This $249 144Hz MSI beauty is just one of three super-cheap 34-inch ultrawide gaming monitors available right now
MSI Optix MAG342CQR | 34-inch | 3440 x 1440 | 144 Hz | VA | $249.99 at Amazon
Okay, this 144 Hz panel is a VA screen, but that's what helps to hit the price point. But MSI rates response at 1ms MPRT. That should translate into GtG response of about 2ms. So, this monitor is no slouch. Brightness is rated at 300nits, which is reasonable and there's basic HDR support. Not bad for a whisker under $250.
Is 34 inches and 3,440 by 1,440 the real-world gaming monitor sweet spot right now? If it is, then we've got a fantastic trio of deals with which to tempt you.
Arguably the best of the bunch is the MSI Optix MAG342CQR. It's a 144 Hz model and it's yours for just $249.99 as part of Amazon Gaming Week. That's a whole lot of monitor for the money.
144 Hz refresh and 3,440 by 1,440 resolution aside, it's rated at a reasonable 300 nits and 1ms MPRT response. That probably translates into 2ms GtG. This is, of course, a VA rather than IPS panel. You're not going to get a 34-inch 144 Hz ultrawide IPS from a big brand for $250. Not even as a special deal.
But the response rating is still reasonably promising and you're getting the same basic form factor, size and resolution as a $1,000 34-inch OLED. It certainly won't feel like the budget option as it fills the field of view on your desk.
At the absolute cheapest end of the scale is the Acer Nitro EDA343CUR Hbmiippx. Yes, we have to put that entire ludicrous product name in there because there's also an Acer Nitro EDA343CUR V3bmiippx that we'll be coming to shortly.
Acer Nitro EDA343CUR Hbmiippx | 34-inch | 3440 x 1440 | 100Hz | VA | $279.99$229.99 at Newegg (save $50)
34 inches of ultrawide, high-refresh gaming action for just $230. Get in. OK, it's only 100Hz and this is obviously a VA not an IPS panel. And the product name is unforgivable. But it's $230, for goodness sake. In a world of terrible $400 budget GPUs, this thing looks like a bargain.
Price check: Amazon $269.99
Anyway the Hbmiippx, as it's known for (relatively)
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