LG 34GN850 34″ Review: The Recent 21:9 Ultrawide Efficiency King
The LG 34GN850 is the firm’s most stylish 34″ 3440 x 1440 ultrawide level to and the sing successor to the LG 34GK950F from a few years within the past, which became once one of the best performing ultrawide level to we had tested at the time. That display screen remained a giant desire amongst excessive-discontinue ultrawides for a extremely prolonged time, especially need to you would possibly possibly possibly salvage it under the $1,000 tag.
The LG 34GN850 iterates on that winning formula with a few vital enhancements. LG is aloof using an IPS panel, however they’ve upgraded it to their most stylish 1ms Nano IPS tech, the identical factual stuff level to in LG’s authorized 27GL850. The 34GK950F became once no hotfoot in the case of response times, however this recent ultrawide panel need to aloof elevate the 34GN850 to the next stage.
LG have additionally found one arrangement to magnify the refresh rate, now topping out at 160Hz, up from 144Hz, by arrangement of an overclocking option within the OSD.
We’re no longer astronomical fans of companies marketing these refresh charges as “overclocking,” as it’s in most cases one arrangement for them to preserve a long way from fixing fashions that can’t fairly hit the advertised 160Hz refresh rate. That stated, whereas you would possibly possibly possibly no longer earn 160Hz on every 34GN850, we’d ask the overwhelming majority to work at that refresh rate and no doubt our unit had no disorders. In either case, LG guarantees 144Hz on this level to.
Diverse substances encompass a 1900R curve, which is rather of much less crooked than the old 1800R curve LG extinct. It’s engrossing that whereas Samsung are pushing for greater, more extravagant curves on their displays, LG is pulling wait on rather and using 1900R and even 2300R curves on some of their most stylish ultrawides.
The variation between 1800R and 1900R is noticeable in a aspect-by-aspect comparison, however outside of that it’s a negligible disagreement and to us, either curve is lawful for an ultrawide. We the truth is delight in the crooked nature of 21:9 displays.
There’s additionally the frequent adaptive sync efficiency, listed as Nvidia G-Sync Successfully matched – which technique it will work with Nvidia cards with out setting changes – and supporting AMD FreeSync with low frame rate compensation. There is DisplayHDR 400 certification, too, however no local dimming enhance, so realistically this display screen is no longer HDR succesful.
The total assemble of LG displays hasn’t changed noteworthy within the old couple of years. The level to fragment retains its straight forward gloomy plastic tag, moderate bezel dimension and circular rear assemble with crimson highlights. The ports are aloof directly accessible on the wait on of the display screen, which we delight in for its ease of earn admission to, you earn two HDMI ports and a DisplayPort plus a USB hub and audio output jack.
The vital alternate LG has made with this year’s ultrawide is the stand, which is smaller and has fewer visible crimson highlights. The 34GK950F had a correctly-organized and extensive Y-fashioned stand with a circular pillar, which wasn’t the absolute most sensible to feature for height adjustment.
The 34GN850 changes that to a more angular pillar which is sturdier and more uncomplicated to employ, though its range of height adjustment is simplest sensible. We additionally feel the stand assemble is rather of distinctive, significantly where the legs connect with the pillar, however that’s a minor nitpick.
The OSD is controllable by arrangement of a directional toggle factual under the LG tag. There is a gloomy stabilizer and cheat crosshairs, however that’s about it. A vital omission here is no longer any backlight strobing mode, though as we found from the ViewSonic XG270QG, these recent Nano IPS panels are truly incompatible with backlight strobing attributable to the backlight’s assemble, which causes vital crimson fringes whereas using a strobing feature. ViewSonic integrated this option and it became once unusable, LG has determined no longer to which we feel is a greater desire.
We know the 34GN850 uses 1ms class Nano IPS technology, so this need to aloof imply 27GL850-delight in efficiency factual? Successfully, let’s clutch a stare, beginning with the principle of 4 integrated overdrive modes.
Demonstrate Efficiency
Response Events / Overdrive Modes
LG 34GN850 – 160Hz (off)
At 160Hz, using the overclocking option, the Off mode delivers a 6ms gray to gray sensible with minimal overshoot. Right here’s spectacular for native panel efficiency, we earn round 75% refresh rate compliance at 160Hz on this mode which on most displays would be borderline acceptable efficiency. But we don’t assume many gamers will make a choice to employ the Off mode with this display screen.
