For many gamers, ultrawide monitors have been too expensive. That’s changing, thanks to a new Samsung LCD panel. There are only a small handful of actual LCD glass manufacturers in the world, and every display (TV or monitor) manufacturer buys these panels and puts their own electronics behind them. Samsung has recently released a new panel that manufacturers can incorporate into their monitor designs, and the specs are just killer for the price.
The exact monitor specifications will vary based on what electronics and backlighting are used, but the general specs are:
- 34″ diagonal ultrawide, VA with Quantum Dot color
- Curved with a 1500R curvature
- 3440×1440 resolution
- 144Hz refresh
- FreeSync with G-Sync compatibility
- 4ms GTG pixel response time
- 300-400 cd/m2 brightness
- May or may not carry HDR400 certification
- FreeSync/G-Sync 48-144Hz on DP 1.4 ports, not available on HDMI
- DP 1.4 inputs support to 144Hz, HDMI 2.0 supports up to 100Hz
“What’s the big deal?” you ask. While monitors were definitely available in the past with these specs, they carried price tags in the $1000 range. These are coming in around $450-550!
At the time of writing, it’s not unexpected that they’re sold out many places, especially the two most popular – the AOC and Monoprice models. Models include:
- AOC CU34G2X, $450
- 300 cd/m2 brightness
- 1ms claimed GTG response (seems closer to 4-5ms)
- Built in USB 3.0 hub
- Issues with G-Sync at lower than 70Hz
- In-depth and highly technical review from PC Monitors – summary: there are better monitors, but they’re 2x the price
- VESA 100x100mm mountable
- Monoprice 40776, $500
- HDR400 (so 400 cd/m2 brightness)
- Overclockable to 200Hz according to a reviewer
- Currently 3 reviews on Monoprice, all 5 stars. I would expect more to show up shortly.
- 1 year, zero dead pixel warranty
- VESA 75x75mm mountable
- Xiaomi Mi Surface 34″, $500
- 300 cd/m2 brightness
- 4ms response time
- VESA mount according to a reviewer
- Nixeus NX-EDG34S, $550?
- 350-400 cd/m2 brightness
- 4ms response time
- “HDR Ready”
- VESA 75x75mm mountable with included adapter
- Overclockable to 200Hz according to a Reddit comment
- “AOC has a way better stand, better inputs, PIP/PBP and is $100 cheaper” – a deleted user on Reddit
Basically if you go straight from specs, the Monoprice has the edge with the HDR400 certification, overclockability to 200Hz, plus the 1 year PixelPerfect warranty.
Questions? Comments? Found another monitor that uses this panel and have some info? Comment here or check out #techsupport on our Discord server.
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