Looking for an Ultrawide 4K Monitor. Is it Even a thing?

[scotred]

Currently, I have an Acer Predator X34 that I bought circa 2016. It's served me well, still does in some respects, but I've been looking to upgrade for a couple of years, ever since I bought my 3090 graphics card.

Limitations of this monitor are:
-Limited to 100Hz refresh
-Not 4K
-Panel tech maybe dated
-Not HDR
-Power LED failing (maybe linked to a bigger issue)


I would feel like if I upgraded, I should go 4K. Not just for gaming, but also watching Netflix 4K and movies. However, I love the Ultrawide aspect, I probably would miss it if I reverted to a normal aspect ratio.

Is there any 4K(at least) ultrawide monitor out there that can satisfy my urge? Should I wait for upcoming tech? The top end of my budget would be about £2500

Cheers.

 

[WJA96]

There are a couple of 5K 2160P monitors that are basically 4K monitors but 50% pixels wider.

Dell UltraSharp 40-Inch Curved WUHD Monitor: U4021QW | Dell UK

Redefine productivity on this revolutionary 40-inch curved WUHD 5K2K monitor that delivers exceptional color and clarity.

www.dell.com

ThinkVision P40w-20 39.7" Curved 21:9 WUHD Thunderbolt Docking Monitor | 62C1GAT6UK

ThinkVision P40w-20 gives you exactly that with a host of industry-leading features. Its sweeping 39.7-inch, 21:9 screen features expansive 5120x2160 WUHD resolution.

www.lenovo.com

 

[scotred]

There are a couple of 5K 2160P monitors that are basically 4K monitors but 50% pixels wider.

Dell UltraSharp 40-Inch Curved WUHD Monitor: U4021QW | Dell UK

Redefine productivity on this revolutionary 40-inch curved WUHD 5K2K monitor that delivers exceptional color and clarity.

www.dell.com

ThinkVision P40w-20 39.7" Curved 21:9 WUHD Thunderbolt Docking Monitor | 62C1GAT6UK

ThinkVision P40w-20 gives you exactly that with a host of industry-leading features. Its sweeping 39.7-inch, 21:9 screen features expansive 5120x2160 WUHD resolution.

www.lenovo.com

Thanks for the reply.

Both those monitors look aimed at productivity based usage. Low refresh ranges 60hz and 75hz respectively. I however would be mainly using it for gaming/movies/browsing.

I guess the tech just isn't up to it at the moment, or maybe I should lower my standards. Looking at the latest CES 2023 monitor video's, it looks unlikely anything this year will come close to what I would want in a monitor going forward.

 

[Iron Man]

I upgraded from the same monitor to the Alienware qd Oled ultrawide which was a nice step up but not true 4K.

 

[WJA96]

Thanks for the reply.

Both those monitors look aimed at productivity based usage. Low refresh ranges 60hz and 75hz respectively. I however would be mainly using it for gaming/movies/browsing.

I guess the tech just isn't up to it at the moment, or maybe I should lower my standards. Looking at the latest CES 2023 monitor video's, it looks unlikely anything this year will come close to what I would want in a monitor going forward.

Can you see the difference in games between 60Hz and 75Hz? Let alone 144Hz plus?

There are no movies that run over 30Hz (most are 24-25Hz) and browsing won’t trouble either of those monitors.

 

[scotred]

I upgraded from the same monitor to the Alienware qd Oled ultrawide which was a nice step up but not true 4K.

I was looking at that monitor, but was a bit apprehensive about potential burn in and the clear text issue some people are having.

Having owned both monitors, would you upgrade again with hindsight or wait for something else?

I don't understand why 4K ultrawide isn't a wildly adopted thing in 2023.

 

[scotred]

Can you see the difference in games between 60Hz and 75Hz? Let alone 144Hz plus?

There are no movies that run over 30Hz (most are 24-25Hz) and browsing won’t trouble either of those monitors.

I think coming from 100hz down to 60/75hz I might, I'm not sure though as I haven't experienced it. However, from a lot of reviewers, they seem to suggest you can and recommend higher refresh rates for 'buttery smooth' gaming performance.

Yes, for movies and browsing, I guess it's not an issue.

 

[adrichardson81]

I think coming from 100hz down to 60/75hz I might, I'm not sure though as I haven't experienced it. However, from a lot of reviewers, they seem to suggest you can and recommend higher refresh rates for 'buttery smooth' gaming performance.

Yes, for movies and browsing, I guess it's not an issue.

For gaming, you'll definitely notice the drop to 60Hz if you're used to 100Hz+. Even scrolling text is nicer.

I'm not sure if you've seen them but a few YouTubers posted longterm experiences with oled monitors. LTT definitely had one up at some point. For gaming and movies I'd be fairly relaxed, but for homeworking it would be a deal breaker for me.

 

[Iron Man]

I was looking at that monitor, but was a bit apprehensive about potential burn in and the clear text issue some people are having.

Having owned both monitors, would you upgrade again with hindsight or wait for something else?

I don't understand why 4K ultrawide isn't a wildly adopted thing in 2023.

Having no problems with reading text and the monitor has a three year burn in warranty not to mention an auto pixel refresh mode to maintain the monitor so I wouldn’t worry about that. I’m happy with the monitor so no regrets as everything looks gorgeous on it but like you I would love to have a true 4K ultrawide but for whatever reason they are just not made.

 

[WJA96]

For gaming, you'll definitely notice the drop to 60Hz if you're used to 100Hz+. Even scrolling text is nicer.

So given that your eyes/brain are fooled into thinking something is moving at 20fps (20Hz) which is why movies are filmed at 24Hz and most graphics cards can’t do more than 90fps at 2160P how do you explain the benefit while scrolling text?

