, involving multiple teams and people. We do more than just use the monitor for a week; we use specialized, custom tools to measure various aspects and deliver objective, data-driven results. We also consider multiple factors before making any recommendations, including the monitor's cost, its performance compared to the competition, and whether it's easy to find.

    Test Results

    perceptual testing image
    Sort:
    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    Curved
    LockedLocked
    Curve Radius
    LockedLocked

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    Accelerated Longevity Test
    Uniformity PicturesN/A
    0.0
    Build Quality

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    0.0
    Ergonomics
    Height Adjustment
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Tilt Range
    LockedLocked
    Rotate Portrait/Landscape
    LockedLocked
    Swivel Range
    LockedLocked
    Wall Mount
    LockedLocked

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    Stand
    Base Width
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Base Depth
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Thickness (With Display)
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Weight (With Display)
    LockedLock lbs (Lock kg)

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    Display
    Size
    Locked32"
    Housing Width
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Housing Height
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Thickness (Without Stand)
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Weight (Without Stand)
    LockedLock lbs (Lock kg)
    Borders Size (Bezels)
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Controls

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    In The Box
    Power Supply
    LockedLocked

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    Picture Quality
    0.0
    Contrast
    Native Contrast
    LockedLock : 1
    Contrast With Local Dimming
    LockedN/A

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    0.0
    Local Dimming
    SAMPLE
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    Gigabyte M32Q Local Dimming Video Sample
    Local Dimming
    LockedLocked
    Backlight
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    SDR Brightness
    Real Scene
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Peak 2% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Peak 10% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Peak 25% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Peak 50% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Peak 100% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Sustained 2% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Sustained 10% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Sustained 25% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Sustained 50% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Sustained 100% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
    LockedLock
    Minimum Brightness
    LockedLock cd/m²

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    0.0
    HDR Brightness
    VESA DisplayHDR Certification
    LockedLocked
    Real Scene
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Peak 2% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Peak 10% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Peak 25% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Peak 50% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Peak 100% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Sustained 2% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Sustained 10% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Sustained 25% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Sustained 50% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Sustained 100% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    Horizontal Viewing Angle
    SAMPLE
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    Gigabyte M32Q Horizontal Viewing Angle Video Sample
    Color Washout From Left
    LockedLock°
    Color Washout From Right
    LockedLock°
    Color Shift From Left
    LockedLock°
    Color Shift From Right
    LockedLock°
    Brightness Loss From Left
    LockedLock°
    Brightness Loss From Right
    LockedLock°
    Black Level Raise From Left
    LockedLock°
    Black Level Raise From Right
    LockedLock°
    Gamma Shift From Left
    LockedLock°
    Gamma Shift From Right
    LockedLock°

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    0.0
    Vertical Viewing Angle
    SAMPLE
    JOIN NOW

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    Gigabyte M32Q Vertical Viewing Angle Video Sample
    Color Washout From Below
    LockedLock°
    Color Washout From Above
    LockedLock°
    Color Shift From Below
    LockedLock°
    Color Shift From Above
    LockedLock°
    Brightness Loss From Below
    LockedLock°
    Brightness Loss From Above
    LockedLock°
    Black Level Raise From Below
    LockedLock°
    Black Level Raise From Above
    LockedLock°
    Gamma Shift From Below
    LockedLock°
    Gamma Shift From Above
    LockedLock°

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    0.0
    Gray Uniformity
    50% Std. Dev.
    LockedLock%
    50% DSE
    LockedLock%

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    0.0
    Black Uniformity
    Native Std. Dev.
    LockedLock%
    Std. Dev. w/ L.D.
    LockedN/A

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    0.0
    Color Accuracy (Pre-Calibration)
    Picture Mode
    LockedLocked
    sRGB Gamut Area xy
    LockedLock%
    White Balance dE (Avg.)
    LockedLock
    Color Temperature (Avg.)
    LockedLock K
    Gamma (Avg.)
    LockedLock
    Color dE (Avg.)
    LockedLock
    Contrast Setting
    LockedN/A
    RGB Settings
    LockedLocked
    Gamma Setting
    LockedLocked
    Brightness Setting
    LockedLock
    Measured Brightness
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Brightness Locked
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Color Accuracy (Post-Calibration)
    Picture Mode
    LockedLocked
    sRGB Gamut Area xy
    LockedLock%
    White Balance dE (Avg.)
    LockedLock
    Color Temperature (Avg.)
    LockedLock K
    Gamma (Avg.)
    LockedLock
    Color dE (Avg.)
    LockedLock
    Contrast Setting
    LockedLock
    RGB Settings
    LockedLocked
    Gamma Setting
    LockedLocked
    Brightness Setting
    LockedLock
    Measured Brightness
    LockedLock cd/m²
    ICC Profile
    Download

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    0.0
    SDR Color Gamut
    sRGB Coverage xy
    LockedLock%
    sRGB Picture Mode
    LockedLocked
    Adobe RGB Coverage xy
    LockedLock%
    Adobe RGB Picture Mode
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    SDR Color Volume
    sRGB In ICtCp
    LockedLock%
    sRGB Picture Mode
    LockedLocked
    Adobe RGB In ICtCp
    LockedLock%
    Adobe RGB Picture Mode
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    HDR Color Gamut
    Wide Color Gamut
    LockedLocked
    DCI-P3 Coverage xy
    LockedLock%
    DCI-P3 Picture Mode
    LockedLocked
    Rec. 2020 Coverage xy
    LockedLock%
    Rec. 2020 Picture Mode
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    HDR Color Volume
    DCI-P3 In ICtCp
    LockedLock%
    DCI-P3 Picture Mode
    LockedLocked
    Rec. 2020 In ICtCp
    LockedLock%
    Rec. 2020 Picture Mode
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Reflections
    Screen Finish
    LockedLocked
    Total Reflections
    LockedLock%
    Indirect Reflections
    LockedLock%
    Calculated Direct Reflections
    LockedLock%

