Gigabyte G34WQC Review: High-Contrast, Immersive Ultrawide

A high bar for ultrawide gaming monitors

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Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

Our Gigabyte G34WQC comparison roundup includes only ultrawide monitors. We have the Cooler Master GM34-CW, ViewSonic’XG350R-C, Viotek GNV34DBE, AOC CU34G2X and LG 34GK950F, the lone IPS panel. All others are VA.

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Brightness
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

SDR luminance is healthy for the Gigabyte G34WQC, over 386 nits at the maximum backlight setting. Cooler Master’s monitor is the brightest because it uses the same peak for both SDR and HDR. Gigabyte reserves energy in SDR and puts out over 500 nits in HDR mode.

While the G34WQC’s black level is third among the group, it has the greatest dynamic range with a static contrast ratio over 3,130:1. This is impressive, even for a VA, which is known for delivering high contrast.

After Calibration to 200 nits

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Contrast
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Our calibration (see recommended settings on page 1) levels the playing field and gives the black level contest to the G34WQC. 0.0577 nit is one of the lowest values we’ve recorded. The resulting contrast is 3,478.6:1, which is a pleasant surprise considering that our only adjustment was to switch the color temp from Normal to User. We didn't make any changes to the RGB sliders.

ANSI contrast became only slightly lower after our calibration, which means the Gigabyte is using a quality panel part with a precisely fitted grid polarizer. Real world content has a lot of depth and pop with saturated color true blacks and bright highlights. The image is even more impressive when you consider the price tag's just $400.

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.