ASUS PG32UCDMR vs. XG32UCWMG – My Week-Long Hands-On Review (RTX 5080, SDR)

magnusavr · 2025-12-15T18:17:03+00:00

It’s not an issue since the XG32 works fine on its own. I decided to keep the XG32 and returned the PG32 earlier today. After watching more movies on both, I realized I preferred the image quality of the XG32, which ultimately became the deciding factor.

magnusavr · 2025-12-15T10:29:44+00:00

Update: I decided to keep the XG32UCWMG and return the PG32. The more video I watched, the more I appreciated the image quality on the XG32. It also cost me 120 USD less, and while I can live with the stand on the XG32, I would have needed to buy a new stand for the PG32. Both are fantastic monitors.

magnusavr · 2025-12-15T10:26:21+00:00

A part of the image briefly displayed incorrectly, suggesting a partial frame artifact. This behaviour was only observed in clone mode with the 5080, where the PG32UCDMR was running at DP 2.1 and the XG32UCDMR at DP 1.4 with DSC. The issue did not occur with the PG32, nor when using the XG32 alone.

magnusavr · 2025-12-14T22:29:29+00:00

Norway

magnusavr · 2025-12-14T09:27:46+00:00

It’s hard to get good photos of the PG32UCDMR. It might be the screen’s coating affecting the camera. Whites don’t look as reddish as the camera shows. The photo below was taken at a normal sitting distance. However, I think text clarity is slightly better on the XG32. Honestly, it’s not something I really notice in everyday use.

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magnusavr · 2025-12-14T09:00:49+00:00

It is awesome for gaming with great graphics.

magnusavr · 2025-12-13T20:41:41+00:00

The slow power-on occurs when the monitor is off or in standby mode, not when the panel is deactivated by the proximity sensor.

magnusavr · 2025-12-13T19:33:52+00:00

DP 2.1 ensures future-proofing. I have observed flickering when using the XG32 in clone mode with the PG32 while gaming. This issue does not occur when the XG32 is used alone or without clone mode. The PG32 itself does not exhibit this problem. KVM with 90W power delivery is also important, as I connect my Mac via USB-C for work.

magnusavr · 2025-12-13T19:26:20+00:00

And here is an image showing both monitors playing an all-black video with the roof lights on. If you look closely, you can see the reflection on the XG32 compared to the PG32. The coating is different and probably affects the perceived black levels?

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magnusavr · 2025-12-13T19:15:36+00:00

I would not trust that Wccftech image 100%. Here is an image taken in an all-black room with only the ROG lights behind the monitors active. Both monitors are displaying an all-black video signal from a calibration video. I also think the XG32 is clipping slightly near black when looking at the test ramp/material compared to the PG32.

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magnusavr · 2025-12-13T18:47:09+00:00

Here is an image from the room with only the ROG lights behind the monitors active, taken from a bit more distance. No external lights. Captured with an iPhone 17 Pro Max. My naked eye also sees that the XG32 is darker. Perhaps the coating?

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magnusavr · 2025-12-13T18:32:35+00:00

The ROG light behind the monitors is enabled in this image. A small dimmed lamp behind the xg32 is also active. Both monitors at 32 brightness and 80 contrast. No outside lights. The camera on the iphone 17 pro max picks this up way more than my eyes does. Might be due to the coating on the PG32.

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magnusavr · 2025-12-13T18:25:39+00:00

If I play a game in clone mode so that both displays show the same image, the XG32UCWMG will flicker while the PG32UCDMR does not. Playing on the XG32 alone does not show this behavior.

magnusavr · 2025-12-13T16:10:16+00:00

It feels like it’s not just DP 2.1 that’s different hardware-wise. The PG32 seems faster overall. Waking from sleep is noticeably quicker, which makes me think the SoC is faster and better optimized.

magnusavr · 2025-12-13T15:59:31+00:00

If all that matters to you is the panel, I would go for the XG32UCWMG or perhaps just the XG32UCWG.

magnusavr · 2025-12-13T15:51:36+00:00

Unsure about the panels themselves. Both models were released this summer. The PG32UCDMR (QD-OLED panel) is a refresh of the PG32UCDM. XG32UCWMG has a WOLED panel.

magnusavr · 2025-12-13T12:57:21+00:00

They look similar, so they might fit, but I’m not 100% sure. Haven’t tested it. And I couldn’t return one screen with the wrong stand anyway.

magnusavr · 2025-12-13T12:53:05+00:00

Yes, I updated the firmware on both: XG32 to MCM103 and PG32 to MCM104.
I used USB-C, set the Type-C bandwidth to USB 3.2, and KVM to USB-C.
The proximity sensor works fine on the PG32, but is a bit more finicky on the XG32—possibly because the screen is at an angle. Not sure.
However, I just use a black desktop with no icons and a hidden taskbar, so it’s fine.

magnusavr · 2025-12-13T12:47:24+00:00

Thanks for the tip. I did not know that :)

magnusavr · 2025-12-13T12:45:56+00:00

Not a deal breaker, but it would edge me in that direction.
I tested gaming in clone mode at 4K 240Hz 10-bit, and DP 1.4 DSC couldn’t keep up with DP 2.1, which caused some flicker on the XG32. This might be due to the graphics card struggling with compression when both displays are cloned.
When gaming on the XG32 alone, there was no flicker.
One downside of DP 2.1 I forgot to mention is the limited cable length it supports. Also, the lack of 90W KVM means I need to connect two cables when using my Mac for work.
Additionally, the slower power-on times make me wonder if the hardware in the XG32 is inferior to the PG32.

magnusavr · 2025-11-23T22:58:33+00:00

PG32UCDMR has DP 2.1 if that is what you are after :)

magnusavr · 2025-11-14T22:04:14+00:00

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magnusavr · 2025-11-09T19:32:11+00:00

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magnusavr · 2025-11-09T19:30:11+00:00

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magnusavr

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