CONS

• RGB lights must be plugged in to work
• Limited height adjustment
• Sensitive OSD joystick

COOLER MASTER GM34-CWQ ARGB SPECS

Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner)	34 inches
Native Resolution	3440 by 1440
Aspect Ratio	21:9

Curved displays are gaining popularity in the gaming monitor market, offering gamers a wider field of view and enhanced color ratios for a more immersive experience. While Cooler Master may not be the first brand that comes to mind for monitors, their new 34-inch curved panel, the GM34-CWQ ARGB aims to provide a captivating curve at an affordable price point. This monitor impresses with its wide color range and feature set, making it a strong contender in the market despite being a newcomer.

Submersion, Currently Bent.

The GM34-CWQ by Cooler Master is a striking addition to any desktop setup, thanks to its curved design. Unlike other gaming monitors, this display opts for a sleek and minimalist look with a thin black bezel. The real showstopper is the hexagon-shaped base, which features customizable ARGB lighting. To control the lights, you’ll need to connect a micro USB cable from the monitor’s base to your PC, as the lights are powered separately.

Apart from the base, the stand of the GM34-CWQ ARGB is solid and can be adjusted in height (up to 3 inches) and swivel about 15 degrees in each direction. Although it may not be as flexible as the Alienware 38, it still fulfills its purpose effectively. Including the stand, the dimensions of the GM34-CWQ ARGB are 27.6 by 52.8 by 3.5 (HWD) inches and it weighs 21.8 pounds. These measurements are similar to most curved 34-inch displays like the BenQ Mobiuz EX3410R, and significantly lighter than the bulky Alienware 34 QD-OLED which weighs 35 pounds. If desired, you have the option to remove the stand and use an external VESA mount instead.

If you rotate the monitor, you will discover a small joystick at the lower right corner that manages the onscreen display (OSD) menu. Although it may be a little sensitive and cumbersome, it functions adequately. The display’s assortment of ports is even more intriguing, as it includes two HDMI 2.0 ports, a DisplayPort, and one USB Type-C and one Type-B. Additionally, there are two USB-A ports conveniently positioned on the left side of the screen for easy accessibility. The sound quality is satisfactory, particularly when the volume is turned up to the maximum, thanks to the two 5-watt speakers.

The display panel takes center stage, with speakers and ports playing supporting roles. The GM34-CWQ ARGB is a 34-inch vertical alignment (VA) ultrawide display boasting a resolution of 3,440 by 1,440 pixels and a refresh rate of 144Hz. When searching for a gaming monitor, users frequently have to choose between resolution and refresh rate; however, the Cooler Master strikes a balance between clarity and speed.

The GM34-CWQ boasts a 1500R curve, indicating that if multiple monitors were placed edge to edge, they would form a circle with a radius of 1,500mm. This significant curvature creates the illusion of a larger screen size, minimizes glare, and provides richer blacks, resulting in a more immersive gaming experience.

The screen adheres to DisplayHDR 400 standards and boasts a contrast ratio of 4,000:1. Opting for VA technology instead of IPS is an intriguing choice, given that VA displays are recognized for their superior black levels and improved shadow detail, although they typically lag behind IPS panels in terms of color precision. Cooler Master attempts to challenge this norm by incorporating Quantum Dot technology, which utilizes minuscule phosphorescent crystals to respond to light and electricity, resulting in increased color saturation and more precise colors compared to a standard LED-backlit display. The effectiveness of this technology will be evaluated in our benchmark assessments below.

The Cooler Master GM34-CWQ ARGB undergoes rigorous testing: A Remarkable Spectrum of Colors.

Numerous monitors provide satisfactory brightness and color accuracy for casual gaming purposes. However, in order to accurately assess the performance of the Cooler Master GM34-CWQ ARGB, we conducted a series of tests using a Datacolor SpyderX Elite monitor calibration sensor and corresponding software to compare it against other displays with similar specifications. Here are our findings.

We initiate the testing process by evaluating the monitor immediately after unboxing, utilizing its default picture mode along with an SDR signal. The Cooler Master achieved a brightness level of 215 nits and a black level of 0.1, resulting in a contrast ratio of 2,330:1. Although this falls short of the promoted 4,000:1 ratio, the figures remain commendable for a display that has not been customized yet.

The significance of contrast ratio lies in its ability to showcase the luminance of the brightest white and darkest black that a monitor can achieve. A higher contrast ratio translates to more profound blacks and brighter whites, thereby greatly enhancing the overall picture quality, particularly in dimly lit scenes during gameplay. Gaming monitors equipped with IPS panels generally aim for a contrast ratio of 1,000:1 or higher, ensuring optimal visual performance.

We will proceed with recalibrating the brightness measurement following the transition to HDR mode. On this occasion, the GM34-CWQ achieved a brightness level of 506 nits, surpassing its DisplayHDR 400 certification. The display exhibited a higher level of brightness compared to all other monitors in our test group, with the exception of the 34-inch Alienware OLED model.

The color coverage of the monitor is evaluated in our upcoming test. The Cooler Master achieved impressive results, covering 100% of the sRGB color gamut, 91% of Adobe RGB, and 95% of DCI-P3. These results are particularly remarkable considering the monitor’s price range and its performance compared to more expensive curved screens such as the MSI Optix MPG321UR-QD.

The color accuracy was also quite impressive right from the start, as indicated by an uncalibrated Delta E reading of 1.5…

A higher Delta E value indicates that common colors deviate from their purest form, while a value below 1 is considered ideal, particularly for content creation applications. Although gamers may not prioritize pin-precise color accuracy, they are always intrigued by performance, which brings us to our next section.

Performance in Media and Gaming.

The GM34-CWQ boasts an attractive curved design, but its performance as a gaming monitor is the real question. To assess this, we focused on measuring input lag, a crucial factor for serious gamers. With the help of an HDFury Diva, we determined that the input lag is 3.6 milliseconds. Although this may not be as instantaneous as the MSI Optix or the ViewSonic Elite XG320U, it is still quick enough to meet the needs of all but the most competitive esports enthusiasts.

I tested out Hitman and F1 2022 on the display, both games ran smoothly on ultrawide monitors at 144Hz. There were no noticeable issues with response times or visual artifacts. In addition, I also played Halo Infinite and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive for multiplayer enthusiasts. The Cooler Master monitor is compatible with FreeSync Premium, making it a great choice for gaming with a Radeon video card. In conclusion, this monitor is a high-quality performer.