The Gigabyte M32U is a 32-inch 4k mid-range gaming monitor. It has several gaming-focused features, like HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, a 144Hz refresh rate, and FreeSync and variable refresh rate (VRR) support to reduce screen tearing. It also has several productivity features. You can easily switch between two PCs and use the same keyword and mouse, thanks to the KVM switch. Additionally, it has a USB hub and DisplayPort Alt Mode support with 15W USB-C charging.
Our Verdict
The Gigabyte M32U is great for mixed usage. It's excellent for gaming, as its high 144Hz refresh rate creates smooth motion, and its fast response time creates very little blur behind fast-moving objects. You can open multiple windows and enjoy superb text clarity with its 32-inch 4k display, making it great for office use. It's also great for content creation, and its excellent sRGB mode means you don't need to calibrate it for accurate colors. It's good for media consumption and gets bright enough to fight glare in most viewing environments. However, it has a mediocre contrast ratio, so blacks appear gray in darker environments. Its local dimming feature doesn't improve the contrast, though it's okay for HDR.
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Large, high-resolution screen.
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Superb text clarity.
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Great gray uniformity.
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Decent side viewing angles.
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KVM switch.
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Mediocre contrast.
The Gigabyte M32U is great for office use. The high-resolution screen delivers superb text clarity, and its 32-inch size allows you to open multiple windows at the same time. It has decent reflection handling and very good brightness, so it overcomes glare in most environments. It also has good ergonomics and satisfactory side viewing angles, so a colleague will see a relatively consistent image from the sides if you're sharing your work. While it has USB-C charging, it doesn't deliver enough power to recharge most laptops while they're in use.
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Large, high-resolution screen.
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Superb text clarity.
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Great gray uniformity.
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Decent side viewing angles.
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KVM switch.
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sRGB mode locks down most settings.
The Gigabyte M32U is an excellent gaming monitor. It has a 144Hz refresh rate for a smooth feel and supports all common VRR formats to reduce screen tearing. It has a fast response time, so there's very little blur behind fast-moving objects, and its low input lag makes fast-paced games feel responsive. It's also fantastic for console gaming, with support for all major console features thanks to its HDMI 2.1 bandwidth and HDMI Forum VRR support. However, it has mediocre contrast, so deep blacks appear gray in darker environments.
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Outstanding console compatibility.
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Fantastic response time.
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Fast 144Hz refresh rate.
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HDMI 2.1 bandwidth.
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KVM switch.
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Mediocre contrast.
The Gigabyte M32U is good for media consumption. It displays high-resolution content in great detail thanks to the 4k screen, and the 32-inch size offers enough screen space for an immersive viewing experience. It has very good brightness and decent reflection handling and gets bright enough to fight glare in most environments. It also has a decent horizontal viewing angle, so you can share content with another person. However, it has a mediocre contrast ratio, so blacks appear gray in darker environments.
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Large, high-resolution screen.
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Excellent SDR color accuracy before calibration.
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Great gray uniformity.
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Decent side viewing angles.
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Mediocre contrast.
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Terrible local dimming feature.
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sRGB mode locks down most settings.
The Gigabyte M32U is great for content creation. It has superb text clarity, and its 32-inch size is large enough to open multiple windows side by side. It has an excellent sRGB mode, so you don't need to calibrate it for accurate colors. However, it has only decent coverage of the Adobe RGB color space, which isn't ideal for professional publishing. It has wide viewing angles and good ergonomics, so the image remains fairly consistent from the sides, and you can adjust the monitor to your preferred position. However, it has a mediocre contrast ratio, so blacks appear gray in darker environments.
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Large, high-resolution screen.
-
Superb text clarity.
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Excellent SDR color accuracy before calibration.
-
Great gray uniformity.
-
Decent side viewing angles.
-
KVM switch.
-
Mediocre contrast.
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sRGB mode locks down most settings.
The Gigabyte M32U is okay for HDR. It has a mediocre contrast ratio, so deep blacks look gray in a dark room, and its local dimming feature doesn't improve the contrast. Its HDR brightness is adequate, though highlights don't pop. However, it displays a good range of colors in HDR, so colors look realistic.
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Good HDR color gamut.
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Mediocre contrast.
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Terrible local dimming feature.