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    0.0
    Text Clarity
    Pixel Type
    LockedIPS
    Subpixel Layout
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Gradient
    Color Depth
    LockedLock Bit

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    Motion
    0.0
    Refresh Rate
    Native Refresh Rate
    LockedLock Hz
    Max Refresh Rate
    Locked170 Hz
    Max Refresh Rate Over DP
    LockedLock Hz
    Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI
    LockedLock Hz
    Max Refresh Rate Over DP @ 10-bit
    LockedLock Hz
    Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI @ 10-Bit
    LockedLock Hz
    Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
    FreeSync
    LockedLocked
    G-SYNC
    LockedLocked
    VRR Maximum
    LockedLock Hz
    VRR Minimum
    LockedLocked
    VRR Supported Connectors
    LockedLocked
    Variable Refresh Rate
    LockedYes

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    0.0
    Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate
    Recommended Overdrive Setting
    LockedLocked
    Rise / Fall Time
    LockedLock ms
    Total Response Time
    LockedLock ms
    Overshoot Error
    LockedLock%
    Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time
    LockedLock ms
    Worst 3 Total Response Time
    LockedLock ms
    Worst 3 Overshoot Error
    LockedLock%

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    0.0
    Response Time @ 120Hz
    Recommended Overdrive Setting
    LockedLocked
    Rise / Fall Time
    LockedLock ms
    Total Response Time
    LockedLock ms
    Overshoot Error
    LockedLock%
    Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time
    LockedLock ms
    Worst 3 Total Response Time
    LockedLock ms
    Worst 3 Overshoot Error
    LockedLock%

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    0.0
    Response Time @ 60Hz
    Recommended Overdrive Setting
    LockedLocked
    Rise / Fall Time
    LockedLock ms
    Total Response Time
    LockedLock ms
    Overshoot Error
    LockedLock%
    Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time
    LockedLock ms
    Worst 3 Total Response Time
    LockedLock ms
    Worst 3 Overshoot Error
    LockedLock%

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    Backlight Strobing (BFI)
    Backlight Strobing (BFI)
    LockedLocked
    Maximum Frequency
    LockedLock Hz
    Minimum Frequency
    LockedLock Hz
    Longest Pulse Width Brightness
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Shortest Pulse Width Brightness
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Pulse Width Control
    LockedLocked
    Pulse Phase Control
    LockedLocked
    Pulse Amplitude Control
    LockedLocked
    VRR At The Same Time
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Image Flicker
    Flicker-Free
    LockedLocked
    PWM Dimming Frequency
    LockedLocked

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    Inputs
    0.0
    Input Lag
    Native Resolution @ Max Hz
    LockedLock ms
    Native Resolution @ 120Hz
    LockedLock ms
    Native Resolution @ 60Hz
    LockedLock ms
    Backlight Strobing (BFI)
    LockedLock ms

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    0.0
    Resolution And Size
    Native Resolution
    Locked2560 x 1440
    Aspect Ratio
    LockedLocked
    Megapixels
    LockedLock MP
    Pixel Density
    LockedLock PPI
    Measured Screen Diagonal
    LockedLock"
    Screen Area
    LockedLock in²

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    0.0
    PS5 Compatibility
    4k @ 120Hz
    LockedLocked
    4k @ 60Hz
    LockedLocked
    1440p @ 120Hz
    LockedLocked
    1440p @ 60Hz
    LockedLocked
    1080p @ 120Hz
    LockedLocked
    1080p @ 60Hz
    LockedLocked
    HDR
    LockedLocked
    VRR
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Xbox Series X|S Compatibility
    4k @ 120Hz
    LockedLocked
    4k @ 60Hz
    LockedLocked
    1440p @ 120Hz
    LockedLocked
    1440p @ 60Hz
    LockedLocked
    1080p @ 120Hz
    LockedLocked
    1080p @ 60Hz
    LockedLocked
    HDR
    LockedLocked
    VRR
    LockedLocked
    Inputs Photos
    Video And Audio Ports
    DisplayPort
    LockedLocked
    Mini DisplayPort
    LockedLocked
    HDMI
    LockedLocked
    HDMI 2.1 Rated Speed
    LockedLocked
    DVI
    LockedLocked
    VGA
    LockedLocked
    Daisy Chaining
    LockedLocked
    3.5mm Audio Out
    LockedLocked
    HDR10
    LockedYes
    3.5mm Audio In
    LockedLocked
    3.5mm Microphone In
    LockedLocked

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    USB
    USB-A Ports
    LockedLocked
    USB-A Rated Speed
    LockedLocked
    USB-B Upstream Port
    LockedLocked
    USB-C Ports
    LockedLocked
    USB-C Upstream
    LockedLocked
    USB-C Rated Speed
    LockedLocked
    USB-C Power Delivery
    LockedLocked
    USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode
    LockedLocked
    Thunderbolt
    LockedLocked
    macOS Compatibility

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    Features
    Additional Features
    Speakers
    LockedLocked
    RGB Illumination
    LockedLocked
    Multiple Input Display
    LockedLocked
    KVM Switch
    LockedLocked

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    On-Screen Display (OSD)