iiyama G-Master GB3461WQSU-B1 34in 144Hz Review

Rating: 8.5.

If you've been reading KitGuru's monitor reviews for a while, you may have noticed that we rather like the 21:9 aspect ratio with its habitual 3,440 x 1,440 resolution and curved format. Manufacturers seem to think there's a demand, too, with an increasing number of screens arriving that offer this screen type. Latest to arrive in our labs offering this genre is iiyama, with the snappily named G-Master GB3461WQSU-B1. It's another 34in 21:9 monitor with 3,440 x 1,440 resolution and 144Hz, but with one big difference – no curve.

This was a bit of a surprise when we realised. One of the benefits of the ultrawide format is the immersion it provides, which is accentuated by the curvature. But in practice, having used iiyama's screen, there's not much difference. The lack of curve has allowed iiyama to employ an IPS panel, when almost all curved screens we see use VA. The GB3461WQSU-B1‘s gaming credentials are commendably populated, with 144Hz refresh and AMD FreeSync Premium support.

FreeSync Premium is the new middle-tier of AMD's adaptive sync technology, between the original FreeSync and FreeSync Premium Pro. Premium guarantees at least 120Hz at Full HD resolution and support for low framerate compensation. The Premium Pro option, formerly FreeSync 2 HDR, adds HDR support. Strangely, the GB3461WQSU-B1 is HDR ready, but still only claims FreeSync Premium, not Pro. iiyama also quotes a 1ms pixel response, but this is MPRT not grey-to-grey. As this is an IPS panel, the grey-to-grey figure is likely to be more like 4ms. The brightness and contrast are also typical for IPS – 350cd/m2 and 1,000:1 respectively.

You get a quartet of video input options – two HDMI and two DisplayPort, although you will need to use one of the latter for the 144Hz ability, as HDMI is limited to 120Hz. There's a two-port USB 3.0 hub, and a comprehensive set of adjustment abilities, including height adjustment, swivel, and tilt. Perhaps more surprisingly, you can rotate this screen into portrait orientation. This made no sense with curved screens offering this facility, but as the GB3461WQSU-B1 isn't curved, you could use it for reading a really long Word document all at once. Or something.

So far, so good where the on-paper specifications are concerned for this screen. The last piece of the puzzle is the price, and at under £400 that's good news too. With AOC's CU34G2X costing £100 more, the GB3461WQSU-B1 has top value potential as well. iiyama produces some keenly priced but capable gaming screens, so let's find out if it's worth paying to play on this one.

Specification:

• Screen size: 34-inch, 21:9 aspect
• Native resolution: 3,440 x 1,440
• Curvature: None
• Refresh rate: 144Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium
• Panel type: ADS-IPS
• Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 (typical)
• Brightness: 350cd/m2
• Response time: 1ms MPRT
• Display inputs: 2 x HDMI, 2 x DisplayPort
• USB hub: Yes, 2 x USB 3.0
• Tilt: 3 degrees forward, 22 degrees backward
• Raise: 130mm
• Swivel: 45 degrees left and right
• Portrait: No
• Other: Audio output, 5W stereo speakers

Retail Price: £398.99 (inc. VAT)

Become a Patron!