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By: Robert Llarves | Date Posted: October 20, 2022
Ultrawide monitors are getting more attention these days as they offer more real estate than their non-ultrawide counterparts.
Content creation today is also a very demanding task that requires the use of multiple monitors to be able to view all the necessary content at once. This is where ultra-wide monitors come in handy as they offer a much wider field of view compared to traditional monitors.
More and more games as well are now supporting ultra-wide resolutions which make use of the extra horizontal space to offer a more immersive experience.
There are so many benefits that an ultra-wide monitor can offer. Besides productivity and gaming, ultrawide monitors are also great for movies, videos, and other general tasks.
We’ve seen a lot of different ultra-wide monitors in the market but one that really caught our attention is the LG 34UC98. So, in this article, we will be taking a closer look at the LG 34UC98 and see what it has to offer.
Starting with the monitor performance, the LG 34UC98 is quite good but not the best.
It comes with a response time of 5ms (GtG) which is good enough for most people. We did an article about normal vs fast monitor response time if you want to learn more about it.
The refresh rate of the LG 34UC98 is 60Hz which is the standard for most monitors. However, there are other monitors in the market that have much faster response time and refresh. So, if you are a competitive gamer, you might find them to be mediocre.
If you only play casually or you’re not a competitive gamer, then the LG 34UC98 will be just fine. But if you are looking for a monitor that can give you an edge in gaming, then you might want to look for a monitor that comes with at least a 120Hz refresh rate. Although it is overclockable to 75Hz by enabling FreeSync, it is still far from 120Hz when it comes to smoothness in gaming.
I did mention that it comes with FreeSync technology that helps to eliminate screen tearing. But it only works within a specific range which is between 55Hz to 75Hz. Also, DisplayPort is the only Port that supports FreeSync so if you’re using an HDMI cable, then you won’t be able to take advantage of this technology.
When it comes to gaming, the curvature of the LG 34UC98 can be a great advantage. This is because the curve helps to wrap around your eyes and gives you a more immersive experience. It’s not as pronounced as some of the other curved monitors that we’ve seen in the market but it’s still there.
Next would be the image quality. The LG 34UC98 comes with a 3440x1440p resolution which is pretty standard for most ultra-wide monitors.
It also comes with a 34-Inch IPS panel that offers great viewing angles of 178 / 178. It’s nice to see that it comes with an IPS panel, as most ultrawide monitors today come with a VA panel. IPS panels have several advantages over VA panels, such as wider viewing angles, more accurate color reproduction, and faster response time.
The LG 34UC98 also comes with 10-bit color support and 99% of the sRGB color gamut. This is great news for creative professionals and gamers who demand the best image quality. The monitor also has a peak brightness of 300 nits, more than enough for most people unless you’re planning to use this monitor in a very bright environment.
The only drawback of the LG 34UC98 would be its mediocre contrast ratio of 1,000:1. It’s common with IPS panel monitors to have a lower contrast ratio but it’s still something that you should take note of.
Professionals will also find the 1900R curvature of this monitor useful as it provides a more immersive experience. And since it’s an ultra-wide monitor, the aspect ratio of 21:9.
Moving on to the other features this monitor has to offer, we have a wide range of connectivity options.
There are two HDMI 2.0 ports, a single DisplayPort 1.2, a headphones jack, and an audio line-in jack. For Thunderbolt 2.0 support there are (x2) ports available as well as USB 3.0 Quick Charge.
This monitor also comes with Screen Split 2.0 and OnScreen Display Control for your convenience. For multitaskers or those who like to have multiple windows open at once, Screen Split 2.0 allows you to partition your screen into various layouts. This can be a great time-saver as it eliminates the need to constantly adjust your windows.
OnScreen Display Control allows you to access and adjust the settings of your monitor with ease. This is especially helpful if you want to make on-the-fly changes without having to fumble around with buttons.
Finally, we have Game Mode. This is a feature that is becoming increasingly common in monitors nowadays. Game Mode essentially optimizes your display settings for gaming, providing you with the best possible visuals and performance. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a hardcore e-sports enthusiast, Game Mode can help you get the most out of your games.
A monitor review is not finished without talking about the design and ergonomics. The LG 34UC98 has a very sleek and modern design that will look great in any setup.
The bezels are extremely thin, so much so that they’re almost non-existent. This gives the monitor a very sleek and elegant look.
The stand is also very solid and offers good stability and comes with adjustable options like lilt and height adjustment. Although it doesn’t come with pivot and swivel options, the lilt and height adjustment should be more than enough for most people. It’s also common with ultrawide monitors that do not have these options as they’re simply too large and unwieldy.
Lastly, it is VESA compatible so you can mount it on a VESA mount if you so choose.
It seems that the LG 34UC98 is mainly built for professionals and content creators. I say this because the features are more targeted towards that market.
Although it can still be used for gaming and other purposes, you can’t be competitive at the same level as with other monitors. But if you are a professional or a content creator, I would say that the LG 34UC98 is a great choice for you. The image quality is excellent and the features are very convenient.
As for its pricing, I think it’s a bit expensive but not overpriced. If you can find it on sale for $650, then I would say it’s definitely worth considering. However, it is usually priced at $900, which is a bit too much in my opinion. We have a separate list of ultrawide monitors under $500 if you want to save some money.
