Balancing price and performance is one of the biggest challenges that monitor manufacturers face in today’s ever-evolving world of display tech, which is why it’s nice to see companies like LG beginning to find more unique niche categories where their offerings can fit in. For all of our top picks check out our best gaming monitor list. And for even more picks, see our best computer monitors list.
But does this monitor make too many sacrifices all for the sake of price? Read on in my LG 34UC98-W UltraWide monitor review to find out!
Overview of Our Review
Price: $699.99 on Amazon
Available: Now
Model: 34UC89G-B
Summary: The LG 34UC89G-B offers one of the best price points in the game for G-SYNC UltraWide models, but its IPS panel display and lower resolution might be a turn-off for the more pixel-perfect buyer.
Don’t be discouraged by this model’s low quality. Instead, visit our Deco Gear 43″ curved ultrawide E LED gaming monitor review to learn of a better alternative.
What We Liked
- A lot of screen for little price
- Great gaming performance
- Extensive settings options
- G-SYNC ready
What We Didn’t
- Can’t swivel left/right
- Low resolution
- IPS display suffers from viewing angle issues
LG 34UC98G-W UltraWide Gaming Monitor Specs
| Size | 34″ |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1080 |
| Aspect Ratio | 21:9 |
| Contrast Ratio (Dynamic) | 1000:1 (Typ.) |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz (166Hz overclock) |
| FreeSync/G-Sync? |  |
| Response Time | 5ms |
| Weight | 18.3lbs |
| Device Dimensions | 32.3″ x 22.3″ x 11.0″ |
| Technology | IPS |
| Ports | 2 HDMI 1.4, 1 DP 1.2, 1 DP-out, 2 USB 3.0, 1 USB Type C |
| Onboard Speakers | 10W x 2 w/ Bluetooth Speaker |
| Price | $699.99 |
| Buy Now |
Design
If you’ve owned or researched a high-end ultrawide gaming monitor before, there’s probably not a whole lot about the design of the LG 34UC98G-W that would really stick out or surprise you. Slim bezels are accentuated by a black-and-red base, with only a small “NVIDIA G-Sync” sticker gracing the left side.
The biggest drawback of the 34UC98G-W’s design, like with the LG 38UC99 Ultrawide gaming monitor, is that the monitor doesn’t have any ability to swivel left or right from the base. As a gamer myself, I know that how a player uses their keyboard on the desk can vary pretty greatly from game to game, but at least in the case of FPS titles, you want to have a way to keep your keyboard looking something like this. Without a swivel option, you have to choose between either keeping the screen close without your preferred keyboard position, or moving it all the way to the edge of the desk to get the grip on the keys you need.
Related: If you like ultrawide monitors, also check out our LG 34UM88 Ultrawide monitor review.
Hardware
The LG 34UC98G-W is a 34″ IPS LED curved ultrawide monitor that runs at a resolution of 2560 x 1080 at an aspect ratio of 21:9, with a 1000:1 contrast ratio. Other stats include a 5ms response time with a 60Hz standard refresh rate that can be pushed to a high refresh rate of 166Hz in overclocking, 300cd/m2 of brightness, a 178° viewing angle, and it includes NVIDIA’s G-Sync technology to boot. It’s nice to have options with refresh rates on curved gaming monitors.
On the back of the display, we found two HDMI 1.4 ports, one DP 1.2, two standard USB 3.0 slots, and one USB Type C port. Similarly, the LG 27UK650-W 27-inch 4K gaming monitor also delivers stunning picture quality and features AMD FreeSync tech for smooth gameplay.
Settings
All settings on the LG 34UC89G-B are handled via a joystick on the bottom of the unit, and it’s here you can change everything from the gamma of the display to how fast its refresh rate keeps up with your gaming needs.
Related: If you like this monitor, you might be interested in our LG 34GK950F B review.
Like its cousin the LG 38UC99, the 34UC89G-B also comes with LG’s innovative “On-Screen Controls” software, which lets you modify all the same settings you would with the onboard joystick via your desktop.
Other notable inclusions for more hardcore gamers include Black Stabilization, which makes it easier on the eyes to spot enemies during murky situations, and Dynamic Action Scanning, which is designed to reduce input lag.
Related: Computer Monitor Reviews (Visit Page Here)
Color Accuracy
Speaking of color accuracy, in our tests using Datacolor’s Spyder5Elite Pro calibration tool on the LG 34UC89-B we were able to max out the test, scoring 100% on the sRGB color gamut.
AdobeRGB results were admittedly a bit more tepid, coming in at just 80%. However, this does show consistency in the product on LG’s side given that these were the exact same results we got from the 38UC99.
Performance
When it came time to test the performance of the LG UC89G-B, we ran it through a series of movies, games, and picture color tests to collect our results.
In almost all of these situations the monitor exceeded expectations (given its price point), but the effect of using IPS display technology on a monitor this wide also couldn’t be ignored. Because of the size of the monitor and its curved nature, optimal viewing angles are essentially limited to sitting front and center. If you skew too far to the left or right (or keep multiple monitors on your desk), you may struggle to make out text when it’s hanging on either edge of the screen.
The most obvious dip any gamer or media watcher is going to notice when using this screen in comparison to others we’ve reviewed is that at 34″, LG has basically pushed the 2560 x 1080 resolution standard as far as it’s willingly able to go. The picture can appear a bit blocky if you’re sitting too close, and overall it can be annoying to be maxed out at 2560 in games where you want every little detail to get as many pixels as possible.
That said, the other bonuses you get at this price point definitely can’t be ignored. NVIDIA’s G-Sync feature worked just as well as it has on several other monitors we’ve tested, and there’s of course the amazing smoothing effect that comes with the 166Hz overclocked refresh rate.
Wrap Up
At its current price ($699.99 on Amazon), the LG UC89G-B UltraWide monitor is one of the best values in gaming today. Normally when a manufacturer adds G-Sync into the mix that can mean a much higher price point, but here it looks as though LG has struck a fine balance between price, performance, and features.
For anyone who demands the highest resolution possible or doesn’t like the viewing angles of an IPS display you’re probably better off going with something like the Acer Predator X34, though keep in mind you’ll be paying an extra few hundred for the tradeoff.
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