Have you switched TO or FROM an Ultra Widescreen Monitor for gaming and if so, what are your opinions?

[Actual_Criminal]

I am mainly a multiplayer gamer, so have been using a fast TN 240Hz 1080p 24.5" monitor for a couple of years (Asus PG258Q), however I want to start playing more story/campaign games that I've owned for years but just not played.

 

 

I'm not really as excited to play the latest campaign games and don't really feel immersed when playing top AAA games that's in my general genres of ones I like. So, I bit the bullet and decided to buy an Ultra widescreen monitor with the hopes I'll be more immersed in the games. I also just upgraded from a 3070 to a 3090, so I think now is the time to jump from 1080p.

 

Anyway, I bought the a VA 165Hz 1440p 34" HDR monitor (Samsung Odyssey G5 - upgraded 34" version, not the 32" one.) I haven't received it yet but it should arrive in a couple of days. (This is the exact one I bought: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Odyssey-LC34G55TWWUXEN-Curved-Monitor/dp/B08C7RZ6HL/ref=sr_1_1?crid=JI2YUEH91ECD&dchild=1&keywords=samsung+g5+34+inch&qid=1611960261&s=computers&sprefix=samsung+g5+%2Ccomputers%2C177&sr=1-1 )

 

 

As I'm waiting in anticipation, I have done more reading online and have read that some games don't even have widescreen support apparently. Is this true? Can you think of any AAA or popular games that won't be supported on the monitor?

 

Nevertheless, this question only applies to people that have switched TO an Ultra widescreen monitor or FROM one to a non-UW monitor. 

-

What did/do you think of Ultra widescreen monitors in comparison to their counterpart in the context of gaming?

[Entropy.]

Honestly, at first (coming from a 23' 60hz ips panel, going to a 34' 144hz va panel) it was a really impressive. I honestly really liked it and do believe I felt quite a bit more immersed in the game, especially in games that aren't twitch-shooters, but games like forza horizon 4 which can be somewhat intense, but also look gorgeous and aren't way too fast. Every at least semi-new game I've ever played has had support for 21:9. Only downside is that I felt a little disorientated for the first ~1/2 weeks, but it quickly faded. Probably not a big thing.

[Biomecanoid]

7 minutes ago, Actual_Criminal said:

I am mainly a multiplayer gamer, so have been using a fast TN 240Hz 1080p 24.5" monitor for a couple of years (Asus PG258Q), however I want to start playing more story/campaign games that I've owned for years but just not played.

 

 

I'm not really as excited to play the latest campaign games and don't really feel immersed when playing top AAA games that's in my general genres of ones I like. So, I bit the bullet and decided to buy an Ultra widescreen monitor with the hopes I'll be more immersed in the games. I also just upgraded from a 3070 to a 3090, so I think now is the time to jump from 1080p.

 

Anyway, I bought the a VA 165Hz 1440p 34" HDR monitor (Samsung Odyssey G5 - upgraded 34" version, not the 32" one.) I haven't received it yet but it should arrive in a couple of days. (This is the exact one I bought: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Odyssey-LC34G55TWWUXEN-Curved-Monitor/dp/B08C7RZ6HL/ref=sr_1_1?crid=JI2YUEH91ECD&dchild=1&keywords=samsung+g5+34+inch&qid=1611960261&s=computers&sprefix=samsung+g5+%2Ccomputers%2C177&sr=1-1 )

 

 

As I'm waiting in anticipation, I have done more reading online and have read that some games don't even have widescreen support apparently. Is this true? Can you think of any AAA or popular games that won't be supported on the monitor?

 

Nevertheless, this question only applies to people that have switched TO an Ultra widescreen monitor or FROM one to a non-UW monitor. 

-

What did/do you think of Ultra widescreen monitors in comparison to their counterpart in the context of gaming?

I went to a triple monitor setup and I have like 2/3rds more field of view, even more wide than an ultrawide 48:10 aspect ratio. I do like it 

[emosun]

Having used ultrawides before I found the vertical realestate of a normal 4k screen to be more beneficial as the screen can run in either ultrawide or 16:9 resolutions. 

it was a serious consideration when buying my last monitor last year and I found it difficult to come up with a reason the ultrawide would be better.

