The ViewSonic Elite XG341C-2K aims to impress enthusiasts with an immersive screen and high-end specifications. It’s a modernized version of the old 200Hz ultrawides like the Asus PG35VQ, so it has key capabilities that were unavailable before. Let’s check out this expensive monitor to see how it fares against the very desirable QD-OLED ultrawides.
ViewSonic Elite XG341C-2K Specifications
- Screen Size: 34 Inches
- Resolution: 3440 x 1440 UW-QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 21:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment (VA)
- Refresh Rate: 200Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Contrast Ratio: 3000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 1000cd/m² Peak
- Built-inSpeakers: Yes (2 x 5 Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4x 1, HDMI 2.2 x USB-C PD90W x 1, USB 3.2 x 4, 3.5mm Audio Jacks x 1
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 31.8″ x 23.67″ x 15.1”
- Weight: 18.7 lbs
Design and Features
The ViewSonic Elite XG341C-2K sports a cleaner look than its predecessors, so it is suited for a wider range of setups. The monitor has matte black aesthetics but has Elite RGB LED strips at the back for themed setups. The display has thinner bezels than most ultrawides, although it still has a thick bottom strip like most “bezel-free” monitors.
This model isn’t gigantic by today’s standards, but its needs more space than identical products. The oversized base needs 15.1 inches of depth, so it can be cumbersome to position it if your desk isn’t expansive enough. The good news is it’s lighter than its predecessors since it doesn’t go above 40 pounds.
Its build quality is great, as expected from a monitor that belongs in the brand’s flagship gaming lineup. The plastic panels are thick and sturdy, and the test sample had no cosmetic defects. The stand is firm and stable, but some slight wobbling can happen if the panel is accidentally nudged.
The ViewSonic Elite XG341C-2K has an OSD joystick to access the monitor’s features and settings conveniently. The menus themselves are a chore at times, but we’re thankful that you won’t have to maneuver through them with buttons. A remote would be handier in this case, but it is not completely necessary.
The monitor’s stand offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments for your comfort and convenience. Pivoting was omitted since ultrawide monitors aren’t ideal candidates for portrait mode. You can use VESA mounts, but that’s only necessary if the stand’s obnoxious size gets in the way of your setup.
Our favorite characteristic of this monitor is its connectivity layout, which is more modern than the older G-Sync locked 200Hz ultrawides. You get DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.1 slots, and a 90-watt USB-C slot for modern devices like MacBooks. Essentially, these ports enable it to be an all-in-one display solution for PC, consoles, and your work PC.
You also get four USB 3.2 ports, a 3.5mm jack, and 5-watt speakers in the chassis. The latter can get loud enough, but they lack the range necessary for entertainment. That’s fine since you are better off with headsets anyway to complement the monitor’s immersive nature.
Display and Performance
The ViewSonic Elite XG341C-2K boasts a 34-inch 1500r curved VA panel with a 3440 x 1440 resolution and an overclocked 200Hz refresh rate. Its response time is listed at 1ms, while its contrast is listed at 3000:1 like most VA panels. What sets this model apart is its 1152-zone mini-LED backlight and HDR 1400 certification, indicating drastically improved HDR performance.
1440p ultrawides are still selling like hotcakes since they are great for gaming and productivity. They are not oversized but are still capable of excellent sharpness and detail compared to other screen types. They aren’t as demanding as a 4K monitor regarding graphics, so it’s easier to reach that 200Hz.
However, the most disappointing fact about this monitor is its 200Hz mode is actually useless. It adds VRR flickering to the monitor and activating it locks the local dimming out. The monitor works great at 165Hz, but these limitations falsify the monitor’s 200Hz marketing.
The ViewSonic Elite XG341C-2K covered 100% and 95% of the sRGB and DCI-P3 gamuts, respectively. It’s also pleasantly accurate out of the box with a deltaE average of 1.31, indicating that there is no need for immediate calibration. The monitor is good to go right away as far as color quality is concerned.
Calibrating it with a colorimeter reduced the dE average to a much better 0.86. That’s a score that’s usually reserved for color-critical work. The downside is that you will need a colorimeter to get the same result, and those aren’t cheap or accessible.
The ViewSonic Elite XG341C-2K’s backlight reached 703 cd/m2 in SDR, and it peaked at 1425 cd/m2 when it’s HDR mode is active. The screen’s contrast reached 4156:1, but it expanded exponentially when the mini-LEDs worked their magic. It is not comparable to the QD OLEDs in this regard, but it is capable of fantastic HDR performance.
Panel uniformity for the test sample had some minor issues at the top and bottom edges of the screen. This is common with curved displays, but not all monitors have the same issues or levels of it. Some haloing can also happen in select instances, although they won’t be a big deal unless you focus on catching each flaw.
Another disappointing characteristic of this monitor is its terrible pixel response time. The 200Hz refresh rate and overdrive feature cannot completely eliminate the blurring. The fluid motion is there, but some dark trails and persistence can ruin this benefit, especially if you play games with plenty of contrasting scenes.
The ViewSonic Elite XG341C-2K is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync, so you don’t have to worry about tearing and stuttering. Both GPU brands have capable cards for this monitor, so it’s best not to be stuck with either one. Input lag sits at 4ms at 165Hz, so it’s just as fast as the best ultrawide gaming monitors out there.
Thoughts on the ViewSonic Elite XG341C-2K
The ViewSonic Elite XG341C-2K is fantastic on paper if we base our judgment on its color and HDR performance. It’s designed quite nicely with all the right add-ons, plus a little bling courtesy of the RGB LED lights. It’s also built to be flexible thanks to its modern connectivity layout which includes HDMI 2.1 and USB-C.
However, this monitor isn’t worth its price simply because its 200Hz mode is practically unusable. It is prone to blurring and ghosting, so it isn’t a cut above most 1440p ultrawides, costing only a third of this monitor’s SRP. It’s not worth its current price tag, but a massive discount can change that and help users overlook these faults.
Pros:
- Excellent Accuracy (Default and Calibrated)
- Fantastic HDR Performance
- HDMI 2.1 and USB-C Connectivity
- Deep SDR and HDR Contrast
Cons:
- Pricey
- 200Hz Mode Limits Main Features
- Prone to Blurring
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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