The catch
MSI MPG 32-inch 4K QD-OLED Gaming Monitor
Lamps and windows show up in the glossy panel more than they do on matte gaming screens.
Side by side
MSI 321URX vs ASUS PG32UCDM: MSI gives back 32 mm of desk depth and still has 4K240, charging and KVM
Quick verdict
ASUS is the pick if Dolby Vision, optical audio or a faster USB hub matters to you. MSI takes 32 mm less desk depth and gives you 30 mm more height adjustment. 4K 240Hz gaming, 90-watt laptop charging and KVM switching come with both.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
About 12% less desk depth is needed with MSI
MSI is 32 mm shallower on the supplied stands. That leaves about 1.26 inches more space between the front of the stand and your keyboard on a narrow desk.
Where this comes from
Subtract 242 from 274 and you get 32 mm. Measured against ASUS, 32 divided by 274 is 11.7%. Monitor arms and cable clearance behind the display are left out of this comparison.
The catch
ASUS ROG Swift OLED 32-inch 4K Gaming Monitor
Part of the premium price pays for desk features a single gaming PC may never touch.
MSI MPG 32-inch 4K QD-OLED Gaming Monitor
- Why pick it
- The supplied stand needs to be shallower to fit your desk
- You can use extra height and swivel adjustment
- The catch
- Lamps and windows show up in the glossy panel more than they do on matte gaming screens.
ASUS ROG Swift OLED 32-inch 4K Gaming Monitor
- Why pick it
- Your content is Dolby Vision compatible
- You can use a faster three-port USB hub
- The catch
- Part of the premium price pays for desk features a single gaming PC may never touch.
We may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. How we make money
What this page compares
See how MSI 321URX and ASUS PG32UCDM compare on desk depth, USB speed, Dolby Vision, optical audio and use with two computers.
Begin with what is already on your desk. ASUS brings audio and USB options, and MSI’s supplied stand has more room to move and takes less desk depth.
Day to day
How each one fits your routine
An editing SSD affects which USB-C mode you should plan on
When an external editing drive stays in the monitor hub, ASUS’s USB 3.2 route suits it better than MSI’s USB 2.0 hub. Its manual does limit the USB 3.2 Type-C bandwidth setting to 4K 144Hz with DSC, though. Choose ASUS if that work-mode trade-off is acceptable. Choose MSI if the drive connects directly to the computer and its hub only has to handle controls.
Where this comes from
USB 2.0 downstream ports are listed for MPG 321URX. PG32UCDM documents USB 3.2 and the stated Type-C video limit. Neither port rating predicts the editing throughput you will get.
On ASUS, the 90W selection limits the brightness control as well
If a laptop needs 90W, PG32UCDM’s charging setting becomes part of the picture setup. According to the manual, choosing 90W limits the maximum brightness setting to 65. Choose that arrangement if it suits the room, or keep a separate laptop charger if you need the unrestricted setting range. MSI still needs its own source and charging check, so this ASUS limitation does not establish a measured brightness winner.
Where this comes from
Charging choices of 65W and 90W appear in the ASUS manual, which links 90W to maximum brightness setting 65. That is a control value and not 65 nits or a measured luminance reduction.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Games in 4K at up to 240Hz
Each has a flat 31.5-inch 4K QD-OLED panel running at up to 240Hz. Producing the frames is still up to your computer.
- MSI MPG 32-inch 4K QD-OLED Gaming Monitor
- Similar
- ASUS ROG Swift OLED 32-inch 4K Gaming Monitor
- Similar
Keep extra room clear in front of the stand
ASUS needs 274 mm of depth, while the supplied MSI stand needs 242 mm.
- MSI MPG 32-inch 4K QD-OLED Gaming Monitor
- Better fit
- ASUS ROG Swift OLED 32-inch 4K Gaming Monitor
- Good
Use the monitor to connect fast USB storage
The hub on ASUS is USB 3.2 Gen 1. MSI uses USB 2.0, which is adequate for a keyboard and mouse but holds back faster peripherals.
- MSI MPG 32-inch 4K QD-OLED Gaming Monitor
- Caution
- ASUS ROG Swift OLED 32-inch 4K Gaming Monitor
- Better fit
Hook up a speaker system with optical input
MSI does not list an optical S/PDIF output, but ASUS does.
- MSI MPG 32-inch 4K QD-OLED Gaming Monitor
- Not suitable
- ASUS ROG Swift OLED 32-inch 4K Gaming Monitor
- Better fit
Play Dolby Vision content that is compatible
With current firmware, ASUS supports Dolby Vision. The source device and playback path need to support it too, so confirm that.
