TheLG 34GN850iterates on that winning formula with a few notable improvements.
In either case, LG guarantees 144Hz on this display.
Other features include a 1900R curve, which is slightly less curved than the previous 1800R curve LG used.
We actually like the curved nature of 21:9 displays.
The overall design of LG monitors hasn’t changed much in the last few years.
The OSD is controllable through a directional toggle right below the LG logo.
There is a black stabilizer and cheat crosshairs, but that’s about it.
We know the 34GN850 uses 1ms class Nano IPS technology, so this should mean 27GL850-like performance right?
Well, let’s take a look, starting with the first of four included overdrive modes.
But we don’t think many gamers will choose to use the Off mode with this monitor.
However, it’s not the fastest nor the optimal choice.
The best mode for most users, and also the default option, is the Fast overdrive mode.
We also saw minimal overshoot at this refresh rate, so the experience is fast and super clean.
This mode is unusable due to white trailing and haloing.
This makes the 34GN850 one of few monitors that has a single optimal overdrive mode for adaptive sync gaming.
Comparing the 34GN850 to other monitors paints a very positive picture for the new LG ultrawide.
As expected, we areseeing 27GL850-like performancefrom this monitor, almost matching its response time and inverse ghosting performance.
This does put the 34GN850 in a class-leading position for 21:9 monitors.
Dark level performance, as we’ve seen many times, is a non issue with IPS displays.
Then at 60Hz, you’ll see what we were talking about earlier.
Input lag is acceptable, at a touch over 1ms, which leads to a responsive experience.
Power consumption is surprising: the 34GN850 is a lot more efficient than the 34GK950F.
Out of the box greyscale performance is decent, and indicates some level of factory calibration.
Our unit had a very slight warm tone, but good adherence to the sRGB gamma curve by default.
In our case, this means the slight warm tone is unfixable in this mode.
Or do you forgo sRGB clamping to fix greyscale?
Neither is fantastic, it would be great if that sRGB mode had color options unlocked.
In the end we were only able to achieve minor greyscale improvements using these options.
With that said, the ICC profile can only do so much, and only functions in supported applications.
Then if you want to use the wide gamut of this display, switch over to the appropriate mode.
At a 920:1 ratio, it was also higher than our27GL850unit, actually 20% higher which is substantial.
VA ultrawides naturally have an advantage as well, anywhere from 2x to 3x the contrast ratio.
Viewing angles are excellent as you’d expect from an IPS panel.
Even IPS glow is improved, especially compared to the 34GK950F.
That’s not to say the 34GN850 is the perfect monitor.
VAs remain a better choice for black levels.
The 950F was a $1,200 display which was on the expensive side despite its quality.
Eventually you’d find it around the $1,000 mark or lower on sale, which made more sense.
TheLG 34GN850 has an MSRP of $900which is excellent for what you get.
A 25% reduction in launch price for a better product is a welcome improvement.
Mid-range 3440 x 1440 144Hz VA monitors are ~$500 to $600 these days.
