LG 39GX90SA-W: Save $600 on This 39″ OLED Ultrawide Gaming Monitor

Gamers looking for immersive experiences have a new option, and a significant price drop makes it more accessible: the LG 39-inch Ultragear OLED ultrawide gaming monitor is currently available on Amazon for $866.99, a discount of over $600 from its typical retail price. This deal offers a substantial saving on a premium display designed to elevate desktop gaming and beyond.

Beyond the Curve: What Makes This Monitor Stand Out?

The LG Ultragear 39GX90SA-W isn’t just about size; it represents an upgrade to the ultrawide format. While maintaining a common 3440×1440 resolution, it expands to a generous 39 inches and integrates LG’s WebOS smart TV software. PCWorld’s Matt Smith, in his review, highlighted the monitor’s appealing aesthetics and excellent image quality, noting the added functionality provided by the smart TV integration. You can read his full assessment here.

OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) technology is central to the monitor’s performance. Unlike traditional LCD monitors that require a backlight, OLED displays generate their own light on a per-pixel basis. This results in perfect blacks, incredibly high contrast ratios, and vibrant colors. The 39GX90SA-W likewise boasts a rapid 240Hz refresh rate and compatibility with both AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync technologies. These features operate to minimize screen tearing and stuttering, delivering a smoother, more responsive gaming experience. FreeSync and G-Sync dynamically adjust the monitor’s refresh rate to match the frame rate output by your graphics card, eliminating visual artifacts.

Connectivity and Versatility: More Than Just Gaming

This monitor isn’t solely focused on gaming. It offers a comprehensive suite of ports, including USB-C with 65 watts of power delivery. This makes it a convenient hub for laptops, providing both display output and charging capabilities. While powerful gaming laptops may draw close to that limit, the USB-C port expands the monitor’s utility beyond gaming setups. The inclusion of built-in Wi-Fi and streaming apps further enhances its versatility, allowing it to function as a standalone entertainment center. However, the integrated speakers are noted as being less than ideal, suggesting the use of external speakers or headphones for optimal audio quality.

Expanding Your Setup: Accessories and Considerations

Given the monitor’s substantial size and weight (16.1 pounds or 7.3 kilograms), a robust monitor arm is highly recommended. PCWorld has a guide to the best monitor arms to aid you find a suitable option. A VESA-compatible arm will allow for greater flexibility in positioning and can free up valuable desk space.

While the current price of $866.99 represents a significant saving, it’s still a considerable investment. For those seeking more budget-friendly options, PCWorld’s roundup of the best monitors provides a broader range of choices. However, it’s important to note that these alternatives may not offer the same combination of features and performance as the LG Ultragear 39GX90SA-W.

OLED Technology: A Deeper Dive

The core of this monitor’s visual prowess lies in its OLED panel. Traditional LCD monitors use a backlight to illuminate the pixels, which can lead to light bleed and reduced contrast. OLED technology, however, eliminates the demand for a backlight. Each pixel emits its own light, and when a pixel needs to display black, it simply turns off. This results in true blacks and an infinite contrast ratio. The response time of OLED panels is also significantly faster than LCDs, contributing to smoother motion and reduced ghosting. However, OLED panels are susceptible to burn-in, a phenomenon where static images displayed for extended periods can abandon a permanent imprint on the screen. LG has implemented technologies to mitigate burn-in, but it remains a potential concern for users who frequently display static content.

Ultrawide Gaming: Immersion and Productivity

The ultrawide aspect ratio (21:9) of the LG 39GX90SA-W offers a more immersive gaming experience compared to traditional 16:9 monitors. The wider field of view can enhance situational awareness in games, allowing you to see more of the environment without having to constantly turn your head. Ultrawide monitors are also beneficial for productivity tasks, such as video editing and spreadsheet work, as they provide more screen real estate for multiple windows and applications. The 3440×1440 resolution strikes a balance between detail and performance, requiring a powerful graphics card to achieve high frame rates in demanding games.

What to Expect Next: Availability and Long-Term Outlook

The Amazon deal currently has no stated end date, so interested buyers should act promptly. Monitor pricing is notoriously volatile, and this level of discount may not last. Looking ahead, the continued development of OLED technology promises even brighter, more efficient, and more durable displays. Manufacturers are actively researching new materials and techniques to address the issue of burn-in and improve the overall lifespan of OLED panels. The adoption of OLED technology is also expected to expand beyond gaming monitors to other display categories, such as televisions and laptops.