EUR525,75
Gigabyte M32U-EK
3840 x 2160 Pixels, 32"
Product ratings
Pros
Cons
12 reviews
Awesome monitor for its price, a couple of small flaws
This monitor is almost a "hidden gem". I tested much more expensive 32"/4K/120Hz monitors, and this is reall, really good for the money.
The 18W charging is annoyed, but still useful. I wish it were 25W, then probably I wouldn't even mention it.
The PS5 VRR issue is reall scary - after my PS5 triggered this, it stayed in both Linux (over the other HDMI port) and Windows (DP) and I really feared it won't go away. Gigabyte has an article here: https://www.gigabyte.com/lb... but the workaround didn't fix the issue for me. I had to put the monitor to 144Hz (and there was still a barely visible flicker), stayed in Windows for 3+ hours at that refresh rate, before the issue went away. Putting the PS5 in "performance mode" then didn't trigger the issue anymore.
I don't know what is happening - likely the monitor going to 30Hz or so triggers it - but it was scary. And that's why no 5 starts, even if it's not Gigabyte's problem - ASUS has is too. But the firmware should prevent it.Pro
- High quality panel
- HDMI 2.1 for consoles and 4K/120Hz
- USB-C that works well with Mac
Contra
- Only 18W charging over USB-C
- Issue with PS5 VRR implementation
Very good experience
In my case, a very good choice if you're looking for a monitor for teleworking from a laptop but want to use it for gaming with another fixed computer.
With the KVM function, the keyboard and mouse connect to the device displayed on the screen. No need to unplug everything and plug it back in again.Pro
- Default colour settings
- USB-C (DP)
- KVM (very popular)
Contra
- USB-C delivers few Watts
- No USB-C cable supplied
Flawless, super picture and sound
Pro
- Picture
- Sound
Contra
- Menu and its settings
Monday device
Based on the sales rank and the many good reviews, I also decided in favour of the M32U. The picture quality certainly doesn't come close to an OLED, but it's only half the price of an OLED. The colours are crisp and the picture is very sharp.
Unfortunately, right from the start I had the problem that the monitor very often switches itself off in the middle of operation and then switches on again immediately. Almost as if it was simply losing the signal sporadically. The firmware was the latest and I never had this problem with my previous BenQ monitor or the Samsung TV which is also connected to the computer. Others have also reported this problem in various forums and I have not found a solution anywhere. Changing the Displayport cable didn't help either.
In addition, the build quality is not particularly good. Not so dramatic for a monitor, but it's not a cheap monitor at this price.
If it hadn't been for the problem of it constantly switching off, it would have been a really good monitor and highly recommended for gaming. So I decided to swap it for an MSI, which has been running perfectly so far.Pro
- Price
- 4k 144Hz
- KVM when you need it
- Logically not an OLED, but very good picture quality
Contra
- Often simply switched off by itself
- Processing
Wake-up problems from sleep mode - otherwise a very solid product with many inputs
The features are there, the panel is great. My device came with the latest F11 firmware in December 2024, which is already 2 years old. Unfortunately, I had to return my device as it was not suitable for my use.
Like many people, I put the computer into sleep mode (not hibernate) when I've finished work or the computer itself goes into sleep mode after a certain time. The monitor itself then also goes into sleep mode. Unfortunately, the Gigabyte M32U no longer wakes up reliably from sleep mode. The LED at the bottom left of the monitor still flashes, but when I press a key on the keyboard, for example, it goes out. This happens in more than approx. 50% of all cases. To be able to use the monitor again, you can either use the power switch at the bottom back next to the power cable (switch off and on) or you can unplug the power cable at the back of the monitor and plug it in again.
For these reasons, I returned my model within the return period. Every M32U has this problem, there is no firmware to fix it. If you use the monitor in the classic way, i.e. switch off the PC and switch off the monitor, you won't have any problems. However, if you let the connected devices go into sleep mode or put them into sleep mode (before sleeping), you will have the same experience with this product. I have looked around on the Internet and the wake up from sleep mode affects all devices. Unfortunately, there is no solution.
If the monitor no longer wakes up from sleep mode, the soft power off function (pressing the joystick for approx. 10 seconds) no longer works. Also the KVM switch on the back of the device does not work, I even had the case that the short switching on and off with the physical power button did not work, the solution was to leave the power off switch switched off for at least 10 seconds.
It is incomprehensible to me why Gigabyte cannot solve these problems, in a Reddit forum article a user mentioned that it was probably due to a hardware design flaw, i.e. the wake-up problems cannot be fixed by the manufacturer, and there is no new firmware available.
Apart from these dealbreakers for me, it is a very good product, unfortunately it does not fulfil my expectations, which is why I only give it 2 stars.
I would advise anyone who owns this monitor to keep a close eye on these wake up from sleep mode problems and, if necessary, to live with them or to set up the computer differently, not to send it into sleep mode (adjust the power settings) or just switch off the monitor and computer completely after work.
My device had a top panel, no backlight bleeding and the height adjustment is also very good. Important note about the software: if you are using a user account (without admin), you must enter the admin password every time you use the software.Pro
- Lots of inputs
- Built-in KVM switch for 2 systems (switch button on the back of the monitor)
- No defective pixels
- No backlight bleeding
- Only minimal IPS glow
- Supplied with DP and HDMI 2.1 cable
- Very good packaging (but is quite large)
- Physical power button directly to the left of the power connection
- Integrated power supply unit (therefore the monitor can only output 15 watts via USB-C)
- Very good ergonomics, the panel can be lowered very far (height of upper edge of screen approx. 47 cm)
- In HDR mode the monitor reaches approx. 450 nits (install monitor inf file for HDR)
Contra
- Waking up from sleep mode with a connected PC rarely works
- Monitor should not be set to sleep mode, better switch off completely after work
There's no better screen for $400
Pro
- 4K
- Good colour calibration at aperture
6 out of 12 reviews
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