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HDR highlights don't pop.
- 8.1 Mixed Usage
- 8.3 Office
- 8.6 Gaming
- 7.6 Media Consumption
- 8.4 Media Creation
- 6.7 HDR
- Updated Feb 05, 2024: Updated text to reflect changes with Test Bench 1.2.
- Updated Jan 05, 2024: Added that the Lenovo Legion Y32p-30 provides similar performance but delivers more power over USB-C.
- Updated Oct 06, 2023: Added that the ASUS ROG Swift PG27UQR has a faster Response Time at 60Hz.
- Updated May 15, 2023: Added that the Gigabyte M27U is a similar monitor but with a 27-inch screen size in Resolution and Size.
- Updated Apr 18, 2023: Confirmed that 1440p works on this monitor with the PS5.
- Updated Dec 16, 2022: Added that the newly-reviewed Cooler Master Tempest GP27U gets much brighter in terms of HDR Brightness.
- Updated Nov 29, 2022: Clarified the text in the Gray Uniformity section to be more clear that the dirty screen effect it has is minor and isn't distracting.
- Updated Aug 25, 2022: We bought and tested the LG 32GQ950-B, and added a few relevant comparisons in the text.
- Updated May 02, 2022: We tested the monitor with the PS5's new variable refresh rate feature and confirmed that it's working properly.
- Updated Apr 08, 2022: Updated Xbox Series X|S Compatibility, as 1440p @ 60Hz is supported, but it requires a forced resolution from the Xbox Series X.
- 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.
- Updated Oct 14, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Oct 08, 2021: Early access published.
- Updated Oct 04, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Sep 29, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Sep 25, 2021: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the 32-inch Gigabyte M32U, part of Gigabyte's M Series of gaming monitors. The full model code may vary between regions, like the Gigabyte M32U-SA, which is the same monitor. The M32U Arm Edition is nearly identical to the M32U but has an arm that clamps to a desk for mounting, unlike the M32U's desk stand. The results in this review are only valid for the model we tested.
| Model | Size | Native Resolution | Max Refresh Rate | Support Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M32U | 32" | 4k | 144Hz | Desk Stand |
| M32U Arm Edition | 32" | 4k | 144Hz | Arm |
Our unit was manufactured in June 2021; you can see the label here.
Compared To Other Monitors
The Gigabyte M32U is a mid-range 32-inch gaming monitor with added productivity features like a KVM switch, DisplayPort Alt Mode support, and USB-C charging. It's a great choice for work-from-home setups, as the monitor works well for gaming and productivity work. Additionally, thanks to the KVM switch, you can easily switch between two PCs and use the same keyword and mouse. If you're looking for a 32-inch monitor that costs less and you don't need the M32U's productivity features, consider the LG 32GP850-B, which delivers similar gaming performance at a considerably lower cost, though it has a lower resolution and doesn't have HDMI 2.1 bandwidth.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best 32-inch monitors, the best 144Hz monitors, and the best gaming monitors.
The Dell G3223Q and the Gigabyte M32U are both excellent 4k gaming monitors. They're very similar overall as they each have a 144Hz refresh rate, HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, and a quick response time, but the Gigabyte has a backlight strobing feature, which the Dell doesn't have. However, the Dell gets brighter, so it's better for well-lit rooms, and the out-of-the-box accuracy is much better, too.
The Gigabyte M32U and the Gigabyte M32UC offer very similar overall performance, but the best one depends mainly on your viewing conditions. The M32U is better for most people as it has better ergonomics, viewing angles, and motion handling with very little black smear. The M32UC specifically targets users in a dark or dim room, as it has a much better contrast ratio, resulting in deeper, more uniform blacks in a dark room.
The Gigabyte M32U and the LG 32GR93U-B are both excellent 4k gaming monitors. They perform similarly, but there are a few differences. The LG has a slight advantage in gaming as it has a faster response time across its entire refresh rate range and a slightly lower input lag. However, the Gigabyte has more extra features, like a KVM switch and USB-C port, making it easier to multitask with different devices. The Gigabyte also has a more ergonomic stand that offers swivel adjustment, so it's easier to share your screen with someone else.
