Skip to main content

Asus’ new 4K HDMI 2.1 gaming monitor looks like another beast

Now that GPU prices are actually affordable again, those with powerful GPUs have another monitor to consider. Asus has officially introduced the ROG Strix XG32UQ (via NotebookCheck), a 32-inch 4K gaming monitor with many of the bells and whistles gamers expect of a high-end monitor, including those who own an Xbox Series X or PS5.

Starting off, the panel itself is, of course, a 4K IPS screen offering a 160Hz refresh rate for fluid movement and a 1ms response time for twitchy in-game actions.

The new Asus 4K HDMI 2.1 monitor against a black background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The XG32UQ covers 96% of the DCI-P3 color gamut which should offer brilliant colors both for viewing content and creating it. It has a peak brightness of 600 nits which should be plenty bright for most people.

Recommended Videos

Those with either Nvidia or AMD graphics cards are both taken care of as this new Asus monitor has both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. While the maximum refresh rate is 160 Hz, only those using DisplayPort will be able to use it. Gamers using HDMI will be limited to 144 Hz, which is still plenty fast for all but the most competitive esports players. Console owners will also be able to take advantage of variable refresh rate (VRR) thanks to the HDMI 2.1 spec.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Speaking of ports, there are two HDMI 2.1 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4, a single 3.5mm headphone jack, and a built-in USB hub complete with two USB-A 3.2 Gen1 ports. The stand features tilt, swivel, and height adjustment, which is welcome for those who need maximum flexibility. Streamers and those working from home will also enjoy the built-in tripod socket to mount a camera or ring light to enhance video presence.

Asus ROG Strix XG32UG gaming monitor hero shot.
Asus

Obviously, gaming at 4K requires a beefy graphics card, and those prices have largely returned to normal. However, those hoping for a cheap Nvidia mid-range card may still be paying higher than MSRP. It’s still a welcome change of pace after having to deal with astronomical graphics card prices for two years.

Fortunately, Nvidia is likely gearing up to release their 40-series cards (although it may just be one this year). That, combined with cryptocurrency falling, has led to GPU prices finally being within reach of most potential customers.

As far as the Asus XG32UQ gaming monitor, the company hasn’t released pricing information but did confirm that the gaming monitor will release in Q3 2022.

David Matthews
Former Digital Trends Contributor
David is a freelance journalist based just outside of Washington D.C. specializing in consumer technology and gaming. He has…
Samsung blew me away with its 3D gaming monitor prototype last year — now, it’s a real product
Lies of P on Samsung's glasses-free 3D gaming monitor at CES 2024.

Flash back almost exactly a year to the day. I was sitting in a half-built demo area playing on a Samsung prototype gaming monitor. The company had loaded up Lies of P -- one of my favorite games of last year -- and I was proceeding through a midgame Mad Clown Puppet mini-boss. It wasn't just standard gameplay, though. It was glasses-free 3D, and it worked well enough that I was able to play a game as difficult as Lies of P amid construction noise and blinding lights without breaking a sweat.

At CES 2025, Samsung is turning that prototype into a real product with the Odyssey 3D.

Read more
I’ve been gaming on a 27-inch 4K OLED monitor for the past week, and it’s glorious
Path of Exile 2 running on an Asus gaming monitor.

A 27-inch 4K OLED gaming monitor is a big deal. Samsung just announced its own version, and we'll likely see more at CES. Based on what Asus has told me, I'm one of only a few reviewers who've been gaming on one of these new monitors for the past week or so. I’m talking about the Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM, and the sharpness it brings is incredible to play on.

But before I continue gushing -- a caveat.

Read more
OLED gaming monitors are about to get a lot brighter
Path of Exile 2 running on an Asus gaming monitor.

One of the biggest criticisms leveled against OLED monitors, despite being some of the best gaming monitors you can buy, is how dim they are. Although brightness is steadily increasing, it looks like the next crop of OLED gaming monitors will make quite the leap when it comes to HDR performance. Ahead of CES 2025, VESA has revealed a new tier of its DisplayHDR standard that's focused squarely on the brightness of OLED monitors.

The certification is DisplayHDR True Black 1,000. Most OLED gaming monitors, such as the MSI MPG 321URX or Alienware 27 QD-OLED, are certified with DisplayHDR True Black 400. This certification level is reserved for OLED -- or extremely high-end mini-LED -- displays that achieve nearly perfect black levels. According to VESA's specifications, the display has to reach 0.0005 nits with a checkboard pattern. Now, VESA is focusing on the other end of the spectrum, adding a more demanding tier that maintains those low black levels while pushing brightness higher.

Read more