The market offers a plethora of 32-inch 4K QD-OLED monitors, each excelling in movies, gaming, and general use. However, creative professionals often require specific design features and functionalities. The Asus ProArt PA32UCDM aims to cater to this niche. This review delves into its strengths and weaknesses to determine if it truly meets the demands of creative workflows.
asus proart pa32ucdm 4 Matthew Smith /
The Asus ProArt PA32UCDM boasts a sleek silver design.
Specifications and Design
The PA32UCDM sports a standard 32-inch 4K QD-OLED panel with a 3840×2160 resolution, a 10-bit color depth, and a 240Hz refresh rate. It supports Adaptive Sync and is VESA DisplayHDR 400 True Black certified. These specifications align with other 32-inch 4K QD-OLED monitors like the HP Omen Transcend 32 and MSI MPG 32URXW.
Key specifications include:
- Display Size: 32-inch, 16:9 aspect ratio
- Resolution: 3840×2160
- Panel Type: 10-bit QD-OLED
- Refresh Rate: 240Hz
- Adaptive Sync: Yes (VRR)
- HDR: VESA DisplayHDR 400 True Black Certified
- Ports: 1x Thunderbolt 4-in, 1x Thunderbolt 4-out (Daisy Chain), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x USB-C (96W PD), 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2
- Features: Ambient light sensor
- Audio: 2x 3W speakers
- Warranty: 3 years
- Price: $1899.99 MSRP
Departing from the typical black and charcoal aesthetic of other ProArt monitors, the PA32UCDM features a sleek silver design with extensive use of metal in both the display panel and stand. This not only contributes to a slim profile but also provides a premium feel. The stand offers excellent ergonomics with height, tilt, swivel, and pivot adjustments, and the narrow base minimizes desk footprint. A 100x100mm VESA mount is also available for third-party mounting solutions.
Connectivity and Features
The PA32UCDM’s connectivity revolves around Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C. While offering two Thunderbolt 4 ports, only one serves as the primary input with USB-C, DisplayPort alt mode, and Power Delivery. The second port is designated for daisy-chaining a second monitor. This limits the utilization of Thunderbolt 4’s bandwidth for peripherals. Downstream connectivity is restricted to just two USB ports (one USB-C and one USB-A), lacking Ethernet and audio-out.
Beyond Thunderbolt 4, the monitor offers only one additional video input: HDMI 2.1. Surprisingly, DisplayPort is absent, limiting total video inputs to just two. This is a significant drawback compared to competitors like the Dell UltraSharp U3225QE and BenQ PD3226G, and even the more affordable HP Omen Transcend 32.
The on-screen menu system is easily navigated via a joystick control and offers a wide range of features. These include 15 SDR presets (sRGB, DCI-P3, AdobeRGB, BT.2020, DICOM, Rec.709), five HDR modes (including Dolby Vision), color temperature and gamma adjustments, and six-axis color calibration supported by Asus’s calibration software. Additional features include picture-by-picture and picture-in-picture modes, an on-screen ruler, and a uniform brightness mode. The integrated ambient light sensor synchronizes brightness and color temperature to the environment and dims the display when not in use to conserve power and mitigate OLED burn-in.
asus proart pa32ucdm 3 Matthew Smith /
The on-screen menu system is easy to navigate.
SDR and HDR Image Quality
The PA32UCDM delivers excellent SDR image quality. It achieved a peak brightness of 294 nits, which is impressive for an OLED monitor and more than sufficient for typical usage scenarios, especially in controlled lighting environments. The inherent per-pixel dimming capability of OLED technology results in perfect black levels and exceptional contrast.
Color gamut coverage is comprehensive, encompassing 100% of sRGB, 97% of DCI-P3, and 94% of AdobeRGB. Color accuracy is also top-notch, contributing to a realistic and lifelike image. The gamma curve and color temperature are close to ideal, further enhancing image fidelity.
In HDR, the PA32UCDM reached a peak brightness of 896 nits in a 10% window, a typical result for QD-OLED displays. Real-world HDR performance is impressive, showcasing vibrant colors and bright highlights. The monitor offers a wide range of HDR presets, including BT.2020 and Dolby Vision, along with various clipping modes, making it suitable for professional HDR content creation.
Motion Performance and Other Considerations
Despite not being explicitly marketed for gaming, the PA32UCDM’s 240Hz refresh rate and Adaptive Sync support provide excellent motion clarity. This benefits both gaming and productivity tasks involving fast-moving content.
One minor drawback is the presence of a noticeable fan, which might be audible in quiet environments.
Conclusion
The Asus ProArt PA32UCDM excels in image quality, design, and features tailored for creative professionals. However, its limited connectivity options, particularly the lack of DisplayPort and limited downstream USB ports, are significant disadvantages. While its image quality surpasses competitors like the Dell UltraSharp U3225QE and BenQ PD3226G, the lack of ports might necessitate a separate Thunderbolt or USB-C hub, adding to the overall cost.
If you prioritize top-tier image quality and extensive image adjustment options for HDR workflows, the PA32UCDM is a compelling choice. However, the connectivity limitations should be carefully considered before purchase.
