The LG UltraGear 32GQ950 is a high-end 4K gaming monitor geared up with top-end options. 4K gaming is changing into more and more well-liked due to new flagship GPUs similar to Nvidia’s RTX 4090, so this form of 32-inch mannequin could tempt you should you’re upgrading your gaming setup or searching for one thing versatile for content material creation.
The fundamentals to this LG monitor embrace a 32-inch 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS panel with a refresh fee as much as 160Hz by means of an overclocking characteristic within the OSD. It consists of the standard adaptive sync options together with G-Sync Suitable and FreeSync Premium Professional branding, plus it is also been HDR licensed with DisplayHDR 1000. Nevertheless, the precise HDR {hardware} is comparatively weak, with simply 32 edge lit dimming zones.
The LG 32GQ950 is listed for a $1,300 MSRP, which places it in competitors with the perfect gaming screens you may get, just like the Alienware AW3423DW OLED and Samsung Odyssey Neo G7. Nevertheless, since launch it is repeatedly discounted to $1,000 and even as little as $900, although that may rely on what pricing is out there in your area.
Design
The 32GQ950 makes use of an iteration of LG’s UltraGear design, it is much like what we have seen in previous years, however overhauled for 2022. The bottom shade scheme has switched from black to gray, however the majority of the show’s outer surfaces are plastic. This appears okay, however the stand feels considerably low cost for a premium monitor. With that stated, the stand does present a very good vary of ergonomic adjustment together with loads of top.
We do just like the rear design utilized by LG, we have by no means been followers of “gamer” designs, however we really feel LG is making a refined however nonetheless gaming look that we fairly like. The flat plastic part has a pleasant sample built-in into the design, and the angular raised bit is flanked on both aspect by RGB LED lighting that is built-in effectively. The entrance is fairly barebones with commonplace bezels across the panel. The monitor makes use of matte anti-glare coating which is not the finest, it displays greater than the typical quantity of diffuse lighting, however relying in your setup this won’t be a problem.
One factor LG continues to do with their designs is make the ports very accessible on the rear, which is superior. We have one DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.1 full bandwidth 48 Gbps ports, plus just a few USB ports. There’s additionally an audio jack on the underside bezel. Whereas the HDMI 2.1 port does have sufficient bandwidth, the 160Hz overclock is barely obtainable by way of DisplayPort; the HDMI 2.1 ports are restricted to 144Hz, although that is enough to be used with trendy sport consoles.
As for the OSD it makes use of LG’s commonplace design from the final technology. It has a good vary of options together with crosshairs, a black stabilizer, typical shade controls and the flexibility to allow or disable deep sleep.
There’s additionally an annoying computerized standby setting which is able to flip the show off after 4 hours regardless of what’s taking place, and that is enabled by default. We questioned why typically the 32GQ950 would randomly flip off and we thought it was a firmware challenge, however it seems it is simply this setting, which we advocate you to disable.
Show Efficiency
For response time efficiency, LG affords 4 overdrive modes. The primary mode is “off,” which is definitely fairly good for an IPS LCD with no overdrive. Nevertheless, the primary mode players may think about using is the Regular mode, which affords a 5.7ms common response with no overshoot and nice cumulative deviation. You will get a quicker expertise utilizing the ‘Quick’ mode, which is the default setting and affords a 4.33ms common response with a low inverse ghosting fee, this mode appears glorious at 160Hz and is what I would select to make use of. If we transfer as much as the quicker mode all we get is extra overshoot which ends up in extra inverse ghosting, not splendid as efficiency primarily goes backwards.
For variable refresh gaming we have to take a look at efficiency throughout all the refresh fee vary and that is the place consumers have a alternative between two modes. The quick mode, which is perfect at 160Hz, nonetheless delivers robust efficiency at most refresh charges.
Whereas at round 100Hz we begin to see some inverse ghosting, it is minimal and even at 60Hz with a 32% inverse ghosting fee, the precise artifacts you will see might be exhausting to identify – this is because of cumulative deviation figures that are not wildly uncontrolled on common. Throughout all these refreshes we see round 4ms response time efficiency which is admittedly strong.
The opposite possibility is utilizing the Regular mode. Response occasions are dialed again, as an alternative of 4ms you usually see 5.5 to six.0ms utilizing the Regular mode, however the profit could be very low overshoot. At the same time as we go all the best way all the way down to 60Hz, overshoot is principally a non challenge, and actually cumulative deviation stays actually strong, exhibiting us that good steadiness between response and overshoot.