The Gigabyte M32U is a bit better than the Gigabyte M28U. Although these two monitors are very similar overall, the larger model has better ergonomics and response time. The M28U has worse overshoot in every overdrive mode, especially when gaming at 60Hz. On the other hand, the M28U has better reflection handling, but it's not a significant difference.
The Samsung Odyssey G7 C32G75T and the Gigabyte M32U are both excellent gaming monitors, but the better one depends a bit on your personal preferences. The Samsung uses a VA panel, and it's a better choice for a dark room. The Gigabyte has an IPS panel, so it's best for a brighter viewing environment. The Gigabyte also has better viewing angles, and it supports HDMI 2.1, so it's a better choice for Sony PS5 or Xbox Series S|X gamers.
The Gigabyte M32U and the Gigabyte M27U are very similar monitors with many of the same features, but the M27U has an overclock that can go to 160Hz. The M32U is essentially a larger version with better ergonomics, but the M27U gets brighter. Choosing one over the other comes down to which size you prefer.
The Gigabyte M32U and the Gigabyte AORUS FI32U offer nearly identical performance. The FI32U has a more versatile stand, as you can rotate it to portrait orientation. The FI32U also has a few extra built-in gaming features, including a unique active noise cancelling feature for your microphone. Overall, they perform about the same, but the extra features differ. If your main use is for the office/productivity, the M32U is a better choice. If your main use is gaming, the FI32U is a better choice.
The Gigabyte M32U and the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 S32BG85 are both excellent gaming monitors with a few differences. The Samsung is better for dark room gaming as it delivers deeper blacks and has a better local dimming feature. It also has a higher 240Hz refresh rate if you want to use it for high-frame-rate gaming. However, the Gigabyte has wider viewing angles if you want to use it for co-op gaming, and it's more versatile for productivity if you need something for work and play.
The LG 32GQ950-B is a bit better than the Gigabyte M32U. The LG has a higher max refresh rate through an optional overclock, and it delivers better motion handling at all refresh rates, with less blur behind fast-moving objects. The LG also has full bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports, whereas the Gigabyte relies on compression to achieve the highest formats. This isn't an issue for most sources, but the LG looks a bit better on sources that don't support the latest display stream compression format, including the PS5.
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.
The Samsung Odyssey G7/G70B S32BG70 and the Gigabyte M32U are comparable 4k, 32-inch monitors with a 144Hz refresh rate. They both deliver excellent gaming performance, but the Samsung monitor has better motion handling. However, the Gigabyte is more versatile for other uses as it has a USB-C port and a KVM switch for productivity.
The Gigabyte M32U and the Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 S32BG75 are both 4k, 32-inch gaming monitors with a few advantages and disadvantages. The Gigabyte is the better choice if you want something for co-op gaming as it has wide viewing angles, while the Samsung performs better in dark rooms as it has improved local dimming and better contrast. The Samsung also has a quicker response time with low-frame-rate content, but there's flicker when the frame rate drops too low.
The Dell U3223QE and the Gigabyte M32U are different types of 4k monitors. The Dell is focused on office use with a USB hub with more inputs than the Gigabyte, although the Gigabyte offers the same features, like DisplayPort Alt Mode and a KVM switch. The Dell also has much better ergonomics as you can rotate it into portrait mode. However, the Gigabyte is focused on gaming as it has a 144Hz refresh rate with HDMI 2.1 bandwidth and VRR support, allowing you to play games at high framerates from PCs and consoles without issue.
The Gigabyte M32U and the Samsung Odyssey G7 S28AG70 are both excellent 4k gaming monitors. They have many of the same features with a 144Hz refresh rate and native FreeSync support, but the Gigabyte has better motion handling as the response time is much better at 60Hz. However, the HDMI 2.1 inputs on the Samsung support more bandwidth than those on the Gigabyte, as they can support up to 40 Gbps while the Gigabyte is 24 Gbps. This means that you don't need Display Stream Compression for 4k gaming at 120 fps from certain sources on the Samsung, like from the Xbox Series X.
The Gigabyte M32U and the Lenovo Legion Y32p-30 are 4k, 32-inch gaming monitors that perform similarly. Both monitors have several productivity features, such as a KVM switch and a USB-C hub with power delivery. However, the Lenovo delivers more power, making it a great choice if you're using a laptop with your monitor. They also perform very similarly for a range of different usages. However, the Gigabyte has substantially better HDR color volume and is a better choice if you watch a considerable amount of HDR content.
