Product: LG 32GK850G QHD G-Sync Gaming Monitor
Type: Monitor (32”)
Price: $1,499.00 RRP
Availability: Out Now
Link: lg.com/au/it-monitors/lg-32GK850G

When it comes to gaming monitors a lot of attention is rightfully being placed on the QHD range of panels, which produce a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels. So then, why not 4K? Like with most modern-day TVs. Well, for a screen size that sits somewhere in the realm of 27 – 32 inches, QHD is the sweet spot. One look at the monitors currently being sold, especially those designed for gaming, you’ll notice that 1080p no longer makes up the bulk of what’s available. Also, it goes without saying that modern GPUs or those that sit in the realm of the NVIDIA GTX 1070 range perform best at this resolution. Where the difference over a 1080p image is instantly noticeable.

The only problem that comes with an abundance of choice, is the age-old question of what screen to pick. LG’s new 32GK850G QHD G-Sync Gaming Monitor is certainly one to consider, a premium gaming monitor that offers exceptional performance for those with NVIDIA cards - where it can quite easily push an overclocked refresh rate of 165Hz. Not that you’d notice all that much of a difference over 144Hz.

What you will notice though, as part of this excellent VA panel from LG, and immediately too - is the Sphere Lighting.

Looking Good

Okay, so notice in the sense that the back of the LG 32GK850G houses a spherical light source that can project just about any colour from the RGB spectrum onto the wall behind the screen. It’s the sort of feature that no one really needs, but in execution adds definite ambience to any low-lit room. So much so that the Peaceful Lighting option (of many) offers a great effect and the sort of calming tone that one might find from the warm glow of a nice lamp. A feature that feels like it was included to make this display stand out amongst a sea of gaming monitors, whilst incorporating RGB lighting in a way we haven’t seen before.

Like the inclusion of cheese in the crust of a pizza, we’re not sure when to expect the next RGB innovation.



Ahem. Moving on, in terms of stuff that you get with most monitors the ultra-slim bezel design of this LG entry offers the sort of premium look one can expect from a gaming monitor. With the quality feel of the plastic, angular, stand following suit. In fact, the adjustable height is one of the easiest and sturdiest we’ve ever tested, which adds to the overall feel that this is a premium screen.

A sentiment that carries over to the OSD and in-line controls, which is modelled on the stylings of a four-way joystick. It showcases LG’s knack for intuitive and responsive access to a screen’s settings, which thankfully is a design methodology that has carried over from the company’s line of excellent TV’s. Whilst being optimised and tuned for quick access to game modes and various monitor-specific settings.

Sphere Lighting gets its own separate dial to turn the brightness up or down and switch between the different colour modes.

Screen Story

Maximum Resolution: 2560 x 1440

Refresh Rate: 60 Hz (144Hz NVIDIA G-Sync)

Response Time: 5ms (GTG)

Contrast Ratio: 3000:1 (Native)

Colour Depth: 8bits

Brightness: 350 cd/m²

Weight (With Stand): 8.5 kg

A quick breakdown on the difference between a VA and an IPS panel, covering the pros and cons of these two distinctly different styles of LCD. VA panels, often get mistaken for cheaper and therefore inferior compared to IPS panels. Where IPS panels offer better colour reproduction and often sharper-to-the-eye images they often suffer when it comes to contrast ratios leading to inferior black levels. And visible edge-lighting. A VA panel on the other hand offers superior contrast, better black levels and often a brighter overall image. Which leads to what one might call the VA glow effect, making the technology not quite as good for reading or text-based activities. Plus, response times are usually higher.

As a VA panel monitor, the 31.5” LG 32GK850G QHD G-Sync Gaming Monitor solves a few of the more common issue found with VA technology. Right off the bat the response time of 5ms is low enough for high-speed gaming, without ghosting or otherwise blurring the image. The contrast ratio is exceptionally high, and when coupled with the bright output allows for a relatively glow-free experience when turning the brightness pretty much all the way down. Which, doesn’t impact image quality or the impact of colours – just confirmation that this LG screen is like any other premium offering. In that the overall image quality is excellent.

The only downside, and a strange one is that even with a 178-degree viewing angle the image quality degrades pretty quick. Not drastically, but noticeable.

A View to Remember

Having NVIDIA’s G-Sync tech naturally adds to the overall price, but the results are nothing short of spectacular. With the 144Hz refresh rate of the LG 32GK850G out of the box, being able to fire up Overwatch or Quake Champions and seeing the effect of a variable refresh rate in action – the alternative is almost unthinkable. For those with NVIDIA cards, a G-Sync capable display is just about a requirement if you’ve got a GTX 1070 or GTX 1080. Being able to push the detail settings of Destiny 2 or Final Fantasy XV Windows Edition to their maximum and still see a buttery smooth image even when the frame-rate dips into the 40fps range – is almost like the second half of the powerful GPU story. Which is why AMD card owners go the FreeSync route.

The deep contrast of the VA panel also makes sense when playing games, and really the only thing missing is HDR. A technology that is still a no show in most gaming monitors. That being said, LG’s 32GK850G QHD G-Sync Gaming Monitor ticks all the right boxes. QHD resolution. Exceptional colour calibration out-of-the-box with great contrast for deep blacks. A large 31.5” VA panel with low response times and none of the usual VA draw backs. G-Sync technology with a 144Hz refresh rate. And really, outside of the somewhat hefty price point – this is proof that LG are now firmly in the gaming monitor, err, game.