[dave5634]

Hi pcmonitors-community,

I‘m looking for some proposals for a monitor upgrade.
My main focus is professional work, I‘m a software developer looking at text and source code all day. But I‘m also a gamer and connect a PS5 as well as my Razer Blade Pro 17 (RTX 3070) to the monitor for gaming.

My previous models were:

BenQ PD2700U —> this was perfect for work! Perfect font clarity and sharpness, perfect screen size, nearly as good as the best Apple Retina displays I‘ve used in the past. BUT it was not good for gaming. No matter how i tuned the settings, I always had a bad motion blur while playing FPS games or even something like Fifa (motion blurried as soon as the camera moves from one side to the other of the pitch). And the AMA couldn‘t solve that without very bad ghosting.

LG 27UL550-B —> was better for gaming but no matter how I tuned the settings, I always got eye strain / headaches during long work sessions. Colors also weren‘t nearly as consistent as with my BenQ displays. And it also had a heat problem, becoming quite hot to the point I could feel it in my face while working.

BenQ EX2710Q —> my current display. It is good for gaming and good for work so far, but I definitely recognize the loss in font sharpness a LOT in comparison to the PD2700U. No headaches or eye-strain, but I really miss the sharper text from 4k.

That‘s why I‘m looking for a new 4k display that could fit my needs, but I‘m still uncertain.

Possible candidates on my mind:

ASUS XG27UQ –> from the reviews I found, this one seems to get the best scores out of my current candidates?

LG 27GN950-B

BenQ EX3210U

Gigabyte M32U

What would you guys propose? And are my candidates the best options I could pick for testing right now?

Thanks,
Dave

[PCM2]

Hi Dave (dave5634) and welcome,

There are a few threads I’d recommend reading through which cover the models you’re focusing on and draw comparisons with others:

https://forum.pcmonitors.info/topic/high-refresh-rate-32-4k-experience-fi32u-and-others/
https://forum.pcmonitors.info/topic/28-144hz-4k-models-including-xv282k-kv-and-vg28uql1a/

A quote from the first thread which relates to a comparison of the LG 27GP950 (or 27GN950) with competing models using a 28″ Innolux panel (M280DCA-E7B):

“The LG offers more vibrant colour output due to the more generous colour gamut (~98% DCI-P3 vs. ~90% DCI-3). Some will like this extra uplift of saturation, whilst others will prefer the lower levels of oversaturation offered by the 28” Innolux models, such as VG28UQL1A and XV282K KV. The LG offers a more dynamic HDR experience (more dimming zones, greater peak luminance). Whilst 16 dimming zones in itself can be quite good to give a good situational boost to contrast, the experience also depends on the dimming algorithm. The LG’s dimming algorithm is apparently rather aggressive and will make constant abrupt adjustments which can be rather noticeable and distracting in some scenarios. The pixel responsiveness isn’t as strong (still good), though the LG has a better overdrive setting for lower refresh rates – with much lower overshoot there. ‘IPS glow’ tends to be somewhat stronger based on user feedback and it doesn’t offer a shifted blue light peak to less energetic wavelengths. So it doesn’t share the potential viewing comfort advantages of the models with 28″ Innolux panels. The LG does have some neat features like hardware calibration and Sphere Lighting 2.0 (an actually useful lighting feature). Some user feedback suggests the 28″ models have a less grainy screen surface than the LG, too.”

So to put it bluntly, I personally feel the LG is a bit ‘meh’ for the price. It’s not a bad monitor and could suit your needs well, I just feel it should be a bit cheaper than it is. I also feel the same way about many of its direct competitors of similar size, by the way. And because your use includes the PS5 you at least get decent 60Hz performance on the LG without the strong overshoot you get on almost all of its 28″ competitors (Acer XB283K KV is a possible exception, but that doesn’t seem to have hit Europe yet). The XG27UQ(R) is based around an older panel, the AUO M270QAN02.3 which is also used in the XB273K we’ve reviewed. Not a bad panel or monitor, but not the fastest in terms of pixel responsiveness – slower than the LG and quite a bit slower than the 28″ models. As the XG27UQ is an ‘older’ model the reviews tend to compare it with older models – expectations have shifted along with the technology and if a proper comparison was drawn with the newer models it doesn’t come out so favourably.

