Several hot new features and developments have been rocking the PC monitor market just recently. For BenQ’s newest large format and gaming-centric model, for that reason, standing apart isn’t going to be simple. It’s hard out there.
BenQ EX3203R Specs
- Screen Size: 32 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment (VA)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Response Time: 4ms
- Contrast Ratio: 3000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 400 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 2 Watts)
- Stand: Height – No
- Stand: Tilt – Yes (-5°/+20°)
- Stand: Swivel – No
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes 100 x 100
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1,, HDMI 1.4 x 2, USB-C x 1, 3.5mm Jack
- Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 28.6” x 20.56” x 8.47″
- Weight: 16.54lbs
Luckily, the new BenQ EX3203R uses an appealing mix of functions and abilities. Highlights include 144Hz refresh, a curved panel, USB-C connection, and adaptive sync assistance, all wrapped up in a 32-inch package.
The kicker, perhaps, is VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification. That’s a pretty compelling core proposal and will tick a lot of player’s boxes. Those looking for a more basic purpose display may like the appearance of that feature set, too.
Nevertheless, at this fairly competitive rate point – and probably at almost any existing cost point – you can’t rather have whatever. Notably, the EX3203R is what you may call a 2.5 K rather than 4K or UHD display.
It likewise lacks support for Nvidia’s particular take on adaptive syncing and, if you’re a fan of super-wide element ratios, you’re not going to discover fulfillment here. On the other hand, the sub-4K resolution can make for a much better suitable for video gaming in regards to making it possible for much faster frame rates with any provided graphics card.
Cost and Availability
Priced at ₤ 499 in the UK, $699 in the US and $799 in Australia, the BenQ EX3203R is fairly aggressively placed, if a bit more expensive in the US than other areas.
Straight comparable designs, such as AOC’s AG322QCX and the Asus ROG Strix XG32VQ are priced likewise but especially lack HDR support. On paper, then, the BenQ has a clear edge.
Design and Style
The 31.5 inches of the panel in a 16:9 format makes for a pretty big, bold physical existence. Aesthetically, the EX3203R is reasonably restrained by video gaming peripheral requirements. However, with slim bezels around three sides of the LCD panel and a sleek silver stand, it’s a classy affair and feels relatively costly.
That panel, incidentally, is VA rather than IPS. That aids with contrast and color saturation, but can be somewhat troublesome when it comes to viewing angles and pixel response.
That stated, BenQ has equipped this monitor with 144Hz refresh ability and declares 4ms action capability, so in theory, it’s quick. It also supports the new second generation of AMD’s FreeSync adaptive refresh innovation. That includes support for HDR and larger color gamuts to the FreeSync function set.
Connectivity-wise, a pair of HDMI 2.0 ports plus DisplayPort need to make sure the majority of your bases are covered. Even better is the inclusion of USB-C connection, allowing single-cable connectivity for everything from the image signal to peripherals as well as charging for laptop computers. It’s a desirable port to have in regards to future-proofing, too.
HDR Support
Which brings us to the EX3203R’s most intriguing engineering component, that VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification. HDR is quickly ending up being a fairly overwhelming technology, replete with numerous requirements.
However is the DisplayHDR 400 basic true HDR? It requires, for instance, a brightness of 400cd/m2 where lots of would argue that the full impact of HDR only reaches greater peak brightnesses around 1,000 cd/m2.
What’s not debatable is that DisplayHDR 400 is the very bottom called of the VESA HDR ladder and the least requiring option for any provided screen producer. Not only does DisplayHDR 400 have modest brightness requirements, it likewise does not dictate local dimming and earns less stringent demands in regards to color reproduction. BenQ states the EX3203R benefits 90% protection of the DCI-P3 profile. Fair to say, then, that DisplayHDR 400 is HDR lite.
Performance and Efficiency
Expectations appropriately managed, how does the BenQ EX3203R perform? Immediate impressions certainly tally with the underlying VA panel technology on offer. Colors are punchy and dynamic, whites are brilliant and clean, while blacks are deep and dark. The EX3203R’s panel is rated at 3,000:1 for static contrast ability and it looks every bit as good as that. The panel’s mild curve likewise makes for a perfectly immersive experience.
What the EX3203R doesn’t look like – and perhaps shouldn’t be a surprise provided the practical constraints of the DisplayHDR 400 standard – is a real next-gen HDR display screen. With the full HDR stack allowed, HDR content does look quite excellent. However, the EX3203R cannot take on brighter ‘complete’ HDR screens with local dimming when it concerns blowing your socks off with highlighted details popping out of dark scenes.
It’s also worth keeping in mind that HDR remains a problematical innovation in regards to whatever from ensuring it’s allowed both on the display screen and in Windows 10 and having content, be that video games or video, that is HDR made it possible for. Allowing HDR globally in Windows, for example, makes for a rather dull look for desktop aspects. HDR, in short, remains complex and the supporting content reasonably limited.
As a basic function screen, the EX3203R’s most apparent shortcoming is it’s relatively modest 2,560 by 1,440 native resolution. That produces fairly big, coarse pixels when spread out throughout a 32-inch panel. A high-DPI screen this most definitely is not.
That said, as a video gaming gadget, the lower resolution produces quite pleasing outcomes. The VA panel prevents it from being at the cutting edge in regards to response. However inverted ghosting is not a significant concern here, and the advantages of that 144Hz revitalize regarding in-game smoothness are undeniable, even if you’ll need a powerful and costly graphics card to make the most of it in spite of the restrained 2.5K native resolution. The reality is that gamers almost always choose a curved gaming monitor for powerful and intense gaming.
Conclusion
On paper, the EX3203R makes a powerful case for itself by adding HDR certification without an obvious cost premium. In practice, it’s not a real HDR display screen. However, that does not imply it’s not a good screen.
Gamers trying to find a big, vibrant and gorgeous display screen with high refresh rates and adaptive sync support need to offer the EX3203R serious factor to consider, albeit in the knowledge that this isn’t the most responsive monitor on the market.
That you get a little bit, though not full, HDR goodness included simply sweetens the deal. For those trying to find a more productivity orientated monitor, there are much better offers in other places.
