The Gigabyte G34WQCP and its predecessor aim to provide a high-end gaming experience at a budget-friendly price. It gets some valuable upgrades, such as a higher refresh rate, making it more enticing in an ever-evolving market. Let’s take a closer look to see if it’s worth the money versus saving up a bit more and getting a higher-tiered alternative.
Gigabyte G34WQCP Specifications
- Screen Size: 34 Inches
- Resolution: 3440 x 1440 UW-QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 21:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Contrast Ratio: 4000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 350 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 2 Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4x 2, HDMI 2.0 x 2, 3.5mm Audio Jack x 1
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 31.9” x 19.1” x 9.3”
- Weight: 18.35 lbs
Design and Features
The Gigabyte G34WQCP didn’t get any major changes to its design, but we can’t complain since it works. The monitor has a matte black finish that looks neat and minimal, so the aesthetics do not overpower the ultrawide screen. The screen has a bezel-free design, but it still has inner borders like most monitors.
This model has a 34-inch ultrawide screen and an oversized base to keep that huge cabinet steady. It only needs 9.25 inches of depth, but its almost 32 inches of width might offset other large peripherals. It is not too heavy at 18.35 pounds, but some help in setting up will be nice because of the size.
Gigabyte’s build quality didn’t change for the worse, even when pricing for its best-selling monitor line was down. The plastics used are thick and sturdy, and there were no cosmetic defects on any of their sides. The included stand can hold the massive screen up, although it still has some wobbling when the screen is nudged accidentally.
The Gigabyte G34WQCP has a joystick for easy access to its OSD and features. You won’t see it directly, but it is within reach and very easy to manipulate. Other budget models have to make do with buttons, but Gigabyte has that covered for its avid fans.
However, the company missed the opportunity to upgrade the connectivity layout for the new model. It has two slots each for DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0, but we wish they included USB-C for this model too, like the M-series versions. The only port you get is a 3.5mm jack, but we can’t really complain because of the low price.
The included stand only offers tilt and height adjustments, but that’s all you will need for a curved ultrawide. You only need to center the screen to enjoy the benefits, so swivel and pivoting adjustments won’t be necessary. You can use VESA mounts, but they’re only needed for special instances, like when your desk space is limited.
It still includes speakers, but they are still the same as the old ones, with 2 watts of power each. That’s not a lot, so they can’t provide booming sound, but it’s always nice to have extras with any setup. The monitor is better paired with a headset since those will drown out unwanted noise and keep you immersed.
Display and Performance
The Gigabyte G34WQCP sports a 34-inch curved VA panel with a 3440 x 1440 resolution, an upgraded 190Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time. The backlight has a 350 cd/m2 while the contrast is listed at 4000:1, unlike older models. It has two major improvements in the output, indicating that this model uses a different and more modern panel.
34-inch 1440p monitors are widely accepted as a great upgrade for regular monitors due to the balance they present. You get a lot more room and sharpness, but its not going to be as demanding as a 4K screen. New models in the same format are still coming out, indicating that the demand for it is there in both the gaming and productivity spaces.
The Gigabyte G34WQCP covers 99% of sRGB and 90% of DCI-P3 for decent color in games and movies. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of 1.66, so it’s already pre-calibrated from the factory. Most users won’t need to do anything to it after set up, so it’s ready for gaming right away.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 1.45, but that’s not an appreciable difference. It is not worth getting a colorimeter for this model since there is very little room for improvement. It is decent for editing and content creation, but it’s already at its limit from the factory when it comes to accuracy.
The Gigabyte G34WQCP’s brightness reached 337 cd/m2 at 100%, so it can fight off a decent amount of glare. Its contrast reached an impressive 3611:1 at 35% brightness, enabling it to produce deep blacks and defined gradients. Only OLEDs and high-end IPS panels with mini-LEDs are better in this regard, increasing the value per dollar ratio of the monitor.
Panel uniformity for the test sample had some issues due to backlight leaks on the top edge of the screen. They are mostly unnoticeable, but dark scenes or an all-black image can reveal them. Note that this can vary with every monitor made due to manufacturing tolerances, so there are better and worse units out there.
The Gigabyte G34WQCP uses a VA panel, which isn’t known for blur-free performance. However, that 190Hz output gives it a boost over its predecessor’s 144Hz limit when it comes to motion clarity. Persistence and trailing are noticeably reduced, but they are still there if you pay attention enough, especially in contrasting transitions.
The Gigabyte G34WQCP is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync for buttery-smooth visuals. Dual compatibility is necessary now since it allows you to choose whichever GPU brand fits your needs and budget when it’s time to upgrade. The monitor’s input lag sits at 4ms at 190Hz, so it is just as fast and responsive as a premium model.
Thoughts on the Gigabyte G34WQCP
The Gigabyte G34WQCP is an excellent pick for gamers who want a budget-friendly option that provides an upscaled experience. 34-inch 1440p ultrawides are very common, but you’d be hard-pressed to find something comparable at the same price point. It has all the essentials down, and it is built like a premium device, so you won’t feel cheated when you finally unbox and use it.
However, there are a few missed opportunities here, such as adding USB-C connectivity. It’s also still prone to blurring, but it is not going to be as bad as it was on older VA gaming monitors. It’s a great pick, but it’s far from perfect, like so many budget models out there.
Pros:
- Excellent Price
- Great Build Quality
- Good Colors
- Upgraded Refresh Rate and Contrast
Cons:
- Limited Calibration
- No USB
- Prone to Blurring
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Overall
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