BenQ's DesignVue PD3226G 144 Hz Gaming Monitor Review: Pro-grade 4K Display Offering Smooth Gaming Performance
Swipe Through our Detailed Monitor Test Reports: Check out PC Monitor Testing Demystified: An In-depth Look at BenQ PD3226G's Display Performance.
Get the Scoop on Brightness and Contrast Testing here**on Page Two.
Straight Outta the Box – Maximum Backlight Level
The BenQ PD3226G pushes its edge backlight to hit a peak of 458 nits in SDR mode, but you'll need to switch to one of the user modes for this performance. The preset modes max out around 260 nits due to uniformity compensation. Sadly, the backlight control option (field dimming) is restricted to HDR content, so 990:1 is the best you can manage for SDR.
Once Fine-Tuned to 200 nits
Calibration only knocks off a few points in the contrast test, and since gamma is almost spot-on, depth perception is high. Although a ratio of 1,200 or 1,300:1 would be divine, the PD3226G makes the most of its capabilities with pinpoint gamma tracking.
On the ANSI test, the PD3226G finds itself in the middle of the pack, lagging slightly behind other monitors except for BenQ's own EX321UX, which features a Mini LED backlight.
In a Nutshell: The PD3226G sports just average contrast but high brightness and excellent gamma. This translates to a better picture than you'd expect considering the 1,000:1 ratio. There's room for improvement here, but with its robust color reproduction and solid video processing, this is one cracking monitor for both static and moving visuals.
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Insights from the Enrichment Data:
- The PD3226G monitor shines in terms of contrast, brightness, and gamma, especially for an IPS panel and considering its positioning as a high-quality design and gaming monitor.
- Its static contrast ratio is around 1000:1 in SDR mode, which is typical for IPS panels but not exceptional. However, its HDR contrast improves significantly to around 5,000:1 thanks to local dimming (576 dimming zones), which enhances the dynamic range and image sharpness.
- The SDR contrast of the PD3226G is lower when compared to premium monitors like the Dell UltraSharp U2725QE, which offers a native contrast ratio around 2,000:1 to 3,000:1. However, its HDR contrast is superior.
- Premium monitors such as the ASUS ProArt PA32UCX-PK use mini-LED backlighting with thousands of dimming zones and achieve much higher peak brightness and superior contrast (up to 7 times improved in dark areas), but these are positioned as professional-grade with higher cost and niche use cases.
Discover how the PD32226G leverages technology to optimize brightness, with its setup pushing a maximum of 458 nits in SDR mode, and an achievable 200 nits with user mode adjustments. Explore the realm of gadgets and technology as we delve into the performance of gadgets like the PD3226G, showcasing impressive gamma tracking and robust color reproduction.
