Samsung CHG70 FreeSync 2 Monitor Review: 32 Curved Inches Of Smooth HDR Gaming

Ask a group of gamers or hardcore PC enthusiasts what they want in a monitor and you’ll likely get a few common answers. High resolutions and refresh rates, adequate size, wide viewing angles, thin bezels, and a fully adjustable stand will likely be on the list, along with support for adaptive refresh rate technology and perhaps HDR (High Dynamic Range). The monitor we will be showing you here today, the 32" Samsung CHG70 Gaming Monitor with Quantum Dot Technology checks many of those boxes, and ups the ante even further with a curved screen, back bias lighting (sort of), and USB pass-through, among a few other things. The Samsung CHG70 is also one of a select few gaming displays currently on the market to support AMD’s FreeSync 2, which builds upon the first iteration of FreeSync by requiring Low Framerate Compensation (LFC) and incorporating automatic mode switching, when compatible hardware and software are used.

We have stated on a few occasions that good monitors and input devices are among the most important accessories for a PC, to ensure a quality user experience. A super-fast system rocking all of the latest hardware is awesome, of course, but even the best of rigs is going to disappoint if it’s plugged into a crappy monitor. Most users also tend to keep their monitors through multiple system upgrade cycles as well, so investing in a quality product is usually a worthwhile endeavor that’ll pay dividends over the long haul. In terms of its specifications, the 32" Samsung CHG70 seems to fit the bill quite nicely, but a good spec list doesn’t always translate into a quality product in the real world. So, let’s get the ball rolling and see if the CHG70 should earn a spot at your battle station...

Samsung CHG70 FreeSync 2 Gaming Monitor Specifications & Features

Screen Size	31.5" (Curved)
LED Backlight	QLED
Native Resolution	2560 x 1440 (2K)
Refresh Rate	144 Hz (48 - 144Hz FreeSynce Range)
Viewing Angle	178° (H) / 178° (V)
Display Colors	16.7 Million
Brightness	Brightness (Typical): 350cd/m2, Peak Brightness (Typical): 600 cd/m2
Contrast Ratio	3000:1(Typ), 2400:1(Min)
Response Time	1ms
Aspect Ratio	16:09
Panel	VA
Adaptive Sync	FreeSync 2
Connectors	HDMI (2), DisplayPort (1), 3.5 mm Audio In, 3.5 mm Headphones, USB (3 - 1 up, 2 down)
Stand Adjustments	HAS (Height Adjustable Stand): 145.0mm(+/-5.0mm), Tilt: -5.0 degree (+/-2.0 degree)~+15.0 degree(+/-2.0 degree), Swivel -15.0 degree (+/-2.0 degree)~+15.0 degree(+/-2.0 degree), Pivot -2.0 degree(+/-2.0 degree)~+92.0 degree(+/-2.0 degree)
Dimensions (HxWxD)	Set Dimension with Stand: 24.48" x 28.50" x 14.98", Set Dimension without Stand: 16.71" x 28.50" x 4.55"
Weight	Set Weight with Stand: 21.16 lbs., Set Weight without Stand: 17.63 lbs.
Price	MSRP $549 -- Find It At Amazon.Com

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The 32" Samsung CHG70’s main features and specifications are outlined in the table above. We’ll dig a little deeper on the pages ahead, but as you can see it feature a curved 32” panel with an 1800R curvature and a WQHD 2560x1440 resolution. In light of some more recently released 4K HDR displays – that happen to cost roughly 4x the price of the CHG70 – this model’s WQHD resolution may not seem exciting, but for the vast majority of gamers, the lower resolution is likely more desirable. You’ll need much less GPU horsepower to push the pixels at an adequate pace and won’t have to deal with any Windows scaling weirdness at ultra-high resolutions. There’s support for HDR and FreeSync 2 listed as well, but we should note the panel’s FreeSync range is currently 48Hz - 144Hz. This range has changed over time as Samsung has released firmware updates for the display, however, so it’s possible it could change again at some point in the future.


We’ll talk more about the display and its features a little later. Before we move on though, here’s what is actually included in the box. Along with the monitor and stand itself, Samsung includes an array of documents, accessories, and cables. We should also note that there is some assembly required when first setting-up the CHG70 out of the box, but it’s pretty straightforward. You’ll have to slide a plastic shield over the stand that hides the metal monitor mount, attach the base to the bottom of the stand with a pair of screws, and then attach the whole assembly to the back of the monitor. Thankfully, there’s only one way to attach the base and stand, so if you’re handy with a screwdriver, you shouldn’t have any trouble.
The documents included with the monitor are comprised of a calibration report and simple setup guide. The cabling includes DisplayPort, HDMI, power, and USB link cables, and there’s also a VESA compatible mount thrown in for good measure, should you want to eschew the included stand in favor of wall or desk mounting. Overall, Samsung did a good job here, which should accommodate the needs of just about every user that purchases a CHG70.