Introduction
Ultrawide monitors are becoming increasingly popular for gaming setups. With their extra screen real estate and more immersive experience, ultrawides can significantly enhance your gaming. But should you buy an ultrawide monitor for gaming? There are several factors to consider. In this article, I’ll go over the pros and cons of ultrawide gaming monitors to help you decide if one is right for your needs.
What is an Ultrawide Monitor?
An ultrawide monitor is a display with an aspect ratio greater than 16:9, which is the standard for most monitors. Ultrawides have aspect ratios such as 21:9 or 32:9, providing a wider field of view.
The most common ultrawide resolution is 3440 x 1440. At this resolution, an ultrawide display is equivalent to two 1920 x 1080 monitors placed side by side. So you get a much wider screen area compared to a standard 16:9 monitor.
Some key specifications of a 34″ ultrawide monitor:
- Resolution: 3440 x 1440
- Aspect Ratio: 21:9
- Screen Size: 34 inches diagonal
- Curve: 1500R – 1800R curvature
Ultrawides are available in various sizes, but the 34″ models offer a good balance of immersion and desk space efficiency.
Pros of Ultrawide Gaming Monitors
Here are some of the main advantages of ultrawide monitors for gaming:
More Immersive Experience
The expanded field of view and curved screen of an ultrawide monitor gives you greater peripheral vision compared to a standard 16:9 display. This increased immersion makes you feel more involved in the game.
First-person and third-person perspective games really benefit from the extra peripheral vision provided by ultrawides. You get a wider view of the game world, which can help with spotting enemies, aiming, and spatial awareness.
Increased Screen Real Estate
With the equivalent screen space of two monitors side by side, an ultrawide gives you a lot more room to work with. You can see more of the game environment at a glance without having to pan the camera around.
The extra screen width is especially helpful in games with busy UIs like real-time strategy (RTS), MMORPGs, and MOBAs. You can comfortably view more UI elements simultaneously.
Enhanced Multi-Tasking
The expanded display area makes an ultrawide fantastic for multi-tasking. You can game on one side while having web pages, chats, guides or other apps open on the other side.
It’s like having a dual monitor setup without the annoying split between two displays.
More Desktop Space for Work
When not gaming, the extra screen real estate of an ultrawide is extremely useful for productivity. You can comfortably have multiple documents and apps open side by side.
So an ultrawide can serve double duty as a work and gaming display.
Cons of Ultrawide Monitors
However, ultrawide gaming monitors also come with some disadvantages:
More Expensive
Ultrawide monitors are more expensive than equally-specced 16:9 monitors. A good 34″ 3440×1440 ultrawide usually costs $200-400 more than a comparable 16:9 screen.
You’re paying a premium for the extra screen width. Make sure it’s worth it for the games you play.
Graphics Power Required
Driving an ultrawide’s higher resolution requires a powerful graphics card, especially for modern AAA games. You’ll need at least an Nvidia RTX 2060 or AMD RX 5700 XT or above to comfortably game in 1440p ultrawide.
With a lower-spec card, you won’t be able to max out graphics settings or hit high frame rates.
Ultrawide Support Lacking in Some Games
Though the situation has improved, some older or indie games still don’t support 21:9 ultrawide resolutions. You may have to deal with black bars at the edges of the screen in unsupported titles.
Thankfully most modern AAA games have full ultrawide support. But it’s something to keep in mind.
Finding the Right Desk
A 34″ ultrawide monitor is quite massive and takes up a lot of desk space. Make sure you have a desk deep and wide enough to comfortably accommodate it. You want to sit at least 2-3 feet away from such a large display.
A standing desk or very deep desktop is recommended to get the full benefit of an ultrawide without straining your neck.
Can Be Too Wide for Some Genres
The excessive width of an ultrawide monitor can actually be detrimental in some games. For instance, in competitive first-person shooters, you may have to physically turn your head to see elements at the extreme edges of the screen.
So an ultrawide might not provide an advantage in fast-paced competitive gaming. A standard 16:9 monitor is usually better suited for these genres.
Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Recommendations
If you decide an ultrawide is right for you, here are some of the best options currently available:
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LG 34GP83A-B – The best overall 34″ ultrawide gaming monitor with amazing performance. 144Hz refresh rate and IPS panel with great colors. Price around $800.
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Gigabyte G34WQC – A more budget-friendly option at around $450. Solid performance with 144Hz and VA panel.
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Alienware AW3420DW – A premium high-end choice with 120Hz IPS panel and G-sync. Usually around $950.
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Samsung Odyssey G9 – Top of the line 49″ super ultrawide with 240Hz and quantum dot QLED panel. Extremely expensive at around $1300.
I recommend the LG 34GP83A-B as the best balance of price and performance right now. But check benchmarks for the specific games you play.
Conclusion
Ultrawide gaming monitors can provide an awesomely immersive experience and extra screen space for work and multitasking. But the extra width may not benefit all game genres, plus you need sufficient graphics capability to drive the higher resolution.
Evaluate your gaming habits, desktop space, budget and graphics card to decide if an ultrawide monitor is a good choice for you. They require more of an investment but can greatly enhance your gaming and entertainment.
