Monitor Upgrade

Frankie5Angels

Thinking of upgrading my monitor in terms of size. Currently have an MSI MAG271C (27"), which I only bought earlier in the year, but i want something bigger. I'm thinking an ultrawide screen. I'll be working for the forseeable at home, but want gaming - both PC and PS4/5 - and to use Netflix on it the odd time.

My current build isn't set up for 4k or anything close to it, but will probably upgrade in the new year and I would like as good a quality monitor as I can for my budget of between 6-800 (with a strong preference for not going over 6!). I would also want wall mounting.

I've been looking at laptopsdirect and pricewise they seem decent - any feedback on them, good or bad? Couple of examples:

https://www.laptopsdirect.ie/aoc-cu34g2x-34-uwqhd-1ms-144hz-freesync-curved-gaming-monitor-cu34g2x-bk/version.asp

https://www.laptopsdirect.ie/msi-optix-mag341cq-34-8ms-100hz-uwqhd-freesync-hdmi-curved-gaming-monitor-9s6-3ma01h-013/version.asp



Any suggestions would be most welcome!

Samuel T. Cogley

Samuel T. Cogley

Absolutely love the 34" Ultrawide 1440p format.

Samuel T. Cogley

Samuel T. Cogley wrote: »

Absolutely love the 34" Ultrawide 1440p format.

That's my next upgrade. Have a few on the shortlist. That one you've linked was on it but i heard it behaves badly with Nvidia GPU's. Great price though.

Frankie5Angels

Samuel T. Cogley wrote: »

CU34G2X video

I take it this is a recommendation? As it would be on my shortlist alright.

I looked into Laptops Direct and it would seem they're an utter no go :pac:

MayoForSam

How about this one (out of stock but should be coming back in)?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/iiyama-g-master-gb3466wqsu-b1-34-3440x1440-va-144hz-1ms-freesync-premium-curved-ultra-wide-gaming-m-mo-13k-iy.html

MayoForSam

MayoForSam wrote: »

How about this one (out of stock but should be coming back in)?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/iiyama-g-master-gb3466wqsu-b1-34-3440x1440-va-144hz-1ms-freesync-premium-curved-ultra-wide-gaming-m-mo-13k-iy.html

I've been told that also has flickering issues. Make sure you do research before buying any monitor.

Samuel T. Cogley

Frankie5Angels wrote: »

I take it this is a recommendation? As it would be on my shortlist alright.

I looked into Laptops Direct and it would seem they're an utter no go :pac:

Just a review for one of the ones you listed. I only have experience of the Dell 3415 which is a 60Hz panel so you won't want one of those for gaming - although it's fine for me.

BloodBath

Doesn't seem great. Advertised as 144hz but can't really do 144hz well. It doesn't even do 60hz well. If you get it I'd limit the frames to 120 and hopefully your gpu can keep it in the 80-120 range with freesync enabled. Consoles won't be able to do this.

240nits brightness is pretty poor as well unless you use it in a darkish room, and 85% DCIP3 colour coverage isn't great. IPS will do close to 100% and most are 350 nits+ brightness. You're sacrificing a lot in the price range for gaining ultrawide. At the same time it's nearly half the price of the better IPS models so maybe it's worth if you really want ultrawide.

Keep in mind consoles and most netflix content won't be able to make use of the ultrawide aspect ratio either so you will be viewing both with black borders down the sides at a regular 27" 2560x1440 size.

Frankie5Angels

BloodBath wrote: »

Doesn't seem great. Advertised as 144hz but can't really do 144hz well. It doesn't even do 60hz well. If you get it I'd limit the frames to 120 and hopefully your gpu can keep it in the 80-120 range with freesync enabled. Consoles won't be able to do this.

240nits brightness is pretty poor as well unless you use it in a darkish room, and 85% DCIP3 colour coverage isn't great. IPS will do close to 100% and most are 350 nits+ brightness. You're sacrificing a lot in the price range for gaining ultrawide. At the same time it's nearly half the price of the better IPS models so maybe it's worth if you really want ultrawide.

Keep in mind consoles and most netflix content won't be able to make use of the ultrawide aspect ratio either so you will be viewing both with black borders down the sides at a regular 27" 2560x1440 size.

Thanks, that's quite helpful. I hadn't thought of the aspect ratio and would freely admit I'm out of my sphere of knowledge here. I suppose primarily what I'm after is just a bigger screen and maybe put it on the wall in order to clear some desk space.

Wonda-Boy

I think you would be better off with a 27" IPS panel, its very hard to get a really good large screen panel. The majority are VA which is a compromise between IPS and TN, really depends what you want from your monitor tbh.

Hardcore gaming stick with TN, IPS is the best middle ground but I stand to be corrected.

Aodhan5000

I wouldn't even say TN is for hardcore gaming unless you consider hardcore gaming professional eSports. I'd be inclined to say IPS is plenty good enough for any gaming including FPS games. TN is only useful for high refresh rate monitors but IPS does the job in 144hz and looks much better

VA panels have come a long way too. The chap from Hardware Unboxed that's linked above does the best monitor reviews imo.

Aodhan5000

Yep Hardware unboxed is the place to go. I think VAs will get significantly better again in the next year after seeing Samsung's g7

Nedved85

Check my ad on adverts.ie if you are looking for a top notch 34" ultrawide - I am looking to get a 49" ultrawide...

https://www.adverts.ie/monitors/lg-34gk950g-34-3440x1440-ultrawide-monitor/20900154