Hello, tech fans! I’m excited to share my thoughts on the LG 45GX950A OLED Curved Gaming Monitor. This is no ordinary display. It features a massive 45-inch ultrawide screen. Plus, it boasts a breathtaking 5K2K resolution (5120×2160). It truly gets my gaming heart racing. I’ve spent time checking out its features, and I’m ready to break it down for you. From its amazing design to its gaming performance, let’s find out if this $2,000 monitor lives up to the hype.
Introduction
When I first laid eyes on the LG 45GX950A, I knew I was in for something special. This monitor isn’t playing around—it’s a 45-inch OLED with a curved design that promises to wrap me right into my games. Here’s what caught my attention right off the bat:
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Resolution Upgrade: It has a 5120×2160 resolution. This is a big jump from the 3440×1440 of older 45-inch ultrawides. No more pixel-stretched disappointment.
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Curved Immersion: With an 800R curvature, it’s one of the tightest curves I’ve seen, aiming to pull me deep into the action.
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Gaming Goodies: A 165Hz refresh rate, adaptive sync, and HDR support? Yes, please.
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First Impressions: It’s bold and beautiful, with quirks I’m eager to explore.
I love gaming, but I also focus on productivity. I’ll see how this monitor performs for both. Ready? Let’s dive in.
Design and Build Quality
This monitor is a desk dominator, and I mean that in the best way possible. At 45 inches diagonally, it’s 76% larger than a 34-inch ultrawide, and it’s impossible to ignore. Here’s my take on its design:
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Size and Curve: The 800R curvature is aggressive—perfect for gaming immersion but a bit much for straight-line tasks like editing. It wraps around my field of view like a hug from my screen.
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Aesthetic Vibes: Slim bezels on all sides give it a sleek, modern look. The stand’s mid-grade plastic with a purple highlight adds a subtle flair without screaming “gamer.”
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Adjustability: I can tweak the height, tilt, and swivel, which is awesome for getting comfy. But the compact metal base? It saves desk space but wobbles if I nudge it—yikes.
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Port Selection:
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One DisplayPort 2.1 (not full bandwidth, though—boo).
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Two HDMI 2.1 ports for my consoles.
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A USB-C with 90W power delivery and DP Alt Mode—super handy.
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Two USB-A ports, but they need the USB-C for upstream, and there’s no KVM switch. Missed opportunity, LG!
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OSD Control: A directional toggle handles the on-screen display. It’s got basic gaming perks like crosshairs, but it’s not the fanciest I’ve seen.
Overall, I love how it looks and feels, but that wobbly base and aggressive curve make me wonder if it’s as versatile as I’d like.
Display Specifications and Performance
The display is where this monitor flexes its muscles, and I’m here for it. Let’s break down what I’ve noticed:
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Resolution Win: At 5120×2160, it delivers 125 PPI—way sharper than the 83 PPI of older 45-inch ultrawides. Text is crisp, and details pop!
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Subpixel Magic: LG swapped the old RWBG layout for RGWB, boosting text clarity. It’s not quite a 32-inch 4K (140 PPI), but it’s darn close.
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Matte Coating: The matte finish cuts glare in bright rooms, but it adds a slight graininess that dulls the OLED’s sparkle compared to glossy screens. A trade-off I’m still mulling over.
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Brightness: In SDR, it hits about 255 nits—standard for OLED. It’s fine for my dark gaming cave but might struggle in sunny spaces.
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Uniformity: Bright scenes are flawless, but dark grays show some vertical banding. It’s not a dealbreaker, but I notice it in moody games.
I’m impressed by the clarity and size, but that matte coating and uniformity quirk keep me from calling it perfect.
Gaming Capabilities
Now, the part I’ve been itching to talk about: gaming. This monitor is a powerhouse, and here’s why I’m loving it:
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Speedy Response: With 0.3ms response times across all refresh rates, motion is buttery smooth—no ghosting or overshoot here!
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Refresh Rate Options:
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165Hz at full 5K2K—gorgeous, but my GPU (an RTX 4080) sweats to keep up.
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Dual mode drops to 2560×1080 at 330Hz—perfect for competitive shooters. Switching is a breeze!
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Low Latency: Sub-1ms input lag in SDR and HDR. It’s not the absolute fastest, but I can’t feel the difference.
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Adaptive Sync: G-Sync and FreeSync keep everything tear-free. My games have never looked so fluid.
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Ultrawide Experience: The 21:9 aspect ratio is immersive, but some older titles stretch weirdly or don’t support it. Check your faves first!
Running 5K2K at 165Hz requires powerful hardware. However, the dual-mode feature makes it perfect for cinematic experiences and fast-paced gaming.
Color Accuracy and HDR Performance
OLEDs are color kings, and the LG 45GX950A doesn’t disappoint—mostly. Here’s what I found:
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Color Coverage:
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98% DCI-P3—vibrant and rich.
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73% Rec. 2020—not as wide as QD-OLEDs (some hit 80%+), but still solid.
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Default Accuracy: Out of the box, SDR is a tad oversaturated. Calibration fixes it, but I shouldn’t have to tweak a $2,000 monitor, right?
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HDR Modes:
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Peak Brightness Low: 625 nits, accurate EOTF tracking—great for purists.
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Peak Brightness High: Up to 1200 nits in small windows, but it sacrifices accuracy in dark scenes.
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No mode blends both perfectly—frustrating.
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HDR Brightness: Full-screen HDR hits 260 nits, better than many OLED monitors but nowhere near OLED TVs like the LG G4.
The blacks are infinite, the colors pop, and HDR shines in dark rooms. I just wish there was a “best of both worlds” HDR setting.
Value Proposition and Target Audience
At $2,000, this monitor isn’t cheap, and I’ve been asking myself: who’s it for? Here’s my breakdown:
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Price Comparison: A 32-inch 4K OLED costs $1,000, and a 34-inch ultrawide is $800. The LG 45GX950A’s size and specs justify the jump—barely.
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Target Crowd: Hardcore gamers and ultrawide lovers like me who crave immersion and top-tier performance.
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Drawbacks:
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The 800R curve and matte coating aren’t productivity-friendly.
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A 2-year warranty (no clear burn-in coverage) feels stingy for OLED.
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Worth It?: If you’ve got the cash and live for gaming, yes. Otherwise, it’s a niche luxury.
It’s a splurge, no doubt, but for the right person (hi, me!), it’s a game-changer.
Conclusion
After spending time with the LG 45GX950A, I’m smitten—but not blindly. Here’s my final take:
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The Good:
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5K2K resolution fixes the ultrawide pixel problem.
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Gaming is unreal—fast, smooth, and immersive.
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Dual mode adds versatility I didn’t know I needed.
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The Not-So-Good:
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That curve is too much for non-gaming tasks.
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Matte coating dulls the OLED magic.
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$2,000 stings, especially with a short warranty.
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My Verdict: It’s a top-tier pick for ultrawide enthusiasts with deep pockets. I’m tempted, but I might wait for the adjustable-curve LG 45GX90A.
This monitor is ambitious, flawed, and fantastic all at once. If you’re like me—obsessed with the ultimate gaming setup—it’s a contender. Thanks for joining me on this deep dive! Got thoughts? Drop them below, and check out my affiliate links if you’re sold. Catch you next time.
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