If you prioritize a wider, immersive display and enjoy gaming with a higher refresh rate, the Gigabyte M34WQ offers a large screen size with good gaming features at a midrange price. However, if you do a lot of photo or video editing and need outstanding text and image clarity, the LG UltraFine 5K may justify its premium price with its exceptional resolution and color performance, even though it's not as gaming-focused with a lower refresh rate and no variable refresh rate support. The LG's higher pixels per inch make it better suited for productivity tasks where sharp details are integral. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Gigabyte M34WQ (IPS)
Good response time
Advantages of the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS)
Very good for productivity
Good for media consumption
Best in class text clarity
Best in class image clarity
Good brightness
Key differences
Productivity
6.3/10
8.7/10
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
5120 x 2880
110 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
218 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Glossy
The LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) is very good for productivity, while the Gigabyte M34WQ (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.0/10
7.0/10
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
5120 x 2880
1074:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1200:1
379 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
372 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Matte
COATING
Glossy
The LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) is good for media consumption, while the Gigabyte M34WQ (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$330
$1,179
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Gigabyte M34WQ (IPS) has a price of $330 and the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) costs $1,179.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.9/10
6.0/10
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
5120 x 2880
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1074:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1200:1
379 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
372 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
87.7 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
99.0 %
Matte
COATING
Glossy
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) to be only fair for casual gaming, while the Gigabyte M34WQ (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
4.5/10
5.0/10
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
8.5 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
14.0 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
N/A
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
379 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
The LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) and Gigabyte M34WQ (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Gigabyte M34WQ (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Gigabyte M34WQ (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Gigabyte M34WQ (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Gigabyte M34WQ (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Gigabyte M34WQ (IPS) and the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) compare to other monitors
"If you want a 34″ 3440×1440 ultrawide gaming monitor with a fast response time speed, smooth VRR performance, vibrant colors and crisp details, the Gigabyte M34WQ is one of the best options below $450. Additionally, it has an ergonomic stand, rich connectivity options and plenty of extra features, such as a built-in KVM switch. Some users might not be pleased by its flat screen, but at a certain viewing distance, it feels completely natural."
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec monitors team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest monitor information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the monitor team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Monitors Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.