Buying the perfect ultrawide monitor for gamers: 8 models in comparison

gaming hardware
A comparison of eight ultrawide monitors for gamers with 144 Hertz and more

More screen space, more fun: Ultrawide monitors are becoming increasingly popular among gamers. In addition to a crisp resolution and astronomical image diagonals, the extra-wide focusing screens offer other advantages. The comparison reveals what these are.

Long gone are the days when gamers admired pixel mush on CRT monitors in 4:3 format. Most gamers are now staring at a 16:9 screen. But even that is no longer enough for many people these days. They are moving to ultrawide monitors. They grow considerably in width to an aspect ratio of 21:9. But there is even more: luminaries among the ultrawide monitors even offer a ratio of 32:9. If you want to put such a mega monitor into operation, you absolutely have to make sure that you have a powerful graphics card.

As the screen size increases, so does the number of pixels the graphics processor has to fire. And that eats up performance. On the other hand, the ultra-wide screens offer advantages in games: In the popular Mobile Online Battle Arena (MOBA) “dota 2” For example, a copy with a 21:9 aspect ratio noticeably increases the field of view and thus creates an advantage. But this does not apply to all e-sports titles. At “Counter Strike – Global Offensive” For example, the field of view does not increase. You have the choice between a wide image or black bars on the left and right.

1.Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 Curved

far, farther, Samsung Odyssey Neo G9. The screen diagonal of this superwide monitor extends to an almost monstrous 49 inches (124.46 centimeters). For comparison: That’s about as long as two 27-inchers standing side by side. Fortunately, the display of the Neo G9 is curved – otherwise gamers would have problems capturing the entire screen as a whole. Incidentally, they want an extremely powerful graphics card installed in the computer. At least the 5120 x 1440 pixels have to fire up. As a reminder, that’s twice the QHD resolution!

Samsung makes no compromises when it comes to the refresh rate: the premium widescreen manages 240 Hertz (Hz), which of course has FreeSync Premium and thus synchronizes the images. Not only that: the monitor also works with Nvidia’s G-Sync technology. Incidentally, Samsung equips the built-in VA panel with its Quantum Matrix technology. These are small mini LED lights. According to the manufacturer, they ensure 12-bit black values ​​and particularly good contrasts.

2. Samsung Odyssey G9 (C49G93TSSR)

Same manufacturer, same design, same size – but not the same monitor! What distinguishes the Odyssey G9 from the Neo version? Not much at first glance, except for the price, because the G9 is significantly cheaper. In addition, Samsung denies him the Quantum Matrix technology. The Neo G9 does not feature the small mini LEDs. A little reminder: According to the manufacturer, the technology ensures better contrasts and colors and higher brightness.

3. Acer Nitro XV342CKP

It’s a size (or two) smaller than the Samsung monitors Acer Nitro XV342CKP. Its resolution is 3440 x 1440 pixels, so the screen has an aspect ratio of 21:9. With a refresh rate of 144 Hz, it makes most gamers happy. While a higher rate is always desirable, the difference between 144 and 240 Hz is significantly smaller than that between 60 and 144 Hz.

In terms of price-performance ratio, most gamers do best with 144 Hz. Incidentally, Acer has given its ultrawide monitor an IPS panel. This design cannot keep up with the contrast values ​​of the G9 Neo from Samsung. In return, IPS monitors usually offer true-to-the-original colors. Unfortunately, the construction tends to ghosting effects. If you like playing fast games, a VA panel is usually the better choice.

4. Ultrawide monitor: AOC CU34G2X/BK

One of the slightly cheaper ultrawide monitors is the AOC CU34G2X/BK. Its screen is also curved and it offers everything a gamer’s heart desires. AOC relies on the vertical alignment design for the panel. It ensures rich contrasts and a deep black. In addition, the manufacturer supplies the screen with a stand that allows the monitor to be adjusted in height by up to 13 centimeters.

A refresh rate of 144 Hz makes most gamers happy. That could only be enough for hardcore e-athletes. However, with a resolution of 3440 x 1440 pixels, you need a powerful graphics card that calculates the games on the monitor.

5. ASUS ROG Strix XG349C

If the 144 Hz of the competition is not enough for you, maybe this one is ASUS ROG Strix XG349C the ideal ultrawide monitor for you. In terms of size, of course, it is in no way inferior to the competition: 3440 x 1440 pixels in 21:9 format extend over 86 centimeters diagonally. The ASUS ROG Strix XG349C repeats the gameplay at a maximum of 180 Hz.

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19.11.2021

Nice: The monitor also offers Nvidia’s G-Sync technology, which ensures that no distorted images appear in games. Asus has given the ROG Strix XG349C an IPS panel. As a rule, IPS panels offer the best color values ​​and viewing angles. However, they are only suitable for gamers to a limited extent because they can tend to produce so-called ghosting effects (streaking). However, the newer the monitors are, the less gamers have to worry about them (read here why this is the case).

6. MSI Optix MPG341CQR

If you are looking for a solid ultrawide VA panel, the MSI Optix MPG341CQR be something for you. At first glance, it offers the same specifications as the AOC CU34G2X/BK, which is significantly cheaper. According to the manufacturer, the MSI Optix monitor also offers a refresh rate of 144 Hz with a response time of 1 millisecond. In addition, the curved display also extends over 34 inches with a resolution of 3440 x 1440 pixels. However, it stands out from the AOC monitor with its RGB lighting. MSI gives this to its monitor on the front and back. Every gamer has to decide for themselves whether the design element justifies the surcharge.

7. ASUS ROG Strix XG49VQ

If the 34-incher is too small for you, grab it Asus ROG Strix XG49VQ. 3840 x 1080 pixels extend over a screen diagonal of 124 centimeters. Attention: The pixel density of the monitor is 81 pixels per square inch (ppi, pixel per inch), lower than that of the other monitors. You therefore want to sit a little further away from the 49-incher. And the response time also suffers somewhat from the astronomical dimensions. At four milliseconds, it is well above the manufacturer’s specifications for other monitors. The monitor is therefore only suitable for e-sports enthusiasts to a limited extent. If you want to immerse yourself in role-playing games, the response time doesn’t bother you much.

8. iiyama G-Master GB3461WQSU-B1

He graduates iiyama G-Master GB3461WQSU-B. It is the cheap screen in comparison, which the manufacturer treats to an IPS panel. It stretches over 34 inches and repeats images with a maximum frequency of 144 Hz. Its response time is extremely fast at 1 millisecond. iiyama dispenses with frills such as RGB lighting and a curved display. In general, apart from the technical specifications, little indicates a gaming monitor. In terms of design, the screen also looks good in the home office.

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