- MSI MPG 32-inch 4K QD-OLED Gaming Monitor
- Not suitable
- ASUS ROG Swift OLED 32-inch 4K Gaming Monitor
- Better fit
Charge a laptop and switch between two computers
KVM switching and up to 90 watts of USB-C power come with both. See whether 90 watts covers your laptop under load.
- MSI MPG 32-inch 4K QD-OLED Gaming Monitor
- Good
- ASUS ROG Swift OLED 32-inch 4K Gaming Monitor
- Good
In practice
Differences you will notice
About 12% less desk depth is needed with MSI
MSI is 32 mm shallower on the supplied stands. That leaves about 1.26 inches more space between the front of the stand and your keyboard on a narrow desk.
How we worked this out
Subtract 242 from 274 and you get 32 mm. Measured against ASUS, 32 divided by 274 is 11.7%. Monitor arms and cable clearance behind the display are left out of this comparison.
Before buying an arm, MSI gives you more adjustment
Its 110 mm height range travels 30 mm more than ASUS. It also swivels 30 degrees each way, compared with 15 degrees. That helps when desk height or a shared viewing position makes the supplied stand matter.
How we worked this out
Manufacturer stand adjustment ranges are what the calculation uses. The absolute top or bottom screen height is not inferred from them.
A keyboard and mouse take up all the MSI USB-A ports
Once those two peripherals are plugged in, MSI has no USB-A port left over. ASUS keeps one free, and its USB 3.2 Gen 1 hub suits an external SSD or other faster device better.
How we worked this out
ASUS lists three USB-A ports and MSI lists two. The remaining-port calculation assumes each peripheral takes one USB-A port.
It is a tie on ninety-watt laptop charging
The advertised USB-C charging power stays the same if you move to ASUS. If your laptop needs more than 90 watts under load, plan on its own charger with either monitor.
How we worked this out
USB-C power delivery up to 90 watts is listed in both official specification tables. That is a power limit and not a claim about every laptop connection mode.
Option A
MSI, MPG 321URX QD-OLED
MPG 32-inch 4K QD-OLED Gaming Monitor
Built for a mixed gaming desk, this MSI has a 240Hz 4K QD-OLED panel, USB-C charging, a KVM and a compact stand.
- Best for
- The supplied stand needs to be shallower to fit your desk
Facts we checked
- Depth with supplied stand: 242 mm
- Height adjustment: 110 mm
- Swivel each way: 30 degrees
- USB-A hub: Two USB 2.0 ports
Option B
ASUS, PG32UCDM
ROG Swift OLED 32-inch 4K Gaming Monitor
This flat 4K QD-OLED handles 240Hz gaming and brings a 90-watt USB-C port and a KVM, suiting a high-end desk for mixed PC use.
- Best for
- Your content is Dolby Vision compatible
Facts we checked
- Depth with supplied stand: 274 mm
- Height adjustment: 80 mm
- Swivel each way: 15 degrees
- USB-A hub: Three USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | MSI MPG 32-inch 4K QD-OLED Gaming Monitor | ASUS ROG Swift OLED 32-inch 4K Gaming Monitor | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depth with supplied stand | 242 mm | 274 mm | With MSI, 32 mm more desk depth is left for your keyboard and hands. |
| Height adjustment | 110 mm | 80 mm | MSI offers a further 30 mm of vertical adjustment before an arm is needed. |
| Swivel each way | 30 degrees | 15 degrees | MSI turns farther when you face a second chair or desk position. |
| USB-A hub | Two USB 2.0 ports | Three USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports | A further peripheral port and a faster data connection come with ASUS. |
| Optical audio | No optical output listed | Optical S/PDIF output | No separate extractor is needed to connect ASUS to compatible older audio equipment. |
| HDR formats | HDR10 | HDR10 and Dolby Vision | Dolby Vision is only worth something with a compatible source and content. |
| Laptop charging and switching | Up to 90W USB-C and KVM | Up to 90W USB-C and KVM | Choosing one over the other cannot be justified by these shared desk features. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With MSI MPG 32-inch 4K QD-OLED Gaming Monitor
- When panel care comes due, OLED protection routines may cut into a long session.
With ASUS ROG Swift OLED 32-inch 4K Gaming Monitor
- Keep direct reflections in the room under control, because the glossy QD-OLED panel looks best that way.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the computer monitors we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSI MPG 32-inch 4K QD-OLED Gaming Monitor |
|
|
|
| ASUS ROG Swift OLED 32-inch 4K Gaming Monitor |
|
|
|
Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
MSI MPG 32-inch 4K QD-OLED Gaming Monitor
The supplied stand needs to be shallower to fit your desk
See price & reviews on AmazonASUS ROG Swift OLED 32-inch 4K Gaming Monitor
Your content is Dolby Vision compatible
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
We may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. How we make money