LG 34GN850 – 160Hz (fashioned)
The fashioned mode takes us up a notch to a 4.63ms gray to gray sensible, additionally with minimal overshoot. Right here’s fairly decent and a factual option for folk that don’t need to tolerate overshoot across the refresh range. On the opposite hand, it’s no longer the quickest nor the optimum desire.
LG 34GN850 – 160Hz (immediate)
Basically top-of-the-line mode for most customers, and additionally the default option, is the Posthaste overdrive mode. Right here we sight very perfect efficiency, with a 3.91ms gray to gray sensible at 160Hz, which is immediate ample that every particular person transitions tested had been all by arrangement of the 6.25ms refresh window – this means no smearing, and a loyal 160Hz experience. We additionally saw minimal overshoot at this refresh rate, so the experience is immediate and large perfect-looking out.
LG 34GN850 – 160Hz (faster)
There’s additionally the Sooner overdrive mode on hand, however that is largely factual so LG can promote a “1ms” response time with this level to. Yeah, on this mode some transitions are 1ms or faster, however that comes at the expense of insane overshoot and inverse ghosting. This mode is unusable attributable to white trailing and haloing.
LG 34GN850 – 144Hz, 120Hz, 100Hz, 85Hz, 60Hz (immediate)
The different spectacular component to the 34GN850 is that if you utilize the Posthaste overdrive mode, sturdy efficiency is maintained across the refresh range, and significantly at the excessive discontinue. The display screen repeatedly delivers a 4ms response time experience in any recognize refresh charges tested, and at the same time as we switch down to 100Hz, the stage of overshoot is minimal. At 85Hz, and then 60Hz, overshoot does initiate up to creep up however even at 60Hz it’s no longer very noticeable so need to you are gaming round that 60Hz build, the Posthaste overdrive mode is aloof completely lovely.
This makes the 34GN850 one amongst few displays that has a single optimum overdrive mode for adaptive sync gaming. We would ask this for a excessive-discontinue level to, however it undoubtedly’s repeatedly nice if you would possibly possibly possibly possibly possibly also the truth is factual build one overdrive mode and no longer need to take into fable which refresh charges you would possibly possibly possibly possibly possibly also be using many of the time.
Evaluating the 34GN850 to other displays paints a extremely trek characterize for the recent LG ultrawide. As expected, we’re seeing 27GL850-delight in efficiency from this display screen, nearly matching its response time and inverse ghosting efficiency.
The 38GL950G which uses the identical 1ms class Nano IPS panel technology is rather of faster in the case of response times, however produces more overshoot. In total round this 3 to 4ms tag is the restrict of those IPS panels and all three displays sensible a 4ms response time across the refresh range using their optimum overdrive modes.
This does put aside the 34GN850 in a category-leading order for 21:9 displays. This level to is 1ms faster than the 34GK950F, or about 20% faster, when evaluating maximum refresh charges. However the 34GK950F would now not aid this efficiency across the refresh range (it’s more delight in a 7-8ms display screen with mid range refreshes), so now and then the 34GN850 is probably going to be almost twice as immediate.
The 34GN850 is additionally clearly faster than VA offerings, including rapid 200Hz G-Sync Remaining displays delight in the Acer Predator X35. Alternate strategies delight in the Nixeus NX-EDG34S which have lately pushed up to 144Hz with VA panels, are aloof mid-range contenders and don’t truly earn near what the 34GN850 is offering.
Darkish stage efficiency, as we’ve seen once more and once more, is a non quandary with IPS displays. Same with refresh rate compliance, this most stylish batch of IPS technology is clearly immediate ample to tackle refresh charges delight in 160Hz.
Error charges are decent, indicating LG aren’t pushing this panel too exhausting to entire the stage of efficiency we’ve been showing. Provided that the Posthaste overdrive mode is lawful to be used with all refresh charges, that is a giant result for this ultrawide.
Then at 60Hz, you’ll sight what we had been talking about earlier. While the 34GK950F has fallen away to an 8ms gray to gray response at this refresh rate, as overshoot is simply too excessive with greater efficiency, the 34GN850 remains rock sturdy with its 4.17ms gray to gray sensible.
Input creep is appropriate, at a marginally over 1ms, which leads to a responsive experience. As the panel additionally refreshes at 160Hz, it’s marginally faster and now not more blurry than most stylish 144Hz alternate strategies, though the variation is fairly exiguous. We’re simplest talking 11% faster, which is sweet to have, however fairly negligible within the giant method of things.
