Picture: Matt Smith
Should recreation on a broad, immersive video show? An ultrawide video show should accrued be your subsequent level out. Ultrawide presents a better viewing home than a widescreen numerous and a broader perspective that truly exhibits extra in-game mutter materials. Today’s best ultrawide gaming exhibits moreover carry prime-tier movement efficiency and provides a carry to for probably the most recent adaptive sync requirements.
These are the best ultrawide gaming exhibits appropriate now.
Additional studying: Look our roundup of the best gaming exhibits to evaluation competing merchandise.
Up to date 07/11/2023: Check out our most up-to-date overview of the Philips Evnia 7000 video show. This 34-tear 1440p ultrawide comes with a 165Hz refresh fee and nice SDR picture high quality, nevertheless the worth holds it help from being a first-rate worth contender.
Alienware AW3423DWF – Most life like likely ultrawide gaming video show
Professionals
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Mighty distinction ratio
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Prime-notch coloration gamut and accuracy
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Gargantuan movement readability
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Legit HDR efficiency
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Extraordinarily aggressive worth
Cons
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Stand is a exiguous too natty
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No USB-C
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Most HDR brightness is lackluster
Value When Reviewed:
$1,099.ninety 9
The Alienware AW3423DWF is an exceptional gaming video show, bringing the inconceivable distinction and realism of OLED in a 34-tear widescreen panel. Even though priced at $1,099—now not low-cost for a great deal of different people—it’s a better worth than most excessive-quit gaming exhibits.
The video show’s pleasing picture high quality presents a colourful, immersive, wealthy experience with deep shaded ranges and understanding highlights. Video video games appear to leap out of the purpose out, as whereas you’re making an strive via a window as opposed to looking at your computer camouflage. Players who relish murky, fretful genres, resembling terror video games, will take care of the video show’s capacity to succeed in deep shaded ranges with minimal lack of element.
This video show presents an enhanced refresh fee of as much as 165Hz and helps AMD FreeSync Prime fee Knowledgeable for soundless body pacing in video games. It moreover has better-than-common movement efficiency at decrease refresh charges, an excellent factor in regards to the OLED panel’s snappy pixel response instances.
The video show isn’t understanding and has a interesting level out coat that may assume delicate, so it’s best in a wretched room. We moreover seen the OLED panel has wretchedness rendering shrimp fonts with out problem. These are minor factors and obtain a lot much less impression on video games than different situations.
Connectivity is acceptable, with two DisplayPort inputs and one HDMI, and a USB-A hub with 4 ports. There’s a wholesome differ of menu options that help avid gamers change the picture high quality to their desire.
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Alienware AW3423DWF overview
LG Ultragear 34GN850-B – Most life like likely ultrawide gaming video show under $1,000
Professionals
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21:9 panel with a 34-tear camouflage
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Bent video show
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Spectacular gaming efficiency
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Ergonomic adjustment options
Cons
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Most life like likely widespread energy consumption
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Costly
Value When Reviewed:
999.ninety 9
Launched in 2020, the LG Ultragear 34GN850-B, was the best ultrawide gaming video show to debut that yr, and best now not too way back defeated by the Alienware AW3423DWF. In response, LG slashed the archaic champion’s worth from an MSRP of $999.ninety 9 to $699.ninety 9 at most shops (and it has sometimes geared up for as exiguous as $599.ninety 9).
Even though now not on the kill of its class, LG’s Ultragear 34GN850-B is a lovely video show with pleasing coloration efficiency, a extreme most brightness, and correct movement efficiency from its snappy “Nano IPS” panel. It appears a bit sharper than the Alienware, regardless of the reality they each obtain the similar native decision. The LG is arguably higher than the Alienware for mixed productiveness and gaming exhaust, as level out glare is now not a command and shrimp textual mutter materials doesn’t appear pixelated.
The LG Ultragear 34GN850-B presents an enhanced refresh fee of as much as 144Hz (with a 160Hz overclocked mode) and is formally applicable with each AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync. Its complete movement efficiency is now not as appropriate because the Alienware, nevertheless it completely’s conclude, and higher than funds selections relish the AOC CU34G2X.
What’s the catch? Distinction. The video show’s IPS panel has the underside distinction ratio of the three exhibits we level out proper right here and might perhaps seemingly perhaps see hazy in murky scenes. It appears best in a reasonably to brightly lit room, as this makes the shortage of distinction a lot much less noticeable.
The video show’s connectivity and sides are per excessive-quit exhibits: two HDMI ports, one DisplayPort, and a two-port USB hub. A couple of extra USB ports can be most conventional nevertheless, at this worth, the readily available options are acceptable.
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LG Ultragear 34GN850 overview
AOC CU34G2X – Most life like likely ultrawide gaming video show under $500
Professionals
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Gaming video show in ultrawide 21:9 format
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Spectacular gaming efficiency
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Spacious 34-tear curved panel
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Ergonomic adjustment options
Cons
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Excessive energy consumption
The AOC CU34G2X is a uncommon finances-pleasant ultrawide video show, retailing at or under $349.ninety 9. It does manufacture a few compromises to succeed in that worth stage—nevertheless picture high quality isn’t amongst them.
