In the ever-evolving realm of gaming monitors, the ASUS PG35VQ has carved a niche for itself as a formidable contender. Equipped with an arsenal of cutting-edge features and stellar visual capabilities, it promises a gaming experience like no other. In this comprehensive review, we delve deep into the intricacies of the ASUS PG35VQ to help you decide whether this premium gaming monitor is the right fit for your gaming rig.
- 35" uwqhd (3440x1440) 21: 9 curved hdr gaming monitor provides an immersive panoramic gaming experience with 200hz refresh rate and 2ms (gtg) response time
- Nvidia g sync ultimate technology delivers vivid realism with hdr for lifelike contrast & color, with the brightest whites & darkest blacks, that brings out details like never before
- Quantum dot technology provides the cinema standard dci p3 color gamut for realistic colors and smoother gradation
- Marathon ready with asus eye care technology to minimize eye fatigue and an ergonomic stand with full height/tilt/swivel/ adjustments to accommodate any desk
- Flexible connectivity with displayport 1.4, HDMI 2.0, USB 3.0 type b, USB 3.0 type a x2
REASONS TO BUY
✓Stunning Visuals: The PG35VQ’s Quantum Dot technology and HDR support deliver breathtaking visuals with vibrant colors and deep contrasts.
✓High Refresh Rate: With a refresh rate of up to 200Hz, this monitor ensures smooth and fluid gameplay, especially in fast-paced genres.
✓G-Sync Technology: G-Sync support eliminates screen tearing and stuttering, providing a seamless and tear-free gaming experience.
✓Customization Options: The OSD menu and GamePlus features offer extensive customization, allowing users to tailor the monitor’s performance to their preferences.
✓Ergonomic Design: The monitor’s adjustable stand, cable management, and ergonomic features enhance comfort during long gaming sessions.
REASONS TO AVOID
✗High Price: The advanced technology and features come at a premium, making the PG35VQ one of the more expensive monitors on the market.
✗Large Size: The 35-inch screen size might be too large for some users’ setups or preferences, potentially leading to limited desk space.
✗Heavy and Bulky: Due to its size and technology, the PG35VQ is relatively heavy and bulky, which could be challenging for those who frequently move or adjust their setup.
✗Calibration Required: While the monitor offers various presets, achieving the best color accuracy might require manual calibration, which can be time-consuming.
✗Limited Connectivity: While it offers a range of ports, the PG35VQ might lack certain connectivity options that users with specific needs require.
Unraveling the ASUS PG35VQ
Bottom Line: The ASUS PG35VQ presents a tantalizing mix of exceptional HDR image quality and a few drawbacks, notably in the pixel response time. While it offers stunning visuals, it faces fierce competition in its price range.
Once carrying a staggering $2,500 price tag, the ASUS PG35VQ now finds itself in a more accessible bracket, retailing for approximately $1,500 during sales. However, the question remains – can it stand tall in the company of newer, innovative monitors? Let’s find out.
Immersive Image Quality
The heart of the ASUS PG35VQ is a VA panel by AU Optronics. It boasts a native static contrast ratio of 2,500:1 and a peak brightness of 500-nits for SDR content. But the real magic happens with its Full-Array Local Dimming (FALD) solution. With over 100,000:1 contrast ratio and peak brightness exceeding 1,000-nits, this monitor unlocks the true HDR experience, painting vivid highlights and inky blacks on your screen. The 512 individually controllable dimming zones ensure that dark areas remain dark while bright ones shine, although some minor blooming can occur in specific scenarios.
The PG35VQ doesn’t disappoint in the color department either. It supports a wide color gamut with 90% DCI-P3 color space coverage (equivalent to around 125% sRGB gamut size). Thanks to the Quantum Dot-Enhanced Film (QDEF) layer, it delivers more vibrant and saturated colors. Users can also opt for 100% sRGB color output via the OSD settings. While the monitor comes factory-calibrated with a Delta E of less than 2, making it remarkably accurate out of the box, it’s not the go-to choice for professional color-critical work due to subtle gamma and saturation shifts inherent to VA technology.
