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Received wisdom has it that gamers will sacrifice quality for frame rates. But what if you could have both? Samsung's research has found that 48 per cent of gamers place image quality above other factors, and this was their most important consideration when buying a new monitor. So Samsung took this to heart for its latest CHG70 range. The native resolution is up from the previous generation, but more importantly, this is the first gaming monitor to support HDR.
The C32HG70 we were sent for review is the 32in model in the range. There's also a 27in C27HG70 and alongside these two models is the ludicrously wide 49in C49HG90. All three are curved, use quantum dot technology, support HDR and AMD FreeSync 2, as well as offering a 144Hz maxmium refresh. Both the CHG70 models offer 2,560 x 1,440 resolution, whereas the C49HG90 operates at 3,840 x 1,080, which gives it an ultra-super-wide aspect of 32:9.
Already, there's quite a lot to talk about with the C32HG70, and its general display specification bodes well too. The panel type is VA, and Samsung doesn't quote the grey-to-grey response time, which isn't that impressive for VA. Instead, as with the C24FG70, the Moving Picture Response Time (MPRT) is quoted, and that's a more game-friendly 1ms. As with most VA panels, the maximum contrast is a healthy 3,000:1, and brightness 350cd/m2 in SDR, but brightness is a much higher 600cd/m2 in HDR. Samsung's website states the screen can display 125 per cent sRGB (which we don't have the equipment to test) and typical 92 per cent Adobe RGB (which we do).
The curvature is 1800R, which is better than many screens, and Samsung has further developed the almost prehensile arm of the C24FG70. The angling abilities are just about the same, but it's a little easier to use.
Not to be caught out on the small details, Samsung includes two HDMI ports and a single DisplayPort connection, plus a two-port USB 3.0 hub. Even the £680 price is not hideous for such a large screen and this feature set. But HDR is the headline act, so let's find out if the C32HG70 can take gaming to a new level of quality.
Specification:
Screen size: 32-inch, 16:9 aspect, curved (1800R)
Native resolution: 2,560 x 1,440
Refresh rate: 144Hz
Panel type: VA
Contrast ratio: 3,000:1 (typical)
Brightness: 350cd/m2 (SDR); 600cd/m2 (HDR)
Response time: 1ms MPRT
Display inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0b, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
USB hub: Yes, 2-port USB 3.0 with fast charging
Tilt: Yes
Raise: Yes
Swivel: Yes
Other: Headphone jack, audio input, AMD FreeSync 2, HDR.
Retail Price: £679.99 (inc. VAT)
Instead of lamenting the lack of Gsync, Tell nVidia to support open standards.
Have you tested the range on freesync? Apparently its quite poor on this monitor
That’s like asking apple to use a standard charging cable… isn’t going to happen
Did you upgrade the firmware before the review? Latest firmware is from November 10th, ver 1016.2.
Did you test the range of Freesync? Pixel response times and input lag? <- what gamers care about most.
THIS!
Literally had one of these delivered yesterday to replace my ROG Swift – £540
that is what CRU is for
Picked up this monitor a couple months ago and it is a great monitor. My only 2 issues with it are the cable area and included cables are terribly designed, the power cable plugs in backwards, it is an angled plug but plugs in so the cables goes into the side of the cable area instead of towards the hole in the plastic cover, the cord included to allow the monitor to act like a usb hub for your computer is very large and difficult to plug in without forcefully bending the cord just to fit it into the cable area to plug it in.
My other issue is that the stand is way too damn big, there is absolutely no reason for it to be so large, dumb thing is as deep as the actual monitor is tall, it is basically the size as a 32 inch crt would be. The stand being so large makes placement on your desk very limited. If you have your desk up against the wall you are forced to place your monitor at an uncomfortable angle. If you have a shallow desk you better get used to having your nose literally touching the monitor. The size of the stand nearly made me send the monitor back but it looking as nice as it does made me give it a chance, i will eventually get a new stand to replace it because it is a near dealbreaker. I am shocked that the stands size isn’t listed as a con because it is a very serious one imo.