What I Think of the CRUA 34-Inch Ultrawide Gaming Monitor: My New Addiction (And It’s Not Even Close)
Spoiler: This $300 Ultrawide Made My Old 27-Inch Monitor Cry
Confession: I’ve always mocked “ultrawide or die” gamers. How much screen do you really need? Then I tried the CRUA 34-Inch Ultrawide Monitor – and now I’m a convert. Here’s my unfiltered take after using it for Starfield, Cyberpunk 2077, and way too many Zoom meetings.
Why This Monitor Stole My Heart (And Desk Space)
1. That Curved 1500R Screen Is Hypnotic
Switching from a flat monitor to this 34-inch, 1500R curved beast felt like upgrading from a flip phone to VR. The curve wraps around your vision, making games like Hogwarts Legacy and Elden Ring stupidly immersive. Even spreadsheets feel cinematic.
2. 165Hz + FreeSync = Butter for Your Eyeballs
My old 75Hz monitor now feels like a slideshow. The 165Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync eliminated every stutter and tear in Apex Legends. Pro tip: Use the DisplayPort cable (included) to hit 165Hz – HDMI caps at 120Hz.
3. Colors That Don’t Lie (99% sRGB FTW)
As someone who edits cat meme videos (don’t ask), the 99% sRGB color accuracy matters. Reds pop, blacks aren’t muddy, and HDR movies look crisp despite the lack of official HDR certification.
4. Desk Real Estate Saved by Wall Mounting
My desk is a disaster zone. Thankfully, the 75x75mm VESA mount let me ditch the stand and reclaim space for my coffee mug collection. Tilt adjustment (-15°/+15°) is smooth too.
What Almost Ruined the Honeymoon Phase
- No Built-In Speakers: I had to dig out my old $10 Walmart speakers. First-world problem, but still annoying.
- Brightness Could Be Better: At 300 cd/m², sunny rooms wash it out a bit. Curtains are your friend.
- Menu Buttons Feel Cheap: They’re plasticky and stiff. Not a dealbreaker, but not premium.
CRUA vs. the Big Boys: Ultrawide Showdown
| Feature | CRUA 34-Inch | LG 34GN850-B | Samsung Odyssey G5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 | $799 | $449 |
| Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 160Hz | 144Hz |
| Curvature | 1500R | 1900R | 1000R |
| Brightness | 300 cd/m² | 400 cd/m² | 250 cd/m² |
| My Take | Best budget pick | Overpriced for +40Hz | Too aggressive curve |
Who Should Buy This?
- Gamers on a Budget: Get 90% of the LG/Samsung experience for half the price.
- WFH Warriors: Multitask with 3 windows side-by-side without squinting.
- Console Players: Works with PS5/Xbox (120Hz via HDMI 2.0).
- Aspiring Streamers: Ultrawide adds production value for cheap.
Real-Life Testing: From Baldur’s Gate 3 to Excel Hell
- Gaming: Cyberpunk’s Night City felt sprawling – no more panning the camera every 2 seconds.
- Work: Writing this review with Slack, Chrome, and Spotify open? No alt-tabbing agony.
- Consoles: My Switch (Tears of the Kingdom) looked sharp, but 1440p isn’t ideal for 1080p consoles.
FAQs (From My Skeptical Gamer Friends)
Q: Does it work with MacBooks?
A: Yes! My M1 MacBook Air drives it via HDMI, but you’ll need BetterDisplay for scaling.
Q: Is the curve too much for non-gaming?
A: Took me a day to adjust. Now flat screens feel… flat.
Q: Ghosting issues?
A: None in fast-paced games (COD: Warzone). VA panel does well here.
Final Verdict
The CRUA 34-Inch Ultrawide isn’t flawless, but for under $300, it’s a steal. The curve, refresh rate, and color accuracy punch way above its price tag. If you’re craving immersion without maxing out your credit card, this monitor’s your soulmate.
🔥 Grab the CRUA Ultrawide Here – My Wallet-Friendly Obsession
