Bottom Line
The BenQ EX3203R delivers immersive image quality, plenty of exclusive features, and overall smooth performance, but there are a few downsides that we feel shouldn’t be present at this price. There are cheaper yet better alternatives.
The BenQ EX3203R is a 32″ curved gaming monitor with 1440p, 144Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro (FreeSync 2), and the HDR (High Dynamic Range) support.
It’s a particularly great display for Xbox One S and Xbox One X gamers, as well as for those looking for a big curved PC monitor with a high resolution and a high refresh rate.
Image Quality
VA panel displays are praised for their high static contrast, and the BenQ EX3203R is no exception.
With a contrast ratio of 3,000:1 as opposed to the standard 1,000:1 of other monitor panel technologies, the EX3203R delivers much deeper blacks and an overall better relation between the darkest and the brightest tones.
In addition, the monitor has a 90% DCI-P3 wide color gamut, which makes colors richer and more vivid.
Equipped with the entry-level VESA DisplayHDR400 support, the BenQ EX3203R monitor can accept the HDR10 signal of compatible content and thanks to its wide color gamut and a peak brightness of 400-nits, give you a more immersive viewing experience.
While the small boost in brightness and color gamut provides a notable difference in comparison to the standard image quality, it’s not nearly as eye-catching as that of more capable displays such as the Samsung CHG70, for example.
The CHG70 has a stronger 600-nit peak brightness and a local dimming solution.
The QHD resolution of 2560×1440 pixels perfectly suits this monitor. You get the same pixel density that you’d get on a 24″ 1080p monitor, which will provide you with a decent amount of screen space and details.
Performance
The BenQ EX3203R input lag performance is very good, with only ~6ms of delay, which even professional gamers won’t be able to notice.
The response time speed, on the other hand, is not as great.
While the VA panel of the monitor ensures deep black shades, those pixels also take longer to change from one shade of gray into another or from black to white, which results in prominent smearing of fast-moving objects in video games, particularly in darker scenes.
Most of the time, the ghosting and motion blur is tolerable, but if you play competitive FPS games, a faster monitor with an IPS or a TN panel will provide you with a better gameplay experience.
If you prefer better graphics and visuals, the BenQ EX3203R curved HDR monitor is the choice for you.
Features
Like most of BenQ’s latest premium monitors, the BenQ EX3203R 144Hz display features the Brightness Intelligence Plus technology.
In essence, this technology consists of integrated sensors which detect ambient lighting and adjusts the display brightness and color temperature accordingly for the best viewing experience for your eyes.
The B.I.+ technology can also function in combination with HDR. As a result, you get brighter colors and maximum details while your eyes are safe from the harmful blue lights allowing you to play or work for hours without fatigue.
You will also find several picture modes including Standard, HDR, Cinema HDR, sRGB, Photo, Gamer1 for racing games, Gamer2 for CS: GO, Gamer3 for Battlefield, two customizable profiles, and M-Book.
Finally, the BenQ EX3203R supports the second generation of FreeSync, which ensures low input lag for HDR gaming and a wider dynamic range (over DP only) with the LFC (Low Framerate Compensation) technology support.
This means that when your FPS (Frames Per Second) drops below the lower end of the dynamic refresh rate, LFC will double the refresh rate to maintain tear-free performance.
For this technology to work, you will need a FreeSync-compatible graphics card or an Xbox One X or S gaming console.
The BenQ EX3203R FreeSync range is 48-100Hz over HDMI and 48-144Hz over DisplayPort.
FreeSync also works when using a compatible NVIDIA G-SYNC graphics card.
Design & Connectivity
The design of the BenQ EX3203R boasts ultra-slim bezels, which along with the 1800R curvature make the viewing experience more immersive and cinematic. The monitor looks simple yet modern without flashy gaming aesthetics, which is a big plus.
When it comes to the ergonomics, you can tilt the screen by -5/20 degrees, height adjust it up to 60mm, and mount it on 100x100mm VESA pattern. Connectivity includes two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, a dual-USB 3.0 hub and a USB type C port.
Note that if you are using USB-C as the upstream port, the USB hub offers up to 5 Gbps bandwidth, but if you are using its alternate mode for display, the USB hub is limited to USB 2.0 bandwidth of 480 Mbps.
The USB-C port on this monitor can simultaneously transfer data and audio/video signals to a laptop, but not power.
Price & Similar Monitors
The BenQ EX3203R price ranges from $400 to ~$600, which is a bit steep considering you can get a similar 32″ 1440p 144Hz curved gaming monitor such as the Gigabyte G32QC for ~$350.
Visit our always up-to-date best gaming monitor buyer’s guide for more information and the best deals available.
Conclusion
The BenQ EX3203R FreeSync Premium Pro gaming monitor offers immersive image quality, smooth performance, and plenty of exclusive features.
However, there are better and cheaper alternatives out there.
Specifications
| Screen Size | 31.5-inch |
| Resolution | 2560×1440 (WQHD) |
| Panel Type | VA |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 (Widescreen) |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz |
| Response Time | 4ms (GtG) |
| Adaptive Sync | FreeSync (48Hz-100Hz HDMI) FreeSync 2 (48Hz-144Hz DP) |
| Ports | DisplayPort 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.0 |
| Other Ports | 2x USB 3.0, USB-C, Headphone Jack |
| Brightness | 300 cd/m2 |
| Brightness (HDR) | 400 cd/m2 |
| Contrast Ratio | 3000:1 (static) |
| Colors | 16.7 million (true 8-bit) |
| VESA | Yes (100x100mm) |
| HDR10 | VESA DisplayHDR 400 |
The Pros:
- Bright picture with deep blacks and vivid colors
- Low input lag and high refresh rate
- Immersive gaming experience
The Cons:
- Expensive
- Limited FreeSync range over HDMI
- Ghosting in fast-paced games
