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Asus ProArt PA32KCX 32-inch 8K professional monitor review: A reference for color, pixel density, and brightness

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The Asus ProArt PA32KCX is an investment for sure, but there is nothing else that delivers such high degrees of color accuracy, image quality, and flexibility. With multiple calibration options and support for every color format, it is a comprehensive tool for creative professionals.

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When new display technologies and standards appear, they’re usually first available to professionals. Pro monitors are often engineered and built with price as a secondary consideration, and as such, they can be costly. But when you consider that the measuring equipment used to test and maintain them is even more expensive, the math makes more sense.

What makes a monitor professional? Color accuracy is certainly a top priority, but I’ve tested many inexpensive gaming screens that deliver reference-level numbers. The big thing you get for that extra money is flexibility and options. Asus ProArt displays are perfect examples of this modus operandi. Many of them have auto-calibration from a built-in meter, along with OSD options, control software, and even connections to third-party apps like Portrait Displays’ Calman and Light Illusion ColourSpace.

The PA32KCX is Asus’ latest addition to the ProArt line, and it delivers something rare: 8K resolution. It’s an IPS panel with 7680x4320 pixels, a Mini-LED backlight with 4,032 dimming zones, Quantum Dot color, HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision, 1,200 nits peak brightness, and support for every color standard currently in use. Let’s take a look.

Asus ProArt PA32KCX Specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally Panel Type / Backlight IPS / Mini LED Row 1 - Cell 0 4,032 dimming zones Screen Size / Aspect Ratio 32 inches / 16:9 Max Resolution and Refresh Rate 7680x4320 @ 60 Hz Row 4 - Cell 0 FreeSync and G-Sync Compatible Native Color Depth and Gamut 10-bit / DCI-P3+ Row 6 - Cell 0 VESA DisplayHDR 1000 Row 7 - Cell 0 HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision Response Time (GTG) 5ms Brightness (mfr) 1,000 nits full field Row 10 - Cell 0 1,200 nits peak Contrast (mfr) 1,000:1 Speakers 2x 3w Video Inputs 1x DisplayPort 2.1 Row 14 - Cell 0 2x HDMI 2.1, 2x Thunderbolt 4 Audio 3.5mm headphone output USB 3.2 3x type A, 2x type C Row 17 - Cell 0 Power output: 96w Power Consumption 89.3w, brightness @ 200 nits Panel Dimensions WxHxD w/base 28.6 x 19.5-23.5 x 9.7 inches (726 x 495-597 x 229mm) Panel Thickness 3.5 inches (89mm) Bezel Width Top/sides: 0.3 inch (8mm) Row 22 - Cell 0 Bottom: 0.75 inch (19mm) Weight 31.1 pounds (14.1kg) Warranty 3 years

The PA32KCX is an everything-and-the-kitchen-sink display aimed squarely at creative professionals. Its image modes are based on color standards, and you get them all here – P3 cinema and display, sRGB, Adobe RGB, BT.709, BT.2020, DICOM, and every flavor of HDR – HDR10, Hybrid Log Gamma, and Dolby Vision. Ok, there’s one omission, HDR10+. All modes can be calibrated independently, and you can create up to three custom configurations.

Calibration options are many. You can do it the old-school way in the OSD with a meter and software. Or you can let Calman do it automatically using a special workflow included with Calman Ultimate. It also interfaces with Light Illusion ColourSpace software. And there’s Asus’ Display Widget center, which lets you control the OSD from the Windows desktop. And there’s built-in auto-calibration using a little robotic color meter that flips up from beneath the screen. Flexibility? The PA32KCX has it in spades.

The big star is resolution. 7680x4320 means over 33 million pixels and a density of 275ppi. Pixel pitch is an incredibly fine 0.092mm. You cannot see the pixel matrix, no matter how closely you look. The maximum refresh rate is 60 Hz, with overdrive and Adaptive-Sync available.

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