TEST: Gigabyte FO32U2P – The ladder is raised high

TEST: Gigabyte FO32U2P
A ladder raised high

After two OLED monitors that really delighted us (LG UltraGear 27GR95QE, SK 8/2023, i.sk.rs/32509; Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM, SK 10/2023, i.sk.rs/32703), we have an even bigger treat ahead of us. Unlike the aforementioned models, which are 27 inches diagonal and have QHD (1440p) resolution, with an impressive 240 hertz refresh rate, Gigabyte FO32U2P it offers all of that in UHD resolution(!), and it also has several other interesting features.

To display 240 frames per second in UHD resolution, the monitor must have an image source that works according to the DisplayPort 2.1 standard. The previous standard, DisplayPort 1.4, can only “push” UHD up to 120 hertz, while the new one can accept a signal for UHD at 240 (and more) hertz, as well as 8K resolution at 120 hertz. It is essentially about the speed of the flow through the cable, although the standard also brings some other, new possibilities. Also, the cables must be of better quality and certified for the required speed, and the maximum of the DisplayPort 2.1 standard is 80 gigabits per second (as opposed to 32.4 for DP 1.4), so the markings on the cables are “DP80”, “DP54” or “DP40”. ”, suggesting their maximum bandwidth.

The image source, that is, the graphics card, must also work according to the DP 2.1 standard. Unfortunately, Nvidia lags behind AMD in this matter, because even the latest (series 40×0) and the strongest GeForce cards still have DP 1.4, while all Radeons series 7×00 have DP 2.1. A special issue, and perhaps more important, is the ability of graphics cards to render something (and we are talking about games, right) in UHD resolution with 240 frames. The strongest Radeon, for example, it achieves about 120 frames in UHD resolution in the game Far Cry 6. In order to use the full potential of the monitor (which, you will see, is the topic of this text anyway) you would need two powerful graphics or some future miracle GeForce 50×0 series (which will have DP 2.1).

Gigabyte FO32U2P is packed in a very high-quality matte black case, with some geometric details made of glossy plastic. Most of the body of the monitor is a few millimeters thin, but there is a bulge in the middle of the back where the electronics and connectors are located. At the bottom and top of that bulge are bar-shaped light elements, and next to the top is the illuminated Aorus logo. The robust base allows for all ergonomic adjustments, and the foot is “V” shaped, with arms facing the user. The edges around the screen (except the bottom) are quite thin. In the middle, below the bottom edge, there is a four-way joystick and next to it two buttons for quick selection of options.

The list of connections is larger (see specification), and in addition to one DP 2.1 port, there is also a DP 1.4 output for serial connection of another monitor. It is also interesting that there is one mini DisplayPort (which Apple created for its own needs and even “pushed” as a standard, and then switched to Thunderbolt).

The fantastic OLED panel simply has no flaws. Perhaps only a nominal brightness of 250 nits does not sound particularly impressive, but the partial brightness can be up to 1000 nits and the monitor deserves the VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification. The dot response time, as with other new OLED screens, is an incredible 0.03 milliseconds.

We will not dwell on the settings and options of the on-screen menu, but two or three units should be highlighted. Gamer options include Black Equalizer, Crosshair, Eagle Eye (zooming part of the screen), and we definitely recommend that you use it Dashboard the monitor itself, which displays a window with image parameters, but also parameters from the computer (connected to the monitor’s USB hub). Also, be sure to try it on PC OSD Sidekick and Gigabyte Control Center.

A separate part of the monitor setup concerns the maintenance/preservation of the OLED panel. It is available Pixel Clean, which is desirable to start every few hours of operation, and there are also options for automatic dimming of a static image, dimming of static parts of the image (Windows taskbarlogos…), moving the image by one pixel and so on.

A special feature of this model (and some Gigabyte monitors that we tried earlier also had it) is the presence of KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) switches. Namely, when you connect the monitor to two computers, and connect one via USB-C and the other via USB-B, the peripherals (keyboard and mouse) connected to the USB hub outputs will be used by the computer you need at that moment. It is enough to press one of the two buttons next to the joystick on the monitor. This capability fits well with the fact that the monitor can simultaneously display an image from two sources (as picture-in-picture or picture-by-picture).

FO32U2P is a fantastic monitor because of the built-in OLED screen, additional features, as well as the high speed that we will be able to use one day.