Asus ProArt PA32UCDM assessment: A 4K OLED monitor for inventive execs

There’s no scarcity of 32-inch 4K QD-OLED displays obtainable proper now, and all of them are wonderful for motion pictures, video games, and normal use. However what about inventive professionals? Although any QD-OLED can do the job, many such shows lack the design and have set skilled consumers desire. The Asus ProArt PA32UCDM fills that hole.

Learn on to be taught extra, then see our roundup of one of the best 4K displays for comparability.

Asus ProArt PA32UCDM specs and options

The Asus ProArt PA32UCDM’s spec sheet seems to be nice, if a bit boring. It’s a 32-inch 4K QD-OLED monitor with 3840×2160 decision, a 10-bit QD-OLED panel, and a most refresh charge of 240Hz. It additionally helps Adaptive Sync and is VESA DisplayHDR 400 True Black licensed. These specs are roughly equivalent to different 32-inch 4K QD-OLED displays, just like the HP Omen Transcend 32 and MSI MPG 32URXW.

• Show measurement: 32-inch 16:9 facet ratio
• Native decision: 3840×2160
• Panel sort: 10-bit QD-OLED
• Refresh charge: 240Hz
• Adaptive sync: Sure, Adaptive Sync with VRR
• HDR: VESA DisplayHDR 400 True Black Licensed
• Ports: 1x Thunderbolt 4-in port, 1x Thunderbolt 4-out (for Daisy Chain), 1x HDMI 2.1 port, 1x USB-C with as much as 96 watts of Energy Supply, 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2
• Extra options: Ambient gentle sensor
• Audio: 2x 3-watt audio system
• Guarantee: 3-year guarantee
• Value: $1899.99 MSRP

The ProArt stands aside because of its connectivity, although not totally in a great way.

It has a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports, one for Thunderbolt 4-in and a second for Thunderbolt 4-out (for use to daisy chain to a second monitor). That is uncommon for any monitor, and particularly uncommon for OLED. The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 hints on the monitor’s skilled intent however, as I’ll talk about, additionally results in the omission of ports many consumers will count on.

Asus ProArt PA32UCDM design

The Asus ProArt PA32UCDM is a part of the ProArt line-up, clearly, however it doesn’t appear like the ProArt gadgets you’ve more than likely laid eyes on earlier than. It ditches the easy black and charcoal look of extra reasonably priced ProArt displays for a chic, trendy silver look.

And it’s not only a look. The ProArt makes in depth use of metallic throughout each the show panel and the stand. This helps the monitor provide a modern profile whereas delivering a strong really feel that only a few rivals can match. Of all that I’ve examined not too long ago, Samsung’s Odyssey OLED G8 is the one one which’s equally enticing.

Seems apart, the monitor’s design is purposeful. The stand ergonomically adjusts for peak, tilt, swivel, and pivot. It additionally has an especially slender base, which minimizes the monitor’s footprint on a desk. As with most displays, a 100mm x 100mm VESA mount is offered for connecting the ProArt to third-party monitor arms and stands.

Asus ProArt PA32UCDM connectivity

The Asus ProArt PA32UCDM leans closely on Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C. Maybe too closely.

First, about these Thunderbolt ports. There’s two, however they’re not equal. One is the first Thunderbolt port with assist for USB-C, DisplayPort, and Energy Supply. The second is a Thunderbolt-out port supposed for daisy-chain connections to a second monitor. Which means you possibly can plug a laptop computer into the ProArt over Thunderbolt, then plug a second monitor into the ProArt.

Nevertheless, the ProArt in any other case doesn’t provide a lot alternative to faucet into Thunderbolt 4’s bandwidth. It has simply two downstream USB ports (one USB-C and one USB-A) and lacks an Ethernet jack or audio-out connection. Although it may well technically perform as a Thunderbolt hub, the ProArt’s restricted vary of downstream connectivity is a giant draw back.

Thunderbolt 4 apart, the monitor has only one extra show enter: HDMI 2.1. Sure, which means DisplayPort is absent, and simply two video inputs can be found. I discover that call bizarre, as DisplayPort is probably the most common video output for desktop video playing cards.

In abstract, connectivity is the ProArt’s most vital weak spot, and one which I discover shocking. I count on consumers will evaluate the ProArt to different high-end 32-inch 4K shows, such because the Dell UltraSharp U3225QE and BenQ PD3226G. The Asus has far fewer ports than both. Even the HP Omen Transcend 32 has superior connectivity, and it’s a whole bunch of {dollars} inexpensive.