The 34-tear ultrawide video show has a VA panel that presents appropriate distinction and good coloration efficiency. Its most brightness is a exiguous low, nevertheless similar to the Alienware AW3423DWF in SDR mutter materials (the CU34G2X doesn’t give a carry to HDR). The AOC video show presents 3440&instances;1440 decision, the similar as the other exhibits on this guidelines, so it appears appropriate as shifting. Players who aren’t explicit about picture high quality will catch it refined to command the variation between this video show and the extra expensive LG Ultragear 34GN850-B.
The AOC CU34G2X is an ultrawide gaming video show with a refresh fee as much as 144Hz, and it delivers nice movement efficiency. Alternatively, it doesn’t formally give a carry to each AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync. Each requirements should accrued work unofficially nevertheless, for the reason that level out is now not licensed, homeowners might perhaps seemingly perhaps additionally experience flickering when recreation body charges dip too low. Players might perhaps seemingly should rely upon using V-Sync in some titles.
Even though the video show’s picture high quality is spectacular for the worth, its aggressive purple-and-shaded obtain is an extended far more in-your-face than LG’s Ultragear and might perhaps seemingly perhaps flip off some avid gamers. Materials high quality is mediocre, as successfully, so the video show doesn’t see as prime fee because the LG or Alienware selections.
Connectivity, on the other hand, is nice, with two HDMI and two DisplayPort and a four-port USB-A hub. That’s the best of any video show on this guidelines—now not one factor we’d place aside a question to from a funds level out. The video show moreover entails a first-rate-adjustable stand, a perk that funds ultrawide exhibits usually ditch.
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AOC CU34G2X overview
What to gaze in an ultrawide gaming video show
Ultrawide gaming exhibits are an exceptional numerous for PC gaming, but dwell a miniature enviornment of curiosity when in comparison with an extended far more in mannequin 27-tear and 32-tear widescreen gaming exhibits. In accordance with probably the most recent Steam {Hardware} Ogle outcomes, now not as much as 2 p.c of all PC avid gamers on Steam obtain an ultrawide video show.
That’s a disgrace, and bounds numerous when looking for an ultrawide video show. Degree-headed, avid gamers should accrued key an acknowledge on these sides when making a purchase roar.
Panel kind is a immense deal
Ultrawide exhibits supply IPS, VA, and OLED panels. Each has benefits and disadvantages.
IPS panels are probably the preferred, and for proper motive. They level out an enormous differ of coloration, obtain monumental coloration accuracy, can attain extreme ranges of brightness, and remember shifting at any given decision. Alternatively, their low distinction ratio is generally a command for darker video games, that may appear hazy and absence element. IPS panels are best for mixed exhaust in brightly lit rooms.
VA panels are usually stage to in funds ultrawide exhibits, though some corporations (most notably Samsung) moreover exhaust them in excessive-quit exhibits. They obtain received higher distinction than IPS panels and carry similar coloration efficiency. VA panels can wrestle with movement efficiency and funds VA panels are inclined to fall behind IPS in brightness.
OLED is the chief in complete picture high quality. It presents the best leads to coloration gamut, coloration accuracy, distinction, and movement efficiency. Sharpness is generally diminished when in comparison with IPS and VA, nevertheless most different people will catch it a minor downgrade. OLED tends to steer in HDR as successfully: Mini-LED can exceed it in some situations, nevertheless few ultrawide exhibits exhaust Mini-LED expertise.
Usually, OLED is healthier than IPS, and IPS is healthier than VA. Some avid gamers might perhaps seemingly perhaps choose VA over IPS, then all yet again, severely when gaming in a wretched room.
Refresh fee and pixel response instances
The overall ultrawide gaming exhibits we level out half a similar refresh fee (between 144Hz and 165Hz). That suggests they’ve similar movement efficiency, nevertheless there’s extra to it.
OLED exhibits, such because the Alienware W3423DW, obtain the best movement efficiency complete. They provide now not best a extreme refresh fee nevertheless the underside pixel response instances (usually quoted at .03 to .05 milliseconds), which methodology pixels transition between colours snappy. This reduces movement blur at each extreme and low refresh charges, giving OLED an edge.
IPS exhibits are inclined to obtain the 2nd-easiest pixel response instances, with devices relish the LG Ultragear 34GN850-B quoting response instances of 1 millisecond. VA panels can moreover create one millisecond response instances, though some panels might perhaps seemingly perhaps additionally stroll this long-established.
In abstract: see at refresh fee first, then see at pixel response time to check exhibits with the similar refresh fee.
Be cautious of natty ultrawide exhibits
The most important ultrawide gaming exhibits we at stage to level out are 34-tear ultrawide gaming exhibits with 3440&instances;1440 decision.
A unfold of higher ultrawide gaming exhibits are readily available. This entails forty five-tear ultrawide exhibits relish the Corsair Xeneon Flex 45WQHD240 and LG Ultragear 45GR95QE, as successfully as huge-ultrawide exhibits relish the Samsung Odyssey G9 collection.
