It’s incredible just how affordable gaming monitors have become in recent years but this new 34-inch Samsung gaming monitor deal takes things to a new level. With its 100Hz refresh rate and high 3,440 x 1,440 resolution, this screen makes few major compromises yet costs just $199.99, down from an original MSRP of $349.99.
With the sort of specs we still seek in the best gaming monitors you can buy, this screen will offer you loads of desktop real estate, an absorbing wide view for your games, and is a perfect match for watching widescreen movies too. There are a few caveats to take note of but if you just want a dependable big screen for very little cash, you can’t get much better than this Samsung deal.
The monitor in question is the Samsung ViewFinity S50GC Series LS34C50DGANXZA – oh how we do love Samsung’s monitor naming convention. Unlike a lot of ultrawide screens, it’s a flat display rather than having the sides curving in slightly towards you. This makes for a more compact, tidy setup than a curved display, and it’s better for sitting back and watching those movies or playing games from your couch.
The crucial detail here is the use of a 3,440 x 1,440 resolution, as some more budget 34-inch displays will drop to a 2,560 x 1,080 resolution that looks a lot less sharp and effectively reduces the size of desktop you can have. You will need a reasonably powerful graphics card to power games at this resolution but a lot less powerful than for running a 4K screen.
The 100Hz refresh rate here is ample for providing a very noticeably smoother feel than 60Hz displays, whether you’re playing a competitive FPS or just scrolling through web pages. That said, for those seeking a truly competitive-grade gaming monitor, we would recommend seeking an even faster refresh rate screen, such as the AOC CU34G3S.
Similarly, the other main drawback with this screen is its use of a VA LCD panel. This type of LCD has a much lower average response time than IPS LCD panels (let alone the ultra fast response of OLED panels) so it’s not as good at showing fast motion. However, as with the refresh rate, as long as you’re not looking to compete in the next Valorant or Apex Legends tournament you should be fine.
In terms of other features, this is a basic display with its stand not offering any adjustment other than tilt (you’ll need to attach a monitor arm such as the Secretlab Heavy Duty monitor arm to get height and other degrees of movement) plus it only has HDMI inputs, with no DisplayPort. There are no USB ports, speakers or anything else either, but that’s as you’d expect for a budget screen.
What you do get is stunning 3,000:1 contrast ratio, which is triple what you’ll get on IPS or TN types of LCD panels, resulting in inky looking black levels and a punchy image overall. The display can also produce the billion colors that are required for HDR certification, so you’ll get vivid, accurate-looking colors.
But overall, it’s just the sheer amount of screen size, pixels, and that high refresh rate for such a low price that makes this deal a bargain. If you just want a big screen upgrade for a minimal outlay, it’s a cracking buy that you can take advantage of via this link. You’ll have to act fast, though, as this is a limited time deal from Amazon.
If you are tempted by a big screen upgrade but not sure if your graphics card is up to the challenge, check out our best graphics card guide for our recommendations for a range of budgets.
