The LG 38WR85QC-W was designed to be a true mixed-use monitor for both business-oriented and gaming applications. Its specifications are reminiscent of the older LG 38WK95C, but it’s also a 144Hz monitor with G-Sync compatibility. It is not cheap like most mixed-use monitors, but let’s check it out to know if it’s a worthy investment.
LG 38WR85QC-W Specifications
- Screen Size: 38 Inches
- Resolution: 3840 x 1600 WQHD+
- Aspect Ratio: 21:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 450 cd/m² (600 cd/m² Peak)
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 7 Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, USB-C PD90W x 1, USB-C x 1, USB 3.0 x 4, RJ45 x 1, 3.5mm Audio Jack x 1
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 35.25″ x 18.65″ x 11.22”
- Weight: 18.34 lbs
Design and Features
The LG 38WR85QC-W sports a cleaner look than the older models, which had the aging ArcLine stand. The monitor has a white chassis, so it looks cleaner and well-suited for environments like studios or high-end offices. The display has a frameless design, although it still has inner borders like most modern displays.
It’s larger than your average desktop monitor, so some preparation might be necessary before pulling the trigger. It’s 35.25 inches wide and 11.22 inches deep, but the base is flat, so you can use it for smaller peripherals. Its quite light for its size, but we still recommend some caution in setting it up or moving it around because of the size.
The build quality is pretty solid, just like most of LG’s display products across the board. The plastics used are thick and sturdy, plus there were no signs of cosmetic defects or imperfections. The stand can hold the massive screen upright, but there is still some wobbling if you hit the edges of the screen.
The LG 38WR85QC-W has an OSD joystick at the bottom below the LG logo. It’s very easy to access and manipulate compared to buttons, so tweaking the monitor on the fly is easier and quicker. You can also use LG’s OnScreen Control directly in the OS with your mouse and keyboard.
The included stand offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments for your convenience. Pivoting wasn’t included, but that’s understandable since ultrawides were not meant to be used as portrait displays. You can still use VESA mounts, but it only becomes a necessary purchase if space is limited or if you have multiple screens on deck.
Its connectivity helps the “mixed-use” aspect of the monitor since it offers more than what’s typically included with monitors. You get DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 slots, and a 90-watt USB-C port with DP Alt Mode. It also has two USB 3.0 ports at the back and two under it, a second USB-C port, an RJ45 LAN slot, and a 3.5mm port for convenience.
It also has a KVM feature, so you can maximize its video inputs while using a single mouse and keyboard set. This, along with a large screen, works great for almost every type of use, so the layout reinforces the value it offers per dollar spent.
You also get a pair of 7-watt speakers with this model compared to others that only had 2 watts per channel. They can get loud enough to fill a small room, so you can use them for movies or even some casual gaming. We still recommend headsets for better focus and immersion, but it is always nice to have a usable backup.
Display and Performance
The LG 38WR85QC-W sports a 38-inch IPS panel with a 3840 x 1600 resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time. The backlight has a 450 cd/m2 typical output and a 600 cd/m2 peak, while the contrast is listed at 1000:1. This model is HDR 600 certified, meaning it has a higher brightness output and limited local dimming.
It’s not as sharp as a 34-inch model, but it’s not a big difference, and it offers extra vertical room. It is fantastic for multitasking because of the expanded room, while games and movies look more immersive. It will also need a more powerful GPU, but it is still less demanding than a 4K screen.
The LG 38WR85QC-W covered 100% sRGB and 94% DCI-P3 for stunning color in games and movies. Its default accuracy was great with a dE average of only 1.76. Most users won’t need to calibrate it, so it is ready for use right away.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 0.4, which is fantastic for a mixed-use monitor. The downside is that a score like this is only possible if you have a colorimeter with you, and those are not cheap. We can only recommend the extra purchase if you use the monitor for color-critical work.
The screen’s brightness reached 461 cd/m2 in SDR and it peaked at 667 cd/m2 when its HDR mode is active. Its contrast reached 1089:1 at 30% brightness, so it’s incapable of deep blacks like VA and OLED alternatives. Its HDR implementation helped a bit, but we thought it was weak compared to other monitors with better local dimming implementations.
Panel uniformity for the test sample was marred with visible backlight bleeding on the top edge of the curved screen. It’s not as bad when against a white or full-colored background, but dark scenes will reveal the flaw. Note that this can still vary with every unit made due to tolerances, so there are better ones out there.
The LG 38WR85QC-W has an excellent pixel response time for a mixed-use monitor. Setting its overdrive to the Fast level is your best bet for blur reduction without overshoot. Note that keeping your frames above 100 FPS is a must for this result.
The LG 38WR85QC-W is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync for tear and stutter-free gaming. It’s not very common to get this feature with mixed-use monitors, so it somehow justifies the premium price tag. Its input lag sits at 4ms at 144Hz, so it is just as fast as most gaming models in the market.
Thoughts on the LG 38WR85QC-W
The LG 38WR85QC-W is an excellent choice for users who need a double-edged sword for their setups. It is great for editing, multitasking, and gaming, thanks to its fantastic image quality and performance. It’s built quite well and equipped with many connectivity options, so it’s worth the price for the right user.
It is far from perfect, but most of its limitations are natural or can be expected. Its panel uniformity wasn’t the best, and it is not completely blur-free like OLED or TN models. However, it’s a fantastic purchase based on its performance and features, but we’d wait for a discount since it’s pricey.
Pros:
- Excellent Colors and Gaming Performance
- Plenty of Connectivity Options
- Great Build Quality and Aesthetics
- 90-Watt USB-C
Cons:
- Limited Contrast and HDR
- Expensive
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 has the 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 and create reviews that accentuate the seldom-explained aspects of a PC monitor.
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