The Gigabyte M32U is a bit better than the LG 27GP950-B overall. The Gigabyte has much better reflection handling, so it can better overcome glare in a bright room. The Gigabyte also has better black uniformity and better ergonomics. On the other hand, the LG is a lot brighter in HDR, and it can display a wider color gamut.
The Gigabyte M32U and the BenQ EW3270U use different panel technologies, but the Gigabyte is still better for most people overall. The Gigabyte has a much faster refresh rate, significantly better motion handling, and lower input lag. The Gigabyte has better ergonomics, and it has two HDMI 2.1 ports, so it's a better choice for some console gamers. On the other hand, the BenQ has much better contrast, so if you're in a dark room and the other things don't matter to you, it's a better choice.
The Gigabyte M32U is a better gaming monitor than the MSI Optix G321CU. The main advantage of the Gigabyte model is its superior motion handling, so there's less smearing with fast-moving objects. The Gigabyte also has wider viewing angles and better ergonomics that make it better for co-op gaming. On the other hand, the MSI has the full 48 Gbps bandwidth of HDMI 2.1, while the Gigabyte is limited to 24 Gbps, so your graphics card doesn't need to use compression if you need to send signals that require high bandwidth.
The Gigabyte M32U and the Samsung Smart Monitor M8 S32BM80 are both 4k, 32-inch monitors, but they're different in a few ways. The Gigabyte has features for a variety of uses, like VRR support and HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, that the Samsung monitor doesn't have. The Gigabyte also has better accuracy for a more life-like and realistic image. On the other hand, the Samsung is a smart monitor with a built-in smart platform that makes it easy to stream your favorite content without a PC.
The Gigabyte M32U is slightly better than the Sony INZONE M9 overall. The Gigabyte is a more versatile monitor overall, with much better ergonomics, better accuracy out of the box, and a slightly faster response time. The Sony monitor, on the other hand, delivers a better HDR experience overall. The Sony gets brighter in HDR and has a much better local dimming feature.
The Gigabyte M32U is a bit better than the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0). The M32U has a larger, higher-resolution screen, resulting in much better text clarity, and it has better ergonomics. The M32U also has two HDMI 2.1 ports, making it a better choice for Sony PS5 or Xbox Series S|X gamers.
The Gigabyte M32U is a bit better than the Corsair XENEON 32QHD165. The Gigabyte has a higher resolution screen, resulting in much better text clarity and a sharper image. The Gigabyte also has slightly better ergonomics, with a better height adjustment, and tons of extra features, including a built-in KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) switch, so you can control two computers with a single set of input devices. Finally, the Gigabyte is better for console gamers, as it has two HDMI 2.1 ports and supports 4k @ 120Hz gaming.
The Gigabyte M32U and the Gigabyte AORUS FV43U use different panel technologies, each with strengths and weaknesses. The M32U has a smaller IPS panel, which delivers wide viewing angles. The M32U has a much faster response time at 60Hz. The FV43U, on the other hand, has a larger screen with much better contrast and better uniformity, so it's a better choice for a dim or dark room.
The Gigabyte M32U is a better all-around monitor than the Apple Studio Display, but they're for different uses. The Gigabyte is a 4k gaming monitor with HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, so it's a great choice for console gaming up to 120 fps. It also has more inputs like HDMI and DisplayPort and supports HDR, which the Apple monitor doesn't have. On the other hand, the Apple is a 5k monitor meant for macOS users, and it has significantly better reflection handling, meaning it performs better in well-lit rooms.
The Gigabyte M32U is better overall than the LG 27GN950-B. The Gigabyte has a larger screen, which results in slightly worse text clarity, but it has better black uniformity, much better reflection handling, and better ergonomics. The Gigabyte is better for PS5 and Xbox Series S|X gamers, as it has two HDMI 2.1 ports and supports 4k @ 120Hz gaming over HDMI, while the LG can only do so over DisplayPort from a PC.
The ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQ and the Gigabyte M32U are very similar overall. The ASUS has better ergonomics, but the Gigabyte has slightly better viewing angles. The biggest difference between them is the inputs, as the Gigabyte has two HDMI 2.1 ports, whereas the ASUS is limited to HDMI 2.0, and can only reach its maximum resolution and refresh rate over DisplayPort. This makes the Gigabyte a better choice for console gamers.
The ASUS ROG Swift PG27UQR and the Gigabyte M32U are similar 4k gaming monitors, with a few differences. The ASUS has a slightly higher 160Hz refresh rate and better motion handling at lower refresh rates. However, the Gigabyte has a lower input lag at 60Hz for a more responsive feel. The Gigabyte has a few extra features like a KVM switch and USB-C port, so it's the slightly better choice for productivity. Still, the ASUS is better for bright rooms thanks to its superior peak brightness and improved reflection handling.
The Acer Nitro XV282K KVbmiipruzx and the Gigabyte M32U are extremely similar overall. The Gigabyte has a larger screen, so text is slightly less sharp due to the lower pixel density. The Acer has better ergonomics, so it's more versatile and easier to place in an ideal viewing position. The Gigabyte has a few extra features that make it a better choice for office users, including a built-in KVM.
The Gigabyte M32U is much better than the Gigabyte G27Q. The M32U has a larger, higher-resolution screen, resulting in better text clarity, and it has a faster response time, especially at 60Hz. The biggest difference is in the inputs, though, as the M32U has two HDMI 2.1 ports, making it a much better choice for PS5 or Xbox Series S|X gamers.
The LG 48 C1 OLED and the Gigabyte M32U are very different displays with different target audiences. The LG is a large TV we tested as a monitor that has an OLED panel. The OLED panel delivers a nearly instantaneous response time, with wide viewing angles and perfect blacks. The large screen isn't meant to be used as a desktop monitor, though, and there's a risk of permanent burn-in. Although the Gigabyte doesn't perform as well overall, it's a more traditional form factor that fits on most desks, and there's no chance of burn-in.
Video
Test Results
The Gigabyte M32U has an understated design, with thin bezels on three sides and a flat base that supports the monitor well, though it takes up a bit of space. The back of the monitor has a glossy section near the top.
The build quality is good. It's entirely plastic, with no metal components, though the plastic seems to be of decent quality. There's a little bit of flex on the back panel, but otherwise, it's fairly solid.
When we first tested the monitor, we noted no consistent issues with noise. However, after using the monitor extensively since our initial test, it now produces several added noises. When black frame insertion (BFI) is on, the monitor has a pulsating coil-whine-type noise. Additionally, when the monitor operates between 120–144Hz it produces a consistent hum/buzz. The monitor is also loud when the brightness is between 30 and 70 in some modes.
The ergonomics are good. It has a good swivel and great tilt range, making it easy to share your screen with another person. Additionally, its height adjustment is outstanding, so you can adjust it to your preferred position. However, it doesn't rotate, and you can't use it in portrait mode for reading long documents or put two monitors side by side in a vertical dual-screen setup. The stand features a loop for cable management. If you want something with even better ergonomics, check out the Dell U3223QE.
The flat stand supports the monitor well, though it takes up some space. While there's a bit of wobble, it's not too bad.
A joystick is on the back of the monitor to control the on-screen display, which also serves as a power button to turn it on and off. Additionally, there's also a dedicated button for the KVM switch.
- User manuals
- DisplayPort cable
- HDMI cable
- USB-B upstream cable
- Three different power cables (Type B, I, and J)
The contrast is mediocre, and deep blacks look gray next to bright highlights in a dark room. While the monitor has local dimming, it doesn't improve the contrast. If you want a 4k monitor with much better contrast, look into the Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 S32BG75.
Unfortunately, although the Gigabyte M32U has a local dimming feature, it's terrible. In most real content, the local dimming feature doesn't activate. The monitor is edge-lit, with approximately 16 large dimming zones, so when local dimming does activate, the transitions are very noticeable and distracting.
Enabling the Local Dimming feature locks out a few settings. It enables DCR, which negatively impacts scene brightness accuracy and locks the brightness at maximum.
The SDR brightness is very good, and it gets bright enough to fight glare in most environments. Different content causes some variation in peak brightness, and the monitor dims very small highlights slightly, but most content doesn't show noticeable dimming.
