Purchase the Samsung Odyssey G5 today at Best Buy
Curved monitors are becoming increasingly more common and affordable, and the Samsung Odyssey G5 34″ is one of the best options at a reasonable price on the market today. The Odyssey G5 is a 34″ curved monitor with a WQHD resolution (3440 x 1440), a 165Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time. It’s a VA panel with a 2500:1 contrast ratio and HDR10 support, although the HDR10 support is a bit disappointing due to the lack of screen brightness. The Odyssey G5 34″ fits right in the midrange for gaming and multimedia enthusiasts who want great performance at a modest price. This display won’t deliver reference-grade color gamuts, but most of us won’t even notice.
Design and Features
We specifically received and tested the 34″ Odyssey G55T WQHD (part number C34G55TWWN) which Samsung specifically markets to gamers. That’s due to the HDR10 support, 165Hz screen refresh rate, and 1ms response time for smooth, tearless performance thanks to FreeSync Premium.
If you’re not familiar, FreeSync Premium certification means the display can dynamically adjust its refresh rate to match the frame rate of your graphics card to reduce screen tearing. However, it won’t work over HDMI, so if HDMI is the only input you can utilize, look elsewhere.
The monitor itself is impressively light; the display itself is 11.5 pounds, and with the display stand attached, 12.3 pounds. While the screen size is well above most VESA-compatible monitor arm sizes, we had no problem mounting this display to a Vari single monitor arm mount. The arm mount is max-rated for a 27″ monitor, but the G5’s lightweight and ample desk space made it easy.
We quickly opted to ditch the supplied monitor stand as it kept the display too low on the desk and even below optimal eye level. The stand provided isn’t height-adjustable, much to our dismay. In our opinion, do yourself a favor and invest in a good monitor arm mount and ditch the supplied monitor stand.
Is a curved monitor worth it?
If you’re new to the world of curved monitors, you may be wondering what all the hype is about, and if it’s worth the investment. Curved monitors have come down drastically in price, but still are at a premium compared to flat monitors. Curvature is rated based on a number, with 1000R being the rating for the Odyssey G5 34″.
The Odyssey G5’s WQHD resolution provides plenty of screen space for gaming and productivity. The 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time ensure smooth gameplay with no lag or ghosting. The FreeSync Premium certification helps to eliminate screen tearing, which can be distracting and ruin your gaming experience.
The Odyssey G5’s VA panel produces deep blacks and vibrant colors. The HDR10 support provides a wider range of colors and contrast, which can make games and movies look more realistic. The monitor also has a wide viewing angle, so whether you’re seated (or standing) in the center or to the side, there is no impact on visibility.
While it admittedly took me a couple of hours to get used to the curved screen, I highly recommend whether you’re a spreadsheet jockey or a hardcore gamer to make the switch. Curved screens are much easier on the eyes, especially as you’re working on various applications or data on the edges of the screens. It’s much more natural and provides an engrossing experience, especially for watching movies, YouTube videos, or gaming.
Performance
One of the top features that this display boasts is HDR10 support but with 250 nits brightness, we found enabling HDR mode to be pretty dim. Most people will probably opt to keep HDR disabled, especially if you’re in a very bright room. With HDR mode disabled, the Odyssey G5 is still very impressive with deep, bold colors.
The pixel density of 110 pixels per inch (PPI) hits the sweet spot with plenty of screen real estate, sharp details, and text, without any scaling required.
Input lag is outstanding at 4ms, with imperceptible delay. There are three response time overdrive modes: Standard, Faster, and Fastest. Fastest is the recommended mode for any gaming or rapid-motion video, and it’s supported at 60Hz.
Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, a headphone jack and a USB 2.0 port for service and firmware updates only. Note that HDMI 2.0 is limited to 100Hz at 3440×1440.
Odyssey G5 34″ Technical Specifications
The Odyssey G5 34″ packs a lot of punch for a competitive price. Here’s a quick look at the key specs before we dive into the full spec sheet:
| Size | North America SKU | European SKU | Panel Type | Aspect Ratio | Resolution | Max Refresh Rate |
| 34″ | C34G55TWWN | LC34G55TWWNXZA | VA | 21:9 | 3440×1440 | 165Hz |
| Screen Curvature | 1000R |
| Response Time (GtG) | Not specified |
| Response Time (MBR) | 1ms (MPRT) |
| Adaptive-Sync | FreeSync (60-165Hz) |
| Ports | DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0 |
| Other Ports | Headphone Jack, USB 2.0 (service-only) |
| Brightness | 250 cd/m² |
| Contrast Ratio | 2500:1 (static) |
| Colors | 1.07 billion (8-bit + FRC) 99% sRGB |
| HDR | HDR10 |
| VESA | Yes (75x75mm) |
Overall, the Samsung Odyssey G5 is a great gaming monitor. It offers a solid balance of features, performance, and screen size for a competitive price. If you’re looking for a monitor that can deliver smooth, immersive gaming, the Odyssey G5 is a great option. But, if HDR10 limitations with a lack of color vibrancy and brightness are deal killers for you, consider pricier alternatives that are reference grade.
We’d all love the 49″ Odyssey Neo G9 for the ultimate gaming experience, but at $2,299.99 retail price, I think I’ll “settle” for the affordable 34″ Odyssey G5 which lately has been on sale for as low as $449.99 at Best Buy.
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