I‘m not convinced a human can make use of a high refresh rate monitor, simply because the eye/brain can’t keep up.

Consider your reaction time. 0.2s is considered pretty decent. That’s 5 times per second or 5Hz.

Is it possible you’ve convinced yourself that your screen is smoother because you spent money on that feature?

 

[stooeh]

I'm not sure if the guy above is trolling or not

That aside there's a couple of 38" ultra wide monitors with 3840x1600 by Alienware/LG that might fit the bill and of course Samsung announced the G95NC at CES.

'Samsung Odyssey Neo G95NC with 57″ Super-Ultrawide, 7680 x 2160 Res, 240Hz Refresh, Mini LED and DP 2.1'​

Looks like it will be a bit of a behemoth though

 

[dougie06n]

The 55” Odyssey Ark, UHD, Mini LED 165Hz Smart Gaming Monitor is 4k as well but comes in at £2500 so a bit pricey

 

[Armageus]

I don't understand why 4K ultrawide isn't a wildly adopted thing in 2023.

Because the term 4K ultrawide doesn't make any sense

4K literally means ~4000 pixels across, but is typically used for 3840x2160, a 16:9 aspect ratio.

Ultrawide also is a horrible term in itself, in that manufacturers variously describe lots of different resolutions as ultrawide

Spoiler: Ultrawide Resolutions

2560x1080 (2.76 MP)
3840x1080 (4.1 MP)
3440x1440 (4.95 MP)
3840x1600 (6.1 MP)
5120x1440 (7.37 MP)
5120x2160 (11.06 MP)

You'll need to be more specific about what resolution or aspect ratio you are actually looking for


If you want the same vertical resolution as typical 4K screens (2160), but better horizontal resolution, then you'd be looking at something with 5120x2160 (variously known as UW5K or WUHD)

Ultrawide formats - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[WJA96]

I'm not sure if the guy above is trolling or not

Nope, not trolling. Just literally stating that the specs might state 240Hz refresh rate but if your graphics card can only feed the monitor at 90Hz or the movie you are watching is recorded at 24Hz and your brain can’t press a button from a visual stimulus faster than 10Hz - what’s the point?

The OP was ruling out perfectly good (actually very good) 5K Ultrawide monitors on the basis that they were ‘only’ 60 or 75Hz refresh. So I went looking for why 100Hz+ would be better and it seems to be a lot of Emperor’s New Clothes. Lots of YouTubers with free kit telling you how great it is (buttery smooth is a phrase I saw used in this thread) but from what I can tell the human body can’t use the extra refresh rate effectively. And I think it’s been long established that 24Hz is plenty for smooth motion (unless all the gamers are seeing terrible tearing while watching Top Gun: Maverick).

 

[SpellowHouse]

I didn't read other replies. Yes there is, if you consider 3840x1600 4K. However, these seem to be going out of fashion right now so I would buy one asap if you really want one.

If you really want a good movie and game monitor then personally I would go for the Alienware AW3423DW or AW3423DWF. You might want to hang on a while longer if you want an oled that is 3840x1600, I am sure there will be one.

 

[Somnambulist]

On my iPad going from the old refresh rate to the ProMotion ones was a massive change for fast scrolling: it is noticeably nicer even for non-gaming use. There’s no 5k2k (as the WUHD ‘4K but ultrawide’ displays tend to be called) w/high refresh rates though - you have the one panel that’s used by LG, Lenovo, Dell etc and nothing else upcoming as far as I know.

 

[Sanjiv]

The 55” Odyssey Ark, UHD, Mini LED 165Hz Smart Gaming Monitor is 4k as well but comes in at £2500 so a bit pricey

I sat in front of this monitor in the Harrods Samsung store and it is SO massive.

 

[silvagti]

I don't understand why 4K ultrawide isn't a wildly adopted thing in 2023.

+1

A high refresh ultrawide 40” 5K 2160P (5120x2160) OLED display sounds like my dream monitor. I have a 60hz 34” (3440x1440) display at the moment. I love it but could really do with a slightly higher resolution and ~40” size.

Large display, lots of real estate for multiple app productivity, high refresh for ultrawide gaming and the ability to display 4k content at native resolution without scaling.

Surprised nobody has built this type of panel?

 

[Sgt_Major]

Nope, not trolling. Just literally stating that the specs might state 240Hz refresh rate but if your graphics card can only feed the monitor at 90Hz or the movie you are watching is recorded at 24Hz and your brain can’t press a button from a visual stimulus faster than 10Hz - what’s the point?

The OP was ruling out perfectly good (actually very good) 5K Ultrawide monitors on the basis that they were ‘only’ 60 or 75Hz refresh. So I went looking for why 100Hz+ would be better and it seems to be a lot of Emperor’s New Clothes. Lots of YouTubers with free kit telling you how great it is (buttery smooth is a phrase I saw used in this thread) but from what I can tell the human body can’t use the extra refresh rate effectively. And I think it’s been long established that 24Hz is plenty for smooth motion (unless all the gamers are seeing terrible tearing while watching Top Gun: Maverick).

You are a clown if you think anything over 90hz is a waste of time and cannot be felt by the user. Let me guess, you are stuck on 60-75hz now for all your life and don't know any different...

 

[WJA96]

You are a clown if you think anything over 90hz is a waste of time and cannot be felt by the user. Let me guess, you are stuck on 60-75hz now for all your life and don't know any different...

Don’t insult me, educate me. If you have something that explains why higher refresh rates are better then please link it and I’ll read it. Just calling me a ‘clown’ doesn’t help anyone. Just because a sponsored YouTuber or a marketing department tells you it’s great doesn’t make it great in real life.