Final Words & Verdict

Final Words & Verdict

The AOC CU34G2X proved to be an interesting WQHD (3440 x 1440) display, providing a pixel density of 109.68 PPI (pixels per inch), which is similar to 2560 x 1440 on a 27” monitor. It’s a value solution for gamers of almost all tiers, maybe except for the competitive crowd (CS: GO). It really is a fabulous choice for the average/casual gamer on a tight budget. This is also the first time this editor has seen a 34″ ultra-wide display with a 144 Hz refresh rate in action. 

Features

The AOC CU34G2X offers a wide range of ergonomics-oriented features, including up to 130 mm height adjustment, +/- 30° swivel, -5°/23° tilt, and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility. The two HDMI and DP ports, four USB 3.0 ports, and a headphone jack are features that you can’t miss, and you should definitely be satisfied with this package. The design is certainly less striking than some of the other “gaming monitors.” The build quality is excellent, and the stand is very solid. The only noticeably “budget” thing here is the OSD, which still gives you all the necessary options for setting up the display. Reaching those settings may be a bit of a struggle, though. You need to press the menu button to bring it up, press it again to activate the setting you want, make any changes with the left or right buttons, and then press again to lock your choice in place. Additionally, the buttons feel small and are somewhat recessed and tacky.

Gaming

Ultra-wide displays are becoming a de facto standard for gaming enthusiasts. Playing at high refresh rates is much more enjoyable. Games ran great on the CU34G2X. Smearing is mainly noticeable in darker scenes and at higher frame rates (assuming FreeSync is enabled), but unless you’re a hardcore FPS gamer or extremely sensitive to motion blur and ghosting, it’s tolerable. The screen has a 1500R curvature, which improves the viewing experience by adding depth to the picture and increasing your field of view. The curve of the screen and great contrast makes it easier to achieve better immersion in the world of your games, especially if you like to play at night.

Image quality

The curved screen offers better viewing angles than a flat version would. I wasn’t expecting to use one feature in picture option, but it works really great, especially in the home office era. The curvature doesn't bother you too much in these contexts until you start processing photos, for example, which become concave on this display. If you are involved in photography, I would recommend looking for a flat panel. On the other hand, the display is certified to cover 119% of the SRGB color spectrum and 88% of the Adobe RGB spectrum. As expected with a VA panel, blacks are deep, whites are bright, and the overall relationship between the darkest and the brightest tones is quite expressive, making for an immersive viewing experience, particularly in dark rooms (there’s still some “VA glow,” although it’s not as bad as “IPS glow”). The HDR feature is not really useful, so we can see why AOC chose not to list it on the product page.

Concluding

The CU34G2X doesn’t cost much more than other 34-inch ultra-wide displays, and it offers lots of features and enough performance. It brings above-average image quality and a high refresh rate with Freesync compatibility. If you don’t mind a little ghosting, the monitor’s performance will satisfy you as well, although you need to remember that the brightness is a little low, at 300-nits; the competitors offer more. A good VA matrix (although with the typically poor viewing angles) and operating parameters, and a wide range of applications (well, excluding photography), are features for which I can recommend this display with a clear conscience. All in all, it’s a product that can we can definitely approve.

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