The Asus VA34VCPSN is a sub-$500 monitor with many talents, including a USB-C hub with power delivery. It also has a 100Hz refresh rate, so it’s great at alternating as a gaming display after long hours of work. It may sound too good to be true, but let’s check and see what the Asus VA34VCPSN does best.
Asus VA34VCPSN Specifications
- Screen Size: 34 Inches
- Resolution:3440 x 1440 UW-QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 21:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment (VA)
- Refresh Rate: 100Hz
- Response Time: 4ms
- Contrast Ratio: 3000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 300 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 2 Watts)
- Stand: Height –Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: No
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 1, USB 3.2 x 3, USB-C PD65W x 1, RJ45 x 1, 3.5mm Audio Jack x 1
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 31.9” x 14.41” x 8.32”
- Weight: 20.99 lbs
Design and Features
The Asus VA34VCPSN looks different from the old PG348Q which was the first Asus monitor to offer identical display specifications. This model has an all-black chassis, so it looks more like it was meant for business. The screen has thin bezels on three sides, but they are hard to notice against the large panel.
It is not a miniature monitor by any means, but you still need a good-sized desk to accommodate it because of its width. Asus did minimize its footprint with a smaller and more reasonable base, so it will only need 8.32 inches of depth. The monitor is quite heavy at 20.99 pounds, so ask for help if you are unsure about moving it around.
Its build quality is just as good as what we’ve seen on most Asus products in the computing market. The device is mostly made of plastic, but it feels durable and without any signs of weakness or manufacturing defects. The included stand is firm enough to uphold the display, although it can wobble a bit if you nudge it accidentally.
The Asus VA34VCPSN has an OSD joystick and some shortcut keys like most of its higher-tiered offerings. The layout is located at the back near the right side edge of the screen, so you have to reach for it at times. It’s not a big bother, especially when it is compared to stiff keys that need to be pressed again and again.
The included stand offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments, so it’s easy enough to get a comfortable angle. Pivoting wasn’t included since it’s unnecessary for an ultrawide. You can use VESA mounts for flexibility, but we don’t think it is necessary for most users.
The Asus VA34VCPSN’s main highlight is its connectivity layout which has more to offer than your typical business display. It has DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.1, but it also has a 65-watt USB-C port with DP Alt Mode for modern laptops. You will also find an RJ45 LAN port, three USB 3.2 ports, and a 3.5mm jack for headphones.
It also includes a pair of speakers, but they only offer 2 watts of power per channel, like what most Asus offerings have. They don’t have the power or oomph for gaming and entertainment, so we think owners will most likely avoid using them altogether. You are better off with headsets or a dedicated desktop set since they have improved range and are better for immersion.
Display and Performance
The Asus VA34VCPSN sports a 34-inch VA panel with a 3440 x 1440 resolution, a 100Hz refresh rate, and a 4ms response time. The backlight has a 300 cd/m2 output while the contrast is listed at 3000:1. This model doesn’t have HDR specifications, but that’s understandable since it isn’t designed primarily for entertainment.
1440p ultrawides are perfect for all types of use since they are balanced while offering more room. The pixel density offers decent sharpness without making small objects like text look microscopic. You will need a more powerful GPU for games, but it’s nothing like what a 4K display will require.
The Asus VA34VCPSN covered 99% sRGB and 86% DCI-P3, so it is decently vibrant for an affordable monitor. Its default accuracy had a dE average of 2.24, which isn’t the best, but it is acceptable for daily use. Most users won’t need to do a lot to get it usable out of the box.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 1.08, which makes it suitable for content creation and some editing work. However, you will need the assistance of a colorimeter for this endeavor since it is impossible to get similar results with manual tweaking. It is not worth it unless you do professional editing, and there are better monitors out there.
The Asus VA34VCPSN’s backlight reached a peak of 347 cd/m2 at 100% brightness, so it has plenty of room for adjustment. Its contrast reached 3511:1 at 30% brightness, so it’s capable of deep blacks versus IPS panels. It is not capable of convincing HDR, but it can still provide immersive visuals because of this characteristic.
Panel uniformity for the test sample had some issues due to backlight leaks on the top edge of the screen. They showed up as clouding in dark scenes, but well-lit or full-color ones aren’t as affected. Note that this can change with every monitor made due to tolerances, so there are better units out there.
The biggest weakness of the Asus VA34VCPSN is its slower pixel response time, which comes naturally with the panel type. Setting the overdrive too high isn’t a solution since it will add overshoot, which is even worse than the original issue. It is still great for gaming, but there are more capable options for competitive play.
The Asus VA34VCPSN is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync for tear and stutter-free gaming. It’s essential to have this feature so you won’t have to ditch the monitor if you switch to the other GPU brand. Input lag sits at 6ms at 100Hz, so it is still fast and responsive for most gaming scenarios.
Thoughts on the Asus VA34VCPSN
The Asus VA34VCPSN is a decent choice if you want a dual-purpose display for less money. It is not the best for gaming or professional use, but it is a happy medium that can satisfy reasonable requirements. Its connectivity makes it even better since it allows you to enjoy flexible connectivity without spending more than what’s necessary.
It does have its flaws, but none can be considered deal-breakers considering its dual-purpose nature. It is prone to blurring, but it’s not entirely bad for most gaming usages since it can still provide smooth visuals and excellent contrast. It’s a great buy for almost anyone, but there are better picks at the same price if you want a more focused option.
Pros:
- Fantastic Price
- Versatile Performance
- USB-C Connectivity
- FreeSyn and G-Sync Compatible
Cons:
- Prone to Blurring
- Limited USB-C Charging
About the Author: 
Paolo has been a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations; he believes that every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.
Leave a Reply