These results are from after calibration in the 'Custom 1' Picture mode with the Brightness at its max and Local Dimming enabled. If you want something brighter, then check out the Dell G3223Q.
The HDR brightness is okay, though small highlights are dimmer and won't pop. There's a sharp cut-off at the peak brightness, but this means that the monitor doesn't tone map before your computer does. However, much of the image is slightly less bright than it should be, and very dark scenes are over-brightened. If you care about HDR brightness, then check out the Cooler Master Tempest GP27U, which gets much brighter in HDR.
These results are with HDR and Local Dimming 'On.'
The Gigabyte M32U monitor has a decent horizontal viewing angle. While you can still share your screen with someone else, the image appears slightly washed out at wider angles.
The monitor has a very good vertical viewing angle, so the image is consistent if you stand up and look down at the monitor.
The gray uniformity is great. There's only a bit of dirty screen effect near the center, which isn't enough to be distracting when browsing the web or playing games with large areas of similar color.
The Gigabyte M32U has unremarkable black uniformity. There's quite a bit of cloudiness throughout the screen, and significant backlight bleed along the top and bottom edge when local dimming is off. Local dimming reduces backlight bleed and cloudiness away from some brighter content, though it worsens black uniformity.
The accuracy before calibration in the sRGB mode is excellent, and it follows the sRGB curve fairly well. The white balance is great, and the color temperature is fairly close to the calibration target. The monitor slightly oversaturates red, but there are no significant issues with any color.
Unfortunately, using the 'sRGB' Picture Mode setting locks other settings, including Contrast and Dynamic Contrast Ratio. So, if you want to use those settings, you need to change Picture Mode to 'Custom 1,' which delivers the second-best results but worse overall performance, as you can see here.
The accuracy after calibration is exceptional. White balance and colors are nearly perfect, and any remaining inaccuracies aren't noticeable. After calibration, you can use any of the settings that are locked out in sRGB mode.
The SDR color gamut is fantastic. It can display the entire sRGB color space most current desktop and web content uses. However, it has only decent coverage of the Adobe RGB color space. It also has significant issues displaying greens accurately in Adobe RGB, which isn't ideal for professional publishing.
The SDR color volume is remarkable. It displays bright colors well but struggles with darker colors due to its low contrast and terrible local dimming.
The HDR color gamut is good. It has good coverage and tone mapping in the DCI-P3 color space used by most current HDR content, though worse coverage in the Rec. 2020 color space.
The HDR color volume is great. However, it can't display very dark colors well, and its incomplete color gamut limits it.
The reflection handling is decent. It doesn't have too much glare in most environments, though it struggles with very bright light sources, like opposite a sunny window.
The Gigabyte M32U has superb text clarity. The 4k resolution and high pixel density help it display sharp text. With ClearType turned on (top photo), text appears bolder. These photos are in Windows 10.
The Gigabyte M32U has superb reflection handling, and you won't notice any banding in scenes with shades of a similar color.
This monitor has HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, so both DisplayPort and HDMI provide the same speeds and capabilities. Your card must support Display Screen Compression to reach these maximum speeds over DisplayPort or HDMI.
This monitor supports FreeSync and is G-SYNC compatible over HDMI and DisplayPort. It also supports HDMI Forum VRR.
| Overdrive Setting | Response Time Chart | Response Time Tables | Motion Blur Photo |
| Off | Chart | Table | Photo |
| Smart OD | Chart | Table | Photo |
| Picture Quality | Chart | Table | Photo |
| Balance | Chart | Table | Photo |
| Speed | Chart | Table | Photo |
The response time at the max refresh rate of 144Hz is superb. There's almost no noticeable blur behind fast-moving objects. The recommended Overdrive setting of 'Picture Quality' produces the best results. 'Balance' is slightly faster, but there's significantly more overshoot.