I feel the ~32″ screen size is the ‘sweet spot’ for the ‘4K’ UHD resolution, as I often say in my reviews of such models. It provides a nice level of immersion but still with a nice strong pixel density for strong detail and clarity – and for most people will allow lower levels of scaling to be used if any at all. Or it facilitates you sitting a bit further back if you wish. So for me you get quite a bit more monitor for your money with the larger options. There’s a quote from that first thread above, something your thread actually prompted me to write just now actually, with respect to the ~32″ models you’re considering:

“I thought I’d already mentioned the BenQ EX3210U as a possible candidate in this thread, but seems not. This is essentially BenQ’s version of the ASUS PG32UQ, MSI MPG321UR-QD and ViewSonic XG320U, which is also based on the 32″ AUO M320QAN02.3. This isn’t a new ‘faster’ variant of the panel like some of the upcoming models – the ‘DisplayHDR 600’ level ones (XB323K, PG32UC?) at this point don’t have a clear release date and seem to have taken a back seat to Mini LED alternatives. As a reminder, this AUO panel has a QD LED backlight and offers a wider colour gamut (much greater Adobe RGB, greater DCI-P3) than models using the 31.5″ Innolux M315DCA-K7B, plus offers a higher level of HDR support (VESA DisplayHDR 600 vs. 400).

The models with Innolux panel (M32U, FI32U, XB323QK NV etc.) still offer seemingly similar local dimming, which isn’t required for VESA DisplayHDR 400 but still offered; luminance is more limited so it’s less ‘dynamic’ still. Neither HDR level is fantastic by any means and the 16 dimming zones both solutions provides is very limited, but an edge still goes to the models with AUO panels due to the more appropriate gamut for HDR and higher peak luminance. The wider colour gamut can also be useful for work (or viewing) within that colour space or for people who like particularly strong vibrancy, whereas the gamut of the Innolux models will suit those who like a dose of extra saturation for sRGB content without the same oversaturation and overdone look to some shades (some greens looking too neon, strong red push to some browns and skin tones etc.) Models with the Innolux panel are ‘Eyesafe’ certified, with shifted blue peak to make it less energetic and potentially improve viewing comfort – the AUO panel doesn’t offer that. The Innolux panel is also faster, so in the way we’d assess it has less ‘powdery’ trailing particularly for transitions involving darker shades. That AUO panel is still a fair bit faster than the PG32UQX‘s AUO M320DAN02.2, however.”

So both the EX3210U and M32U have their merits and with those specific models in mind I’d also add the BenQ has the somewhat more ‘solid’ build quality. Not to say the Gigabyte is ‘bad’ in that respect, but the stand base is particularly basic on that one as it’s hollowed-out plastic with a metal bottom plate. The screen itself is solid enough. For PS5 usage a small thing to note is that the Gigabyte uses DSC for its full capability (full ‘4:4:4’ signal) which the PS5 doesn’t support, so you’d be limited to ‘4:2:0’ reduced chroma. On the BenQ it achieves the full ‘4:4:4’ without DSC over HDMI 2.1. I say small thing because I know this can be unattractive on paper, but in practice it’s very difficult to tell the difference between ‘4:2:0’ and ‘4:4:4’ signal when gaming or watching movie content. And I really think the M32U stands out for its price (particularly in the US, admittedly), whilst the edge in pixel responsiveness should provide an experience more akin to what you’ve been experiencing on the EX2710Q than the EX3210U would. It depends on your sensitivity as they’re both pretty decent in that respect, even though the Gigabyte does have an edge. We’ll shortly be reviewing the M32U, so that will give an even better idea of what to expect from that model.

