Bottom Line
The ASUS PG32UCDM is one of the best gaming monitors available. However, there are plenty of other OLED displays expected in 2024 as well, so make sure you check out all alternatives and upcoming models.
Update: A new firmware is now available that adds Dolby Vision support.
We’ll be getting a lot of exciting OLED displays in 2024 – the ASUS PG32UCDM is just the second 32″ 4K 240Hz model to hit the market! Let’s see how it performs.
Image Quality
Just like the Dell Alienware AW3225QF, the ASUS ROG Swift PG32UCDM uses Samsung’s 32″ 4K 240Hz QD-OLED panel, except that ASUS’ variant uses a flat-screen model.
Therefore, you can expect similar image quality and performance, but with different features, design and connectivity options. The choice between the curved and flat screen mainly comes down to personal preference, though we found the 1700R of Dell’s model to be rather subtle.
Another obvious difference is that the ASUS PG32UCDM uses a heatsink for passive cooling unlike the AW3225QF, which has an audible fan.
In terms of image quality, the PG32UCDM offers the same 99% DCI-P3 wide color gamut for vibrant colors, true 10-bit color depth for smooth gradients, 178° wide viewing angles and an excellent Delta E < 2 factory calibration.
You can also effortlessly swap between the native color gamut and an sRGB emulation mode with fully adjustable image settings. There’s a dedicated sRGB mode with locked settings except for the brightness, but you can simply change the Color Space option to sRGB to get full access to settings as an alternative.
The brightness performance is also the same with a 1000-nit peak brightness for small < 3% HDR highlights, around 500-nits for 10% white windows and 250-nits for a 100% white window.
In SDR, you’re limited to around 250-nits with Uniform Brightness enabled. With Uniform Brightness disabled, it can reach up to 450-nits, but ABL (Automatic Brightness Limiter) will kick in and reduce the brightness of large bright windows down to 250-nits.
There are four HDR modes: Console, Cinema, Gaming and DisplayHDR 400. The HDR-400 mode is limited to 450-nits, Console and Gaming modes have almost identical performance, while Cinema is a bit darker than it should be. So, we recommend just sticking with the default Console mode.
In addition to the standard HDR10 format, the monitor also supports Dolby Vision.
While some monitors using LG’s new W-OLED panel can achieve a higher white luminance on paper (up to 1300-nits for < 3% and 750-nits for 10% windows), it’s important to keep in mind that Samsung’s QD-OLED panels have a wider color gamut and a higher color volume. In other words, the colors are brighter and more saturated on QD-OLED panels, which makes the display appear brighter (even though it has a lower white luminance).
OLED displays can’t match the brightness performance of mini LED displays, which can reach over 1500-nits for both small and 100% white windows. However, mini LED displays also have various visual artifacts, such as IPS/VA glow, FALD blooming, backlight bleeding, etc., whereas OLED displays boast an infinite contrast ratio without any of these drawbacks thanks to per-pixel dimming.
The main drawback of OLED panels (besides the lower brightness), is the risk of permanent image burn-in and temporary image retention.
As long as you’re using the monitor sensibly, though, this shouldn’t be an issue – this implies avoiding leaving the image with bright static elements for too long and using ASUS’ OLED Care features, such as screen saver, pixel cleaning, screen move, etc. Hiding your taskbar, using dark mode, auto-hiding HUD in games where possible, etc. also helps.
ASUS offers a 3-year warranty that covers burn-in. What’s interesting is that both LG and Samsung have claimed that their panels offer superior burn-in resistance, yet monitor manufacturers usually offer an equal burn-in warranty of maximum 3 years (Dell and MSI for QD-OLED, Corsair for W-OLED monitors).
ASUS is the first company to offer different monitors with both W-OLED and QD-OLED panels. However, while the PG32UCDM gets a 3-year warranty, their W-OLED models get only 2 years of burn-in warranty. So, it seems that at least ASUS is more convinced that QD-OLED panels have better burn-in resistance.
