Gigabyte G34WQC Review: High-Contrast, Immersive Ultrawide

A high bar for ultrawide gaming monitors

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Gigabyte G34WQC
(Image: © Gigabyte)

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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.

Image 1 of 3
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.

10 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Nekyno
    Thanks for a first review of this screen, great to hear that Gigabyte has done well with overdrive settings and input lag is fine. Moreover 85% DCI-P3 with an average calibration is good.

    However, many users report flickering with VRR turned on both in Freesync and G-sync. Have you experience any and which GPUs have you been using?
    Reply
  • D1v1n3D
    VA panels have a major issue with ghosting or horrible pixel blur at fast motion Nano IPS is still a better looking panel all day everyday, I just wish they would fix the OLED issues of burn in images, and progress into Gaming monitors with 240hz + I will never go less than a 240hz at 1440p specially now that there are cards that can push that at ultra or high settings. GO RX series :). and HP Omen x27 240hz has dci-p3 of 90% on a TN panel and has been out for over a year this Gigabyte is GARBO a lot of games don't natively support ultra wide very niche specially in high end gaming or competition gaming.
    Reply
  • aalkjsdflkj
    Thank you for the review! I've been waiting a few years for a monitor with these specs - 3440x1440, >100Hz, HDR, Freesync and GSync compatible, curved screen, and most importantly under $400. I thought I'd be waiting a few more years but it looks like they did a good job with this one on top of having the characteristics I was looking for.
    Reply
  • TechLurker
    How does this compare to the Nixeus EDG34? Specs look very similar.
    Reply
  • AlexScan
    Can you confirm that HDR and Freesync/Gsync work at 144hz simultaneously ?

    We were also able to engage HDR with both FreeSync and G-Sync (unofficially) at 144 Hz through DisplayPort. If you connect via HDMI, you'll be limited to a 100 Hz refresh rate
    Reply
  • ES3KC
    So, it's now December 2020. Is the Dell S3220DGF "STILL" the best gaming monitor? Christian Eberle what do you think? Dell or Gigabyte?

    Also in your reviews, is there a benefit to either of these monitors using consoles vs PC? Both older xbox one x or the new ones Ps5 and/or xbox series x? Which one makes better since if you will play both console and PC?
    Reply
  • ketrab
    Would it be safe to say this outperforms Viotek GNV34DBE for the same price?!
    Reply
  • ketrab
    Admin said:
    The Gigabyte G34WQC 34-inch ultrawide gaming monitor sells for a surprisingly low price. With 144Hz, HDR and more, it sets a high bar for the performance/price ratio.

    Gigabyte G34WQC Review: High-Contrast, Immersive Ultrawide : Read more

    I'm confused on your part around Calibration Settings. You provide different brightness based on the nits. How the user supposed to know which one should be used? Please advise and thank you in advance.
    Reply
  • junglist724
    This still doesn't have anywhere near the amount of brightness or contrast a proper HDR display has. My pg35vq breaks 26000:1 contrast ratio and 1100 nits. It was pricey but now that miniled panels are coming this year I expect more affordable FALD panels will start appearing.
    D1v1n3D said:
    VA panels have a major issue with ghosting or horrible pixel blur at fast motion Nano IPS is still a better looking panel all day everyday, I just wish they would fix the OLED issues of burn in images, and progress into Gaming monitors with 240hz + I will never go less than a 240hz at 1440p specially now that there are cards that can push that at ultra or high settings. GO RX series :). and HP Omen x27 240hz has dci-p3 of 90% on a TN panel and has been out for over a year this Gigabyte is GARBO a lot of games don't natively support ultra wide very niche specially in high end gaming or competition gaming.
    There's a handful of VA panels that have very fast response times even with dark transitions like the Odyssey G7 and Asus pg35vq.
    Reply
  • aalkjsdflkj
    I purchased this monitor largely on the basis of this review. I'm incredibly happy with my purchase. However, when my computer goes to sleep the monitor starts to cycle through full-screen colors. Does anyone else see this behavior? No other monitor I have does this, and Gigabyte "help" hasn't been able to provide an answer. It seems as though the person I've been conversing with doesn't have very strong English language skills so we keep talking past one another.
    If anyone has this monitor and can either confirm that this is normal or that their monitor doesn't behave this way I would appreciate it. Even better would be if someone knows how to turn this off!
    Reply