At 3440×1440 resolution on a 35-inch screen, the pixel density of 106.55 PPI ensures sharp details and text without the need for scaling. The 21:9 ultrawide aspect ratio offers additional horizontal screen space, ideal for tasks like audio/video editing and office work. Gamers also benefit from an expanded field of view in compatible games, eliminating the black bars that often plague 16:9 monitors or TVs when viewing 21:9 aspect ratio content.
Performance Pinnacle
Performance is where the ASUS PG35VQ showcases its gaming prowess. With an NVIDIA G-SYNC Ultimate module, it offers variable refresh rates (VRR) up to a staggering 200Hz. This results in tear-free gameplay, provided you have a compatible GPU (GeForce 650 Ti or newer). For G-SYNC and HDR, a GTX 1050 or newer GPU is required. While AMD GPUs can be used, VRR remains out of reach.
Input lag is impressively low at around 3ms, ensuring a seamless experience without noticeable delays. However, the monitor does show some limitations in terms of pixel response time. Ghosting and smearing can be observed in dark scenes, though it’s primarily an issue in competitive FPS games. Lowering the refresh rate to 144Hz or using the ‘Normal’ overdrive mode mitigates these effects.
The ‘Variable Backlight’ option allows users to enable or disable the Full-Array Local Dimming, which affects the level of blooming. This feature, however, is disabled when watching HDR content but can be used with SDR content.
Feature-Rich Design and Connectivity
Navigating the OSD menu is a breeze with the directional joystick and additional hotkeys at the rear of the monitor. Adjusting image settings, brightness, contrast, color temperature, aspect ratio, and gamma can be done with ease. The Auto SDR Brightness option adapts the display’s brightness to ambient lighting via an integrated sensor.
Gaming-centric features like Dark Boost, crosshair overlays, on-screen timers, and various picture presets (Racing, FPS, RTS/RPG, Cinema, Scenery, etc.) enhance the gaming experience. The flicker-free backlight and integrated low-blue light filter further prioritize your gaming comfort.
The stand offers versatility with height adjustment, swivel, tilt, and VESA mount compatibility. The screen’s subtle 1800R curvature adds immersion without introducing excessive glare.
Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, a headphone jack, and a dual-USB 3.0 hub. The absence of Display Stream Compression (DSC) on the DP 1.4 port limits color depth above 144Hz to 8-bit. HDMI 2.0 supports up to 100Hz at 3440×1440, making it a viable option for console gamers.
A Sound Investment
The ASUS PG35VQ, once a $2,500 monitor, has now found its place in the $1,500 price bracket. However, even with the reduced price, its slow pixel response time and a few drawbacks may deter some potential buyers. For those seeking a worthy alternative, the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF, priced at $1,100, may offer a more attractive package with its QD-OLED panel for superior HDR image quality.
Specifications:
- Screen Size: 35-inch
- Screen Curvature: 1800R
- Resolution: 3440×1440 (UWQHD)
- Panel Type: VA
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (Widescreen)
- Refresh Rate: 200Hz (8-bit), 144Hz (10-bit)
- Response Time: 2ms (GtG)
- Adaptive-Sync: G-SYNC (30-200Hz)
- Ports: DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0
- Other Ports: Headphone Jack, 2x USB 3.0
- Brightness: 500 cd/m²
- Brightness (HDR): 1000 cd/m²
- Contrast Ratio: 2500:1 (static)
- Colors: 1.07 billion (8-bit + FRC)
- HDR: DisplayHDR 1000
- Local Dimming: 512-zone FALD
- VESA: Yes (100x100mm)
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ASUS PG35VQ stands as an exemplary HDR gaming monitor. It delivers impeccable image quality and gaming performance, backed by a range of features tailored for gamers. However, its relatively high price, coupled with minor ghosting and smearing in dark scenes, may give some potential buyers pause. Nevertheless, if you seek to elevate your gaming experience with stunning visuals and immersive gameplay, the ASUS PG35VQ is a formidable choice.
For more information on the best gaming monitors tailored to your preferences, consult our extensive and regularly updated best gaming monitor buyer’s guide.
