At some point, gamers would want to upgrade their computer to a better one, including their gaming monitor. If you’re one of them, our ASUS ROG Strix XG32VQR Gaming Monitor review will discuss this product’s essentials.
The brand and company have always been a huge player in the gaming market. Plus, they always appear on the top of our gaming monitor list.
Today, ASUS is offering its ROG Strix XG32VQR gaming monitor. It’s an arched HDR monitor that gives you the excellent balance of immersive and seamless gameplay with extremely detailed contrast.
The ROG Strix XG32VQR gaming monitor is technically the upgraded version of the already notable XG32VQ. However, this new model introduces two notable features. This is the support for the FreeSync2 HDR technology and the VESA Display-HDR 400 rating.
You can expect to get smoother gaming syncing technology coming from AMD, as well as support for your HDR gaming.
Sounds like something that you’d want to have for your gaming rig? If that’s the case, continue reading our ASUS ROG Strix XG32VQR Gaming Monitor review to know more about it.
ASUS ROG Strix XG32VQR Gaming Monitor Packaging
Our ASUS ROG Strix XG32VQR Gaming Monitor review will start off with its packaging and contents.
The XG32VQR came in a nicely-designed package where an image of the monitor is displayed in front. Instead of exhibiting the monitor’s front, the image displays the monitor’s rear. The reason for this is to show off the bling lighting at the back that also projects from the base.
ROG’s logo is found on the upper-left corner of the package. The name of the monitor is written on the left of the image.
The package they utilised for the monitor is tough, so you don’t need to worry about damages while in transit. This is something we greatly appreciate when it comes to the packaging of ROG products.
Inside, you will find the ROG Strix XG32VQR neatly and carefully packed. The package contents vary depending on the region where you purchase the monitor.
For the cables, these may include a power adaptor, power cord, HDMI cable, DisplayPort cable, and USB 3.0 cable. Other items are a support CD and acrylic LED light covers.
For the documentation, these are a quick start guide and a warranty card.
ASUS ROG Strix XG32VQR Gaming Monitor Review – Design and Functionality
The ROG Strix XG32VQR is an upgrade from the XG32VQ which still continues to be a popular model until today. When looking at the style of the ROG Strix XG32VQR, it maintains the Strix screen’s DNA featuring asymmetric motifs. It’s a design that’s quite noticeable when using the stand.
Its arch is 1800-R, which is quite standard for monitors that have screens of this size. The entire aesthetics of this ROG gaming monitor is sleek and cool. Mostly, the design revolves around black shades with vibrant hints of red on its stand. Also, it makes use of the company’s Aura Sync ambient lighting for added bling.
1800-R Curvature
The 1800-R curvature of the Strix XG32VQR is a notable addition to the monitor. Not only that, but it’s growing to become a must-have feature for 32”-screen monitors. It’s because the arch adds to your viewing immersion, and it’s something that you can get used to easily.
Boosting the peripheral details and edge is essential when gaming, and adding adequate visual details lets you experience the change.
Generally, going for a curved-display for gaming may all depend on your personal taste. Yet compared to curved screens for TV, using this type of monitor for gaming is more convenient. This is because it allows you to immediately enjoy its features and benefits.
Rear – Ports, Buttons. And LED
For its buttons and ports, the ROG Strix XG32VQR comes with two HDMI 2.0 inputs and one DisplayPort. However, note that there aren’t any USB-C or legacy video connectivity available.
You’ll find one USB 3.0 hub plus two ports, but there are no integrated speakers here. Despite that, you’ll find a mini-jack for routing digital audio coming from digital video connections to your speakers/headphones.
On its rear, there are the quick select menu buttons that are chunky and easy to use. For its directional stick, it helps you navigate through the available menu.
Tripod Stand
The Strix XG32VQR is supported by a stand that appears like a tripod. You can swivel, tilt, and vertically adjust it based on your preference and needs.
The rear of the monitor features ROG’s gaming aesthetics. Plus, it hosts the rounded and programmable LED to alter its colours. The tripod stand sports an ROG logo which is projected on your table’s surface.
You’ll find a hole close to the base. Its presence lets you neatly arrange all your wires to prevent any mess, which can be an eyesore.
The ROG logo at the base can be configured and altered to any logo of your choice. However, it isn’t software-based, and you need to detach it and change it to your preferred design. Also, note that you cannot alter the LED’s red colour to something else.
After discussing its design and functions in our ASUS ROG Strix XG32VQR Gaming Monitor review, let’s check out its features.
