LG 45” GX9 5K2K – 1 Year Later… Still Worth Buying or Already Outdated?

Product Reviewed

LG UltraGear 45GX950A (45” 5K2K / “LG 45” GX9x” series) — reviewed about 1 year after release, assessing whether it’s still worth buying.

Key Features Mentioned

• Size / format & immersion: A 45-inch ultrawide with very large vertical height, creating a desk experience compared to a large TV—described as more “enveloping” than many ultrawides that feel more like traditional monitor layouts.

• Resolution / pixel density: Roughly 11 million pixels across the panel, aiming for an ultrawide TV-like experience.

• OLED benefits: Strong focus on OLED black levels and overall image quality.

• Refresh rate: 165 Hz.

• Display surface: Matte coating; the reviewer prefers glossy.

• DisplayPort bandwidth limitation: Doesn’t provide the full 80 Gbps on DisplayPort 2.1 (the reviewer can’t recall the exact figure), which they believe contributes to the refresh-rate ceiling.

• Gaming usage context: Used extensively over the year (e.g., Marathon) and praised for benefiting from modern upscaling improvements.

• Value after price drops: Launch price around $2000; now often seen around ~$1500 new, ~$1200 resale, and sometimes below $1000.

Pros (Unique Points)

• Unparalleled desk immersion from the combination of 45” ultrawide + added vertical space.
• Excellent OLED image quality, especially black levels.
• Still feels, subjectively, like the most immersive gaming display the reviewer knows of.
• Much better value now, driven by significant price reductions.
• Modern rendering technologies help keep it relevant, including mentions of frame generation and DLSS, plus reference to presets (e.g., Preset L/M) that support strong experiences.

Cons / Criticisms (Unique Points)

• Matte coating: Not hated, but clearly preferred would be glossy.

• 165 Hz is the major deterrent versus newer ultrawides with much higher refresh rates. The reviewer argues it’s not “low” technically, but it limits real-world expectations and feels like a missed opportunity for an “immersive” monitor.

• DisplayPort 2.1 bandwidth not at full 80 Gbps: The reviewer believes this prevents 240 Hz capability (they also speculate DSC could help), but the outcome remains 165 Hz.

• LG didn’t iterate on the key refresh-rate critique: Even after improvements in later OLED iterations (e.g., tandem OLED on a newer model), LG/this class remains “stagnant” on refresh-rate.

• No glossy option for 5K2K ultrawides: The reviewer finds it surprising that matte is effectively the only option in this format.

Comparisons Made (Unique Points)

ASUS ROG PG34WCDN (34” Quantum Dot OLED) — “Direct Competitor”

• Positioned as the reviewer’s main new ultrawide competitor.

• Quantum Dot OLED: Claimed to deliver more vibrant and accurate colors.

• RGB stripe OLED tech: Expected to improve text clarity and overall picture quality.

• Black shield film technology: Claimed benefits include better scratch resistance, improved blacks, and less red/purple magenta tint.

• High refresh rate claim: Includes a 360 Hz mode (described as “bonkers,” comparable to esports monitors).

• The reviewer calls it their personal favorite 34” ultrawide, but still feels “baby” compared to the LG 45” in immersion.

LG GX39x50B / “LG GX3950B” (39” Tandem OLED) — Upcoming

• Described as a refresh / next-gen direction relative to the 45” model:
  • Smaller 39” size → expected sharper PPI (about 6 inches less).
  • Tandem OLED → expected higher brightness and longer lifespan; reviewer also suggests it may reduce burn-in risk (uncertain).
  • But refresh rate still 165 Hz, not meaningfully improved beyond that (despite reviewer hopes).
• Reviewer is preordered, expecting it could be personally preferable due to form factor/curve—though unsure it will match the 45” immersion.

Broader Refresh-Rate Context (Other Monitors Tested)

• Reviewer reports testing many displays across refresh rates: 180 Hz, 240 Hz, 360 Hz, 540 Hz, 610 Hz.
• Example cited: ASUS PG27AQWP (glossy tandem OLED, 540 Hz, “4K-ish”)—used to explain why higher refresh can feel almost lifelike.

User Experience / “How It Feels” (Unique Points)

• Not just “looking at a screen,” but “locking in”—the monitor reportedly feels like it’s pulling you into the display thanks to how much of your viewpoint it occupies.
• The reviewer implies that videos don’t capture the experience well; seeing it in person matters.
• For single-player/cinematic play, the reviewer prioritizes immersion over esports-level refresh, but still wants higher Hz for future-proofing.

Ratings / Numerical Scores

• No explicit star rating or numeric review score.
• Key numbers/specs mentioned:
  • 45”, 5K2K, ~11 million pixels
  • 165 Hz (LG)
  • 360 Hz (ASUS PG34WCDN, per subtitles)
  • $2000 launch price
  • Current value estimates: ~$1500 new, ~$1200 resale, and < $1000 seen
  • Assumption/claim: LG 45” DP 2.1 bandwidth not full 80 Gbps (reviewer suspects this blocks higher refresh like 240 Hz)
  • Tandem 39” expected bandwidth/refresh behavior: expected 8 Gbps but still 165 Hz
  • Mentions older ultrawide “highest refresh” baseline: around ~240/280 Hz at the time of release

Unique Points (Consolidated)

1. 45” LG 5K2K feels like an ultrawide TV at a desk.
2. OLED with strong black levels.
3. Matte coating is a compromise; reviewer prefers glossy.
4. 165 Hz is the biggest practical deterrent versus newer high-Hz ultrawides.
5. DisplayPort 2.1 bandwidth limitation is suspected to prevent higher refresh (e.g., 240 Hz).
6. After a year of use, the LG 45” remains highly immersive (including for content thumbnails).
7. Immersion is tied to added vertical height, desk-distance “envelopment,” and the overall scale/curve feel.
8. Higher refresh improves perceived lifelikeness; reviewer has tested many high-Hz displays.
9. Uses a 4K Blu-ray 24 FPS vs dynamic game FPS analogy to explain why refresh still matters.
10. Wants a more future-proof setup for higher Hz and older-game behavior.
11. Notes ASUS strategy: offering lower-tier variants (e.g., 280 Hz cheaper options) for choice.
12. Criticizes LG for offering only matte in this 5K2K ultrawide category.
13. Despite the drawbacks, reviewer believes LG 45” is still the most immersive desk gaming display.
14. The price drop makes it more worth buying now than at launch.
15. Credits improvements in DLSS and frame generation for making the 165 Hz limitation easier to live with.
16. Upcoming 39” tandem OLED LG may improve brightness and longevity, but still appears stuck at 165 Hz.
17. ASUS PG34WCDN is the main competitor: QD-OLED + RGB stripe + black shield film + 360 Hz, but still less immersive than the LG 45”.

Verdict / Recommendation (Concise)

Still worth buying (especially now). Despite complaints about 165 Hz, matte coating, and DisplayPort bandwidth, the reviewer concludes the LG 45” 5K2K remains the most immersive desk gaming display, and the significant price drop over the past year makes it a better value purchase than at launch.

Speaker / Views

• Single primary speaker/reviewer:
  • Shares long-term ownership impressions
  • Main critiques: matte, 165 Hz, and DP bandwidth
  • Main comparisons: ASUS PG34WCDN and upcoming LG 39” tandem OLED