Review on AOC CU34G2X: Ultimate Immersive, Frameless Ultrawide Screen for HD Gaming and More! by Eric Montoya

It replaced my Dell 2716DG, a 144Hz 2560x1440p TN monitor with gsync support. I've always wanted an ultrawide, but couldn't bring myself to spend more than 500€. This monitor was released and had the features I wanted at the price I wanted. As with most monitors, the secret recipe lies in the settings. I've never had a monitor that didn't look better with some tweaking. This monitor has freesync instead of gsync. When I first started using gsync in 2016, it became a must-have feature. I then did a clean install and upgraded from Windows 7 to 10. Windows occasionally interrupts gsync so the price premium is no longer part of my purchase decision. Although this monitor is not gsync certified, you can enable it through the Nvidia Control Panel. At first I had intermittent black screens that lasted a few seconds with gsync enabled. Needless to say, this was ruining my gaming experience, so I searched for a solution. I first downloaded the new drivers from the AOC website and installed them manually. Problem still exists. Then I updated the driver on my 1080ti. Problem still exists. I tried using a program to change the free sync range, which some people claimed helped. There are no dice. I finally found a working solution: 1. Make sure FreeSync is enabled in your monitor's built-in controls2. Right click on the desktop and go to Nvidia3 Control Panel. Set up gsync in "G-Sync Setup"4. Select Manage 3D Settings.5. Change "Monitor Technology" to Fixed Refresh6. Select the Program Settings tab under Manage 3D Settings7. Select the game you want to start8. Change monitor technology to G-sync9. Do this for every game you want to play with G-Sync. Somehow it works. No more black screens! My setup is Windows 10, 9900K, 1080ti with the latest drivers. Colors were slightly better when using TN, but that didn't change lifespan. From the looks of it, my previous monitor was set up pretty well. The pixel response isn't as fast as my old TN, but after a few days I don't notice it anymore. If you don't participate in Mister eSports tournaments, it doesn't matter. If you're that type of guy, you probably don't even look at this monitor as an option. Now for the bad. The monitor often needs more brightness. Even with the brightness set to 100, I increase the brightness in the game settings. If the game doesn't have a brightness slider, you can use "Image Gain" in your monitor settings. This is a great option. So why get stuck in a bad review area? The monitor does not remember this setting when it is turned off. If you need it for the game, you have to reset it every damn time. AOC needs to update its firmware to fix this. This prevents this good monitor from being really great. Every time I want to play Assault Android Cactus I have to fiddle with it. Not cool. Aside from the black screen workaround and the image enhancement not being retained, I am happy with this monitor. It was a big step up from my 27 inch TN and now I can never go back to full size monitors. Size matters. It will probably be another four years before a 4K with comparable specs comes out at a reasonable price. Until then I am not allowed to buy another monitor as my sister in law turned me off and my wife pointed to my new toy. This is the last time she will stay with us during spring break.