ViewSonic Elite XG341C

Console and PC gamers have long considered 1440p (known as 2K) resolution an ideal middle ground between the visual fidelity of 4K and the high performance of full HD or 1080p. But the ViewSonic Elite XG341C-2K ($1,499.99) puts a fresh spin on that: Instead of the 2,560-by-1,440-pixel resolution that most users mean by 1440p, this ultrawide 34-inch mini LED monitor combines a 3,440-by-1,440-pixel array (21:9 aspect ratio) with a 15000R curvature. It's a gorgeous gaming monitor that's sure to pique the interest of players looking for an immersive experience. A few flaws keep the Elite from earning an Editors' Choice award, notably higher-than-expected input lag, but it's still a top-shelf option for deep-pocketed enthusiasts who are drawn to a wraparound curve.

ViewSonic keeps the XG341C-2K's design simple and familiar. An all-black frame with a matte finish is edged by thin bezels, putting the maximum amount of screen space into a minimal chassis. A three-legged stand holds the monitor steady. At 18.9 by 31.8 by 15.1 inches (HWD), the display manages to be slightly deeper than the ASRock Phantom Gaming 34, and at 25 pounds, it's heavier than many other ultrawide monitors, such as the Cooler Master GM34-CWQ.

The monitor’s ultrawide wingspan curves slightly, with a radius of 1,500mm, known in the industry as 1500R. (A circle made of these monitors would have a radius of 1.5 meters.) The tighter the curve, the more immersive the gaming experience can be. While the ViewSonic's curvature is not as pronounced as it could be (you can find curvier 1000R monitors, as well as shallower 1800R screens), its purpose remains the same: to reduce glare while delivering deeper perceived blacks and a more compelling gaming experience.

Turning the monitor around, you'll find four LED zones at the back pointing toward the hexagonal center of the wide screen. A small onscreen display (OSD) control joystick pokes out on the right, while a headset hanger sits on the left.

The Elite's array of ports includes two HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort connector, a 3.5mm headphone jack, three USB-A ports, one USB-B connector, and a USB-C port with DisplayPort functionality. Two clips, intended to assist in cable management, sit at the ready on either end.

There's significant space between the monitor and the stand holding it upright, which gives the display a lot of mobility, generous swivel and tilt, and almost 5 inches of height adjustment. Two 5-watt speakers are an expected extra considering the monitor's price; they deliver clear sound that doesn't get distorted when the volume is turned up. They're similar in quality to the ViewSonic Gaming Elite XG321UG's speakers.

Like that other ViewSonic gaming monitor, the XG341C-2K uses mini LED panel technology, with 1,152 individual LED zones for the backlight and full-array local dimming (FALD). This setup differs from normal LCD backlights that consist of LEDs along the edge of the panel or in some cases a grid of LEDs with up to 512 dimming zones. Dimming zones are adjusted individually or locally depending on the picture to be displayed, dimming the darkest parts to make blacks look deeper or brightening the brightest areas. With more dimming zones, you're able to enjoy richer colors, brighter whites, and deeper blacks.

In addition to the mini-LED backlighting, the XG341C-2K also supports a refresh rate of up to 200Hz, but that’s through overclocking. The default refresh rate is 165Hz, still a very respectable refresh rate that’s well-suited for fast-paced shooters and the like. The screen makes use of AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, the highest tier of AMD's adaptive-sync technology.

Now this would be a great selling point if overclocking your monitor didn't disable both FreeSync and the FALD, effectively removing two of the monitor's selling points. Unless you're desperate for a higher refresh rate, you're better off skipping overclocking all together.

Widescreen 1440p monitors are an increasingly popular pick among deep-pocketed gamers with midrange to high-end PCs. Does the ViewSonic XG341C-2K stand out in this increasingly crowded field? To find out, we ran the monitor through our benchmark gauntlet using a Datacolor SpyderX Elite monitor calibration sensor to see how it compared to screens of similar size and resolution.

Our first test evaluates the monitor's brightness out of the box in default picture mode with an SDR signal. The Elite reached 737 nits, the brightest in its test group. Switching over to HDR, which we measured using the Datacolor's brightness and contrast display analysis, the monitor came out on top again. Higher brightnesses in HDR mode could be attained, but doing so would require some fiddling with the settings (altering the brightness of the dimming zones, for instance, bumped HDR brightness from 450 to 531 nits).

The SDR measurement is likely higher in this particular test because SDR lights up the entire screen more or less uniformly, while HDR relies on metadata to light scenes with more nuance in specified areas. Content also plays a factor in HDR brightness levels. If the content you’re viewing is optimized for high contrast ratios, then you'll register higher HDR brightness levels.

Still, the HDR1400 is one of the reasons you're likely considering this panel. Putting Viewsonic's HDR1400 claim to the test, we measured the monitor's peak HDR luminance, which gave us a rating of 1,471 nits of brightness. So in the spots where it counts, the Elite can deliver the HDR goods.

Moving on to our color-gamut benchmark, the results remain positive for the ViewSonic. The XG341C-2K spanned 100% of the sRGB color gamut, 91% of Adobe RGB, and 94% of DCI-P3—excellent numbers out of the box.

Color accuracy was equally as strong, with a measured Delta E of 1.3 besting all competitors except the Corsair Xeneon 32QHD165. The higher the Delta E, the farther colors tend to stray from their intended hue, and a value under 1 is ideal.

As for contrast, we measured a black level of 0.21 and a contrast ratio of 3,220:1, well within the promised static ratio listed by ViewSonic. The contrast ratio indicates the luminance of the brightest white and darkest black that a monitor can produce. It makes a difference in picture quality, especially during dark scenes in gameplay. Gaming monitors with IPS panels typically target a contrast ratio of 1,000:1 or better, and that remains the case for VA panels as well.

The final benchmark to consider is the all-important input lag test. Using an HDFury Diva HDMI matrix, we measured the Elite's input lag at 5.8 milliseconds—not super low, but hardly a cause for alarm. Esports pros may seek out the lower input lag of monitors like the BenQ Mobiuz EX3410R, but the ViewSonic's result is more than good enough for just about every other player.

It would be a bit better if the monitor's higher input lag was offset by Nvidia Reflex support like that of the Alienware 500Hz Gaming Monitor, but ultimately low input lag isn't everything. It's also worth remembering the 200Hz refresh rate achievable via overclocking. Enabled in either the Nvidia or AMD control panel, overclocking your monitor allows you to create a custom resolution, allowing you to squeeze a higher refresh rate from it (though again, you'll be disabling FALD and Freesync, so it may not be worth the extra frames).

Fast-paced shooters like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Overwatch 2 greatly benefit from the boost in performance, but it's especially handy on the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 too, as variable refresh rate options in console games are becoming more widespread.

The ViewSonic Elite XG341C-2K proves itself to be a reliable gaming monitor when it comes to widescreen 1440p gaming, providing an excellent picture with a high refresh rate, though some overclocking legwork is required to reach its peak (and the attendant tradeoffs we mentioned may give you pause). The input lag isn't the lowest we've seen, but that likely won't be a problem for gamers outside of the hardcore esports crowd, who are likely considering smaller, higher-refresh panels in any case. While the display's steep price might give you pause, if you're looking for a 34-inch curved gaming monitor you're probably not pinching pennies, and there are few better options than the XG341C-2K.

ViewSonic's mini LED-based Elite XG341C-2K is a pricey but excellent choice for console and PC gamers in the market for a curved ultrawide monitor.

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