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      Gigabyte GS34WQC review: a good curved gaming monitor for a great price—with caveats

      Gigabyte has persistently been making gaming displays primarily centered on the finances PC Gaming expertise and the GS34WQC efficiently leans into the ultrawide tier. The 34-inch 1440p show comes with a 120Hz refresh fee along with the power to overclock to 135Hz. Performance apart, SDR picture high quality is sort of beautiful and appears nice. 

      Then there’s an extremely cheap function set that comes with varied gaming assists resembling crosshair overlay. Though there’s a nub to make varied in-display settings modifications, the GS34WQC may also be customized by the OSD Sidekick app. For variable refresh fee options, the monitor comes full of AMD FreeSync Premium to fight potential display screen tearing. 

      For $329(£388, AU $549), this gaming monitor makes greater than sufficient sense for PC players who need an ultrawide show that received’t break the financial institution. That doesn’t imply that there received’t be any sacrifices to pack all of this into that worth level. 

      One of probably the most evident points is its HDR implementation. Even with altering settings by software program or in-display, picture high quality is just going to look barely common. To be sincere, it’s finest to keep away from HDR on the GS34WQC altogether. Then there are some design issues that come within the common aesthetic alongside set-up. 

      Like different trendy Gigabyte gaming displays, some assists like Black Equilizer and Aim Stabilizer do extra to harm general picture high quality than assist in any approach. PC players searching for extra extras like audio system and USB capabilities are going to be a bit disenchanted. Anyone with a strong 1440p rig seeking to play video games within the 120 body fee vary might stroll away happy; extra so if in addition they have PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. The Gigabyte GS34WQC presents a high quality PC gaming expertise at the price of issues that people within the worth vary in all probability received’t care about. 

      Gigabyte GS34WQC: Price and availability

      (Image credit score: Future / John Loeffler)

      Available now in U.S. UK and AU territories, the Gigabyte GS34WQC retails for round $329(£388, AU $549) relying on the place one outlets. Though obtainable on Amazon, the gaming monitor might be grabbed at varied tales relying on the place one resides. In the U.S., the monitor might be bought at Best Buy, UK residents can discover it at Currys and Australian residents can discover it at MSY. 

      Considering the value, the GS34WQC is among the most reasonably priced 34 inch ultrawide gaming displays obtainable. RIght now on Newegg, the monitor might be bought on sale for $289 which provides much more to its worth. Users searching for a bit extra extras pays round $10 bucks extra for the Dell 34 Curved Gaming Monitor that additionally comes with a wholesome choice of USB ports. Meanwhile, the considerably dearer AOC CU34G2X at $450 supplies higher HDR capabilities along with USB ports. 

      Value:  4 / 5

      Gigabyte GS34WQC: Specs

      (Image credit score: Future / John Loeffler)
      Swipe to scroll horizontally
      Screen dimension: 34 inches
      Aspect ratio: 21:9
      Resolution: 3440 x 1440
      Brightness: 300 cd/m2
      Response time: 1ms
      Viewing angle: 178°(H)/178°(V)
      Contrast ratio: 4000:1
      Color help: 16.7M
      Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x Displayport 1.4, 1 x combo Jack
      Weight: 18 lbs

      Gigabyte GS34WQC Design

      Like different Gigabyte gaming displays, don’t anticipate the GS34WQC to do a lot within the seems division. The all-black matted materials feels extra acceptable in a classroom or library than subsequent to an RGB desktop. Again, the GS34WQC is extra about perform than the whole lot else. 

      When it involves maneuverability out of the field, the 18 lbs gaming monitor doesn’t really feel unwieldy. Set-up is the place among the issues with the design started to indicate up. A singular hooked up display screen connects the stand to the neck. However, those that don’t learn the monitor might run into some points within the subsequent steps. 

      The 4 screws already come taped to the neck that connects to the show. Be cautious to not take away the tape with out catching them as a result of they may fall and might probably get misplaced. Even extra so, the packaging doesn’t include a small screwdriver so customers are chargeable for securing the show themselves. Both peak and tilt might be adjusted on the gaming monitor too.

      There are a handful of ports obtainable to get began together with one DisplayPort, two HDMI ports, 3.5mm headphone, and energy jack. Power goes straight by the show so customers received’t have to fret a few bigger powerbrick. The port choice is respectable and will certainly fulfill players with no less than two consoles. Switching between inputs is fairly straightforward by the nub as nicely. Considering the low worth for this ultrawide gaming monitor, that is adequate for a multiplatform gaming set-up alongside a gaming PC rig. 

      Gamers who need extras like exterior audio system and USB hubs for connectivity are going to should look elsewhere. Considering the max refresh fee output is 120Hz and 135Hz when overclocked, that is for lower-powered 1440p gaming rigs. 

