Asus ROG PG348Q 34-inch Curved G-Sync Monitor Review

[ceberle]

Asus adds to its premium Republic of Gamers line with the curved ultra-wide PG348Q. It sports a color-accurate IPS panel at 34" diagonal, with 3440x1440 resolution, G-Sync, and a 100Hz refresh rate. We’re checking it out today.

Asus ROG PG348Q 34-inch Curved G-Sync Monitor Review : Read more

 

[RocketChild]

How's the cable management on this pretty monitor? Doesn't look like there is any and I take it no VESA mounting points either? Seems like a decent part of the cost with this monitor is that stand so you can have a flashlight on your surface. Good to see headway is being made with higher refresh rates at greater resolutions.

 

[itsnotmeitsyou]

I don't understand why we're still seeing Predator/Bionicle themed high-end hardware... Can the kids that are into this garbage actually afford it?

I would guess that the larger market is the people who grew up gaming that are now career professionals. I suppose that doesn't imply their taste in hardware styling has matured, but personally I'm over the whole PowerRangerMegaZord kitsch that started with Alienware in the 90s.

It looks like a beautifully specd monitor. Just wish it wasnt so painfully styled.

 

[moogleslam]

I've had this monitor since April 2016, and it's phenomenal. The combination of 21:9, 34", 3440x1440, 100Hz, Curved, IPS, & G-Sync cannot be bettered by anything currently on the market. Today, this is the ultimate gaming monitor. It's completely immersive, and I've had no issues with game support so far. Funnily, my most jaw dropping moment was when I first took it out of the box and saw the size of it.... before I even powered it up! It's huge! My own sample isn't 100% perfect though. There is noticeable IPS Glow/Backlight Bleed (I don't really know the difference) in all four corners, though it can only be seen in almost entirely black scenes, and fortunately, for the games I play, that's almost never. There are also visible scanlines at any overclock. You have to look very closely to see them, and certainly, during normal game play, I never notice them. In all though, I am incredibly happy with this monitor (even if I paid $1300!), and I expect it to serve me well for many years, regardless of what else comes to market!

 

[Realist9]

Wouldn't it be smarter to pick up a 4k of similar size/specs like the Predator XB32 for $60 more?

Given you have the rig to run 4K?

My concern is relative adoption of 3440x1440 vs 4k. I *feel* like 3440 is not as widely supported as 4k, and with 4k, there's no fisheye (right?).

for ref: Currently running 3x32" surround on a 1080 (for ref concerning frame rate). 3440x1440 = 4.9M pix, 5760x1080 = 6.2M pix, and 4k = 8.3M pix.

 

[moogleslam]

Wouldn't it be smarter to pick up a 4k of similar size/specs like the Predator XB32 for $60 more?

Given you have the rig to run 4K?

My concern is relative adoption of 3440x1440 vs 4k. I *feel* like 3440 is not as widely supported as 4k, and with 4k, there's no fisheye (right?).

for ref: Currently running 3x32" surround on a 1080 (for ref concerning frame rate). 3440x1440 = 4.9M pix, 5760x1080 = 6.2M pix, and 4k = 8.3M pix.

I've tried 4K, and this is far superior. There is no 4K with similar specs. Two of the three most important things this monitor provides are missing on 4K; 100Hz, and 21:9. Before this monitor, I had a 144Hz monitor, and dropping to 100Hz was a sacrifice I was willing to make, but I'll never go back to 60Hz, even with G-Sync/FreeSync. And 21:9 is the real difference maker. The extra horizontal screen real estate is amazingly useful, and it's what provides greater immersion than ever before; probably immersion that can only be beaten with VR (not even with triples because I hated the bezels).

I don't see any adoption issues. Firstly, this format is becoming more and more popular all the time. Secondly, whether it's adopted by the masses or not, I'v had zero support issues to date. The most I've had to do is edit a config file (World of Tanks), but all other games have been completely straight forwards.

There's zero fish eye in any games. I'm not quite sure what you're getting at.... I mean, your in-game FOV isn't distorted by having a wider monitor; you just see more left and right, in a completely natural manner; there's no stretching to fill it.

I've tried triples and 4K, and I firmly believe that the three most important factors in a gaming monitor, which I'll never go without again are:

21:9
G-Sync/FreeSync
100+Hz

Resolution would only be 4th on my list, and I'd even take a 2560x1080 21:9 before I went to 4K, just so I could have the 3 must haves above.

 

[moogleslam]

How's the cable management on this pretty monitor? Doesn't look like there is any and I take it no VESA mounting points either? Seems like a decent part of the cost with this monitor is that stand so you can have a flashlight on your surface. Good to see headway is being made with higher refresh rates at greater resolutions.