For my part, the 32GQ950 does have a single overdrive mode expertise, and each the Regular and Quick modes would qualify for this. Variable overdrive would have taken it to the following degree if it may mix the advantages of each modes, however realistically the 2 choices we do have each present an incredible expertise. The Regular mode had barely decrease cumulative deviation on common throughout the refresh vary, and in my view appears much like the Quick mode however with much less overshoot artifacts, so it is the mode I would select. However you probably have a desire for velocity, the Quick mode can be respectable.
In comparison with different screens at their max refresh and utilizing the perfect overdrive setting, the 32GQ950 performs very well for an LCD. It will get near the Odyssey Neo G7 from Samsung, delivering barely slower efficiency and barely extra overshoot, however these merchandise are related. It affords a particular step above different 32″ 4K choices and delivers velocity much like, if not higher than, most 27″ IPS LCDs that we have praised up to now, in order that’s very nice to see from a brand new 32″ panel that have not at all times provided the perfect movement efficiency.
On common throughout the refresh vary the 32GQ950 performs effectively. Whereas it’s a mid-table performer utilizing the Regular setting, it has exceptionally low overshoot. It is roughly 50% quicker than older 32-inch 4K screens just like the Asus PG32UQ and MSI MPG321UR-QD, whereas additionally delivering much less overshoot, in order that’s a superb outcome. The entire screens that beat it in response occasions have greater overshoot, besides OLEDs, in fact, and if we had used the Quick mode as an alternative of Regular mode it could have come near matching the Neo G7.
All of this performs out when viewing common cumulative deviation. The 32GQ950 in its finest overdrive setting matches the Odyssey Neo G7 for efficiency, although it isn’t as quick because the Neo G8 which is a pacesetter amongst LCDs, or OLEDs. Efficiency is barely higher than among the 27″ and 28″ 4K choices we have beloved up to now, although it is to a negligible diploma. What’s a giant enchancment is once more in comparison with these 32″ choices, this new LG show is minimal 25% higher than one thing just like the Aorus FI32U and that will increase to 40 % higher relative to the PG32UQ.
At 120Hz which is a typical console refresh fee, the LG 32GQ950 is superb and delivers nice velocity from an LCD. It is a effectively suited monitor for each PC and console use. At 60Hz we additionally see good efficiency with low overshoot, I would have this proper up there so far as 4K LCDs go, LG has finished an incredible job with efficiency tuning.
Enter latency can be strong, with a processing delay of lower than 1ms in each the SDR and HDR modes, even with dimming enabled, so you do not have to fret about additional lag within the HDR mode. This makes it among the many most responsive 4K screens, with most 4K shows restricted extra by refresh fee than processing delay in terms of latency. The one merchandise with superior latency are OLEDs with lightning quick pixel response, and the Neo G8 which is ready to run at 240Hz. Among the many 144Hz is fashions the 32GQ950 is admittedly good.
All of this efficiency is out there at a typical energy consumption degree for a 32″ 4K panel, it isn’t essentially the most environment friendly possibility we have seen, however I haven’t got any complaints given it sits someplace within the center.
The 32GQ950 would not assist any type of backlight strobing, seemingly on account of LG’s continued use of KSF backlight tech. Whereas that is disappointing, most 32″ 4K choices we have examined do not have excellent backlight strobing even when they included it, the perfect most likely being the Asus PG32UQ however even there we get noticeable strobe crosstalk.
Shade Efficiency
Shade House: LG UltraGear 32GQ950 – D65-P3
For shade efficiency the 32GQ950 has very related huge gamut capabilities to different LG screens utilizing LG panels. We get 98% DCI-P3 protection, which is lifeless on what LG claims and an incredible outcome for that shade area and numerous huge gamut content material. Nevertheless there is not any significant extension into Adobe RGB, so it isn’t an incredible monitor should you want that shade area. Total we get 76% Rec. 2020 protection which as of late is an effective however mid desk outcome.
Default Shade Efficiency
This monitor has spectacular manufacturing unit calibration for greyscale. LG has made a noticeable effort to ship the monitor with a 6500K white level and sRGB gamma out of the field, which ends up in glorious deltaE numbers. Default SDR efficiency is barely let down by an unclamped shade gamut fairly than a restriction to sRGB, which ends up in some oversaturation. With that stated this is likely one of the extra correct oversaturated outcomes, if that is a factor.
In comparison with different 4K shows the 32GQ950 is a chart topper by way of greyscale calibration in order that’s an impressive outcome. ColorChecker efficiency can be good, beating numerous different merchandise, most of which additionally do not use an sRGB clamp. Nevertheless those who do, such because the Asus PG32UQX, are featured greater within the charts.
sRGB Mode Shade Efficiency
The inbuilt sRGB mode is disappointing although. For some cause this mode adjustments greyscale behaviour to be much less correct, together with a a lot worse gamma, which you then cannot regulate because it locks you out of most controls. The gamut clamp facet is efficient and does an incredible job of bettering sRGB accuracy, however the tradeoff in greyscale won’t be value it.
