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Viotek GNV30CBXA Review: Ultra-fast Ultra-wide

200 Hz in a 30-inch curved monitor

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With 21:9 monitors available for the past 8 years or so, many gaming enthusiasts either have one or want one. Unfortunately, the ultrawide category has not dropped in price as quickly as others, like 27-inch 1440p monitors, for example. But as always, there are exceptions. Viotek offers several value-oriented displays, and the GNV30CBXA is its latest assault on the high performance to low price ratio.

(Image credit: Viotek)

With a max refresh rate of 200 Hz, the GNV30CBXA is the fastest 21:9 screen we’ve tested thus far, with the exception of Acer’s Predator X35, which is hard to find these days and will set you back around $2,000. The GNV30CBXA is just $320 at this writing and delivers a solid gaming experience. It had no trouble delivering tear-free gaming, and framerates stayed at or near the 200-fps mark, thanks to 2560 x 1080 resolution. At 30 inches, pixel density is 94 ppi, ensuring a sharp picture at normal viewing distances.

We did find a few flaws. Image quality is very good but could be better if Viotek included extra gamma presets. The default luminance curve is a little light and doesn’t use the GNV30CBXA’s full contrast potential (over 2,700:1).

Overdrive isn’t aggressive enough either. When gaming some motion blur was still visible despite the monitor’s class-leading 5ms screen draw time. Control response was superb though. The GNV30CBXA will easily keep up with gamers with lightning-like reflexes.

Ultimately, the GNV30CBXA performs well for the price. There are other ultrawides that will deliver smoother gameplay and more contrast, but they also cost at least twice as much. As a budget screen, the GNV30CBXA has almost no competition except its own stablemate, Viotek’s GNV34DBE, which is $80 more. If you’re counting every dollar, the GNV30CBXAis a good choice. But if you have a little budget headroom, go for the 34-inch model.

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
  • Findecanor
    94 PPI might be sufficient for games, but not for the desktop for me.
    Reply
  • helper800
    Findecanor said:
    94 PPI might be sufficient for games, but not for the desktop for me.
    Agreed, for desktop use I personally prefer at least 100 ppi. For instance a 27 inch 1440p monitor has a ppi of about 108. A 31.5 inch 4k monitor has about 132 ppi. I also have a 55 inch CX OLED at my desk which is about 86 ppi, and its not bad at all because my viewing distance is about 50-65 inches away from the screen.
    Reply