Key Features of the ASUS ROG Strix XG32VQR Gaming Monitor
HDR Technology with DisplayHDR 400 and DCI-P3 94%
The ROG Strix XG32VQR supports HDR technology, so it delivers higher contrast and a wider colour range, unlike conventional monitors. The darkest blacks and brightest whites display details like never before. Additionally, this gaming monitor delivers DCI-P3 94% colour gamut, meeting the demands for DisplayHDR 400 certification.
FreeSync 2 HDR for Extreme Responsiveness
With FreeSync 2 HDR technology, the ROG Strix XG32VQR delivers impressively smooth visuals with better brightness & contrast and low latency. This technology demands low-latency processing for both HDR and SDR content to remove input lag linked with HDR content.
Since it supports both HDR and adaptive sync, it provides superior gaming experiences.
FreeSync 2 is a certification from AMD that is implemented into HDR-producing monitors. It’s the standard of everything you want in a gaming monitor.
Shadow Boost Technology
Shadow Boost technology from ASUS clears dark areas in a game without making bright areas overexposed. It improves your overall view while making it easier to find your enemies in dark, hidden areas.
Multiple HDR Modes
You can select from multiple HDR modes to adjust your monitor’s HDR performance based on the scenario. DisplayHDR is best for games, while ASUS HDR is for watching and creating video or other multimedia content.
For accurate HDR standard, choose FreeSync 2 HDR.
Connectivity Options
The ROG Strix XG32VQR comes with a lot of connectivity options. These include Displayport 1.2, two USB 3.0 ports, and two HDMI ports.
Ultra-low Blue Light Technology
The Ultra-low Blue Light technology used by ROG Strix XG32VQR keeps your eyes protected. Also, it prevents strain caused by the harmful blue light.
The monitor offers four filter settings, which you can change in the OSD menu or utilising the five-way joystick.
Reduces Flicker
When using the ROG Strix XG32VQR, you’ll have a better and more comfortable gaming experience. It minimises on-screen flicker to reduce eye strain.
Ergonomic Design
The ergonomic tripod stand of the ROG Strix XG32VQR allows extensive tolt, swivel, and height adjustments. With that, you can achieve your ideal viewing angle.
AURA SYNC Lighting
ASUS’ exclusive AURA SYNC technology provides ambient lighting for your monitor. Also, you can synchronise it with your other AURA-compatible peripherals and components.
For the perfect synchronisation, connect your ROG Strix XG32VQR to other peripherals, then install AURA SYNC software on your computer. This software allows you to have the coolest backdrop for your gaming rig.
ROG Light Signature
Another feature that we’re discussing in our ASUS ROG Strix XG32VQR Gaming Monitor review is the ROG Light Signature.
The ROG Light Signature kit allows creating and customising light effects for the ROG Strix XG32VQR. It includes two covers with ROG’s logo plus one blank cover, which you can utilise to create custom, unique lighting.
Specifications
This time, our ASUS ROG Strix XG32VQR Gaming Monitor review will focus on the specifications of the Strix XG32VQR.
The gaming monitor’s display viewing area measures 697.344 x 392.256mm, and its screen is 31.5”. It comes with a non-glare display surface, with display colours of 16.7M.
This gaming monitor’s native resolution is 2,560 x 1,440. It also comes with a refresh rate of 144Hz – AMD FreeSync 2. The typical contrast ratio is 3,000:1 while its brightness is 450 cd/m2.
The Strix XG32VQR’s panel is the VA type and comes with a LED backlight for added bling. For its response time, it is 4ms GTG (Grey-to-Grey) and comes with HDR10 for its HDR support. The monitor has two HDMI 2.0 DisplayPorts for its display inputs and has two USB 3.0 hubs available.
You can tilt it 5-degrees forward and 20-degrees backward. Raising it is possible at 100mm while swivelling is possible at 50-degrees left and right.
Dimensions
With the stand, the Strix XG32VQR measures 713.4 x 590 x 296.1mm (WxHxD) and weighs 9.5kg. Without it, it’s 713.4 x 425.7 x 111.2mm and weighs 5.9kg.
Hands-on with the ASUS ROG Strix XG32VQR Gaming Monitor
Our ASUS ROG Strix XG32VQR Gaming Monitor review won’t be complete without getting hands-on with the monitor. So, let’s first see how its on-screen display menu is.
On-Screen Display Menu
At first, we thought that the function buttons looked a bit mysterious, that is, until you press one of them. When looking at the menu, it’s user-friendly since it displays an icon next to each while showing what they do.
The one at the bottom controls the power, while the next button is for the GameVisual preset menu. This is the area that allows you to navigate using the joystick. Available modes include Cinema, Racing, Scenery, MOBA, RGB, RTS/RPG, FPS, and an option you can configure.
