Does Your Gaming Monitor Do THIS? LG’s New OLEDs Are More Than Just Displays

Gaming monitors traditionally serve a single purpose: displaying your game. But what if your monitor could do more? What if it could transform into a full-fledged entertainment hub when you’re not locked in intense virtual battles? LG is challenging the norm with its latest additions to the UltraGear lineup: the 45-inch 45GX90SA and the 39-inch 39GX90SA. These aren’t just high-performance gaming displays; they integrate LG’s webOS smart TV platform, blurring the lines between monitor and television.

Imagine finishing a gaming session and, with a simple click, transitioning to streaming your favorite shows or movies directly on the same screen, without needing a separate smart TV or streaming device. That is the convenience LG introduces with these new models. It’s a compelling proposition for anyone looking to maximize their desk space and minimize device clutter.

At the core of both the 45GX90SA and 39GX90SA is a stunning WQHD (3440 x 1440) OLED panel. OLED technology is renowned for its ability to produce true blacks and vibrant colors, offering an unparalleled visual experience. Each pixel emits its own light, meaning when a part of the screen needs to be black, those pixels simply turn off, resulting in infinite contrast and a depth of image that standard LED monitors struggle to match. For gamers, this translates to incredibly atmospheric scenes, where the darkest shadows hide no detail and the brightest highlights pop with intensity. Playing a horror game? The inky blacks will heighten the tension. Exploring a vibrant open world? The colors will feel more alive and immersive.

Beyond the breathtaking visuals, these monitors are built for speed. Both models boast a blistering 240Hz refresh rate and a near-instantaneous 0.03ms Grey-to-Grey (GtG) response time. In the world of competitive gaming, these specifications are paramount. A high refresh rate ensures that on-screen motion is fluid and smooth, allowing you to track fast-moving targets with greater precision. The incredibly low response time virtually eliminates motion blur and ghosting, giving you a crystal-clear view of the action, even in the most chaotic moments. Games feel more responsive, and your inputs translate to on-screen actions with minimal delay, providing a tangible competitive edge.

The design of the 45GX90SA and 39GX90SA also caters specifically to gamers. Both feature an aggressive 800R curvature. This tight curve is designed to wrap around your field of vision, pulling you deeper into the game world. For a large display like the 45-inch model, the 800R curve helps to keep the edges of the screen within your peripheral vision, reducing the need to turn your head and creating a more immersive, cockpit-like feel. While curvature is a matter of personal preference, for many gamers, especially those playing simulation or first-person titles, a deep curve significantly enhances the sense of being inside the game.

Integrated into these monitors is LG’s webOS 24 platform. This is where the smart TV features come into play. With webOS, you gain direct access to a wide array of streaming applications, including popular services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. You can also access cloud gaming services such as Nvidia GeForce Now, Amazon Luna, and Blacknut, allowing you to stream games directly to your monitor without needing a powerful gaming PC connected. This integration makes the monitors incredibly versatile, serving as both your primary gaming display and a central hub for all your digital entertainment. Switching between gaming and streaming is seamless, managed through the monitor’s interface.

Connectivity is also well-covered on both models. They include HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, and USB Type-C ports. HDMI 2.1 is crucial for next-generation console gamers, supporting high refresh rates at 4K resolution (though the monitors are WQHD, this ensures bandwidth for other features). The inclusion of USB Type-C with power delivery simplifies connections for laptop users, allowing video, data, and power to be transmitted over a single cable.

LG has priced the 45GX90SA at $1,699.99 and the 39GX90SA at $1,599.99. These prices position them at the higher end of the gaming monitor market, reflecting the premium OLED technology, high refresh rates, and integrated smart features. While a significant investment, the dual functionality as both a top-tier gaming monitor and a smart entertainment display adds considerable value.

The launch of these monitors signifies a shift in how we perceive gaming displays. They are no longer just peripherals for your PC or console; they are becoming central to the entire digital lifestyle. The integration of webOS opens up possibilities beyond gaming, making these monitors a compelling option for users who want a single, high-performance display that can handle work, gaming, and entertainment with equal prowess. It’s a glimpse into a future where the lines between different display categories continue to blur, offering consumers more versatile and integrated solutions.