ASUS TUF Gaming VG32AQA1A 31.5-inch QHD Monitor: specs and who it suits

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG32AQA1A is a 31.5-inch monitor with a 2560 x 1440 (QHD) resolution and a refresh rate that can be overclocked to 170Hz. It is aimed at gaming, but a large 1440p screen also suits general desk work where you want more room than a 24-inch panel offers.

What QHD means at 31.5 inches

QHD, or 1440p, has about 78% more pixels than Full HD. On a 31.5-inch screen it gives a sharper picture than 1080p would at the same size, where individual pixels become easier to see. It also asks less of a graphics card than 4K, which is why 1440p is a common choice for fast gaming.

Refresh rate and response time

ASUS says the monitor can be overclocked to 170Hz, meaning the image updates 170 times a second against 60 on a basic display. Higher refresh rates make motion look smoother, provided your graphics card can produce frames that fast. The 1ms figure is an MPRT (moving picture response time) number. MPRT is measured differently from grey-to-grey response, so the two aren't directly comparable.

ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) is the brand's technology for further reducing ghosting and blur in fast scenes.

Adaptive sync

FreeSync Premium turns on variable refresh rate by default, so the screen follows the frame rate of the game and avoids tearing. ASUS lists support for Adaptive-Sync with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 10 series, GTX 16 series, RTX 20 series and newer cards, and FreeSync Premium with AMD cards.

HDR10

The monitor supports the HDR-10 format, which lets the screen use a wider range of brightness in content that is mastered for it. How strong the effect looks depends on the panel's brightness and contrast, so it helps to treat HDR support as a compatibility feature rather than a guarantee of dramatic results. A Shadow Boost setting is also listed, which brightens dark areas of an image.

Connections and mounting

Inputs are one DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI 2.0 ports. A DisplayPort cable, power cord and adapter, quick start guide and warranty card come in the box. The monitor is VESA wall-mountable and measures about 28.2 x 8.4 x 19.5 in with its stand, weighing 14.7 lb.

Who it suits

It suits PC gamers who want a big, fast 1440p screen and anyone who wants extra desktop space. Console owners should check which refresh rates and features their console supports over HDMI.

What to check before you buy

• Desk space: a 31.5-inch screen is wide, so measure your desk and viewing distance.
• Graphics card: reaching 170Hz at 1440p needs a capable card and the right port.
• Port choice: use DisplayPort for the highest refresh rate; confirm what your device supports over HDMI.
• Mounting: if you plan to use an arm or wall mount, check the VESA pattern in the manual.
• Stand adjustments: check which tilt and height options the stand offers.

The short version

• 31.5-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) monitor, overclockable to 170Hz.
• 1ms (MPRT) response time and ELMB motion-blur reduction.
• FreeSync Premium, Adaptive-Sync with supported NVIDIA cards, and HDR-10.
• DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI 2.0 ports; VESA wall-mountable.
• 14.7 lb, with a DisplayPort cable in the box.

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