Asus ProArt PA32UCDM menus and options

A joystick management tucked simply behind the Asus ProArt PA32UCDM’s backside bezel gives fast, responsive entry to the on-screen controls. I additionally just like the menu system. It’s simple to navigate and has a bigger font measurement than many rivals.

Alternatively, most monitor options could be modified with Asus’ DisplayWidget app, obtainable for Home windows 11/10 and MacOS. It’s no murals, however it goes a bit past the naked requirements. For instance, DisplayWidget mechanically adjustments the look of the UI to match the branding of the Asus monitor you personal.

Both method, you’re prone to spend a bit extra time within the menu than with different displays, as a result of the ProArt has a truckload of options. We’re speaking 15 SDR presets (together with sRGB, DCI-P3, AdobeRGB, BT.2020, DICOM, and Rec.709) plus 5 HDR modes (together with Dolby Imaginative and prescient). You’ll additionally discover shade temperature and gamma changes that focus on exact values and six-axis shade calibration. Asus has its personal calibration software program to assist customers fine-tune the monitor.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Different monitor options embrace picture-by-picture and picture-in-picture modes, an on-screen ruler to assist measure the dimensions of objects on the display, and a uniform brightness mode that limits the general brightness of the show to realize higher luminance uniformity.

The monitor has an ambient gentle sensor that serves two capabilities. First, it may well sync the brightness and shade temperature of the show to suit your atmosphere, which helps the monitor present a constant picture high quality expertise. Second, it may well dim the show whenever you transfer away from it to avoid wasting energy and cut back the chance of OLED burn-in. I believe ambient gentle sensors are an underrated characteristic that enhance day-to-day ease of use, so I’m glad to see one right here. 

Audio system are included, too, although they don’t impress. The audio system present sufficient quantity to fill a small workplace with tunes, however the audio is skinny and might grow to be distorted when it makes an attempt to ship bass. 

Asus ProArt PA32UCDM SDR picture high quality

The Asus ProArt PA32UCDM is all about picture high quality. Sure, each monitor is best if it seems to be good, however an costly monitor just like the ProArt should look wonderful. If it doesn’t, then it doesn’t serve its function (or justify its worth).

Matthew Smith / Foundry

We begin off with brightness, the place the ProArt reached a wonderful peak SDR brightness of 294 nits. That’s not as excessive as IPS-LCD displays, which might exceed 400 nits, however it’s very vivid for SDR on an OLED monitor. It’s additionally way over ample for its supposed function.

A show just like the ProArt is greatest utilized in a room with gentle management, through which case the brightness is related. However when you do wish to work along with your shades drawn again, properly, the ProArt will look extra vivid than most 32-inch QD-OLED shows.

Word, although, that the ProArt has a shiny end. It is best to count on to see reflections when viewing darkish photos in a brightly lit room.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

OLED panels can attain a minimal luminance of zero nits and might achieve this per-pixel. That interprets to an unimaginable sense of depth and immersion, in addition to deep and inky black ranges in darker scenes. Moody motion pictures and video games, like Resident Evil 2 Remake or The Batman, look excellent on an OLED show just like the ProArt.

All OLED shows do properly right here, so the ProArt has no benefit (or drawback) towards QD-OLED alternate options. Nevertheless, because the graph exhibits, it comes out method forward of IPS-LCD shows just like the Dell Ultrasharp U3225QE.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Shade gamut testing seems to be on the vary of shade a monitor can show. The ProArt does properly right here, with protection of 100% of sRGB, 97 % of DCI-P3, and 94 % of AdobeRGB.

It is a very broad shade gamut that’s properly suited to skilled inventive work, however it’s not outstanding for a monitor on this class. That feels nearly weird to say, as a result of a shade gamut this huge was exhausting to come back by simply 5 years in the past. However, because the graph exhibits, most high-end displays bought in 2025 provide a really huge shade gamut.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

The huge shade gamut is supported by wonderful shade accuracy. Most OLEDs do slightly properly right here, however the ProArt is on the prime of its class. It gives an extremely lifelike, lifelike picture on par with one of the best monitor bought immediately.

Picture accuracy is additional supported by the ProArt’s gamma curve of two.2. That’s proper heading in the right direction, and it means content material seen on the monitor seems to be simply as vivid because it ought to, preserving good element in each vivid highlights and shadows. The colour temperature got here in at 6400K, only a hair south of the goal of 6500K. I discovered the variance exhausting to discern.

