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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for a larger screen and superior gaming performance, including a high refresh rate and variable refresh rate support, the LG 32GQ850 is a strong choice. However, if you prioritize higher resolution for sharper images, top-notch text clarity, and better color accuracy for tasks like digital photo editing, despite a lower refresh rate and smaller screen size, the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL excels. The UltraFine also has a higher price. Therefore, for competitive gaming and budget-friendliness, go with the 32GQ850; for professional photo editing and crisp text, the UltraFine 5K is better, albeit at a higher cost. 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 LG 32GQ850 (IPS)
- Very good refresh rate
- Good response time
Advantages of the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS)
- Very good for productivity
- Good for media consumption
- Best in class text clarity
- Best in class image clarity
- Good brightness
Key differences
Productivity
5.0
8.7
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
5120 x 2880
93 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
218 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Glossy
The LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) is very good for productivity, while the LG 32GQ850 (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
5.3
7.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
5120 x 2880
1000:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1200:1
150 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
600 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Matte
COATING
Glossy
The LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) is good for media consumption, while the LG 32GQ850 (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$718
$1,179
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The LG 32GQ850 (IPS) has a price of $718 and the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) costs $1,179.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
No
The LG 32GQ850 (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing while the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.8
6.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
5120 x 2880
260Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1000:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1200:1
150 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
600 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
98.0 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
99.0 %
Matte
COATING
Glossy
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) to be only fair for casual gaming, while the LG 32GQ850 (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
5.2
5.0
260Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
8.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
14.0 ms
48 - 260 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
N/A
No
STROBING / BFI
No
150 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
The LG 32GQ850 (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the LG 32GQ850 (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the LG 32GQ850 (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the LG 32GQ850 (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the LG 32GQ850 (IPS) and the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| LG 32GQ850 (IPS) | LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$718 | $1,179 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 32" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 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 | 1000:1 | 1200:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 150 nits | 500 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 600 nits | Unknown | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 135 % | 100 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 8 ms | 14 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 48 - 260 Hz | N/A | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8.3/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7.6/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 93 PPI | 218 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Glossy | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.3/10 | 10/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 6.3/10 | 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 | 1 | 0 | |
Micro HDMI Ports | |||
Micro HDMI Ports | 0 | 0 | |
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | |||
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
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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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