The LC-Power M34-UWQHD0-165-C is one of those newcomers that are designed to give established brands a run for their money. It’s a $300+ ultrawide gaming monitor that directly competes with something like the Gigabyte G34WQC or the Asus TUF VG34VQL1B. Let’s take a look at this elusive creature to see if it’s worth it or if newcomer LC-Power should try again.
LC-Power M34-UWQHD0-165-C Specifications
- Screen Size: 34 Inches
- Resolution: 3440 x 1440 UW-QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 21:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz
- Response Time: 1ms MPRT
- Contrast Ratio: 3000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 350 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: None
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (75 x 75)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, 3.5mm Audio Jack x 1m WiFi Antenna x 1
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 31.85” x 16.18” x 10.08”
- Weight: 17.33 lbs
Design and Features
The LC-Power M34-UWQHD0-165-C has a simple aesthetic that makes it look like a regular office monitor. It has a matte black finish all over, although it has an LED ring at the back, although it only glows in red. The screen has a bezel-free design but still has inner borders like most monitors.
34-inch monitors are still quite large, even if we do have crazier designs in the market. The device is almost three feet wide and over 10 inches deep, so a small corner desk will not be enough for it. It also doesn’t weigh a lot at 17.33 pounds, but extra care is still essential while moving it.
The LC-Power M34-UWQHD0-165-C is a budget model, but it doesn’t feel too cheap. It’s mostly made out of plastic, but there are no signs of flexing, which can lead to cracks later on. The included stand is stable thanks to its wide-reaching base, but there is some wobbling when you touch the cabinet.
It’s a bummer that the monitor is still using buttons instead of a more user-friendly joystick. The keys are located below the bottom bezels, and they are labeled, but the need to press some keys multiple times still makes them inconvenient. However, this is a minor issue for us since the monitor is very affordable.
The included stand offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments, which will allow you to configure a comfortable viewing angle. This is essential for any monitor, but curved ultrawide only needs to be centered on maximizing what they have to offer.
The layout of the LC-Power M34-UWQHD0-165-C is rather limited, but again, that’s also understandable for a budget-friendly model. It only includes DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 ports, and a 3.5mm jack for speakers. Extras like USB ports would be nice, but not if they come with added costs that will break the money-saving proposition of a budget monitor.
Another missing feature here is a pair of built-in speakers, but that’s also understandable. Ultrawides like this are better utilized with headsets that will maximize their immersive capabilities in games.
Display and Performance
The LC-Power M34-UWQHD0-165-C sports a 34-inch VA panel with a 3440 x 1440 resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms boosted response time. The backlight has a 350 cd/m2 output while the contrast is listed at 3000:1. This model isn’t HDR certified, but that’s okay since it’s impossible to get true HDR performance from the specs it has.
34-inch 1440p monitors are great all-around, and most of them are very affordable now. It gives you a lot of horizontal room which creates a wider field of view and games or more room to maneuver for productivity. It’s beneficial for most scenarios, so you get more out of every dollar you spend to get it.
The LC-Power M34-UWQHD0-165-C covers 100% sRGB and 89% of DCI-P3 for great color in games and movies. It is not very accurate out of the box, but its default dE average is only at 2.69. most users won’t need to calibrate it since it’s decently balanced already.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to a fantastic 0.88, making it comparable with its premium counterparts when it comes to potential accuracy. However, it’s still not worth getting a colorimeter for it unless you will use it for work, too. We recommend going with a prosumer monitor instead if that is your priority.
The LC-Power M34-UWQHD0-165-C’s backlight reached 370 cd/m2 at 100%, so it can fight off a lot of glare. Its contrast reached an amazing 4288:1 for intense blacks and dark scenes. It is great for immersive gaming, but some black crush can happen if you lower the brightness too much.
The biggest weakness of this option is its poor pixel response time and largely ineffective overdrive feature. Using its Ultrafast mode helped a bit, but it still couldn’t boost the screen fast enough to prevent blurring and persistence. This is a known limitation of VA panels, but many brands have solved it one way or the other.
The LC-Power M34-UWQHD0-165-C is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync for stutter and tearing-free gaming. Dual compatibility is essential if you want to save money and keep VRR since you won’t have to buy another monitor if you switch GPU brands. Its input lag sits at 4ms, so it is as fast and snappy as the best ones out there.
Thoughts on the LC-Power M34-UWQHD0-165-C
The LC-Power M34-UWQHD0-165-C is a decent pick for budget gamers who want to upgrade their visual experience. It offers great colors and contrast, which are essential for immersive games like Elden Ring or Starfield. It doesn’t have a lot of extras, but it’s built decently, and it doesn’t look cheap overall.
However, there are some limitations that may make it look less attractive to gamers. It is prone to blurring despite maxing out its overdrive, so it will not look great for fast-paced games like SIM racing or E-Sports titles. It’s priced to compete but not the best pick at the same price range.
Pros:
- Excellent Contrast
- Accurate Colors (Calibrated)
- Affordable
Cons:
- Prone to Blurring
- Limited Features
- Ineffective Overdrive
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.
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