The Pixio PXC348C offers competitive specifications like USB-C and a 144Hz refresh rate at the $400 price point. However, there are a lot of strong competitors and best-sellers in the same segment, such as the Gigabyte G34WQC or the AOC CU34G2X. Let’s see if the advantages this model can present aren’t limited to its 65-watt type C port.
Pixio PXC348C 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 MPRT
- Contrast Ratio: 4000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 450 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 2 Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, USB-C PD65W x1, 3.5mm Audio Jack x 1
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 31.85” x 20.55” x 11.77”
- Weight: 15.65 lbs
Design and Features
The PXC348C sports a more straightforward aesthetic than its predecessors, but it still doesn’t look like a blocky office monitor. This model has a matte black finish, so it doesn’t look conspicuous in any setting. The display has a bezel-free design but still has panel borders like any regular monitor.
This model isn’t gigantic by today’s standards, but it still takes up more space than a regular 16:9 screen. It also has a base with wide reaches, so it will need almost a foot of depth from your desk. It’s not as heavy as the other budget ultrawides at 15.65 pounds, so it should be easy to move around for anyone.
Build quality for the test sample did not have any major issues like uneven panels or gaps in the seams. It feels much more solid than the old Pixio monitors we’ve seen, showing us that the company hasn’t stopped improving. The stand has a slight wobble, but it only happens if you nudge the screen near its edges.
The Pixio PXC348C has an OSD joystick to access its features and settings easily. The tool is located at the back near the right-hand side of the screen, so you won’t have trouble getting to it even if you don’t have a line of sight. Other budget monitors have to make do with buttons which consume more time and effort.
The included stand is fully adjustable, so you can tilt, swivel, pivot, and adjust the screen’s height. This is one of its advantages over its closest competitors since most of them are limited to two movements. You can also use VESA mounts, but that only becomes necessary if you need to save space or have multiple monitors on hand.
The Pixio PXC348C’s connectivity layout doesn’t have valuable extras like USB ports, but it has a 65-Watt USB-C port with DP Alt Mode. That, along with the DisplayPort 1.4 slot and two HDMI 2.0 slots can support many devices like MacBooks aside from your main gaming PC. It also has a pair of 3-watt speakers, but they sound tinny, so they are unusable for gaming.
Display and Performance
The Pixio PXC348C sports a 34-inch curved VA panel with a 3440 x 1440 resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms boosted response time. The backlight has a 450 cd/m2 maximum output and a 4000:1 contrast ratio. This model doesn’t advertise HDR certification, but it’s marketed as an HDR gaming monitor.
Ultrawide monitors are great for both gaming and productivity because of the extra horizontal screen space they provide. It’s easier to multitask since there is more room to maneuver, while games look more convincing with wider field of views. It takes a bit more GPU horsepower to get to 144Hz, but modern midrange cards are increasingly capable of providing that.
The Pixio PXC348C covers 100% sRGB and 86% DCI-P3 for great saturation and vibrancy in games and movies. Its default accuracy has a deltaE average of 1.91, so most users won’t have to calibrate it immediately. Gamers will be happy with it, so most will only need to adjust the brightness level to something comfortable.
Calibrating it improved the dE average to 1.31, which s even better and more balanced than the stock setting. The downside is that you will need a colorimeter to get identical results, and those aren’t cheap. We can only recommend getting them if your job requires the best possible color accuracy.
The Pixio PXC348C’s backlight reached 392 cd/m2 in SDR but peaked at 437 cd/m2 when its HDR mode was active. Its contrast ratio reached 3431:1, so it’s capable of deep blacks and convincing night scenes. It’s not capable of true HDR performance like most budget monitors, so we don’t recommend buying it based on that.
Panel uniformity for the test sample had some minor backlight bleeding at the top edge of the screen. They become noticeable in dark scenes, but they can vary between every unit made due to tolerances. We recommend going with a seller that will quickly honor a return and exchange request in case you get a bad unit.
Another limitation of this monitor is its slower pixel response time due to the panel type. It’s not as bad as on the older VA monitors, but trails and persistence can happen in fast and contrasting transitions. You can utilize its overdrive, but setting it too high will induce overshoot.
The Pixio PXC348C is compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync for stutter and tear-free gaming. Both GPU companies have suitable cards for this monitor, so it’s wise to be free to choose between them when it’s time to upgrade. Input lag is slightly higher at 6ms, but it’s still very responsive and suitable for fast-paced play.
Thoughts on the Pixio PXC348C
The Pixio PXC348C is an excellent budget option for gamers who want something that’s flexible and immersive. The screen is capable of decent color performance and deep contrast and comes equipped with a USB-C slot. It’s built well, and it looks good, so most users will like it and stick with it through a few upgrade cycles.
The Pixio PXC348C’s HDR performance is disappointing, plus it’s still prone to blurring or ghosting. It has a USB-C slot, but it is limited to 65 watts, so it can’t charge high-spec laptops while they are crunching the numbers. However, it is an excellent buy for the low price since that makes its limitations feel less like deal breakers.
Pros:
- Excellent Brightness and Contrast
- Good Vibrancy and Accuracy
- USB-C Included
Cons:
- Limited HDR Performance
- Prone to Blurring
- USB-C Limite
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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