The third button from the top gives you access to the GamePlus options. It superimposes a variety of options on-screen like the timer, crosshair, FPS counter, and a couple of guidelines. The latter will ensure that your configuration for multi-screen is adequately aligned.
Then, there’s the joystick. Pressing that will bring you the main menu, while the GameVisual menu is the initial entry. Do note that it displays the same options that are present on the quick version.
Blue Light Filter
We also checked out the Blue Light Filter, which helps decrease eye strain while in use. This is done by removing the blue hues from the image, and it does work even when gaming for long periods.
It comes with four different levels where “0” means that it’s switched off.
Colour Menu
The Colour Menu is where you’ll find the contrast, brightness, gamma, and colour temperature. Its saturation option is greyed-out if you’re utilising the GameVisual mode.
Colour Temperature options that are available include Normal, Cool, User, or Warm Mode. The User Mode is where you can have direct access to blue, red, and green levels.
We think that the gamma settings are a bit unusual, since these have the 2.2, 1.8, and 2.5 which aren’t spaced evenly.
Image Section
For the Image section, it has the OD – a pixel overdrive mode that has five levels. The ASCR is an intelligent contrast option.
It changes the backlight, giving you a more expanded contrast than what the panel can handle. The FreeSync/Adaptive-Sync section allows this specific function.
The Shadow Boost, on the other hand, offers detail in dark areas. Its present HDR mode is only available when the video source can supply it.
Input Select lets you select which video connection to utilise manually.
System Setup
This area is somewhat packed, though you probably won’t access the area much.
The LIGHT IN MOTION, plus the Aura Sync and RGB all setups a variety of aesthetic lighting options. Specifically, it’s on the monitor’s stand.
You can opt for a separate sound source coming from the current video source. It’s also possible to change the language utilised by the OSD.
Further down, you’ll see the options for locking the buttons and toggling the power LED lights. Also, it’s where you can find the button for resetting everything to default.
Lastly, the four MyFavorite spots are present for saving all your custom configurations.
DisplayWidget Software
DisplayWidget is an intuitive software utility for customising settings or configuring ASUS GameVisual, Blue Light Filter, and App Sync. You can make adjustments to these utilities using the OSD menu or the navigational joystick, but DisplayWidget makes things easier.
Performance
The ASUS ROG STRIX XG32VQR makes use of the VA-panel for an excellent display. It’s a highly impressive display offering increased levels of contrast at both the lower and top ends of the spectrum.
Like what ASUS claims, the Strix XG32VQR’s 144Hz is easily attainable, and we didn’t have issues with the monitor itself. While browsing, we noticed how smooth the mouse moved, it appeared like it was gliding across the screen.
We tried playing with a couple of games under different genres using the ROG Strix XG32VQR. It eventually dawned to us that the high refresh rates truly helps when it comes to the competitive shooter games.
Not only that, but it adds more flavour while increasing the satisfaction that you’ll gain from the fast-paced ones.
For the other games we tried, its huge screen and high resolution provided us with outstanding views. We had more space to search for valuable stats in strategy games, which was great.
It’s best if you have the hardware to go over 60 FPS. This is because it’ll allow you to benefit from the ROG Strix XG32VQR’s high refresh rates.
Do note that its 2560 x 1440 resolution can become taxing to a lot of low-mid tier cards. A good workaround for it is to decrease your settings when playing fast-paced, competitive games.
Overall Performance
But overall, the ASUS ROG Strix XG32VQR was impressive, and the images it displayed were mesmerising. Its curve gave us an excellent view, and everything was clear, crisp, and pleasing to the eyes.
We didn’t have any issues with it, and its menu and controls were user-friendly as well. With that, we’re highly recommending this gaming monitor for anyone wanting to upgrade their PC monitor.
ASUS ROG Strix XG32VQR Gaming Monitor Review Summary
The ASUS ROG Strix XG32VQR Gaming Monitor doesn’t have any flaw in its overall performance. We enjoyed our entire experience with this monitor since it delivered everything that the company claims.
This gaming monitor is rich in features that allow it to provide an impeccable display for gaming and content creation. It also has an ergonomic design and RGB, which make it worth adding to your setup.
Overall, the ROG Strix XG32VQR delivered impressive colour accuracy, which makes it an excellent choice for big-screen entertainment.
To sum up our ASUS ROG Strix XG32VQR Gaming Monitor review, we’re highly recommending this product. If you want to add this gaming monitor to your setup, check out ASUS’ store locator for authorised dealers.