Alternatively, these larger exhibits carry extreme worth tags and are inclined to obtain factors in complete usability. The upper forty five-tear ultrawide options don’t lengthen decision when in comparison with 34-tear devices, so that they might be capable to appear a exiguous soundless and pixelated. The 49-tear huge-ultrawide devices is generally a match for hardcore simulation avid gamers nevertheless aren’t extensively supported in additional mainstream recreation genres.
Extraordinarily natty and huge-ultrawide gaming exhibits are a definite section inside a definite section. They might seemingly perhaps additionally very successfully be a proceed-to decide within the lengthy trot, nevertheless for now it’s best to observe extra extensively supported 34-tear, 3440&instances;1440 exhibits.
Don’t purchase an ultrawide for console gaming
Having a search to purchase a video show for console gaming? Don’t purchase an ultrawide video show.
Not really apt one of many important recent recreation consoles give a carry to ultrawide resolutions. Right here is appropriate even in video games which obtain a PC begin with ultrawide give a carry to.
A recreation console related to an ultrawide video show will accrued level out a picture, nevertheless this might seemingly be restricted to the frequent widescreen level out home, leaving shaded bars on each side of the camouflage.
How we check exhibits
PC World’s staff and freelance reviewers exhaust a whole bunch of hours conducting in-depth making an check out that compares exhibits all of the gadget through which via a immense differ of worth factors and capabilities, from $100 funds exhibits to legendary prime-tier exhibits priced past $3,000. We personally check dozens of exhibits yearly to look out the best determine for each class and worth stage.
We exhaust a SpyderXElite coloration calibration software. It delivers aim measurements for a differ of metrics together with brightness, distinction, coloration gamut, coloration accuracy, coloration temperature, and gamma. These outcomes are logged, which makes it straightforward for PC World reviewers to check diverse exhibits. It moreover eliminates subjective bias—an essential stage, as variations in room lighting, time of day, and the execute of mutter materials seen can with out problem change a reviewer’s experience.
FAQ
1.
What dimension of ultrawide gaming video show is best?
Most ultrawide exhibits obtain a 34-tear panel with a 21:9 issue ratio, which is the best probability for a great deal of avid gamers.
Some ultrawide exhibits are readily available in larger sizes, nevertheless these usually aren’t the best numerous for avid gamers. Many create now not give a carry to extreme refresh charges. These that manufacture are expensive and usually exhaust the similar 3440&instances;1440 decision got here all of the gadget through which via on smaller ultrawide exhibits, which methodology they appear a lot much less shifting than a 34-tear level out.
2.
What’s the most interesting decision for an ultrawide video show?
Almost about all 34-tear ultrawide exhibits obtain some extent out decision of 3440&instances;1440. Right here is an pleasing numerous for avid gamers.
It’s shifting ample to see spectacular in up to date video games. Alternatively, this decision stays significantly decrease in complete pixel rely than 4K, which makes it a lot much less tense on graphics {hardware}. That’s appropriate information whereas you may need to obtain a midrange graphics card relish an Nvidia RTX 3060 or AMD Radeon RX 6650XT.
Higher 38-tear devices obtain a better decision of 3840&instances;1660—then all yet again, on the subject of all these exhibits lack give a carry to for extreme refresh charges, making them a ugly numerous for avid gamers. LG presents a line of 34-tear 5K2K ultrawide exhibits with 5120&instances;2160 decision, nevertheless this line moreover lacks give a carry to for enhanced refresh charges.
A couple of new forty five-tear ultrawide exhibits are readily available with 3440&instances;1440 decision. Right here is generally a command, as a result of stretching the similar decision all of the gadget through which via a so much larger level out reduces sharpness. We advocate 3440&instances;1440 best for 34-tear ultrawide exhibits.
3.
What’s the best refresh fee for an ultrawide gaming video show?
A refresh fee of 144Hz to 165Hz is supreme for a great deal of ultrawide gaming exhibits.
Only a few ultrawide exhibits exceed this refresh fee, and people who manufacture are too expensive to fabricate it an accurate worth.
Additionally, avid gamers looking for an ultrawide gaming video show are seemingly to choose immersive and graphically tense video games that manufacture it refined to peek the fats good factor a few refresh fee above 144Hz. You’ll desire a excessive-quit video card, relish an RTX 3080 or AMD Radeon 6800, to energy most ultrawide gaming exhibits at body charges above 144 frames per 2nd.
4.
Does an ultrawide gaming video show want HDR?
HDR isn’t important for an ultrawide gaming video show, nevertheless it completely’s a lovely addition.
Gaming is a monumental exhaust case for HDR—arguably the best, in stage of fact—and it goes to hold improved picture high quality. We advocate looking for an ultrawide gaming video show with HDR give a carry to in case your funds is $500 or extra.
Creator: Matthew S. Smith
Matthew S. Smith is a contract expertise journalist with 15 years of experience reviewing consumer electronics. As successfully as to PCWorld, his work can be got here all of the gadget through which via on Wired, Ars Technica, Digital Traits, Reviewed, IGN, and Lifewire. Matthew moreover covers AI and the metaverse for IEEE Spectrum and runs Computer Gaming The day earlier to this, a YouTube channel devoted to PC gaming historic previous.