Vitality consumption is ugly: the 34GN850 is a lot more setting pleasant than the 34GK950F. The 950F became once rather of an outlier for vitality consumption at this dimension, resolution and refresh rate; the 34GN850 pulls itself wait on into the pack with almost 30% lower vitality usage at the identical stage of brightness. For many folk that is probably going to be no longer vital, however it undoubtedly does chop wait on the display screen’s heat output which we’ve heard of us bitch about now and then for quite lots of displays.
Coloration Efficiency
Coloration Residence: LG 34GN850 – D65-P3
The 34GN850 is a giant gamut display screen with 95% P3 coverage in our sorting out, which is within the tip bracket of extensive gamut panels; you’ll be exhausting pressed to search out a gaming succesful display screen with greater P3 coverage factual now. This makes LG’s series of Nano IPS panels fairly lawful as twin-employ displays for artistic work as correctly as gaming.
Default Coloration Efficiency
LG 34GN850 – D65-P3, tested at native resolution, highest refresh rate
Portrait CALMAN Remaining, DeltaE Rate Purpose: Below 2.0, CCT Purpose: 6500Good ample
Grayscale, Saturation and ColorChecker
Out of the sphere greyscale efficiency is decent, and indicates some stage of manufacturing facility calibration. Our unit had a extremely minute heat tone, however factual adherence to the sRGB gamma curve by default. These results are above sensible, significantly deltaE efficiency, which is unattainable for this form of panel with none calibration.
Saturation when assessing this level to in opposition to sRGB suffers from the frequent lack of an sRGB gamut clamp, which noticeably oversaturates colours. Right here’s especially vital on this kind of giant gamut panel, though attributable to sturdy greyscale efficiency the destroy is shrimp. The deltaE efficiency you sight here in our saturation and ColorChecker checks is decent for a non-clamped extensive gamut display screen however naturally it isn’t loyal.
sRGB Mode
LG 34GN850 – D65-P3, tested at native resolution, highest refresh rate
Portrait CALMAN Remaining, DeltaE Rate Purpose: Below 2.0, CCT Purpose: 6500Good ample
Grayscale, Saturation and ColorChecker
The factual data is the 34GN850 does attain with a purposeful sRGB mode that clamps the display screen to the sRGB gamut. This vastly improves saturation and ColorChecker results, with low deltaEs in keeping with what we’d ask for this mode. The horrid data, is that the sRGB mode locks you out of all color controls excluding brightness and disagreement, so you are caught with whatever greyscale calibration you earn from the manufacturing facility. In our case, this means the minute heat tone is unfixable on this mode. You additionally can’t alternate the overdrive setting, which is distinctive, however fortunately defaults to the optimum Posthaste mode.
OSD Tweaked Coloration Efficiency
LG 34GN850 – sRGB, tested at native resolution, highest refresh rate
Portrait CALMAN Remaining, DeltaE Rate Purpose: Below 2.0, CCT Purpose: 6500Good ample
Grayscale
For OSD tweaking this now leaves you with a desire: enact you utilize the sRGB mode to repair oversaturation, at the expense of greyscale tweaks? Or enact you forgo sRGB clamping to repair greyscale? Neither is unattainable, it’d be giant if that sRGB mode had color alternate strategies unlocked. Within the tip we had been simplest in a order to entire minor greyscale enhancements using these settings.
Calibrated Coloration Efficiency
LG 34GN850 – D65-P3, tested at native resolution, highest refresh rate
Portrait CALMAN Remaining, DeltaE Rate Purpose: Below 2.0, CCT Purpose: 6500Good ample
Grayscale, Saturation and ColorChecker
Fortunately, the 34GN850 is extremely calibratable in either the default or sRGB modes, due to efficiency out of the sphere is fairly factual.
Our results after a DisplayCAL movement delivered sub 2.0 deltaE averages across the board for sRGB divulge material, which is fantastic. After which using the identical profile for P3, once more very sturdy deltaE results, the very high discontinue is rather of unsuitable as we don’t earn plump P3 coverage, however that is factual ample for most artistic work and correctly above sensible.
With that stated, the ICC profile can simplest enact so noteworthy, and simplest capabilities in supported capabilities. Staring at YouTube movies in Chrome as an illustration, would now not apply the ICC corrections, so developed customers are greater off switching the level to to the sRGB mode and lengthening a profile for that mode. Then need to you delight in to need to employ the extensive gamut of this level to, switch over to the appropriate mode.
