The LG 34GP63A-B UltraGear curved gaming monitor checks a lot of right boxes and looks phenomenal when doing it. The highlight here is a beautiful 34-inch, 3440 x 1440 resolution curved display that boasts AMD FreeSync, a 1 millisecond response time, and 144Hz refresh rate, all of which make it one of the best budget gaming monitors.
The 34GP63A-B looks great from every angle thanks to red accents on the body and stand. And for its price, it’s a serious investment, one that will benefit both gamers and creatives without spending too much.
LG UltraGear 34GP63A-BSpecs
- Display size: 34-inch Ultra wide
- Native resolution: 3440 x 1440
- Panel type: VA
- Refresh rate: 144Hz
- Adaptive Sync: AMD FreeSync Premium
- HDR: Yes, HDR 10
- Ports: 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4
- Speakers: Yes
Design and Features
The 34GP63A-B is similar to LG’s bigger 45-inch 45GR65DC-B UltraGear gaming monitor. It has a thin display attached to a wide, box-shaped box that contains the monitor’s internal hardware and ports. The UltraGear 34GP63A-B panel is not as this as the LG UltraGear OLED model but it strikes a handsome profile.
Build quality is great, too, with sturdy textured plastics that feel premium and durable when handled. LG also drops the garish red flair of older UltraGear models, so the 34GP63A-B looks less out of place in a home office.
LG still uses a wide-legged stand, however, which is a bit underwhelming. The design looks minimalist and keeps the monitor stable, and it doesn’t take up a lot of desk space. That’s good news if you have a small desk. The stand adjusts for height and tilt, but it lacks a pivot and doesn’t swivel. The monitor supports 100 x 100mm VESA mounts, so you can use it with third-party monitor stands and arms.
A pair of HDMI ports and one DisplayPort provide the LG UltraGear 34GP63A-B with a total of three video inputs. That’s a modest number of ports for a monitor in this price range. On the downside, LG skimps on a USB port, but the important step of using HDMI 2.1 ports means all two video inputs can handle the monitor’s full resolution and refresh. We’ve seen monitors in this price range with better port options including USB-C, but it’s available in LG’s more expensive gaming monitors.
Speakers are included in the 34GP63A-B, which is true of most gaming monitors. The BenQ’s Mobiuz monitors, such as the Mobiuz EX3210U, are the best other option for gamers looking to cram decent audio in their display. That mot costs at least $200 more than the LG at current prices, however, and its image quality is almost similar.
Gaming Performance
Gamers are sure to be pleased by the LG UltraGear 34GP63A-B’s 144Hz (can overclock to 160Hz) refresh rate. It delivers smooth, silky motion with very minimal motion blur.
A refresh rate of 144Hz is pretty standard at the low-end for gaming monitors and, it isn’t the highest available today – that honor goes to the 500Hz Alienware AW2524HF – but it’s rather impressive. Flipping test images from League of Legends and DOTA 2 showed great detail in both terrain and character silhouettes. Character names and hitpoint bars are very readable, too, though details might be hard to make out depending on the action at hand.
The LG 34GP63A-B’s outstanding motion clarity is sweetened by the monitor’s official support for AMD’s FreeSync Premium and it also supports Nvidia G-Sync. In truth, most monitors that handle one standard can also handle the other, but most manufacturers don’t bother to straddle the hurdles required for official certification from both AMD and Nvidia. I’ve always found this to be a lazy approach, but I’m glad the monitors get the job done.
Monitors like the UltraGear 34GP63A-B are quickly making 144Hz the new go-to standard for budget PC gaming monitors. However, in recent days, 240Hz is quickly gaining popularity, too; there’s nothing with 144Hz but 240Hz is now affordable and provides a wonderful boost to motion fluidity.
LG supports HDR on the UltraGear – but, as is often the case with less expensive monitors, the experience isn’t ideal. The monitor achieves a maximum brightness of 300 nits. That’s fairly standard for a monitor in its category, but certainly far below the preferred minimum of 1,000 nits.
The lack of brightness is a little problematic, as it means the monitor can’t display the range of luminance necessary to meet the most demanding HDR content. All of those are typical for a sub-$500 gaming monitor – I can’t think of any that are notably better. Gamers looking for good HDR at a more reasonable price should consider mini-LED monitors like the Cooler Master Tempest GP27U or the INNOCN 32M2V gaming monitor.
LG 34GP63A-B Review: Verdict
LG’s midrange UltraGear gaming monitor are popular for being solid, no-fuss choices for gamers looking to buy a good gaming monitor that’s not ridiculously expensive. The LG 34GP63A-B UltraGear is a novel description, and even bolsters, that reputation. It’s attractive, well-built, and delivers high-quality pictures with excellent motion clarity.
LG’s only problem is the competition: Dell’s S3423DWC, for example, delivers better image quality and includes even USB-C connectivity at a lower price. The LG 34GP63A-B is still a more alluring option, at least when its price is cut to $400 (which is already happening at most retailers).
Our Pick
LG UltraGear QHD 34-Inch Curved Gaming Monitor 34GP63A-B, VA with HDR 10 Compatibility and AMD FreeSync Premium, 160Hz, Black
$305.76 in stock
23 used from $208.33