Sharpness is nice, as properly, because of the monitor’s native decision of 3840×2160. That works out to be about 143 pixels per inch (ppi) throughout the 31.5-inch panel. By comparability, a typical 27-inch 4K monitor packs 163 pixels per inch, whereas a 27-inch 1080p monitor has simply 81 pixels per inch.

General, the Asus ProArt PA32UCDM’s SDR picture high quality doesn’t disappoint. Though it’s like different QD-OLED displays, it does have a number of small benefits when in comparison with different, inexpensive shows. The ProArt’s out-of-box shade is extra correct than normal, its gamma and shade temperature outcomes are near perfect, and it gives a broad vary of picture high quality changes for additional calibration.

These benefits received’t matter a lot when watching YouTube or enjoying PC video games, however they make the ProArt a superior decide for many who need an OLED show for inventive work like digital artwork, images, and video enhancing.

Asus ProArt PA32UCDM HDR picture high quality

The Asus ProArt PA32UCDM is VESA DisplayHDR 400 True Black licensed, which is the extent of certification most QD-OLED displays obtain. Nevertheless, it may well grow to be slightly vivid when small parts of the show are lit.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

I measured a most sustained brightness of 896 nits in a ten % window, which means 10 % of the show’s space was lit. That’s a powerful end result, although, because the graph exhibits, it’s typical for the most recent QD-OLED shows.

In the actual world, I used to be impressed by the ProArt HDR. It delivered daring, but correct shade and offered eye-searing HDR highlights. OLED was once fairly noticeably behind Mini-LED in HDR, however the newest OLEDs have closed that hole (and the shortage of fine Mini-LED displays doesn’t assist that know-how’s case).

The ProArt additionally gives an unusually wide selection of HDR presets, which embrace presets for HDR BT.2020 and HDR Dolby Imaginative and prescient, amongst others. These additionally present a number of clipping modes which change how luminance is dealt with in HDR. General, the ProArt’s vary of HDR adjustment is far wider than typical, and people who plan to work professionally with HDR content material may have these modes to examine the accuracy and consistency of HDR video and pictures.

Asus ProArt PA32UCDM movement efficiency

Though clearly not focused at players, the Asus ProArt PA32UCDM can hit a refresh charge of as much as 240Hz. It additionally has Adaptive Sync assist. Which means it ought to work with AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync, and I used to be ready to make use of FreeSync with the monitor linked to my AMD Radeon 7800 XT video card. Nevertheless, this isn’t official, so it’s doable (although not very probably) you’ll run into edge instances the place FreeSync or G-Sync don’t work as anticipated.

In fact, a 240Hz refresh charge with Adaptive Sync helps the monitor present nice movement readability, and the ProArt seems to be as crisp in movement as QD-OLED alternate options marketed in the direction of players. That’s excellent news if you need one monitor that’s nice for work and play.

The improved refresh charge can be related for work. Quick-moving textual content and pictures stay legible, so it’s doable to learn textual content when scrolling by a doc or shortly determine a picture whereas quickly transferring by previews or thumbnails. This profit isn’t usually mentioned, however it’s a noticeable benefit over a 60Hz and even 120Hz competitor, just like the Dell Ultrasharp U3225QE.

It has a fan

It is a minor level, however one value figuring out before you purchase. The Asus ProArt PA32UCDM has a fan, and you’ll hear it when you’re utilizing the monitor in a quiet room. It’s not very loud, and the fan noise wasn’t grating, however it was noticeable.

Do you have to purchase the Asus ProArt PA32UCDM?

The Asus ProArt PA32UCDM is a good selection if you need a QD-OLED monitor for inventive skilled work. The PA32UCDM gives excellent picture high quality, enticing but purposeful design, and a variety of picture high quality choices.

Sadly, the monitor may gain advantage from extra connectivity (together with extra USB-A and a DisplayPort enter). Rivals just like the Dell UltraSharp U3225QE and BenQ PD3226G don’t match the PA32UCDM’s picture high quality, however they provide quite a few additional ports. The ProArt’s lack of ports means some homeowners will nonetheless want a Thunderbolt or USB-C hub, which is a tall order, as a result of the ProArt is already costlier than its friends.

That does restrict the ProArt’s enchantment. Not like the Dell U3225QE, which is nice for a broad vary of white-collar workplace work and any residence workplace setup, the ProArt is laser-focused on inventive professionals, and particularly those that need to work in HDR. If that’s you, although, the ProArt is a go-to decide.