[dave5634]

Hey PCM2,

thank you very much for your extensive response!

By the way: The monitor stand is not important for me – I use a Ergotron LX monitor arm / stand. So the stand base of the Gigabyte is no issue for me, for example.

And yes, I’m very sensitive about monitors 🙂

So if I read your summary correctly, you would lean towards the BenQ EX3210U for my personal taste and requirements?

[PCM2]

I’d probably edge towards the M32U, because; it’s a bit faster, cheaper and ‘Eyesafe’ certified (though both models have their merits for viewing comfort as discussed below). But the EX3210U offers more complete HDR support, a ‘4:4:4’ signal for the PS5 (I stress again, you’re unlikely to notice this making a difference in practice) and stronger saturation and vibrancy if you like that kind of thing. The Gigabyte isn’t really lacking in that respect, but it’s still not at the level of the BenQ there. I think the choice is a bit more complex in Europe than it would be in the US where the M32U currently sits at ~$740 and EX3210U $1100. But you’d really need to weigh up their strengths and weaknesses for yourself and see which model fits your own personal preferences better. Given the screens you’ve used and what you like about them the Gigabyte seems a better fit if anything, but perhaps you’re itching for that superior HDR support and highly vibrant colour output which the BenQ offers.

[dave5634]

Thanks again.

Pricing in Europe is really crazy for these 2 monitors. EX3210 costs 1300 Euros while the M32U costs 950 Euros.

I’m not fanatic about HDR:) “Realistic” or “normal” colors are totally fine for me, also because I mainly use the monitor for work (like 90% of the time).

Another possible candidate: the M28U worse than the M32U from what I’ve read so far, right? Like a bit worse responsiveness / bluriness / ghosting when it comes to gaming?

[PCM2]

The main issue for the M28U when it comes to responsiveness isn’t that it’s slow – in fact it’s marginally ‘faster’ than the M32U using the optimal settings on each. The issue is the same as with the other 28″ models, including a few we’ve reviewed (XV282K KV and VG28UQL1A). It has overshoot (inverse ghosting) which becomes particularly strong at lower refresh rates and this is the case even if you use its lowest response time setting. If you don’t like overshoot and particularly if you want to use ‘G-SYNC Compatible Mode’ on your RTX 3070 or you’re forced to use 60Hz for some titles on the PS5 for example then this is potentially problematic. I also feel it’s worth paying the extra for the larger screen on the M32U if it’s within your budget, for reasons covered in my initial post.

[dave5634]

OK – I have ordered the M32U. Let’s see what happens 😀

Thanks a lot!

[PCM2]

Fingers crossed the Gigabyte works well for you and you get a good unit. I look forward to your thoughts on it – and I appreciate your support, too.

[EsaT]

While not having that “Eyesafe” marking, AUO’s M320QAN02.3 doesn’t really produce any more blue light than Innolux. Output drops to around zero at 420nm and actually amount of blue light is lower in relation to whole spectrum than in Innolux panel, which is short on green.

[PCM2]

Excellent point. The more balanced overall spectral output of QD LED backlights is certainly useful and that’s something I’ve often touted as a potential viewing comfort benefit and will reiterate in reviews. ‘Eyesafe’ certification and what it aims to do isn’t about reducing total blue light output. If that was your main goal you’d benefit from using traditional Low Blue Light (LBL) settings on either model. The key goal is to shift the peak of blue light away from ~450nm to ~460nm, with the former being particularly fatiguing to the eyes compared to the latter. There’s a significant difference between the measured peaks of the FI32U shown there of 458nm and the PG32UQ at 453nm (5nm for the peak is a noteworthy shift – though less so than from 460nm to 450nm). But a secondary focus is also on the 435 – 440nm range. Monitors can still produce a fair amount of blue light there and it’s high energy enough to be a focus of ‘Eyesafe’ technologies at those levels (<435nm levels are generally 'low enough' anyway). The PG32UQ also does well there for sure, whilst the balanced spectrum with higher green peak plus high and broad red peak aids its overall emission profile.

