LG's 45-inch UltraGear OLED gaming monitor receives a $700 discount, bringing its 5K2K resolution and WOLED panel to an all-time low price point amid ongoing display technology advancements.
The LG UltraGear 45GX950A-B represents a significant entry in the high-end gaming monitor market, combining an ultra-wide 45-inch OLED panel with a 5120×2160 (5K2K) resolution. Now priced at $1,299 during a limited Amazon sale—$700 below its $1,999 MSRP—this display offers distinctive advantages and trade-offs compared to competing QD-OLED and IPS alternatives.
Central to its design is an aggressive 800R curvature, which LG implements to enhance immersion in gaming and media consumption. This curvature produces a pronounced wrap-around effect that benefits racing simulators and open-world titles but may overwhelm users accustomed to flat panels for productivity workflows. The 45-inch display delivers a pixel density of approximately 125 PPI at native resolution, noticeably lower than 27-inch 4K monitors (163 PPI) but superior to 34-inch ultrawide QHD variants (110 PPI). For tasks requiring finer detail like text editing, the WOLED panel avoids the fringe artifacts common in QD-OLED displays, resulting in sharper typography.
Refresh rate flexibility stands out as a key feature: The monitor operates at 165Hz when utilizing its full 5K2K resolution via DisplayPort 2.1 or HDMI 2.1 connections. Dropping to WFHD (2560×1080) unlocks a 330Hz mode for competitive gaming, though this resolution reduction impacts clarity. LG employs a custom heatsink to manage the OLED panel's thermal output, enabling consistent performance without aggressive brightness throttling.
Color performance shines in RTINGS testing, which measured 99% sRGB and 97% DCI-P3 coverage out-of-box with a delta-E of 1.6—exceptional factory calibration for content creation. However, brightness remains a limitation: The panel peaks at 270 nits in full-screen SDR scenarios and 1,000 nits in HDR for only 2% window coverage, trailing high-end Mini-LED alternatives. OLED strengths like infinite contrast, 0.1ms response times, and zero bloom compensate partially, making dark scenes in games and films strikingly deep.
Connectivity includes dual HDMI 2.1 ports, DisplayPort 2.1 with UHBR10 support, a USB-C input featuring 90W power delivery for laptops, and two USB-A 3.2 Gen1 ports for peripherals. This configuration accommodates multi-device setups, though the USB-C bandwidth shares lanes with DisplayPort, limiting dock functionality during high-resolution gaming.
Compared to Samsung's 49-inch QD-OLED offerings, the LG prioritizes pixel density over sheer width, creating a more cohesive field-of-view for standard desk depths. For productivity users, the 5K2K resolution allows side-by-side app viewing without scaling compromises, though the curvature complicates linear design work. Gamers favoring immersion over competitive frame rates will appreciate the combination of OLED motion clarity and ultrawide aspect ratio.
At $1,299, the UltraGear 45GX950A-B presents a compelling option for enthusiasts seeking OLED's visual strengths in a large format. Buyers must accept compromises: brightness limitations for HDR purists, moderate pixel density versus 4K displays, and the divisive curvature. This discount positions it against premium IPS alternatives like LG's own 40WP95C, trading higher refresh rates for OLED's contrast advantages.
Note: Retailer pricing remains subject to change. Discount availability may be time-limited or inventory-constrained.
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