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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize gaming and want a larger screen at a lower price, the Gigabyte M32U with its higher refresh rate and variable refresh range is the better choice, although it has a standard 4K resolution. On the other hand, if your focus is on exceptional image clarity and digital photo editing, and are willing to pay more, the LG UltraFine 5K offers a higher resolution and superior text and image quality, but it's not as suited for gaming due to a lower refresh rate and lack of variable refresh rate support. Both monitors have their strengths but cater to different primary uses. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Gigabyte M32U (IPS)
- Good response time
Advantages of the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS)
- Good for media consumption
- Best in class text clarity
- Best in class image clarity
- Good brightness
Key differences
Productivity
8.0
8.7
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
5120 x 2880
140 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
218 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Glossy
The LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) and Gigabyte M32U (IPS) are both very good for productivity, though the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) is somewhat better.
Cost
$650
$1,179
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Gigabyte M32U (IPS) has a price of $650 and the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) costs $1,179.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.2
6.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
5120 x 2880
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1125:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1200:1
350 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
456 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
87.0 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
99.0 %
Matte
COATING
Glossy
The Gigabyte M32U (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
Competitive Gaming
4.5
5.0
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
7.1 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
14.0 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
N/A
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
350 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
The LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) and Gigabyte M32U (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming.
Media Consumption
6.7
7.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
5120 x 2880
1125:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1200:1
350 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
456 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Matte
COATING
Glossy
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) to be good for media consumption, while the Gigabyte M32U (IPS) is only fair.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Gigabyte M32U (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Gigabyte M32U (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Gigabyte M32U (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Gigabyte M32U (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Gigabyte M32U (IPS) and the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Gigabyte M32U (IPS) | LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$650 | $1,179 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 32" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 5120 x 2880 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 16 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1125:1 | 1200:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 350 nits | 500 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 456 nits | Unknown | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 99.8 % | 100 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 7.1 ms | 14 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 144 Hz | N/A | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | Yes | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 6.6/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7.9/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 140 PPI | 218 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Glossy | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 8/10 | 10/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8/10 | 10/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 2 | 0 | |
Micro HDMI Ports | |||
Micro HDMI Ports | 0 | 0 | |
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | |||
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Gigabyte M32U (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Matthew Murray | June 2022
"The Gigabyte M32U gaming monitor is almost a slam-dunk choice, considering everything you get as part of the package. Gigabyte goes for broke with things like its built-in KVM switch and GameAssist, and those come close to paying off. Add in the well-executed, more familiar offerings, and this is a monitor that deserves serious thought if you’re in the market for what it delivers."
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About the monitor team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Monitors Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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