Asus ROG Swift PG34WCDM 240 Hz OLED gaming monitor review: Premium image quality and gaming performance

34-inch 21:9 OLED curved gaming monitor with 800R, WQHD resolution, 240 Hz, Adaptive-Sync, HDR400 and wide gamut color

Reviews
By
published
Asus ROG Swift PG34WCDM
Editor's Choice
(Image: © Tom's Hardware)

Why you can trust Tom's Hardware Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

The 240 Hz OLED category has quickly emerged as the go-to for ultimate gaming. There is nothing smoother than a premium OLED screen running at 200-240fps, nothing. Even the quickest LCDs, I’m talking about 360, 500, and 540 Hz monitors, can’t deliver the same experience. With infinite contrast, real blacks, and tremendous color, they are unmatched.

(Image credit: Asus)

At this point, the only decision to make is what size and shape are best for your environment. I’ve reviewed a few 34-inch 21:9 OLEDs, and the PG34WCDM is my favorite so far. It has visually perfect color and a bit more light output than others. It doesn’t have the largest color volume in the category, but it’s close enough that there is barely a visible difference. Accuracy is more important than volume.

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Like every 240 Hz OLED I’ve tested, it delivers superior video processing with perfect smooth motion and no perceptible input lag. The PG34WCDM goes one step further with the inclusion of ELMB. Thus far, it’s the only OLED I’ve seen with this feature. Those who want OLED goodness today but don’t have a super quick video card to drive it over 200fps can still have a smooth experience. It’s perfectly implemented. I also must laud the Variable Brightness feature. It’s a great option that not all OLEDs have.

While all OLED monitors are still in the premium price category, $1,300 is a reasonable price for the level of quality and performance offered by the Asus ROG Swift PG34WCDM. If you have the budget, and especially if you have a high-performance PC, it’s well worth checking out.

MORE: Best Gaming Monitors

MORE: How We Test PC Monitors

MORE: How to Buy a PC Monitor

MORE: How to Choose the Best HDR Monitor

Christian Eberle
Christian Eberle
Contributing Editor

Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.

23 Comments Comment from the forums
  • PEnns
    Sounds quite good actually.

    But the cons should include:
    Expensive
    Asus outrageous repair prices (see article from last week!)
    Reply
  • Dr3ams
    Cons
    - no internal speakers

    What?! No gamer I know cares about internal speakers on a display (because they sound like crap). They use headphones or attached 2.1 or 5.1 speakers.
    Reply
  • Dr D00p
    Just a shame I can't stand curved monitors, so no sale from me, no matter how good.
    Reply
  • Giroro
    2x HDMI ports in a world where an RTX 4090 only has 1?
    Reply
  • Giroro
    Is this the same panel as the LG 34GS95QE-B?
    Because the LG is $900 right now.
    Reply
  • helper800
    PEnns said:
    Sounds quite good actually.

    But the cons should include:
    Expensive
    Asus outrageous repair prices (see article from last week!)
    I also believe an 800r curve is going to mean most people wont consider it. If not for the curve I would own one.

    Giroro said:
    Is this the same panel as the LG 34GS95QE-B?
    Because the LG is $900 right now.
    Yes, its the same panel.
    Reply
  • Makaveli
    Looks great but

    Premium price
    And 800 Curve way to agressive

    Its a no for me dawg
    Reply
  • Findecanor
    Dr D00p said:
    Just a shame I can't stand curved monitors, so no sale from me, no matter how good.
    800R is quite extreme. I've not seen that before. The number is the curve radius in millimeters: if you're sitting more than 80 cm from the monitor it will look wrong.

    Most curved ultra-wide for office use are 1500R or 1800R. Some "for gaming" are 1000R.
    Reply
  • Dr3ams
    I have an ASUS TUF VG34VQL1B that I bought in 2021 and it's curve is 1500R. I'm really satisfied with this display.
    Reply
  • thestryker
    All of the new high refresh UW OLED panels from LG have this atrocious 800R curve which really deserves its own section in a screen review. This highly limits overall use of the screen, how far away from it you can effectively sit and what seating angles are usable.

    I was contemplating going OLED (I'm still not sold for desktop use and longevity) when I saw LG was putting out a 39" UW panel, but 800R is a complete non-starter.

    There are so many good 27" non-OLED panels coming out that sit between premium and basic that I find it very disappointing there's nothing similar for UW. I'd happily spend $700-900 for something VA/IPS with decent HDR capability, but the current monitors are all cheap VA/IPS with no/bad HDR or OLEDs.
    Reply