Ideally you'd have the balanced spectrum as well as the shifted peak and I agree that as far as viewing comfort is concerned either route can have its merits. I appreciate you pointing this out as it is important not to just state one model is ‘better’ than the other for viewing comfort, because in this case it’s nowhere near as clear-cut as that. And particularly because I often tout the potential benefits there for QD LED solutions in reviews etc. It’s important to highlight that the PG32UQ and others using its panel (including EX3210U) are not bad choices with that in mind by any means.

[dave5634]

Unfortunately the M32 I received has bad pixel errors on about a third of the whole display area – really really bad. As if someone let it fall on the ground from big heights. Or maybe bad quality control. Never had such an experience with BenQ monitors before.
Will return it and look if I order it again – not sure after that experience.
The image looked good so far on Ps5 and PC, but I couldn‘t really test it properly. What a letdown…

[PCM2]

That’s really odd and disappointing to see. Most comments I’ve received on the M32U have been positive and obvious defects like that shouldn’t happen. When you say pixel errors do you mean a large number of dead or stuck pixels scattered about the screen or something else?

[dave5634]

You can see the defect here:

(It looks like this no matter which input I use, no matter what settings. With older monitors there was kind of like a “pivot” function to reset the image, but I don’t think that’s possible here:) )

[PCM2]

Yeah, I’d say it has almost certainly suffered physical damage. This wouldn’t be indicative of a wider QC issue with the M32U or anything on Gigabyte’s end, I’ve seen this with various monitors that have been handled too roughly. Relatively large screens are unfortunately more prone to this kind of thing and manufacturers are under pressure to minimise their packaging which arguably should offer better protection than it does. It looks like it has been dropped by the courier or in the warehouse at some point or has suffered some other impact. I’d highly recommend getting Amazon to swap it for another unit and trying again. I know it’s frustrating and you shouldn’t have to. 🙁

[dave5634]

Do you know any good 27 / 28 inch alternative I could try?
Or are all possible options a worse choice than the M32U and EX3210U?

Because I also felt that 32 inches could be a bit big for my taste.

[PCM2]

This is covered in my first post. 🙂 And specifically, in this thread. As you’ll see, the 27 – 28″ options don’t compare favourably to the M32U or EX3210U. Unless you’re able to tolerate moderately strong overshoot. The LG 27GP950 does avoid this issue but it isn’t a model I find myself recommending over alternatives for the reasons covered in my first post. The only 28″ model I’m aware of that might show appropriate overdrive tuning for lower refresh rates is the XB283K KV, but that isn’t available in Europe. If you’ve come from a significantly smaller monitor, it will take some take to get used to the larger screen. Exactly how long is quite an individual thing, but you’ll likely find it becomes more ‘normal’ after using it for several days.

If you’re happy to drop the HDMI 2.1 support, which means your PS5 would be limited to 60Hz ‘4K’, you could consider the ASUS XG27UQ(R) which you mentioned in your initial post. Or the Acer XB273K GP. The pixel responsiveness simply isn’t as good, as I mentioned, but still may be ‘good enough’ – because they’re not poor in that respect by any means. And they do perform well at lower refresh rates, including 60Hz, with the right settings.

[dave5634]

OK, replacement M32U is on its way….I‘ll give this baby one more chance 🙂

[PCM2]

Fingers crossed for you! 😉

[EsaT]

Almost like that panel has been physically hit at that lower edge crossing point of those lines and rows.
Or at least has been exposed to some force bending panel at that point.

[dave5634]

First impression is very good. I like the realistic colors. Fonts are recognizably sharper and easier to read. Elden Ring looks a lot less saturated than on the EX2710Q, but it‘s fine. It‘s sharp and so far also easy on the eyes.

Speakers are very bad in comparison to the BenQ, but that was to be expected.

I will wait a few days to confirm these positive impressions. Thanks a lot, again!
I will be back:)

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