Calibrated Shade Efficiency
The excellent news is that with such good manufacturing unit greyscale outcomes the 32GQ950 is a extremely calibratable monitor, so operating it by means of software program like Calman, which we have finished, produces glorious outcomes with minimal artifacts. Different options like GPU driver shade area emulation must also be efficient, because the greyscale element would not want a lot adjustment. Patreon and Floatplane members can obtain the ICC profile we created as a part of this overview course of.
The 32GQ950 has commonplace brightness for a contemporary LCD in its SDR mode, hitting a contact over 400 nits. That is loads for many use instances and helps to take care of among the reflections off the coating I discussed earlier. Minimal brightness can be glorious at simply 15 nits, which provides customers heaps of flexibility for utilizing the show in brilliant and darkish rooms.
As for distinction ratio, there is not any actual distinction between the 32GQ950 and different 4K LG IPS panels similar to these used within the Eve Spectrum 4K and LG 27GP950, we’re nonetheless getting round 1100:1, so no actual enchancment there. Native distinction from an IPS LCD continues to be dangerous in comparison with different show applied sciences like VA and particularly OLED, so in order for you these wealthy blacks you need to look elsewhere.
One of many options LG has touted with this new technology of shows is an ATW polarizer, or Superior True Extensive polarizer. It is a know-how designed to cut back IPS glow which is a typical grievance from IPS screens, in addition to enhance distinction when seen at off angles. Whereas the 32GQ950 does have nice viewing angles, I did not see a lot of an enchancment relative to different IPS LCDs.
As for IPS glow, this show does certainly have among the many finest outcomes I’ve ever seen from an IPS, with minimal glow in usually problematic areas like the underside corners. I would not say it has zero IPS glow, however it’s most likely a uncommon occasion of it being a non challenge – and naturally there’s some backlight passing by means of so total black ranges are raised above 0. If IPS glow has been a giant challenge for you up to now, this show ought to present a giant enchancment.
For basic display screen uniformity the 32GQ950 is above common although commonplace LCD points seem like a little bit of falloff across the edges, and a slight shade tint distinction between completely different areas on the show. A superb outcome, although this will range from unit to unit.
HDR Efficiency
One of many extra contentious areas to this monitor is its HDR efficiency. The 32GQ950 is DisplayHDR 1000 licensed, nevertheless it lacks what I would class as true HDR {hardware}. It does have a brilliant backlight able to over 1000 nits in HDR content material, and it does have huge gamut assist with over 70% Rec. 2020 protection. Nevertheless it solely has 32 edge lit dimming zones, break up into two rows of 16 managed by way of the highest and backside edges. This implies the panel lacks full array native dimming that gives correct distinction on LCDs, and it lacks an appropriate zone depend for HDR content material. As such it is solely a semi-HDR monitor.
How good the HDR expertise shall be relies upon considerably on the content material you are viewing. Brightness is a non-issue on the 32GQ950, this one will get brilliant and delivers robust spotlight efficiency. Actual world content material examples have been typically within the 600 to 800 nit vary, which has similarities to true HDR shows.
The difficulty with low zone depend screens like this one is for darker content material, and content material with each darkish and brilliant areas on display screen on the similar time. As every zone is so giant, brilliant objects on display screen need to illuminate a big space, which causes horrible blooming. The native dimming characteristic can be sluggish to regulate even on its quickest setting, and objects transferring between zones causes distracting transitions. With solely 32 zones the monitor merely would not have sufficient management over small components, so in follow all the display screen is illuminated for many HDR content material and we do not get a lot of an actual world HDR distinction expertise. Sure this show does get very brilliant, however it could’t get brilliant and darkish on the similar time, which is the entire level of HDR. The 32GQ950 finally ends up trying horrible subsequent to an actual HDR monitor, just like the Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 with its over 1000 backlight zones.
For full display screen sustained brightness the 32GQ950 is a good monitor providing 650 nits of brightness, which has similarities to different merchandise however inferior to the perfect LCDs. Peak flash brightness will increase to 1175 nits, which is superb. 10% window brightness sits round 1000 nits too, so once more this show could be very a lot able to the 1000 nits it advertises. The distinction between sustained and peak brightness is often round 400 nits at or beneath 25% window sizes, whereas the hole closes at smaller home windows to the purpose the place there’s not a lot distinction.
