LG UltraGear 45GX950 Review: 45-Inch 5K OLED Monitor with 330Hz Refresh Rate

LG’s new UltraGear 45GX950 is one of the most exciting gaming and productivity monitors to hit the market. With a massive 45-inch OLED display, 5K2K resolution, and a peak refresh rate of 330Hz, it blends impressive specs with thoughtful design choices that elevate the user experience across the board.

At CES, this monitor made a bold impression—and now, up close, it’s clear why.

First Impressions and Build Quality

Right out of the box, the monitor’s size and curvature are striking. The 800R curve wraps deeply around your field of vision, enhancing immersion for both gaming and content creation. The stand is extremely sturdy and comes with great cable management features, though its tight design might challenge bulkier power connectors.

The package includes DisplayPort and HDMI 2.1 cables, a USB-C to USB-C cable (used for data uplink and charging), and a heavy-duty power brick. Interestingly, there’s no USB-B upstream port on this model—something rarely seen on monitors today. Instead, USB-C handles both video and data with support for 90W power delivery, making it ideal for charging laptops or other devices.

A Sharp, Immersive Display

The UltraGear GX950 delivers a pixel density of 125 PPI—significantly higher than LG’s previous generation, which had less than 100 PPI. Text is sharp, images are vibrant, and thanks to a newly improved RGWB subpixel layout, clarity is excellent even up close.

The screen’s 45-inch 5K2K resolution gives users essentially two full-sized monitors side-by-side, without bezels in between. It’s perfect for multitasking, creative workflows, or simply enjoying content on a massive scale.

Despite its size, the monitor is surprisingly user-friendly. It allows height adjustment, tilt, and a bit of swivel, ensuring users can get the ideal viewing angle. However, there’s no pivot function—which makes sense given the ultra-wide format.

Connectivity and Controls

Behind the monitor, you’ll find two HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort 2.1 input with UHBR 13.5 and DSC support, and a USB-C port with power delivery. There are also a couple of USB-A ports, a headphone jack with DTS Headphone:X support, and a Kensington lock slot.

Controls are simple and effective. There’s a joystick-style navigation nub for the OSD (on-screen display) and an additional button, possibly for power, although its exact function becomes clearer once the monitor is powered on.

Visual Performance and HDR

The OLED panel delivers incredible image quality. Blacks are true black, and HDR content looks breathtaking, especially when paired with the 5K2K resolution and OLED contrast. LG uses its MLA+ (Micro Lens Array Plus) technology here, which contributes to peak brightness levels exceeding 1300 nits in a 1% HDR window—well beyond standard expectations for OLED panels.

The monitor is also certified for VESA True Black 400, with a full-screen brightness of around 250–275 nits, making it a solid performer across a range of lighting conditions.

Color accuracy is impressive both in SDR and HDR, and measured Delta E values stay within tight tolerances. The screen also supports less than 0.1ms gray-to-gray response times, ensuring smooth motion with virtually no blur.

Audio and Everyday Use

The built-in speakers are surprisingly capable. While many monitors treat internal audio as an afterthought, LG includes genuinely usable speakers in the GX950. For casual users or minimalist setups, they’re more than sufficient. Of course, audiophiles or streamers might still prefer dedicated external audio gear—but it’s refreshing to see usable speakers included at all.

The monitor’s optimal viewing distance is about 80 centimeters, though sitting a bit closer enhances the wraparound effect of the aggressive curve. Whether you’re gaming, watching media, or doing creative work, the immersion feels natural and comfortable.

Dual Mode and Gaming Features

One standout feature is LG’s dual mode, which allows you to shift from 5K2K at 165Hz to a lower resolution (2560×1080) for a blistering 330Hz refresh rate. While you do sacrifice resolution, the image still looks surprisingly sharp—likely due to effective upscaling. This flexibility allows users to tailor the experience for high-refresh competitive gaming or high-fidelity media consumption.

LG also includes an “Octa Mode” with eight different screen presets, letting users simulate smaller screen sizes like 24″, 27″, or 34″ inside the full ultrawide display. This is handy for specific gaming setups or to accommodate games that don’t scale well with ultrawide resolutions.

With support for both G-Sync compatibility and FreeSync Premium Pro, screen tearing is virtually eliminated, and VRR (variable refresh rate) performs beautifully in practice.

Display Quality and Real-World Use

Beyond gaming, this monitor is built for real work. Its anti-glare coating handles reflections well, even under direct light. Color reproduction is accurate, blue light emissions are kept low, and the panel’s flicker-free operation makes it comfortable for extended use.

Even under demanding conditions, the GX950 holds up impressively. Whether you’re editing high-resolution video, managing a complex production workflow, or playing fast-paced FPS titles, this monitor keeps up without compromise.

The Bottom Line

The LG UltraGear 45GX950A isn’t just a monitor—it’s a powerhouse display built for serious users. Whether you’re a gamer chasing ultra-high refresh rates or a creator demanding pristine image quality, this monitor delivers.

Yes, it comes at a premium, priced around $2,000 depending on the retailer. But for that investment, you get a massive, color-accurate, high-refresh OLED screen with cutting-edge features and future-ready connectivity.

For those who want one monitor to do it all—work, play, and everything in between—the 45GX950 might just be the perfect choice.