TheGigabyte M32Umonitor is not new to the scene, but its longevity is no fluke. When I purchased the M32U in 2021, it was one of the first4K monitors with HDMI 2.1that didn’t cost an excessive amount. Supporting 144Hz refresh rates, the display remains popular today with a unique feature set that suits working and gaming. Now, this Black Friday, the M32U is selling for a price that makes upgrading to a high-refresh-rate 4K monitor irresistible.
Without edgy styling or RGB backlighting, the M32U monitor looksappropriate for workplacesand gaming desks. The bezels are thin enough to make the display look modern, even if the nearly 23-lb monitor is not the most portable. Ergonomics are sometimes overlooked with gaming monitors, but the M32U tilts, swivels, and moves up and down enough to satisfy any viewer. The IPS panel offers excellent viewing angles, so users can roll their chairs from side to side without text becoming blurry. Another unusual feature in a gaming monitor is the M32U’s advanced KVM, enabling control of multiple systems with the same keyboard and mouse.
GIGABYTE M32U 32 144Hz 4K FreeSync Gaming Monitor
The GIGABYTE M32U 32'' is a 4K IPS-based gaming monitor that offers a 144Hz refresh rate coupled with support for FreeSync and plenty of connectivity options including a USB-C display out of the box. It comes at a reasonable price and offers excellent PC and console gaming experiences.
The M32U serves many roles and is also well-equipped for competitive gaming. The monitor is loaded with capabilities like Game Assist to activate crosshairs, and Aim Stabilizer to lessen motion blur during frantic FPS action. The M32U’s maximum 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response rate are no longer groundbreaking, but at 4K, it’s a substantial upgrade for many buyers. Most PC gamers will utilize the monitor’s DisplayPort connection, but its pair of HDMI 2.1 inputs makes it agreat monitor for PS5and Xbox Series X owners.
One factor to keep in mind is that playing games at 4K is significantly more taxing than at 1440P. Setting the display higher than 60 Hz puts additional strain on a GPU. Consequently, the M32U is best paired with a graphics card like an RTX 4080 or RTX 4090. While the monitor can display lower resolutions, this upscaling can result in more loss in sharpness than expected.
If shoppers are searching for alternatives to the M32U, theMSI MAG323UPFis also severely discounted for Black Friday. Its specs are similar to those of its Gigabyte rival, but the newer 4K display can reach refresh rates up to 160Hz. The MSI monitor has the advantage of full HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, which makes it slightly more future-proof. On the other hand, buyers with complicated setups find the M32U’s KVM options more convenient. When budgets allow for an OLED 4K monitor, our recentlyreviewed LG UltraGear 32GS95UE-Bboasts a 240Hz refresh rate well above average black levels.
As someone who writes during the day and plays games in the evenings, I find the Gigabyte M32U the perfect monitor. Larger displays sometimes tempt me, but a 32-inch screen provides the most practical viewing distances for many setups. For Black Friday, it’s the most versatile 4K gaming monitor a buyer will find in this price range.
