PC cases or even fully built PCs. That’s the stuff we know NZXT best for. But monitor? Not so much. Enter the new NZXT Canvas 32Q Curved. It’s a 32-inch, 1440p, and 165Hz panel that begs an immediate question. When it comes to gaming monitors, is it better to have something from a screen specialist, say LG, which is then optimized for gaming? Or can a gaming specialist apply his know-how to screens? Time to find out.
In terms of headline specs, the NZXT Canvas 32Q Curved is nothing out of the ordinary. It’s good, for sure. But a 32-inch VA panel with 1440p resolution, 165Hz refresh, 1ms response and 300nits brightness doesn’t set new standards. Instead, it joins the fray with competing but not world-famous specs.
Speaking of specs, NZXT’s own numbers rate this VA panel at a static contrast of just 1,000:1. You would normally expect at least 2,000:1, if not 3,000:1 from a modern VA panel. The 1 ms response claim would also be via the gray-to-gray metric instead of MPRT. Only Samsung has previously managed a VA monitor with 1ms GT instead of MPRT. Curious.
For the record, the NZXT Canvas 32Q Curved supports HDR10 signal processing. But with that maximum brightness of 300 nits and no local dimming, you know the drill. This is not true HDR or even close to it. The panel is also not very color accurate. NZXT rates the 32Q at 89% of the DCI-P3 range and 99% of sRGB. Both tracks are a little off the beaten path compared to a decent IPS panel. But in a gaming context, that’s not a big deal.
What the Canvas 32Q is, however, is bent to 1500R, which is quite a significant bend. Curved screens are subjective at the best of times. But we think most people would agree that it makes more sense with ultra-wide panels than a more conventional 16:9 monitor like this one. In any case, it doesn’t detract much from the experience. But the curvature also does not unambiguously improve this representation.
NZXT Canvas 32Q Curved Specifications
Screen size: 32-inch
Panel type: VA
Solution: 2,560 x 1,440
Brightness: 300nits
Contrast: 1,000:1
Response time: 1ms
Refresh rate: 165Hz
Color Coverage: 89% DCI-P3
HDR support: HDR10
Adaptive sync: FreeSync Premium, compatible with G-Sync
Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x1, HDMI 2.0 x2, USB Type-C
Price: $429 (opens in new tab) | £469 (opens in new tab)
Anyway, if the Canvas 32Q Curved seems pretty mainstream most of the time, where does the NZXT goodness come in? First, there is the design. This is a great looking screen. And it is also beautifully built. The main body is made of high quality white plastic, while the metal stand is very nicely designed.
The stand can be adjusted for pan, tilt, and height, but not portrait rotation. It is also, strictly speaking, an optional extra. In the US, the NZXT Canvas 32Q Curved clocks in at a fairly competitive $379 without the stand and $429 with it, while in the UK it’s £429 without and £469 with, which is a bit pricey. Anyway, being able to pick the default is an interesting twist. Drop it and the screen offers VESA 100mm by 100mm mounting bracket and indeed NZXT will also sell you single and dual mount VESA arms as an alternative to the factory standard.
Furthermore, the other obvious NZXT specific feature is the CAM software. Essentially, it’s a Windows app alternative to clunky monitor OSD menus. Not that NZXT’s OSD is particularly clunky. It’s actually pretty slick, the way OSDs go. But the CAM app is more powerful and configurable, so you can manage the various functions and settings without having to use the OSD, including creating settings profiles on a per-app basis.
As for the input, you get HDMI, DisplayPort and USB Type-C with DisplayPort alt mode. Please note that the latter does not support power supply. So you cannot connect any cable to a laptop and control the display as well as charge the laptop. That said, the 165Hz is available over the USB, in case you were wondering.
Anyway, what about the actual image quality? Obviously, you’ll need to be familiar with the fairly thick pixels that come with a 32-inch panel and native 1440p resolution. This is not a crystal clear 4K monitor. That’s much more of a problem on the Windows desktop than in the game. But it detracts from its appeal in general terms for multiple uses.
Moreover, this is not a monitor that will immediately please you. For a VA panel it is not very contrasting, the viewing angles are rather OK than great. Plus, as you’d expect from a maximum brightness of 300 nits, it’s just not hugely punchy in outright terms. Dare to say it, it feels a bit old fashioned and lacks the saturation and zing of the very best current panels.
As for the pixel response, three levels of overdrive are available and even the fastest setting is very usable, with little visible overshoot or inverse ghosting. Perhaps unsurprisingly, due to the relatively understated overdrive, the 32Q doesn’t look as sharp and punchy as the best current IPS panels. It’s just that little bit softer with fast movement.
Inevitably, HDR performance isn’t a standout either. This panel lacks the brightness and backlight modulation required for it. It’s also worth noting that the range of SDR content is a bit shaky with the panel in HDR mode in Windows. So you definitely wouldn’t want it in HDR mode unless you were specifically watching or playing HDR content.
Not that we would worry about HDR mode in general. Compare an HDR-heavy title like Cyberpunk 2077 in SDR and HDR mode on this screen and it’s hard to tell which was which.
That all seems quite negative. But this is not a bad monitor. For the most part, it performs pretty much as you’d expect given its specs. It’s a 300nit, 165Hz, 1440p (essentially) SDR gaming panel. It’s probably not as high-contrast as you’d expect from a VA monitor. The response is not as good as the best IPS displays. But it’s by no means a dirty mess. It’s pretty fast. And it looks great and is very nicely built.
So it’s no bargain, the NZXT Canvas 32Q Curved. It’s not flawless or a world beater either. But it is a solid option in this part of the market.
Buying 32-inch, 165Hz, 1440p, SDR panels would be a matter of deciding whether we thought the styling and technical benefits of this NZXT made up for the slightly more vibrant picture quality of some of the alternatives. So yes, there are definitely some things that NZXT does better than the established monitor makers. But the company also has a bit of learning to do before it reaches the full size of the big brands.
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