Cable management is actually good. If I recall correctly, the cables, where they plug into the monitor, are hidden behind the back cover, and then feed through the stand, coming out at the rectangular square you can see at the bottom/back of it.

 

[larsv8]

This guy, or similar, is on my wish list for some time over the next two months. Heard the light bleed is really the only noticeable downside, but that is not the biggest deal.

I am assuming this is mostly identical to the Predator X-34? Gonna have to make a decision on which brand to go with.

I am hoping the new version, the X34P, which is supposed to have some performance improvements is released soon, to either drive this price down, or be affordable enough to upgrade.

I can't wait to fire up Forza Horizon's 3 on this badboy at max settings. Good time to be a gamer!

 

[moogleslam]

This guy, or similar, is on my wish list for some time over the next two months. Heard the light bleed is really the only noticeable downside, but that is not the biggest deal.

I am assuming this is mostly identical to the Predator X-34? Gonna have to make a decision on which brand to go with.

I am hoping the new version, the X34P, which is supposed to have some performance improvements is released soon, to either drive this price down, or be affordable enough to upgrade.

I can't wait to fire up Forza Horizon's 3 on this badboy at max settings. Good time to be a gamer!

It uses the same panel as the Acer Predator X34, yes. The ASUS PG348Q seems to have had less issues/better QA, and the OSD and associated controls are far superior on the ASUS as well. Many also tend to prefer the PG348Q styling. Other than that, they're more or less identical.

Sim racing on these monitors, in cockpit view, is one of my favorite things. Try out iRacing if you can, and use the built in FOV calculator.

 

[infamousk12]

This monitor is extremely expensive, however, it is absolutely amazing. I have owned it for about a month. Out of the box, it was easy to assemble and the quality of the parts is simply top notch. The monitor performs extremely well, and once you game on a native 21:9 aspect, you will never go back.

 

[poochiepiano]

I've tried 4K, and this is far superior. There is no 4K with similar specs. Two of the three most important things this monitor provides are missing on 4K; 100Hz, and 21:9. Before this monitor, I had a 144Hz monitor, and dropping to 100Hz was a sacrifice I was willing to make, but I'll never go back to 60Hz, even with G-Sync/FreeSync. And 21:9 is the real difference maker. The extra horizontal screen real estate is amazingly useful, and it's what provides greater immersion than ever before; probably immersion that can only be beaten with VR (not even with triples because I hated the bezels).

I've tried triples and 4K, and I firmly believe that the three most important factors in a gaming monitor, which I'll never go without again are:

21:9
G-Sync/FreeSync
100+Hz

Resolution would only be 4th on my list, and I'd even take a 2560x1080 21:9 before I went to 4K, just so I could have the 3 must haves above.

If you take a 4k monitor and chop of the top and bottom 1/6 of the screen, you get 1440p with an even wider screen. How is having additional vertical real estate bad? Assuming the 4k monitor has 100+ Hz that is variable, for the same price, I don't see how it's not better.

I love the 21:9 form factor too, and I use one at home, but at these prices, I don't see how a 1440 21:9 can beat a 4k with the same specs.

If the price was more in line with the comparative resolutions, aka it didn't cost virtually the same with <1/3 of the pixels, I would say that 1440p IPS in 21:9 with a 34" diagonal is my sweet spot too, but it just costs too much. This is pretty much the highest-end of these types of displays, especially with 100 Hz, so it's understandable, but with a comparable 4k? Why go with this?

 

[pokeman]

@itsnotmeitsyou Agreed 100%. Thought that so many times.

 

[Realist9]

Wouldn't it be smarter to pick up a 4k of similar size/specs like the Predator XB32 for $60 more?

Given you have the rig to run 4K?

My concern is relative adoption of 3440x1440 vs 4k. I *feel* like 3440 is not as widely supported as 4k, and with 4k, there's no fisheye (right?).

for ref: Currently running 3x32" surround on a 1080 (for ref concerning frame rate). 3440x1440 = 4.9M pix, 5760x1080 = 6.2M pix, and 4k = 8.3M pix.

I've tried 4K, and this is far superior. There is no 4K with similar specs. Two of the three most important things this monitor provides are missing on 4K; 100Hz, and 21:9. Before this monitor, I had a 144Hz monitor, and dropping to 100Hz was a sacrifice I was willing to make, but I'll never go back to 60Hz, even with G-Sync/FreeSync. And 21:9 is the real difference maker. The extra horizontal screen real estate is amazingly useful, and it's what provides greater immersion than ever before; probably immersion that can only be beaten with VR (not even with triples because I hated the bezels).

