The LG 34WP65C-B is a 34in ultrawide curved monitor with an impressive spec sheet and a price tag to match. On paper, this is the ultimate professional display: remote workers will appreciate the vast amount of screen real estate and ergonomic stand, while gamers benefit from the 160Hz refresh rate and comprehensive AMD FreeSync Premium support.
At 34-inches, the LG 34WP65C-B is reasonably compact for a 21:9 monitor, but it still offers a good deal of space for opening multiple apps, enjoying immersive games, or watching movies. The 34WP65C-B also has plenty of performance credibility with a 160Hz refresh rate, FreeSync, and sRGB 99% Color Gamut with HDR10. Most significantly, it sells for under $500.
All users will appreciate the high-quality, VA (vertically aligned) panel, which offers accurate color, wide viewing angles, HDR output of 300 cd/m2 nits, a high 3440 x 1440 QHD resolution, and AMD FreeSync for gaming. While the 5ms response rate is a bit slow for pro gamers, it suffices for most of us, creatives and gamers alike.
This is a budget monitor after all, especially when compared with a similarly specced gaming monitor of this size. If you need something tuned for gaming, you can spend more on the 34-inch LG 34GP83A-B which boasts a shorter, 1ms response time and G-Sync compatibility, or splurge on our Editors’ Choice for gaming monitors, the LG UltraGear 38GL950G-B packs a 1ms response time, a 144Hz refresh rate and 450cd/m2 peak brightness.
Otherwise, the LG 34WP65C-B remains a stellar budget monitor that offers decent performance for pretty everyone out there; it wouldn’t make sense if it shined with features that most people buying it will hardly use, and in the process attract a higher asking price. And with the ultra-wide QHD resolution, 160Hz refresh rate, and plenty of other features, it’s one of the best and most well-balanced 34-inch monitors you can buy right now.
LG 34WP65C-B Specifications
- Screen Size: 34 Inches, 21:9
- Resolution: 3440 x 1440 UW-QHD
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment(VA)
- Refresh Rate: 160Hz
- Response Time: 5ms
- Contrast Ratio: 3000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 300 cd/m²
- Ergonomics: Height, Tilt, VESA (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, 3.5mm Audio Jack
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 10.2 x 31.9 x 18 inches
- Weight: 16.98 lbs
LG 34WP65C-B Review: Design and Features
We’re pleased that LG uses a flexible, adjustable stand, and paired with a lighter weight this is an incredibly easy monitor to move around. It’s as compact as it can realistically be, so you can push it back quite far on your desk, and it offers adjustment of tilt and height, but it doesn’t have swivel adjustment.
LG keeps things neat at the rear, with the standard two HDMI inputs, a DisplayPort, and a headphone jack as well as a power input. There are no USB ports, which is a major omission, especially now that competing monitors offer up to USB Type-C connectivity. The connections are all rear-facing and high on the monitor’s back, making them easy to reach during installation.
LG doesn’t supply a ports cover, instead relying on its supplied black cables to blend in which is useful if you’re thinking of using this monitor in front of the house. That all-black theme extends to the external power supply too.
While IPS monitors have been a recommendable option traditionally, LG opts for VA technology on the 34WP65C-B, for a good reason. VA panels have perfectly fine color accuracy and coverage for the vast majority of users, and the panel used here covers sRGB 99% color gamut, and with the 3-sided virtually borderless design, it will look great on any desk.
The pair of built-in 7W speakers produce a surprising amount of bass, along with clean highs that are never harsh, even at maximum volume. While an external system or headphones can sound better, these are some of the best built-in speakers we’ve heard on a monitor.
LG 34WP65C-B Review: Picture Quality
The LG 34WP65C-B has a 21:9 aspect ratio, which is practically more useful than taller 4K screens, with the extra width being better for films, and it provides extra screen real estate for working. If you ever wanted a screen for work gaming, this one has its credentials in order, with immersive scenes on modern titles. What makes it better is the fact that it has more room to maneuver in FPS titles, and even the fastest games benefit.
Its predecessor, the LG 34UC79G-B has a resolution of 2,560 x 1,080 and a 21:9 aspect ratio, and at release, we loved it for those features. Things get better on the newer iteration. This 21:9 panel has a resolution of 3,440 x 1,440, which is the same resolution as its rivals like the Samsung C34F791 and Acer Predator x34, which cost almost double.
The UW QHD resolution of 3,440 x 1,440 pixels has its pros and cons. For instance, with the 21:9 aspect ratio, the screen can deliver a rich pixel density of about 110 PPI (Pixels Per Inch). This is arguably the sweet spot between big-screen real estate and picture detail, meaning you’ll have both plenty of workspace as well as crisp and vivid visuals.