The principle challenge with HDR efficiency is distinction. Even in the best possible instances the place a brilliant and darkish object are proven on display screen on the similar time however distant, the native dimming capabilities are solely good for a 17,700:1 distinction ratio. The most effective HDR screens with true HDR can exceed 100,000:1 on this check. Then after we take a look at worst case outcomes the place these brilliant and darkish areas are shut collectively, the 32GQ950 gives no significant enchancment over native distinction, a typical challenge for edge lit semi-HDR merchandise. The checkerboard check can be a poor outcome with no significant HDR expertise.
By way of HDR accuracy, LG does a mean job of EOTF monitoring and rolloff at greater brightness ranges. Shade accuracy within the HDR mode can be respectable however not wonderful, accuracy is not an enormous concern, it is extra that the distinction and dimming skills are ineffective.
Necessities Guidelines
The ultimate part of this overview is the HUB Necessities Guidelines, which appears to see whether or not LG are precisely promoting this show and assembly primary minimal efficiency requirements. LG typically does an incredible job of promoting this show and never utilizing deceptive metrics, a minimum of for the primary elements of the guidelines. The primary concern I had was with LG promoting this as a 1ms monitor, now they do qualify that by saying within the “quicker” mode, although this mode wasn’t very usable on account of overshoot. Within the Quick mode, we get extra like a 4ms response time common. Nevertheless I did file response occasions as quick as 0.5ms.
The principle challenge listed here are HDR claims. Whereas LG does promote this as a HDR 1000 product, I really feel that is deceptive because of the poor HDR capabilities that solely attain semi HDR commonplace. I am certain the monitor does correctly move the unfastened DisplayHDR 1000 certification commonplace, nevertheless this commonplace is just not helpful for customers. The truth is the 32GQ950 is considerably inferior to correct, true HDR screens. Nevertheless I did not spot any points or defects with different areas to the show.
What We Realized
If we take a look at the LG 32GQ950 purely as a 32-inch 4K SDR show, it is the most effective that we have examined to date. It is quicker than different 4K screens of this measurement, which considerably improves gaming movement, and it enhances this with glorious shade high quality.
Like many different LCDs on this section, it is a versatile show that’s nice for gaming, productiveness, content material creation and primary PC duties. Glorious textual content readability, above common manufacturing unit calibration, minimal IPS glow because of the ATW polarizer, and it is a good flat panel with good brightness.
There’s actually loads to love right here and among the many 32-inch 4K screens we have examined, that is positively the one we might advocate for non-HDR use based mostly on its efficiency and the general expertise it affords.
On the damaging aspect, the monitor is marketed as HDR 1000, however with 32 edge lit zones it is solely semi-HDR at finest, which ends up in a brilliant however mediocre HDR expertise relative to true HDR panels. The $1,300 MSRP is unjustified provided that degree of HDR efficiency if LG is pricing this to compete with true HDR merchandise just like the Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 and Alienware AW3423DW.
So if you’re trying particularly for an HDR gaming show, these two are higher selections at related costs. The Neo G7 at $1,100 is essentially the most related and whereas it is received its personal limitations — like a curved display screen — the 1,196 zone backlight is way superior for HDR gaming.
Fortunately for consumers, LG’s MSRP would not seem to use more often than not. We frequently discovered the UltraGear 32GQ950 promoting for as little as $900. That is nonetheless costly, however a a lot better value that competes effectively with the Asus PG32UQ ($880) and the MSI Optix MPG321UR-QD ($800). In that comparability, the LG 32GQ950 is a greater 32-inch 4K show than these merchandise.
Potential consumers might also be taking a look at a trade-off of in search of a 32″ show versus going 27-inch. The Sony Inzone M9 affords a primary HDR expertise with full array native dimming for $900, whereas new merchandise just like the Cooler Grasp GP27U are going for the kill with 576 zones at simply $800.
Backside line, the LG 32GQ950 is able to dominating a market area of interest for premium 32-inch 4K monitor consumers, however with out robust HDR efficiency, we predict it lacks broad enchantment. Hopefully in a future iteration of this show, LG can improve the backlight to correct native dimming with over 1000 zones, which might simply justify even the upper MSRP.
Purchasing Shortcuts:
- LG UltraGear 32GQ950 on Amazon
- Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 on Amazon
- Alienware AW3423DW 34″ QD-OLED on Amazon
- Sony Inzone M9 on Amazon
- Asus ROG Swift PG32UQ on Amazon
- LG C2 42″ OLED TV on Amazon
- Asus ROG Swift PG32UQX on Amazon
- Cooler Grasp GP27U on Amazon
- Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 on Amazon