I don't see any adoption issues. Firstly, this format is becoming more and more popular all the time. Secondly, whether it's adopted by the masses or not, I'v had zero support issues to date. The most I've had to do is edit a config file (World of Tanks), but all other games have been completely straight forwards.

There's zero fish eye in any games. I'm not quite sure what you're getting at.... I mean, your in-game FOV isn't distorted by having a wider monitor; you just see more left and right, in a completely natural manner; there's no stretching to fill it.

I've tried triples and 4K, and I firmly believe that the three most important factors in a gaming monitor, which I'll never go without again are:

21:9
G-Sync/FreeSync
100+Hz

Resolution would only be 4th on my list, and I'd even take a 2560x1080 21:9 before I went to 4K, just so I could have the 3 must haves above.

Thanks for the input. 60hz is fine for me, especially when I gain G-sync. The extra side view with 21:9 vs 16:9 is up for debate if it is worth the extra hassle as follows. Obviously, if the game natively supports it, it is a bonus.

Everyone should do their own research on this, but what I have found from wide screen GF site is this...Fallout 4 : 4k native, 21:9 with ini hacks and/or 3rd party progs.
Witcher 3: 4k native, 21:9 doesn’t work with latest game patch 1.31.
Elite Dangerous: 4k native, 21:9 ok but UI for gal/sys map doesn’t work right.
DCS:A10C: 4K no, 21:9 hard to tell, but I think it works from what I’ve read.

These are just a few examples, but this is the kind of hassle/problems I don’t want anymore. I put up with them with my 3 screen surround set up as it is.

Going forward, I would HOPE games support both res native with no hassle/hack/bugs.

 

[moogleslam]

I've tried 4K, and this is far superior. There is no 4K with similar specs. Two of the three most important things this monitor provides are missing on 4K; 100Hz, and 21:9. Before this monitor, I had a 144Hz monitor, and dropping to 100Hz was a sacrifice I was willing to make, but I'll never go back to 60Hz, even with G-Sync/FreeSync. And 21:9 is the real difference maker. The extra horizontal screen real estate is amazingly useful, and it's what provides greater immersion than ever before; probably immersion that can only be beaten with VR (not even with triples because I hated the bezels).

I've tried triples and 4K, and I firmly believe that the three most important factors in a gaming monitor, which I'll never go without again are:

21:9
G-Sync/FreeSync
100+Hz

Resolution would only be 4th on my list, and I'd even take a 2560x1080 21:9 before I went to 4K, just so I could have the 3 must haves above.

If you take a 4k monitor and chop of the top and bottom 1/6 of the screen, you get 1440p with an even wider screen. How is having additional vertical real estate bad? Assuming the 4k monitor has 100+ Hz that is variable, for the same price, I don't see how it's not better.

I love the 21:9 form factor too, and I use one at home, but at these prices, I don't see how a 1440 21:9 can beat a 4k with the same specs.

If the price was more in line with the comparative resolutions, aka it didn't cost virtually the same with <1/3 of the pixels, I would say that 1440p IPS in 21:9 with a 34" diagonal is my sweet spot too, but it just costs too much. This is pretty much the highest-end of these types of displays, especially with 100 Hz, so it's understandable, but with a comparable 4k? Why go with this?

As I said, there is no 4K with the same specs (100Hz). Chopping the top and bottom off a 4k monitor? What are you doing, running a 21:9 resolution inside your 4k Monitor? No.... it's not the same thing.

And you need a bigger 4K monitor to match the horizontal width of a 21:9, but when you do match it, you're not seeing more of the game; you're just seeing a smaller amount of the game with more graphical fidelity, but also enlarged.

 

[moogleslam]

Thanks for the input. 60hz is fine for me, especially when I gain G-sync. The extra side view with 21:9 vs 16:9 is up for debate if it is worth the extra hassle as follows. Obviously, if the game natively supports it, it is a bonus.

Everyone should do their own research on this, but what I have found from wide screen GF site is this...Fallout 4 : 4k native, 21:9 with ini hacks and/or 3rd party progs.
Witcher 3: 4k native, 21:9 doesn’t work with latest game patch 1.31.
Elite Dangerous: 4k native, 21:9 ok but UI for gal/sys map doesn’t work right.
DCS:A10C: 4K no, 21:9 hard to tell, but I think it works from what I’ve read.

These are just a few examples, but this is the kind of hassle/problems I don’t want anymore. I put up with them with my 3 screen surround set up as it is.

Going forward, I would HOPE games support both res native with no hassle/hack/bugs.

Out of those games, I play Elite Dangerous regularly, and everything works fine, including the maps - I'll pay attention when I next play it, but I certainly haven't noticed any issues.

