LG GX9 Review: The Ultimate 5K OLED Ultrawide for Gaming and Productivity

I never thought I’d be tempted by an ultrawide monitor again—until the LG GX9 arrived. This isn’t just another high-refresh-rate gaming display; it’s a 5K, 45-inch OLED beast that can switch between 165Hz for productivity and 330Hz for competitive gaming at the press of a button.

As someone who’s been using LG’s 32-inch dual-mode OLED (which toggles between 4K and 480Hz), I was skeptical about whether an ultrawide could match that versatility. But after testing the GX9, I’m convinced: This is one of the most impressive monitors I’ve ever used.

Design & Build: A Minimalist Masterpiece

LG has been killing it with design lately, and the GX9 is no exception.

• No chin bezel, no obnoxious logos—just a sleek, edge-to-edge OLED panel.
• The 800R curve keeps the 45-inch screen immersive without feeling overwhelming.
• Mount it on a monitor arm, and it looks like a floating display—clean, professional, and distraction-free.

If LG’s design team is debating whether this aesthetic is too minimal, let me settle it: Keep it exactly like this.

The Display: 5K OLED at 45 Inches

Resolution & Screen Real Estate

The GX9’s 5120×2160 resolution is a massive upgrade over standard 3440×1440 ultrawides.

• Equivalent to jumping from 1440p to 4K—everything is sharper, with more workspace.
• At 45 inches, you can comfortably use 100% scaling in Windows, giving you insane productivity space—ideal for video editing, coding, or multitasking.
• If you’re coming from a 32-inch or dual-screen setup, the extra width and resolution make a huge difference.

Size Considerations

• 45 inches is the upper limit for most desks—you’ll need at least 80cm of depth to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
• If it feels too big, push it back slightly—the curve helps with immersion.

Dual Mode: The Best of Both Worlds

One of the GX9’s standout features is its dual-mode functionality, similar to LG’s 32-inch model.

• Main Mode: 5K @ 165Hz – Perfect for productivity, content creation, and immersive gaming.
• Esports Mode: 2560×1080 @ 330Hz – Cuts resolution for ultra-high refresh rates (great for competitive shooters).

Why This Matters

• One-button switching (takes 2-3 seconds) means no compromises—work in 5K, then instantly swap to buttery-smooth 330Hz for ranked matches.
• Not every esports player will want a 45-inch screen, but if you also enjoy 4K single-player games, this is a fantastic hybrid solution.

The Catch: Pixel Scaling Issues

Unfortunately, LG still hasn’t fixed the pixel scaling in downscaled modes:

• 2560×1080 at 45 inches looks okay, but not as sharp as it should.
• Smaller simulated screen sizes (e.g., 24-inch mode) suffer from terrible scaling—almost unusable.
• ASUS has nailed this in their monitors, so LG has no excuse—hopefully, a firmware update can improve it.

Gaming Performance: Where the GX9 Shines

5K @ 165Hz – The Ultimate Immersive Experience

• Open-world games (Cyberpunk, Starfield) look breathtaking—wider FOV, higher resolution, and OLED’s perfect blacks.
• You’ll need a monster GPU (RTX 4090 or better) to push 5K at high settings, but if you can, it’s unmatched.

330Hz Mode – Surprisingly Good for Esports

• Not the “best” esports monitor (due to size), but very playable if you sit farther back.
• Ultrawide gives extra peripheral vision in most games—though HUD elements may be pushed too far to the sides.
• If preferred, you can force 16:9 with black bars (but scaling isn’t perfect).

OLED Advantages: Perfect Response Times & HDR

• 0.1ms response time – No ghosting, no overshoot—just instant pixel transitions.
• 265 nits full-screen brightness (can be boosted further with non-uniform settings).
• HDR performance is excellent, though slightly behind ASUS’s competing OLED.
• Factory calibration is flawless – 6500K color temp, 0.1 delta E (no tint, no inaccuracies).

Connectivity Quirk: Avoid DisplayPort 2.1

• HDMI 2.1 works perfectly, but DisplayPort had HDR issues and slower mode-switching.

Who Should Buy This Monitor?

Ideal For:

• Content creators & professionals who want massive 5K workspace.
• Gamers who play both single-player and competitive titles (and want one monitor for everything).
• OLED enthusiasts who demand perfect blacks, instant response times, and HDR.

Not Ideal For:

• Hardcore esports players who prefer 24-inch 480Hz+ displays.
• Budget buyers—at $2,000, this is a premium investment.
• Those with weak GPUs—you’ll need at least an RTX 4090 or next-gen equivalent.

Final Verdict: One of the Best OLEDs Ever Made

The LG GX9 is expensive, demanding, and not perfect—but it’s also one of the most impressive monitors I’ve ever used.

• 5K OLED at 45 inches is stunning for work and immersive gaming.
• 330Hz mode makes it surprisingly capable for esports.
• Flawless design, perfect colors, and OLED motion clarity elevate it above most competitors.

If you’re looking for the ultimate hybrid monitor and have the budget (and GPU) to match, this might be the best ultrawide you can buy.

Rating: 9.5/10

• Pros:
• Stunning 5K OLED clarity
• Dual-mode versatility
• Perfect response times & HDR
• Gorgeous minimalist design

• Cons:
• Pixel scaling issues in downscaled modes
• Requires a top-tier GPU
• Expensive ($2,000)

Final Thought: If LG fixes the scaling issues via firmware, this could be a 10/10 monitor. As it stands, it’s still one of the best displays money can buy.