The 'Smart OD' mode is designed to automatically select the best overdrive mode at a given refresh rate. At both 144Hz and 60Hz, it appears to be in the 'Balance' mode, which is different from our recommended settings at these refresh rates, and at 120Hz, it appears to be in 'Speed' mode, which is also different from our recommended settings.
| Overdrive Setting | Response Time Chart | Response Time Tables | Motion Blur Photo |
| Off | Chart | Table | Photo |
| Smart OD | Chart | Table | Photo |
| Picture Quality | Chart | Table | Photo |
| Balance | Chart | Table | Photo |
| Speed | Chart | Table | Photo |
The response time at 120Hz is excellent. The overall performance is nearly identical to gaming at the max refresh rate, but there's more overshoot, especially in dark areas. The recommended Overdrive setting of 'Picture Quality' produces the best results. 'Balance' is slightly faster, but there's significantly more overshoot.
| Overdrive Setting | Response Time Chart | Response Time Tables | Motion Blur Photo |
| Off | Chart | Table | Photo |
| Smart OD | Chart | Table | Photo |
| Picture Quality | Chart | Table | Photo |
| Balance | Chart | Table | Photo |
| Speed | Chart | Table | Photo |
The response time at 60Hz is very good. The recommended Overdrive setting of 'Picture Quality' produces the best results. 'Balance' is slightly faster, but there's significantly more overshoot. If you're looking for a single setting for all refresh rates, 'Picture Quality' is a good option.
| Refresh Rate | BFI Setting | Motion Blur Photo |
| 144Hz | On | Photo |
| 120Hz | On | Photo |
This monitor supports backlight strobing to reduce persistence blur. The first time we enabled the feature with VRR, the backlight strobing continued to function as low as 10Hz, but below 55Hz, it flickers in multiples of the framerate. Unfortunately, the backlight kept fluctuating and was borderline unusable, as shown in this slow motion video filmed between 54 and 55Hz (Note: This video contains rapid, bright flashing). The effect is not that noticeable in real life, and we created the video to demonstrate the effect, not how it appears.
After experiencing this issue, we power cycled the monitor and restarted the PC, and the BFI feature behaved more like the other Gigabyte monitors we tested. Below 85Hz, the backlight stops strobing, and there are no distracting backlight fluctuations.
This monitor has a flicker-free backlight, which helps reduce eye strain if you're sensitive to flicker.
The Gigabyte M32U has low input lag, so you won't notice any delay and get a responsive feel. It's important to ensure the firmware on the monitor is F06 or newer, as there's an issue with input lag with previous versions of the firmware.
The Gigabyte M32U works well with the PS5. However, since its HDMI ports require Display Stream Compression (DSC) to support certain features, the PS5 is limited to 4:2:0 when gaming at 4k @ 120Hz, as the PS5 doesn't fully support DSC. If you prefer something that supports the full HDMI 2.1 bandwidth with the PS5, check out the LG 32GQ950-B instead.
The Gigabyte M32U works well with the Xbox Series X|S. While you can enable 1440p @ 60Hz with the Xbox Series X|S, you need to adjust the setting that turns off VRR and HDR, so you should leave it at 1440p @ 120Hz with VRR enabled.
The Gigabyte M32U has two HDMI 2.1 ports, making it a great choice for someone who has a console and an HDMI 2.1 graphics card.
The monitor has a USB-C port and supports a few advanced USB-C features, including DisplayPort Alt Mode and 15W fast charging for supported devices. However, the power delivery feature doesn't deliver enough power to recharge most laptops while in use; if you want a monitor with similar performance and greater power delivery over USB-C, you can look into the Lenovo Legion Y32p-30.
The M32U's USB-C port allows you to use the monitor as a KVM (keyboard, video, and mouse) switch, so you can view and control two sources with a single set of input devices, which is great if you're working from home and want to use a business and personal computer at the same desk.
This monitor works well with macOS. VRR and HDR function properly and can be enabled simultaneously on macOS. When using a MacBook, windows return to their original position when reopening the lid or waking the laptop up from sleep.
The Gigabyte M32U has a few extra features, including:
- Virtual Crosshair: There are four virtual crosshairs to choose from.
- Frame Counter: Displays the current number of frames per second received from the source.
- Black Equalizer: Adjusts gamma to make it easier to spot other players/enemies in the shadows.
- KVM: Allows quick keyboard and mouse switching between multiple connected computers.
- Dashboard: This feature allows you to display statistics from your computer like CPU and GPU temps, fan speeds, memory usage, etc.
It also supports Picture-in-Picture or Picture-by-Picture, allowing you to display two sources simultaneously, though this feature isn't available in HDR or if FreeSync is enabled.