 

[stingray71]

How's the cable management on this pretty monitor? Doesn't look like there is any and I take it no VESA mounting points either? Seems like a decent part of the cost with this monitor is that stand so you can have a flashlight on your surface. Good to see headway is being made with higher refresh rates at greater resolutions.

It does have VESA. However, depending on the mount you use, you might need spacers to hook up the monitor to your mounting plate. I used Sanus SMF115-B1, had everything I needed to mount it up.

Only thing I don't like about the Sanus, it doesn't have height adjustment. I played with my monitor for about a week and got the height dialed in with the stand. Then I mounted the Sanus so it replicated the same height.

As for the cable management, I'd say it's meh. With the thickness of most video cables, it kinda of hard to angle the cables out of the monitor the way they want you do with the back cover on. Combine that with the USB cables and it's a tight fit. I'm not using the back cover, everything is working fine.

Wanted to add, I love my PG348Q monitor. I play mostly BF and CoD which don't seem to have any issue with 3440x1440 resolution. Game play is so darn smooth. Already forgot about the cost. This is one of my primary hobbies, so I figured why not. Zero buyers remorse.

 

[Realist9]

Anybody know the panel height...minus the bezels and stand?
The width is 31.5 without the bezels, but I'm guessing it's 18.5 high without the bezels. Is that right?

 

[AlistairAB]

Or you could buy a 32" QHD monitor from Hp for $300 which makes a lot more sense. Just saying

 

[stingray71]

Anybody know the panel height...minus the bezels and stand?
The width is 31.5 without the bezels, but I'm guessing it's 18.5 high without the bezels. Is that right?

Width is spot on. On mine, viewable(top to bottom) part of the screen is 13-1/4.

 

[Realist9]

(Thanks Stingray71)

This is coming down to “do you want 1.75 inches more on each side but 1.6 inches less on top and bottom at 80% the pix density (PG348 1440), or not (XB32 4K)?”. I believe what happens in a game is, for a given scene, you see a bit more on each side, but the same on top/bottom.

The 60 hz vs 100 hz is a can of worms, but from what I’ve seen on the web, a gamer with experience in a particular game can tell the difference between 60 and 120, so I doubt 60 vs 100 is much different. Different people seem to be more sensitive to hz and fps. So if that is Moog’s main thing, then I’m not going to dispute him, and I could understand why it would be a deal breaker for him.

Everything else about the monitors is the same.

To be clear, if I have the panel dimensions right:
PG348 ($1230) 100 hz is 31.5 W x 13.25 H for area of 417 sq in @ 3440 x 1440 for 4.9M pix and 109 ppi.
XB32 ($1220) 60 hz is 28 W x 16 H for area of 448 sq in @ 3840 x 2160 for 8.3M pix and 137 ppi.

So with the 4k, you lose 1.75” on each side, but gain 1.6” at top and bottom, and get 1.25x the pixel density.

Not an easy decision for me.

 

[Pukhraj-gems]

Hi,

I have this monitor it's have really amazing picture quality
Regards
<a href="http://www.shubhgems.in/yellow-sapphire/"> Pukhraj Stone</a>

 

[gaborbarla]

Once you have a 144Hz gaming monitor it is very hard to settle for 100Hz even with a curved beauty such as this. They need to get this to 144Hz and I am sold.

 

[stingray71]

(Thanks Stingray71)


The 60 hz vs 100 hz is a can of worms, but from what I’ve seen on the web, a gamer with experience in a particular game can tell the difference between 60 and 120, so I doubt 60 vs 100 is much different. Different people seem to be more sensitive to hz and fps. So if that is Moog’s main thing, then I’m not going to dispute him, and I could understand why it would be a deal breaker for him.

Depends on the games you play. FPS like CoD and BF4, 60Hz feels sluggish to me. I had a 120Hz monitor, I could feel a difference until about 85Hz. After that it felt the same, couldn't really notice a difference between 85 and 120Hz. 1080GTX with this monitor is the sweet spot right now imho. 1080 has enough power to push this monitor for the next few years. Gaming is so fluid with Gsync.

When the hardware/monitor exist (single card gpu) to push 4k over 100Hz, I'll consider upgrading.

 

[wbingham]

Am I missing something here? This display has been out since Q1 of 2016. Why is Tom's Hardware reviewing it as if it is new technology? I have been looking to get on the GSYNC 3440x1440 bandwagon since end of 2015, but am waiting until competition drives the price under $1000 US. I was excited when I saw this headline, until I realized it was just data from 6 months ago.

 

[pokeman]

Yes! Thought the same