Last January, ASUS asked me if I could take a look at their bleeding-edge gaming monitor, the ASUS ROG Strix XG32VQR. I agreed. With 2 months together with it, and with the quarantine locking me up with it for another month, maybe it’s high time to share my thoughts about it. Do note that this review mainly focuses on the device’s gaming performance and is not exceptionally detailed with regards to specs, color accuracy, and the likes.
Specifications
| Specs | XG32VQR |
| Panel Size (Diagonal) | 31.5″ (16:9) |
| Panel Backlight / Type | VA panel |
| Color Saturation | DCI-P3 94% |
| Brightness | 450cd/m2 (typical) |
| Response Time | 4ms (GTG) |
| True Resolution/ Refresh Rate | 2560 x 1440@144Hz |
|
HDR Support |
Radeon™ FreeSync 2 HDR |
| DisplayHDR 400 compliant | |
| Stereo Speaker | X |
| I/O Ports | HDMI (v2.0)x2, DP (v1.2) x1 (HDMI & DP support Adaptive-Sync/ FreeSync 2 HDR), Earphone Jack, USB3.0 ports |
Head to the official product page for the full specs.
FreeSync 2 (FreeSync Premium Pro) – What is it?
In a nutshell, FreeSync 2, now called as FreeSync Premium Pro, is a certification from AMD that is slapped onto monitors that can produce HDR images with accurate colors, high frame-rates, and low response times. Simply put, it’s a standard of all of the things that you want to have in a gaming monitor.
Note that not all games can take advantage of this HDR plus no screen tearing feature. For a list of games that are capable of using FreeSync 2, you can check AMD’s site here. For non-compatible games, Freesync 2 still offers the main benefit of the first Freesync: buttery smooth frames.
Looks & Aesthetics
The ASUS ROG XG32VQR is a 31.5″ curved monitor supported by a tripod-design stand. It can be tilted, swiveled, and can be vertically adjusted. The backside of the monitor is designed with the ROG gaming aesthetic and is host to a circular LED that can be programmed to change color.
The backside also houses the ports which can be hidden by a removable plastic panel. For ports, the XG32VQR can handle 2 HDMI 2.0s, 1 Display Port 1.2, 1 Earphone Jack, and 2 USB 3.0 Ports. This device is also Kensington lock compatible.
Lastly, the tripod stand is complemented by an ROG logo by default, projected on your tabletop. A hole near the base is also present, allowing you to cleanly arrange your wires.
ASUS Aura & ROG Logo LED
The LED located at the back of XG32VQR can be configured to display the color of your choice. You can do this through either through the ROG Armoury or directly via the monitors settings. The LED’s behavior can also be changed with selections such as Static, Breathing, Rainbow, etc. If you own several of the latest ROG products and hardware, you can sync up their colors by using the ROG Armoury and tinkering with AuraSync.
The ROG Logo located at the base of the trunk can be configured and changed to a logo that you like. However, this logo is not software-based and you have to literally pull it out and change it into the design that you like. Also, there is no way to change the red LED to another color.
Testing & Metrics
Blur Busters Motion Tests
Refresh Rate & Frame Rate Tests
To check the monitor’s maximum refresh rate, I used Blur Buster’s testufo. It’s a browser based test and can be used with most computers. You can even try it on your own system!
Gaming Performance & Experience
True to what it says about itself, the ASUS ROG XG32QVR (dis)plays like a dream. The 144Hz is definitely attainable and I had no problems with the monitor itself. Even while browsing or while on your desktop, you’ll notice the smoothness of mouse movements and controls. The age old adage, “Once you go 144Hz, you can never go back”, rings true here as you’ll always look for the feel of high refresh rates once you use lower ones such as your work computer.
I played a couple of games of different genres with this monitor. I did find that the high refresh rates does help when it comes to competitive shooters such as Rainbow Six: Siege and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. It also adds more flavor and heightens the satisfaction gained from fast-paced ones like DOOM Eternal. In other games, the large 31.5″ screen and higher resolution gives you more space to look for information and valuable stats in strategy games like Total War, Hearts of Iron IV, and Stellaris.
It is recommended that you have the hardware to exceed 60 FPS to take advantage of the XG32VQR’s main high refresh rate. Also note that the 2560×1440 resolution can be taxing to most of low-mid tier cards. An effective workaround for this is to lower your settings when playing competitive and fast-paced games.
Other Features
You can access several features using the buttons located behind the right-side of the screen. Four buttons open menus while the top-most one, a tiny joystick (officially named 5-way button) helps with the navigation.
With the menus, you can have FPS counters showing at the top-right of your screen, not acting as an overlay and is directly from the monitor’s readings. You can also have a crosshair set at the center to help you aim. The Strix XG32VQR also comes with a timer.
You can also save up to 4 profiles for easy switching of settings with this monitor.
Verdict
I can say that I find it hard to find any fault in the ASUS ROG Strix XG32VQR’s overall performance. It’s a FreeSync 2 monitor that boasts an impeccable display coupled with high refresh rates and is capable of 1440p resolution and is loaded with features that can be adjusted to fit your needs. The only chink in the armor is that the 4ms response time introduces a bit of ghosting. It went unnoticed until I tried benchmarking it, so it’s not that much of a problem if you’re playing fast-paced games.
I personally like the flexibility of setting up this monitor. As I have very limited space, I found it great that you can swivel, tilt, and adjust the monitor’s viewing height. The good thing about all of it is that while the whole thing is so easy to adjust, it isn’t wonky and doesn’t wobble. It’s also VESA-compatible, so you can mount it on your wall if you want.
However, there are two things you might need to consider if you’re thinking about getting this monitor: price and your hardware setup. The ASUS ROG Strix XG32VQR retails in the Philippines with an SRP of PhP 33,580 and that is quite high especially for most gamers. But if you have the spare cash, want a better monitor than your dusty 10-year old 23″ 60Hz trusty sidekick, then this is one gaming monitor you should consider. The second one is your hardware setup. If you have a graphics card that is incapable of churning out 1440p images above 60 FPS, then don’t bother with getting this one. I would recommend that you either upgrade your system first or get a 1080p 144Hz monitor instead, which is cheaper.
The ASUS ROG Strix XG32VQR wins high praises and is a gaming monitor that exudes quality and performance. As a true gaming monitor, this one gets our seal of approval.