[IkeaGnome]

It'll throw you off a bit at first. There are games that won't support UW monitors because of resolution, but they'll fit what they can on the screen and you'll just get blank "black bars" on the edges. With a high refresh rate, they're nice. You can keep that competitive feeling in games (was t500 in OW before I quit), or you can turn detail up in single player games and enjoy the wide view. 

I don't personally remember getting disoriented like some people do when switching to them.

[xg32]

I think for monitors you generally have to pick between refresh rate (240, 360), colors, or curved/ultrawide. I've used an uw and it's not for me, i can totally see it for work or immersion, that's it. Color wise a 34inch LG screen for 1k has the same color accuracy and refresh rate as a 450usd 16:9.

[SolarNova]

I switch to and from on the fly using my 16:9 display.

I have run 21:9 and 32:9 on my 42" display, if im playing a game that benefits from ultra wide ill usually stick closer to 21:9, around 1920 x 800 then use DSR to run games at 3840 x 1600.

Size wise it works out roughly equal to a 40" 21:9 display.

1920 x 540 (DSR 3840 x 1080) for 32:9 is also OK but very few games actually benefit from it.

 

Once i finally get an OLED replacement (either a 42" or 48") ill be doing the same but without the DSR as it will be native 4k.. Honestly once u have a larger sized 16:9 display, u dont need a purpose built ultrawide, u can just set the resolution urself.

 

I only think they are worth it if ur already looking to replace ur traditional 24-27" monitor and u play alot of games that work well with ultra wide resolutions.

otherwise, not worth it, and if ur into big display u dont need 'buy' an ultrawide.

[Cavalry Canuck]

20 hours ago, Actual_Criminal said:

I am mainly a multiplayer gamer, so have been using a fast TN 240Hz 1080p 24.5" monitor for a couple of years (Asus PG258Q), however I want to start playing more story/campaign games that I've owned for years but just not played.

 

 

I'm not really as excited to play the latest campaign games and don't really feel immersed when playing top AAA games that's in my general genres of ones I like. So, I bit the bullet and decided to buy an Ultra widescreen monitor with the hopes I'll be more immersed in the games. I also just upgraded from a 3070 to a 3090, so I think now is the time to jump from 1080p.

 

Anyway, I bought the a VA 165Hz 1440p 34" HDR monitor (Samsung Odyssey G5 - upgraded 34" version, not the 32" one.) I haven't received it yet but it should arrive in a couple of days. (This is the exact one I bought: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Odyssey-LC34G55TWWUXEN-Curved-Monitor/dp/B08C7RZ6HL/ref=sr_1_1?crid=JI2YUEH91ECD&dchild=1&keywords=samsung+g5+34+inch&qid=1611960261&s=computers&sprefix=samsung+g5+%2Ccomputers%2C177&sr=1-1 )

 

 

As I'm waiting in anticipation, I have done more reading online and have read that some games don't even have widescreen support apparently. Is this true? Can you think of any AAA or popular games that won't be supported on the monitor?

 

Nevertheless, this question only applies to people that have switched TO an Ultra widescreen monitor or FROM one to a non-UW monitor. 

-

What did/do you think of Ultra widescreen monitors in comparison to their counterpart in the context of gaming?

Would you consider posting a review of the 34” G5 after you get it and have used it for a bit? I’m looking for a 144hz UWQHD monitor with a 1000r curve, and it looks like it’s the only one currently available that meets that spec.

[jasonvp]

I got Asus' first UW, the 32" one, I think?  Did 3440x1440 @ 100Hz with GSync, if I remember correctly?  I don't remember the model number, but I got it right when it was launched several years ago.  I didn't keep it long.  I primarily play first person shooters and they just don't work as well with UW in my opinion.  I tried and tried and tried to force myself to like it, but didn't.  So I sold it and reverted to 16:9 where I've been since.

 

I suspect if I was playing a lot of third person games, it might be a different story.  But it just didn't click with me in FPS games.

[jones177]

For years I used an Ultrawide(21:9) gaming rig and a standard(16:9) gaming rig mainly because some games don't like ultrawides. 

