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Conclusion

Looking at the recent cycles of new display introductions, it seems that there is a renewed interest in the 34-inch ultra-wide category. They were stuck at premium price levels for a while, with most screens costing around $1,000. The EX3410R breaks that mold for a very attractive $600 as of this writing. And it offers some advantages over its predecessor, the EX3415R.

BenQ Mobiuz EX3410R — (Image credit: BenQ)

I’m always a fan of VA monitors because of their high native contrast. While there are tricks aplenty like full-array local dimming or edge array dimming or full-field dynamic contrast, there is no substitute for a panel that produces 3,000:1 naturally. Blacks are truer, highlights look brighter, and color is more saturated. The EX3410R adds all those things to a solid formula that includes 144 Hz, Adaptive-Sync and a decent HDR image.

My only complaint refers to the EX3410R’s gamma. BenQ has made a choice to alter it to produce a particular look. Detail is perfectly visible, and color is good, but if you’re used to standard gamma, it will look a little odd. I wish BenQ had included a choice for the user to set a regular gamma of 2.2. You can do this in sRGB mode, but you give up the large color gamut. Ultimately, I enjoyed playing games in both SDR and HDR modes and I expect most other users will too. Just know that the EX3410’s gamma is a little off and check one out in person before buying.

What I can’t fault is the EX3410R’s video processing. With superb overdrive and the ability to run blur reduction with Adaptive-Sync, it’s in a league of its own. Competitive gamers will undoubtedly benefit from the smooth motion and quick response.

At $600, the EX3410R represents a standout value among 34-inch ultra-wide gaming monitors. It improves over its predecessor and other competitors with great contrast and video processing. Some may prefer the IPS-based EX3415R but as a contrast lover, I’ll be going with the Mobiuz EX3410R. Those looking for a curved ultra-wide screen should definitely check it out.

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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.

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