As I've only had a gaming-capable PC for about four years now, I'm still dipping my toe into the hardware side of PC gaming. Heck, the main monitor I use now, the one I'm typing these words on, is actually a 49-inch 4K TV pulling double duty. The 27-inch ASUS to my right serves as a good second monitor, but I wanted something more.
Enter Titan Army, and their C32C1S QHD curved monitor. This 31.5-inch beauty boasts eye-popping color, great in-game performance, and some of the best viewing experience I've had for any media in quite some time. Simply put, I really like this monitor, and I think you will too.
Specifications
- Current Price: $369.99 $329.99 with current $40 off coupon (Amazon)
- Panel Size: 31.5 inches
- Resolution: 2560x1440
- Aspect ratio: 16:9
- Panel: HVA
- Viewing Angle: 178°
- Refresh rate: 240Hz
- Response time: 1ms (GTG)
- Brightness: 350 nits (SDR), 400 nits (HDR)
- Color Gamut: 99% sRGB
- Design & Dimensions
- Color: Black
- Back cover RGB light Design
- Height adjustment supported
- Wall Mount: VESA 75*75
- Ports: 2x DP 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1, Audio out, DC jack
- Package includes: Display, Stand, Base, Power Adapter, DP Cable, User manual, Screw Toolkit
Overall design and build quality
Out of the box, the C32C1S feels like it's made from good quality stuff. There's a heft to it, something that my Asus monitor lacks despite being around the same size – that's not to say the Asus is shoddy or anything, but the comparison is apt regardless.
I really appreciated how simple assembly of this monitor was for a newbie like me. I simply had to put the stand together, attach to the stand, and walk away. While I assume my choice not to mount it to the wall might play a part in this, I really was impressed with how easily I was able to grasp putting this thing together.
I also, purposefully, assembled it on the floor above where the monitor now resides, as I wanted to carry it down the stairs and see how much trouble it gave me. Notably, it didn't give me any, even though I was worried it might be awkward to hold or heavy to lift. I simply found its place, set it down, and didn't even break a sweat in the process.
Panel and display quality
I am in awe of how bright the colors on the C32C1S are, both with still images and in motion. 4K images pop off of this screen, as if whatever is featured in the image is going to fall right into your lap. It really helps my ability to immerse myself in whatever game I'm playing, as the bright colors and smooth refresh rate make me feel like I'm inside the game world myself.
The back panel holding this impressive display is no slouch either, as it's made of a sturdy black plastic that feels like it would need a hammer to break. The panel doesn't seem to scuff either; a fact I learned the hard way after bumping into a piece of furniture as I carried the monitor to its spot. Luckily for me, there's no evidence of this digression.
My only beef with the overall design of this monitor, and this is one I've had with many monitors in the past, is the button placement for switching between sources. The buttons are located on the bottom right corner of the panel, as is the case with most other monitors, but the designations on the buttons are slightly confusing.
The up arrow, down arrow, and power symbol are self-explanatory, but the button to change and sources is labeled as "E" and the one to select the source you want is labeled "M." Furthermore, the buttons are on either side of the arrow buttons rather than next to each other, which for me makes navigation slightly more difficult.
Again, this is a design flaw I could rail on with most monitors, it's certainly not unique to the C32C1S. However, it must be said that this layout, for someone like me who's still wrapping his head around PC monitors, feels dated and cumbersome.
Now that I've picked that nit, let's move on to performance.
Performance Testing
Games look dang good on the C32C1S whether I'm playing on PC or console. I started this test with Disney Dreamlight Valley (as you do when your kids are hanging around) on the Xbox, and the Valley honestly never looked better. I noticed very little blurring or tearing, my character moved around the world with ease, and the response time from controller to monitor was near-perfect.
Next up on the test list was Fortnite, which I tried on both Xbox and PC. The Xbox version performed just as DDV did, with great looking visuals and quick response times, but the PC version (which my editor will love to read) actually impressed me more. Dropping onto the island looked amazing, even when I dropped the overall visual quality due to my mid-range rig. I even switched between the C32C1S and my Asus monitor for a match each, and this C32C1S impressed me more (again, sorry Asus, I don't mean for you to be catching so many strays).
Cyberpunk 2077 was the last one up, and for this one I focused entirely on the PC version. Now, as I mentioned earlier, I can't run many games at ultra settings – my rig simply won't allow it without bursting into flames – but even on a lower quality setting, the picture looked damn good coming out of the C32C1S. The same responsive gameplay I'd seen from the previous games was here, and the visual details were stunning on mid quality.
Connection Ports and Additional Features
The back of the monitor has two DP ports and HDMI 2.1 ports, which is a great rollout for a brand-new monitor. I'm not using all of them at the moment – the monitor is connected to my rig via one DP and to my consoles via HDMI – but I appreciate having the options available if I need it for anything.
Other than that, the C32C1S doesn't really offer anything "extra" or "exclusive" out of the box. It's a monitor, and a good one, but it's not equipped with many bells or whistles. Some may consider that a downer, but honestly the display doesn't need any of it; it's a great piece of hardware as is.
Final Thoughts
The Titan Army C32C1S is a great choice for someone looking at curved monitors as their next PC upgrade. Assembly is super easy, and despite its sturdy frame it's not so heavy that it's difficult to move around. Plenty of port space will allow you to connect it to your devices however you wish. Then, once it's in, it gets the job done whether you're playing on PC or console, with lightning quick response times and absolutely gorgeous visual output.
Titan Army has offered exactly what you'd want in a new display with the C32C1S, and they've done it in a way that even newbie PC players like me can appreciate.
The product described in this article was provided by the manufacturer for evaluation purposes. Buying products through our links may result in a small commission to help support the site.