 

Right now I have replaced my UW with a 55" OLED but I do miss it. It is a LG 38" 3840 X 1600 IPS monitor that is now being used for productivity only.

It did replace my Samsung 34" 3440 X 1440 VA monitor.

 

I would say if you don't want issues, build a dedicated ultrawide computer like I did and get a LG 38" 3840 X 1600 IPS monitor instead. 

 

 

[SolarNova]

50 minutes ago, jones177 said:

Right now I have replaced my UW with a 55" OLED but I do miss it

As i mentioned in my post, u can experience Ultrawide on a normal 16:9, more so on a large display.

You 55" OLED can be run at 3840 x 1600 to achieve an effective 52" 24:10 display, or even go with 3840 x 1080 for an effective 50" 32:9

Just use the NVCP , create the custom resolutions then set scaling to GPU and 'do not scale'.

Enjoy

[jones177]

3 hours ago, SolarNova said:

As i mentioned in my post, u can experience Ultrawide on a normal 16:9, more so on a large display.

You 55" OLED can be run at 3840 x 1600 to achieve an effective 52" 24:10 display, or even go with 3840 x 1080 for an effective 50" 32:9

Just use the NVCP , create the custom resolutions then set scaling to GPU and 'do not scale'.

Enjoy

What I do with the OLEDs and the NanoCell is create a custom resolution in the Nvidia control panel and and set it before I play. That is if I remember to set it.  Half the time I don't. I have the same issue with HDR. 

 

I dose look sort of fantastic at 49" wide.

[SolarNova]

59 minutes ago, jones177 said:

What I do with the OLEDs and the NanoCell is create a custom resolution in the Nvidia control panel and and set it before I play. That is if I remember to set it.  Half the time I don't. I have the same issue with HDR. 

 

I dose look sort of fantastic at 49" wide.

 

If u do it the way i sugest, u wont need to worry about remembering to set it before playing.

The resolutions will come up in the game as normal but when set it in game it wont scale, thus giving u the same affect u have now. When u exit the game ur desktop will be the 'normal' resolution u have set.

 

Oh i forgot to mention u should also check "override scaling mode"

 

That does look awesome btw

[jones177]

1 hour ago, SolarNova said:

If u do it the way i sugest, u wont need to worry about remembering to set it before playing.

The resolutions will come up in the game as normal but when set it in game it wont scale, thus giving u the same affect u have now. When u exit the game ur desktop will be the 'normal' resolution u have set.

 

Oh i forgot to mention u should also check "override scaling mode"

 

That does look awesome btw

Thanks for the info.

I will give it a go.

 

[Middcore]

I've coveted an ultrawide monitor ever since they first became available, but I waited a long time for them to become affordable and for (I thought) most games to properly support the ultrawide aspect ratio.

 

In 2019 I decided it was finally time to dip my toe into the ultrawide waters and I picked up a relatively cheap LG 29" 2560x1080 75hz display (exact model number escapes me now).

 

Unfortunately what I found was that even in 2019 some of the latest AAA games still couldn't handle 21:9 aspect ratio properly. In Red Dead Redemption 2, for example, all of the cutscenes shrank down to a small box in the middle of the screen, as if I were watching them through the driver's viewport in a tank or something. It's especially silly because the cutscenes in that game are already almost 21:9 (they letterbox on a 16:9 display) but on an ultrawide monitor the game just has no idea what to do with them. There were user-made fixes, but they all had to be applied each time you started the game, and/or could lead to you getting banned from playing online because it could be detected as a hack.

 

And of course the experience on older games was a struggle. Skyrim had mods for ultrawide that worked OK. Dragon's Dogma had a mod that required you to use a hotkey to switch between uw and 16:9 on the fly to make the map work right, and the archer crosshair is irreparably screwed up IIRC. Anything older or less popular than that, just have to live with the black bars on either side of your screen.

 

In short, while ultrawide did look amazing sometimes in games that supported it well, to me it was not worth the hassle. As long as console remains the primary development platform for most games, and as long as 99% of consoles will be used on 16:9 TV's, I would expect ultrawide gaming on PC to continue to come with a lot of frustrations.