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How big a gaming screen do you actually need? Well, if the many 34in options now on the market don't seem large enough, what about 43in? Usually, going this big will mean a compromise on gaming features, but ASUS ROG's Strix XG438Q has plenty more to offer beyond just a huge diagonal. It also sports a 4K resolution, 120Hz refresh and FreeSync 2 support. Could this be the screen to help you go large without any compromise?
The XG438Q is based around a VA panel, with the usual characteristics of this technology. It has very high 4,000:1 contrast, and quite high 450cd/m2 brightness. On the downside, the pixel response is 4ms gray-to-gray, which is par for the course for VA. Brightness and contrast are sufficient to enable HDR-10 support, with the ability to display 90 per cent DCI-P3 gamut to go with it.
Since this is such a big screen, it's not packed with the adjustment. You can tilt forwards and backwards, but otherwise the position is fixed on the stand, with no swivel or height raising. There are three HDMI 2.0 inputs and a single DisplayPort 1.4, so you can plug in multiple games consoles, media streamers and your PC all at the same time. There's a USB 3.0 hub, but only with two downstream connections.
However, a screen this size, with this resolution and feature set, doesn't come cheap. Priced over £1,000, the XG438Q is a premium screen for a premium gaming experience. Let's find out if it delivers.
Specification:
- Screen size: 43-inch, 16:9 aspect
- Native resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
- Curvature: None
- Refresh rate: 120Hz, AMD FreeSync 2
- Panel type: VA
- Contrast ratio: 4,000:1 (typical)
- Brightness: 450cd/m2
- Response time: 4ms Gray-to-Gray
- Display inputs: 3 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
- USB hub: Yes, 2 x USB 3.0
- Tilt: 5 degrees forward, 10 degrees backward
- Raise: No
- Swivel: No
- Portrait: No
- Other: Audio output, audio input, 10W stereo speakers
Retail Price: £1,078.99 (inc. VAT)
