ASUS ROG Strix XG32WCMS Curved Gaming Monitor Review: 280Hz QHD Fast VA Display
Table of Contents
Introduction
The ASUS ROG Strix XG32WCMS is a premium gaming monitor aimed at enthusiasts seeking a high-refresh rate and immersive curved display. With its 32-inch QHD Fast VA panel, 280Hz refresh rate, and a host of gaming-focused features, this monitor promises a truly captivating gaming experience. Let’s delve into its strengths and weaknesses to determine if it lives up to the hype.
Key Features
The XG32WCMS is packed with features designed to enhance your gaming experience. Here are some of its highlights:
- 32-inch QHD Fast VA Panel: The curved 32-inch display offers a 2560×1440 resolution, providing a balance between sharpness and immersion. The Fast VA panel delivers excellent contrast and color accuracy, making it ideal for both competitive gaming and visually stunning titles.
- 280Hz Refresh Rate: The monitor’s 280Hz refresh rate delivers incredibly smooth and responsive gameplay, making it a dream for fast-paced titles where every millisecond counts.
- 1ms Response Time: With a 1ms response time (GTG), the XG32WCMS virtually eliminates ghosting and motion blur, ensuring crisp and clear visuals during rapid action sequences.
- AMD FreeSync Premium: This technology ensures smooth and tear-free gameplay by synchronizing the monitor’s refresh rate with your AMD GPU, reducing stuttering and screen tearing.
- HDR10 Support: The monitor supports HDR10, allowing you to experience a wider range of colors and brightness levels for more vibrant and realistic visuals in compatible games and media.
- Extensive Connectivity: The XG32WCMS offers a comprehensive range of connectivity options, including DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI (v2.1), USB-C, and a headphone jack.
- Ergonomic Design: The monitor features adjustable tilt, swivel, and height, allowing you to personalize its position for maximum comfort and optimal viewing angles.
Performance & Usage
I’ve had the opportunity to test the XG32WCMS extensively with various games and applications, and I’m impressed with its overall performance. The curved display truly enhances immersion, particularly in racing games and open-world titles where the wider field of view feels more natural.
The 280Hz refresh rate is a game-changer for competitive titles. In games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Valorant, the responsiveness and smoothness of the display give you a significant advantage, allowing you to react quicker and make more precise shots.
The Fast VA panel delivers impressive contrast and color accuracy, making games look vibrant and visually appealing. The HDR support, though not as impactful as on more expensive monitors, does add a noticeable improvement in brightness and shadow detail.
The ergonomic design is a definite plus, allowing me to adjust the monitor to my preferred position for maximum comfort during extended gaming sessions. The low blue light feature is also appreciated, reducing eye strain during late-night gaming sessions.
Pros & Cons
Here’s a breakdown of the XG32WCMS’s key strengths and weaknesses:
Pros:
- Immersive curved display enhances gameplay.
- 280Hz refresh rate provides smooth and responsive gameplay.
- Fast VA panel delivers excellent contrast and color accuracy.
- HDR10 support enhances visuals.
- Extensive connectivity options cater to various needs.
- Ergonomic design ensures comfort during extended use.
- AMD FreeSync Premium eliminates screen tearing and stuttering.
- Low blue light mode reduces eye strain.
Cons:
- The HDR implementation could be more impressive.
- The monitor lacks built-in speakers.
- Price may be a barrier for some.
Final Verdict
The ASUS ROG Strix XG32WCMS is a fantastic gaming monitor that delivers on its promises of a high-refresh rate, immersive curved display, and excellent image quality. Its 280Hz refresh rate and Fast VA panel make it a perfect choice for competitive gamers, while its HDR support and ergonomic design enhance its appeal for casual gamers and media consumers.
While the HDR implementation could be more impressive and the lack of built-in speakers is a minor inconvenience, the XG32WCMS’s overall performance and feature set make it a strong contender in the high-end gaming monitor market. If you’re looking for a truly immersive and responsive gaming experience, this monitor is highly recommended.
Specifications
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Display | |
| Panel Size (inch) | 31.5 |
| Curvature | 1500R |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Color Space (DCI-P3) | 95% |
| Panel Type | Fast VA |
| True Resolution | 2560×1440 |
| Display Viewing Area (HxV) | 697.344 x 392.256 mm |
| Display Surface | Non-Glare |
| Pixel Pitch | 0.272mm |
| Brightness (Typ.) | 350 cd/㎡ |
| Brightness (HDR, Peak) | 400 cd/㎡ |
| Contrast Ratio (Typ.) | 4000:1 |
| Contrast Ratio (HDR, Max) | 100,000,000:1 |
| Viewing Angle (CR≧10) | 178°/ 178° |
| Response Time | 1ms (GTG) |
| Display Colors | 16.7M |
| Flicker free | Yes |
| HDR (High Dynamic Range) Support | HDR10 |
| Refresh Rate (max) | 280Hz |
| Video Feature | |
| GamePlus | Yes |
| Low Blue Light | Yes |
| HDCP Support | Yes |
| Game Visual | Yes |
| VRR Technology | Yes (Adaptive-Sync) |
| Extreme Low Motion Blur | Yes |
| ELMB Sync | Yes |
| Shadow Boost | Yes |
| Display Widget | Yes, DisplayWidget Center |
| PIP (PBP) Technology | Yes |
| Aspect Control | Yes |
| I/O Ports | |
| DisplayPort 1.4 | 1 (HBR3) |
| HDMI (v2.1) | 1 |
| USB-C | 1 (DP Alt Mode) |
| Earphone Jack | Yes |
| USB-C Power Delivery | 15W |
| Audio Features | |
| Speaker | No |
| Signal Frequency | |
| Digital Signal Frequency | HDMI: 30-415 KHz (H) / 48-280 Hz (V) USB-C, DisplayPort: 415-415 KHz (H) / 48-280 Hz (V) |
| Power Consumption | |
| Power Consumption | <50W |
| Power Saving Mode | <0.5W |
| Power Off Mode | <0.3W |
| Voltage | 100-240V, 50/60Hz |
| Mechanical Design | |
| 1/4″ Tripod Socket | Yes |
| Tilt | Yes (+20° ~ -5°) |
| Swivel | Yes (+25° ~ -25°) |
| Height Adjustment | 0~110mm |
| VESA Wall Mounting | 100x100mm |
| Kensington Lock | Yes |
| Dimensions (Esti.) | |
| Phys. Dimension with Stand | 70.8 x 57.3 x 24.6 cm (27.87″ x 22.56″ x 9.69″) |
| Phys. Dimension without Stand | 70.8 x 42.5 x 10.8 cm (27.87″ x 16.73″ x 4.25″) |
| Box Dimension (W x H x D) | 92.0 x 56.2 x 23.5 cm (36.22″ x 22.13″ x 9.25″) |
| Weight (Esti.) | |
| Net Weight with Stand | 9.4 kg (20.72 lbs) |
| Net Weight without Stand | 6.1 kg (13.45 lbs) |
| Gross Weight | 12.2 kg (26.90 lbs) |
| Certifications | TÜV Flicker-free, TÜV Low Blue Light, VESA AdaptiveSync Display 280Hz, VESA DisplayHDR 400, AMD FreeSync Premium, FSC MIX |