Most movies are shot at the native aspect ratio of 21:9, so you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite shows and movies on the screen. The same aspect ratio is supported by lots of games, but you’ll have to do with a black bar at the sides or stretched visuals on certain games. To be safe, first check the basic game requirements before purchasing, although we can guarantee that a number supports a 21:9 aspect ratio.
Additionally, the On-Screen Control module supports various functions including a split screen option that has four picture-in-picture (PIP) choices and three gamer modes, two First-Person-Shooter modes, and even RTS pre-set modes.
LG 34WP65C-B Review: Performance
The LG 34WP65C-B appeals with impressive out-of-the-box performance. Its brightness level of 317 cd/m2 looks much better than LG’s quoted figure, and it’s bolstered with a 3000:1 contrast ratio. The high contrast is important, as it makes pictures vibrant, and helps this monitor deliver a wide array of shades –even closely matched tones are easier to tell apart.
On this monitor, we haven’t run into any dead pixels, a common issue among gaming monitors, but you don’t run into backlight bleeding on VA panels as you would on IPS panels. If your system uses an AMD graphics card, it’s possible to use the compatible graphics card to synchronize the GPU’s frame rate with this monitor’s refresh rate.
On the other hand, if using an Nvidia GPU, it’s still possible to use the monitor at 144Hz by creating a custom resolution available in the variable refresh rate technology. However, at 75-100Hz, playability is smoother, and with the Dynamic Action Sync feature enabled, the input lag averages ~10ms.
Response time is a vital consideration for gaming screens, and the LG performs very well. Its average response time of 5ms is excellent, anything below 20ms is good for gaming. So far, among similarly priced 1440p ultrawide monitors, both the LG 34UC80-B and the LG 34WN80C-B have the best response time speed, with near absent motion blur and ghosting in fast-paced games. There’s a Response Time Control feature in the OSD (On-Screen Display) that you can use to further eliminate ghosting.
Surprisingly, fast-paced games have smoother playability on the 160Hz LG 34WP65C-B than competing 144Hz VA-panels with the same 3,440 x 1,440 resolutions, such as the Viotek GN34C as it doesn’t have much blur. However, there are a few benefits to using a high refresh panel including more fluid and smooth visuals in fast-paced games.
Colors are fairly accurate; their temperature only deviates by a small margin across the entire screen. This is a vital attribute for gaming and movies –meaning they’re important for a multi-use panel like this.
LG 34WP65C-B Review | verdict
We have long adhered to the industry-accepted principles of image fidelity: contrast, color accuracy, and resolution, strictly in that order. But monitor buyers tend to shop resolution first, then panel technology. And gamers, with good reasons, always go for the highest possible refresh rate their budget can accommodate.
Many displays offer all these features in a 21:9 ultra-wide aspect ratio, at sizes ranging from 34 inches to as high as 49 inches. But most of these monitors command premium prices. The best screens will set you back at least $1000. Even a decent 16:9 monitor will set you back around $500.
But the LG 34WP65C-B is a true price breakthrough in the ultra-wide category. For less than most of its competitors, it provides ample size, decent contrast, accurate color, 160Hz, FreeSync, and HDR. Our gripes here are the lack of USB and we just wish it had adjustments to fix grayscale tracking., but they don’t affect performance at all.
Still, for the price, we know nothing better –or even close. Color accuracy is top-notch, contrast is decent, and the resolution can’t be matched. For that reason, this LG 34WP65C-B comes highly recommended.
Should you buy the LG 34WP65C-B?
If you’ve wished for an affordable ultra-wide monitor for productivity tasks, and some gaming on the side, the LG 34WP65C-B is pretty much in a class by itself. When it comes to general use and even gaming, this monitor shines making the experience nearly as good as many far-pricier displays.
Recommended Configuration
LG 34WP65C-B 34-Inch 21:9 Curved UltraWide QHD (3440x1440) VA Display with sRGB 99% Color Gamut and HDR 10 and 3-Side Virtually Borderless Display with Tilt/Height Adjustable Stand -Black
$279.99 in stock
20 used from $232.39
The Review
LG 34WP65C-B
The LG 34WP65C-B is an excellent ultra-wide monitor that combines a generous size, with a high resolution and fantastic image quality. This AMD FreeSync-enabled monitor merits for gamers and productivity users n a budget.
PROS
- Large ultrawide screen
- Good text clarity
- Good for moderately-lit rooms
CONS
- Struggles in bright environments
Review Breakdown
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EDITORS RATING