Moving on, the ASUS PG32UCDM has a high pixel density of 140 PPI (pixels per inch) thanks to its 4K UHD resolution, which still looks very sharp even on 31.5″ sized displays.
What’s more, the monitor uses Samsung’s third-generation QD-OLED panel with an improved triangular RGB subpixel layout, which in combination with the high pixel density eliminates the previous issues with text fringing on small text and fine details.
Performance
The ASUS ROG Swift PG32UCDM has a high 240Hz refresh rate, which in addition to its instantaneous pixel response time speed ensures buttery-smooth performance with no ghosting behind fast-moving objects.
Unlike it’s the case with LCDs, there’s no need for variable overdrive, so the response time performance is perfect regardless of the frame/refresh rate.
Variable refresh rate is supported up to 240Hz for tear-free gameplay and the monitor has both AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible certifications, as well as HDMI 2.1 VRR support for the PS5.
Input lag performance is also excellent with ~3ms of delay, which is imperceptible.
The ASUS PG32UCDM also supports BFI (Black Frame Insertion) at a fixed 120Hz refresh rate. Once enabled, the monitor basically operates at 240Hz, but inserts black frames between the regular frames to reduce perceived motion blur.
As a result, you get a motion performance similar to native 240Hz, but at a lower 120Hz refresh rate, which is ideal for consoles and games where you’re limited to 120FPS. The main downside of BFI is the reduced brightness of around 100-nits.
Finally, the ASUS PG32UCDM monitor is flicker-free and there’s a low-blue light filter setting available.
Features
Beneath the chin on the bottom bezel of the screen is a directional joystick for quick and easy navigation through the OSD (On-Screen Display) menu. Alternatively, you can download ASUS’ Display Widget desktop application.
Besides the standard image adjustment tools (brightness, color temperature, contrast, etc.), there are also some advanced settings, including sharpness, 6-axis hue and saturation, gamma (from 1.8 to 2.6) and automatic input detection.
Useful gaming features include Shadow Boost (improves visibility by altering the gamma curvature), on-screen timers, a refresh rate tracker and Sniper with or without Night Vision (zooms in the center area of the screen and increases visibility).
The ASUS PG32UCDM also supports 24.5″ (2992×1684) and 27″ (3288×1850) modes, which center the image and put black bars around the selected screen size for a better competitive FPS gaming experience. However, you cannot use VRR or ELMB in these modes.
Other noteworthy features include PiP/PbP support, a proximity sensor (dims the screen or goes to standby when nobody is detected in front of the screen) and AuraSync RGB lighting with the ROG logo projector on the stand.
Design & Connectivity
The stand of the monitor is robust and offers a good range of ergonomics, including up to 110mm height adjustment, +/- 15° swivel, -5°/20° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility. It cannot be rotated though.
Next, the screen has a semi-glossy finish, so the image is more vivid as there’s no graininess associated with matte anti-glare coatings. However, this also means that the image is more reflective and it raises blacks when hit with direct lighting. As long as room lighting is behind the screen, this won’t be an issue.
Connectivity options are abundant and include DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC, two HDMI 2.1 ports with full 48 Gbps bandwidth, a USB-C port with DP 1.4 Alt Mode and up to 90W Power Delivery, a headphone jack, a SPDIF-out and a USB 3.0 hub (3 downstream + 1 upstream type B). There’s also an integrated KVM functionality.
Note that you’re limited to a lower 180-nits peak brightness when using the full 90W of power delivery. You can still use 65W and get the full brightness performance though, you can choose between the two power delivery modes in the OSD menu.
Price & Similar Monitors
The ASUS ROG Swift PG32UCDM goes for $1,300, which is too expensive.
The MSI MPG 321URX can be found for $950 in the US. It doesn’t have Dolby Vision nor BFI, but it offers significantly better value for the money.