      Gigabyte GS34WQC: Features

      The Gigabyte GS34WQC isn’t essentially feature-rich however does have a handful of instruments to enhance a consumer’s gaming expertise. When it involves variable refresh fee options, having AMD FreeSync is a superb addition; even for customers who’ve Nvidia GPUs. Then there may be HDR functionality however we’ll clarify why it isn’t excellent within the subsequent part. 

      Those who don’t wish to fiddle with the nub for settings exterior of enter can undoubtedly give the OSD Sidekick app a shot. Though the app works nicely, it’s actually a matter of desire with reference to usability. Users could make coloration modifications in SDR and different show choices however it’s additionally for toggling varied recreation assists. 

      Three main gaming help options are designed to supply players with a aggressive edge on the GS32QC. Foremost amongst these are the varied crosshair overlays, seamlessly enhancing gameplay in titles like Call of Duty and Helldivers 2, in addition to different first or third-person shooters. 

      Additionally, there’s the purpose help, successfully decreasing movement blur in fast-paced video games, although it is vital to notice its inoperability if the refresh fee falls under 100Hz or FreeSync is activated. To circumvent the necessity for purpose assists solely, gamers can choose to disable in-game movement blur. Finally, there’s the on-screen timer, a boon for speedrunners in search of to optimize their efficiency.

      Gigabyte GS34WQC: Performance

      (Image credit score: Future / John Loeffler)

       PC players with lower-to-mid-range rigs ought to really feel extra at house with the Gigabyte GS34WQC than dearer gaming displays. What the show does nicely is make good on its native 120Hz refresh fee and 1ms response time. Playing fast-paced on-line shooters like Helldivers 2 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III was a blast along with working exceptionally nicely. Add AMD Freesync Premium into the combo, it’s clear that the GS34WQC can run with the massive canine at comparable settings. As talked about earlier, the monitor is appropriate for multi-platform players as nicely contemplating each Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 can ship a max frame-rate output of 120Hz. 

      When it involves picture high quality, the GS34WQC is great when working in SDR. Colors are daring and crisp with simply the correct quantity of brightness. Blacks are deep and the distinction ratio seems fairly good. Just keep far-off from the Black Equilizer which must be bumped down significantly. The recreation assists are purported to make visuals clearer in darker areas when enjoying a recreation however that may break emersion and might merely be fastened by in-game brightness settings. More visually arresting video games like Alan Wake II and Cyberpunk 2077 look in addition to they carry out on the GS34WQC if one’s rig is as much as snuff. 

      Just depart HDR utterly alone on this gaming monitor. By default, HDR seems actually washed out and flat. The monitor loses a whole lot of the colorfulness and lushness that SDR supplies. Blacks look a bit too brilliant as nicely. Even when tinkering with settings, it is arduous to get coloration accuracy. With that mentioned creatives who use Adobe suite software program like Photoshop and Premiere Pro may wish to depart HDR alone when utilizing the GS34WQC. It’s merely not good for gaming, artistic work, or common computing duties. 

      Should I purchase the Gigabyte GS34WQC?

      Swipe to scroll horizontally
      Attributes Notes Rating
      Value An 32-inch ultrawide 1440p gaming monitor with a max 135Hz refresh fee at $329 sounds good if you happen to don’t thoughts lacking some extras. 4.5 / 5
      Features There aren’t a complete lot of options on provide right here, however what there may be works nicely sufficient. 3.5 / 5
      Design The design isn’t going to wow anybody however its considerably straightforward to arrange although the screws alongside lack of USB ports maintain it again. 3.5 / 5
      Performance Aspiring aggressive players or fans with low-to-mid-tier gaming rigs are going to have a lot to understand right here due to the whole lot from excessive refresh fee and 1ms response time to AMD FreeSync Premiere. 4 / 5
      Average Rating For a finances 1440p ultrawide gaming monitor, the Gigabyte GS34WQC is particular if expectations are managed. 3.88 / 5

      Buy the Gigabyte GS34WQC if… 

      Don’t purchase it if… 

      Also Consider

      How I examined the Gigabyte GS34WQC

      During the day, I used the Gigabyte GS34WQC for common computing duties that revolved round utilizing websites together with Google Docs, Hootsuite, and Asana. Now after which, I must create graphics and minimize video clips as nicely. There had been additionally occasions once I took a break to observe movies on YouTube alongside different social media platforms. 

      For gaming, I examined out the monitor’s efficiency by enjoying Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer alongside the present widespread recreation of the second, Helldivers 2. To take a look at out general gaming picture high quality, Forza Motorsport (2023), Alan Wake II, and others had been performed. All video games performed had been examined in each SDR and HDR modes, for good measure. 

      I’ve spent the previous a number of years protecting displays alongside different PC elements for Techradar. Outside of gaming, I’ve been proficient in Adobe Suite for over a decade as nicely, so I do know monitor once I use one.

      • First reviewed April 2024

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