The LG 34GN850 has giant brightness, almost 400 nits which is in keeping with its DisplayHDR 400 rating, though it does lack loyal HDR efficiency. Within the intervening time, the disagreement ratio will disappoint investors, which is the largest quandary with LG’s Nano IPS panels.
The factual data: calibrated disagreement ratio with our unit became once simplest marginally lower than the 34GK950F, which extinct older IPS technology. At a 920:1 ratio, it became once additionally increased than our 27GL850 unit, the truth is 20% increased which is monumental.
The horrid is that the disagreement ratio is lower than other IPS panels, similar to the older Acer Predator X34 which is ready 30 percent greater for gloomy ranges and subsequently disagreement. VA ultrawides naturally have a bonus as correctly, anyplace from 2x to 3x the disagreement ratio. This isn’t a horrid showing from LG’s Nano IPS panel all things regarded as, and isn’t that astronomical of a deal in moderate to intellectual lights stipulations, however it undoubtedly is a frail space for this display screen.
Viewing angles are very perfect as you’d ask from an IPS panel. Uniformity is rather of under sensible with our unit, the backside half of became once rather of warmer than the tip half of, which is a regression compared to the 34GK950F and this had a an identical have an effect on on gray uniformity. On the opposite hand, my 34GN850 had plenty much less IPS glow within the backside left and factual corners than my 34GK950F, this display screen (as a minimal our unit) became once noteworthy greater than sensible for IPS glow and whereas it’s no longer perfect – completely a few IPS displays are – I don’t assume you’ll belief this quandary in most stipulations.
What We Realized
Overall, the LG 34GN850 is an very perfect excessive-discontinue ultrawide display screen and makes vital enhancements to the 34GK950F, the old simplest 3440 x 1440 desire. In tantalizing to LG’s 1ms-class Nano IPS panel technology, response time efficiency is anyplace from 20% to 100% greater reckoning on the refresh rate, and the display screen is now in a order to provide consistent efficiency with a single overdrive mode all by arrangement of the refresh range. You earn a noteworthy clearer image than other 21:9 displays on the market as a result, and the bump up to a 160Hz refresh rate is a pleasant bonus.
It is doubtless you’ll possibly possibly additionally truly assume of this display screen as an ultrawide version of LG’s very perfect 27GL850. Response times are very an identical, you earn illustrious viewing angles, high notch extensive gamut colours and manufacturing facility calibration isn’t too shabby either. Even IPS glow is improved, especially compared to the 34GK950F. Within the occasion you’re after an ultrawide that delivers an elite combination of wobble and visual quality, with the chance to double as a artistic or productivity display screen, there is no longer any greater desire than the 34GN850.
That’s no longer to hiss the 34GN850 is the supreme display screen. Distinction is the principle weakness here, though it’s no longer worse than the 34GK950F, and isn’t as itsy-bitsy as the 27GL850 with out reference to using the identical panel form. VAs stay a greater desire for gloomy ranges. There’s additionally a few nitpicks delight in the dearth of backlight strobing (even when this option would possibly possibly possibly possibly never work with this panel), a shrimp sRGB mode and sensible assemble.
The even increased data is that with out reference to all these enhancements to efficiency, LG is introducing the 34GN850 at a lower tag than is predecessor. The 950F became once a $1,200 level to which became once on the costly aspect with out reference to its quality. At final you’d salvage it across the $1,000 tag or lower on sale, which made more sense.
The LG 34GN850 has an MSRP of $900 which is fantastic for what you earn. Factual now it can possibly possibly possibly appear to be fetching a increased tag, possibly related to the pandemic delight in fairly quite lots of alternative displays are going by arrangement of factual now, however we ask that tag to fall to $900 over time. A 25% bargain in launch tag for a greater product is a welcome improvement.
Within the occasion you’re procuring for one thing much less costly, you enact have picks, and the LG 34GN850 remains a top class option.
Mid-range 3440 x 1440 144Hz VA displays are ~$500 to $600 at the 2d. You are getting a noteworthy greater product for the increased tag of the LG, with faster response times and better colours (outside of the disagreement ratio), however that is indubitably a display screen that is reserved for folk that want one of the best of one of the best and are intelligent to pay for it.