However, the prices vary depending on the region, so you should also check out the Dell AW3225QF with a curved panel and Dolby Vision support. It’s only $100 cheaper than the PG32UCDM in the US, but it’s usually the most affordable option in other countries.
| Dell AW3225QF | ASUS PG32UCDM | Samsung G80SD | Gigabyte FO32U2 | Gigabyte FO32U2P | MSI 321URX | MSI 321UPX | |
| Screen | Glossy (Curved) | Glossy | Matte | Glossy | Glossy | Glossy | Glossy |
| Video Ports | DP 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1 | DP 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1, USB-C 90W | DP 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1 | DP 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1, USB-C 18W | DP 2.1, mini-DP 2.1, 2x HDMI 2.1, USB-C 65W | DP 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1, USB-C 90W | DP 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1, USB-C 15W |
| Other Ports | 3x USB-A, USB-B, USB-C | 3x USB-A USB-B, HP, SPDIF | 2x USB-A, USB-B | 2x USB-A, USB-B, HP, Mic, 2x5W | 2x USB-A, USB-B, HP, Mic, 2x5W | 2x USB-A, USB-B, HP | HP |
| Dolby Vision | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| KVM | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Cooling | Fan | Heatsink | Pulsating heat pipes | Heatsink | Heatsink | Heatsink | Heatsink |
| Burn-in warranty | 3 years | 3 years | 3 years | 3 years | 3 years | 3 years | 3 years |
| Price (MSRP) | $1200 | $1300 | $1300 | $1100 | $1200 | $950 | $900 |
If you’d like a smaller 1440p model, check out the MSI MAG 271QPX with a 27″ 1440p 360Hz QD-OLED panel.
Note that there are also plenty of other OLED displays expected to be released in 2024, including seven more models based on the same 32″ 4K 240Hz QD-OLED panel. The prices are likely to drop further with more competition.
Alternatively, consider one of the 32″ 4K 240Hz gaming monitors based on LG’s W-OLED panel with the 1080p 480Hz Dual Mode, such as the ASUS PG32UCDP.
Check out our dedicated OLED monitors article for more information.
Conclusion
All in all, the ASUS PG32UCDM is one of the best gaming monitors available. However, it’s not worth the extra $350 over the MSI MPG 321URX model.
As we mentioned earlier, more OLED displays are expected in 2024, so if you’re patient, you might want to consider waiting for more options or lower prices.
Specifications
| Screen Size | 31.5-inch |
| Resolution | 3840×2160 (Ultra HD) |
| Panel Type | OLED |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 (Widescreen) |
| Refresh Rate | 240Hz |
| Response Time | 0.03ms (GtG) |
| BFI (Black Frame Insertion) | ELMB 120Hz |
| Adaptive-Sync | FreeSync Premium Pro (48-240Hz), G-SYNC Compatible, HDMI 2.1 VRR |
| Ports | DisplayPort 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1 (48 Gbps), USB-C (DP Alt Mode, 90W PD) |
| Other Ports | Headphone Jack, 3x USB-A 3.0, USB-B, SPDIF-out |
| Brightness (1 – 3% White Window) | 1000 cd/m² |
| Brightness (10% White Window) | 500 cd/m² |
| Brightness (100% White Window) | 250 cd/m² |
| Contrast Ratio | Infinite |
| Colors | 1.07 billion (true 10-bit) 99% DCI-P3 |
| HDR | VESA DisplayHDR 400 True Black, Dolby Vision |
| VESA | Yes (100x100mm) |
The Pros:
- Infinite contrast ratio, decent peak brightness, wide color gamut
- High pixel density
- Instant response time
- Plenty of features, including VRR up to 240Hz, BFI up to 120Hz
- Dolby Vision
- Ergonomic design and rich connectivity options; KVM, USB-C 90W PD
The Cons:
- Risk of burn-in (though covered by 3-year warranty)
- Expensive
