ASRock PG34WQ15R2B Review: Efficient With Balanced Performance at an Attractive Price

A 34-inch VA WQHD gaming monitor with a 1500R curve, 165 Hz, Adaptive-Sync, HDR 400 and extended color.

Reviews
By Christian Eberle
published
ASRock PG34WQ15R2B
(Image: © ASRock PG34WQ15R2B)

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Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

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ASRock PG34WQ15R2B
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The PG34WQ hits about 305 nits in SDR mode, which is plenty of light for any work or gaming application in an indoor environment. There’s more output available for HDR content, nearly 500 nits, so the headroom is there.

The default black level is great compared to an IPS monitor but a bit below average among VA panels. That limits contrast to 2,219.3:1.

After Calibration to 200 nits

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ASRock PG34WQ15R2B
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Calibrating the RGB sliders and turning down the contrast slider from 50 to 35 makes a huge difference in image quality. I still wished for darker gamma, but the contrast increases to almost 3,100:1, which helps with depth and color saturation.

ANSI contrast stays consistent at 2,886.4:1, a solid result. Though the other VA monitors score higher in the contrast tests, the PG34WQ delivers decent quality. A darker gamma would move it up the rankings.

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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.

2 Comments Comment from the forums
  • digitalgriffin
    Looks like I bought the Dell version of the WQHD 34" a little too early.

    To be honest I am really unhappy with that monitor. In HDR mode it's colors are horribly muted and dull even with the custom monitor profile. My sons happy with it and it's his monitor so I kept it. But man, what a let down for a gaming monitor.
    Reply
  • AkroZ
    Compared to the LC34G55TWWRXEN its only have better HDR for 100$ more ?
    Reply