While ultrawide monitors are becoming more affordable, that’s generally only true if you set your sights on the 29-inch or 34-inch varieties. If you want one of those jaw-dropping, “we’re gonna need a bigger desk” kinds of monitors, you’ll take a hit to your wallet almost as big as the one to your lower back. LG’s latest gaming ultrawides buck that trend, at least a little, bringing double-1440p resolution and a 45-inch panel at prices starting at just $799.
The pair of UltraGear models are definitely on the budget side, at least in relative terms. They swap in a cheaper, faster 1ms VA panel instead of a more accurate IPS or more vibrant OLED. But gamers hoping to get a combination of big screens and big speed probably won’t mind, as they can handle an impressive 200Hz even at the maximum 5120×1440 resolution. That’s the equivalent of two, rather small, 1440p monitors side-by-side. The screens forego any RGB flair on the rear.
Other charms common to both designs include a subtle 1500R curve, AMD FreeSync support, DisplayHDR 600 certification, 95% DCI-P3 color coverage (fine for gaming or video, just don’t try any graphic design on it), DisplayPort 1.4, double HDMI 2.1, and a few USB-A ports. In fact the only difference between the $799 UltraGear 45GR65DC and the $899 UltraGear 45GR75DC is that the latter includes a 90-watt USB-C hub, which can handle video, data, and charging for any newer laptop. So as The Verge notes, the cheaper model makes more sense if you’re going to use it with an existing desktop that doesn’t need the extra ports or charging.
They’re good deals for some extra-large displays, even if they’re missing a few bells and whistles from more premium options. And LG monitors tend to go on sale on a regular basis, so a little patience might be able to land you an even better deal. If you just can’t wait, both models are currently shipping from LG’s online store.
Author: Michael Crider, Staff Writer, PCWorld
Michael is a 10-year veteran of technology journalism, covering everything from Apple to ZTE. On PCWorld he's the resident keyboard nut, always using a new one for a review and building a new mechanical board or expanding his desktop "battlestation" in his off hours. Michael's previous bylines include Android Police, Digital Trends, Wired, Lifehacker, and How-To Geek, and he's covered events like CES and Mobile World Congress live. Michael lives in Pennsylvania where he's always looking forward to his next kayaking trip.