With the Mobiuz EX3210U, BenQ seems to be throwing down the gauntlet. It is packed with too many features in an attempt to create a monitor that ostensibly does it all. On paper, this claim holds up: it features a 32-inch 4K IPS panel, 144 Hz refresh rate, 1 ms response time, compatibility with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync, DisplayHDR 600 certification, two HDMI 2.1 ports for next-generation consoles, a built-in 2.1 speaker system, a built-in microphone, excellent ergonomics, and, to top it all off, an RGB LED on the back to further show off the gaming system.
BenQ has been making gaming monitors for decades and is known for its fast panels, but with the MOBIUS series it is making a splash. However, not everything works as it should, but for the price and features, the EX3210U is a great gaming monitor and could easily be a fantastic choice for any setup if you are willing to overcome some of its minor flaws. The BenQ Mobiuz EX3210U is claimed to offer “the ultimate gaming experience.”
We didn’t get that far, but at least its mechanical heart is in the right place, having been tested with a variety of games and platforms. It is a bit expensive and not all games look great. However, the monitor can handle almost any type of content from any source with little effort. On the positive side, the BenQ Mobiuz EX3210U boasts an attractive design, with a small-bezel display and crisp white chassis.
Design
With heavy components and tight connections, the BenQ Mobiuz EX3210U is a bit difficult to install. Once installed, however, it makes a great centerpiece for a desk or small entertainment center. The 32-inch screen is virtually bezel-less and the bezel is a striking clean white, with optional colored LEDs on the back. The device’s sleek, almost minimalist design also supports some practical functions. You can move the screen up or down about four inches, tilt it 20 degrees forward and backward, and rotate it a total of 30 degrees.
However, the screen cannot be oriented vertically, which can be a hindrance for users interested in productivity. In terms of ports, the Mobius EX3210U is fairly well equipped, with two HDMI 2.1 ports, one DisplayPort, four USB-A ports, one USB-B port, and a 3.5 mm audio jack. The HDMI 2.1 ports are suitable for the latest generation of consoles, while the DisplayPort is suitable for gaming PCs. The lack of a USB-C port is a bit disappointing, but the rear ports are a bit hard to reach anyway, so perhaps it can be compensated for.
Features
The specifications of the BenQ EX3210U Mobiuz are jaw-dropping. The 32-inch IPS display has a native contrast ratio of 1000:1, a gray-to-grey reaction time of 2 ms, a maximum refresh rate of 144 Hz (DisplayPort) or 120 Hz (HDMI), a standard brightness of 300 nits and a maximum brightness of 600 nits with HDR.
This is a fantastic package with support for variable refresh rate (VRR), AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync, as well as 98 percent P3 coverage and 99 percent AdobeRGB. We are pleased to say that although the monitor’s brightness and color accuracy are good but not best-in-class, all these specifications translate into extremely good images when you start using it for work or pleasure.
Controls
There is also the remote control to consider, which is quite robust like these accessories. You can adjust volume and brightness, turn on HDR, bring up the menu, and play with brightness, among other things. The remote is also quite responsive, which was a nice change after the sluggishness of the Acer Predator CG437K’s remote.
Refresh Rate
BenQ supports a variable refresh rate range from 48 to 144 Hz (48 – 120 Hz via HDMI). This means that if the game is running between 48 and 144 fps, the monitor will adjust its refresh rate accordingly. When the frame rate exceeds 144 fps, the monitor remains at 144 Hz and the GPU respects the “VSync on” or “VSync off” option of the graphics driver. With “VSync on” the frame rate will not be able to increase beyond 144 fps, so VSync is enabled and imposes the usual delay penalty.
With “VSync off” the frame rate is free to rise as long as the GPU is able to increase it (possibly >144fps). AMD LFC (Low Framerate Compensation) is also supported by this model, which means that the refresh rate will remain at multiples of the frame rate when it falls below the 48Hz operating limit (48fps) for FreeSync; for example, the refresh rate will be 76Hz to help keep out tearing and stuttering. This mode is used independently of the VSync setting, so only above the maximum operating limit does the VSync setting make a difference.
Speaker Quality
The EX3210U’s 2.1 speaker system is one of the best we have heard on a gaming monitor, but even then it is not great. Most gaming monitors have poor speakers that barely produce volume, have no bass, and have so little sound as to be almost useless. BenQ, fortunately, has taken a different approach and partnered with tremolo to include a surprisingly capable range of speakers.
The speakers, powered by the built-in subwoofer on the back of the monitor, are capable of producing a wide, full sound that should be more than adequate for desktop use. The sound is broadly clear, with a decent focus on the mid and high frequencies. Bass is still rather weak, so don’t expect to use them to listen to your favorite audio tracks, but they do a good job for their capabilities and size.
BenQ does not offer the possibility to tune the speaker drivers with an equalizer, but there are some audio presets that are suitable for different scenarios. There are presets like FPS, Racing, Sports, Cinema, and Pop/Live that change depending on the audio output. We found most of these presets to be either too harsh or too bass-heavy, with the Cinema preset being the middle ground and the preset we recommend for overall performance.
Performance
As the benchmarks suggest, the BenQ Mobiuz EX3210U performs quite well, but some games appear better than others; we tested the machine with a number of PC and PS5 games, including Age of Empires IV, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Cyberpunk 2077, Doom Eternal, Final Fantasy XIV and Nioh Remastered. Some of these games looked better with standard settings, others with HDR. But all ran with smooth frame rates and played well overall.
On the PC side, Doom Eternal was one of the biggest disappointments. Although we managed to run it at a respectable 85 fps at 4K resolution, the HDR mode made the game incredibly dark, making the colors look drab. Cyberpunk 2077, on the other hand, was bright and watchable in Standard mode at 35 fps, but the blues looked a bit washed out. Final Fantasy XIV was simply gorgeous, especially the bright yellows on my character’s uniform, and Age of Empires IV also featured rich blues and greens on my villagers’ clothes and nearby forests, respectively.
Even on PS5, performance varies significantly depending on the game. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla appeared dark and only slightly colored, but details were sharp. Nioh Remastered, on the other hand, looked great, with the grays of the mountain levels rendered with nuance and detail; we were also able to run the game in 120 fps mode thanks to the monitor’s HDMI 2.1 ports.
Conclusion
Considering that the BenQ Mobiuz EX3210U costs $1,100, it is probably fair to expect a slightly more substantial display, somewhat better speakers, and a little less redundant lighting. However, when running at full speed, the Mobius EX3210U looks pretty good, showing challenging games with rich colors and smooth frame rates.
With a 4K resolution and 144 Hz refresh rate, it is best paired with faster gaming consoles to take full advantage of both features. The relatively large screen offers advantages in terms of “desktop real estate” while providing an immersive entertainment experience. The display makes some rather bold aesthetic choices, with an orange or coral red stripe visible on the long legs of the stand base.
