BenQ EX3501R Review 2020: A Truly Mindblowing Visual Experience

Introduction

The BenQ EX3501R is a stunning, ultra-wide, curve gaming monitor that adds unique functionality such as Brightness Intelligence Plus technology, HDR entry-level aid, and USB-C to the already impressive range of specifications such as 3440×1440 resolution and AMD FreeSync up to 100Hz.

Image Quality

Built by the AU Optronics on a VA screen, the BenQ EX3501R monitor provides a better static contrast ratio than alternate screen architectures such as IPS and TN.

Thanks to its 2500:1 contrast ratio, the monitor offers deep and distinguishable black tones as well as a more striking relationship between the darkest and brightest colors.

In comparison, the monitor occupies 100% of the sRGB color space with absolute 8-bit color depth.

Although the monitor provides 178-degree viewing angles in both directions, slight contrast and brightness changes are anticipated while observing the image from other angles.

The massive 35-inch camera is perfectly suited by the UWQHD resolution for a rich pixel density of 106 pixels per inch.

It ensures that the picture will have a ton of screen real estate as well as full specifics without any scaling necessary.

Performance

When it comes to games, a refresh rate of 100Hz gives a slightly more fluid and sensitive game look relative to normal 60Hz displays.

Alas, some ghosting and motion blur of quick moving objects can be evident , particularly in darker scenes. At higher frame levels, though, the ghosting becomes less noticeable.

The BenQ EX3501R input lag output is very strong with ~8ms of delay at 100Hz, so there won’t be any visible delays between your commands and the effect on the screen.

Be sure to check if your favorite games support 21:9, or else you will have black borders on the sides of the picture or a stretched image in some video games.

Overall, the efficiency of the BenQ EX3501R is top notch, but the interface is more suitable to those who enjoy decent graphics and audio than competitive games.

Features

In addition to typical settings and functions such as brightness/contrast, gamma, color options, etc., as well as Picture in Picture and Picture by Picture modes, the BenQ EX3501R has a couple of tricks up its sleeve.

The Brightness cognitive ability Plus technology features a built-in sensor that automatically adjusts brightness and color temperature by on-screen content and ambient lighting.

The sensor has a number of sensitivity levels and customizable settings. For starters, you may change it to slowly will the brightness of the screen while you function.

In comparison to a flicker-free monitor and a low-blue light blocker, the BenQ EX3501R VA monitor efficiently eliminates eye exhaustion and headaches if you are prone to device flickering.

There are many pre-calibrated image templates in the OSD (On-Screen Display) menu as well as three customizable Gamer profiles.

The presets include Picture, Normal, two unique profiles, M-Book, and HDR. Finally, Cinema mode provides native video formats (24p, 25p, and 30p) for an immersive viewing experience.

FreeSync & HDR

If you own an AMD FreeSync compatible graphics card, you can fully remove screen tearing and stuttering by syncing the refresh rate between the BenQ EX3501R 100Hz display and your graphics card.

The BenQ EX3501R FreeSync frequency is 48-100Hz for both DisplayPort and HDMI.

Even if your FPS (Frames Per Second) rate drops below 48, the LFC (Low Framerate Compensation) technology will start saving the day by doubling the frames (47FPS->94Hz) for smoother performance.

Update: FreeSync now operates without any problems by using a compliant NVIDIA G-SYNC graphics card. Some EX3501R units, however, show tearing/flickering at 100FPS (resolved by capping frame rate to 1-2 frames below 100) and flickering below ~48FPS when LFC is activated which can be eased (depend on the specific model) by the the VRR range through CRU.

Although support for HDR (High Dynamic Range) is stated by the BenQ EX3501R, the compatible content would only be marginally improved due to the lack of display functionality required to substantially increase the image quality of HDR content.

With a mere 300-nit peak brightness and only the conventional sRGB color gamut, the HDR approval is software-enabled thus offering a barely visible update in comparison to what an extra capable HDR display can actually do.

Design & Connectivity

The architecture of the BenQ EX3501R consists of a small bezels on the sides and on the edges, which support the edge-to – edge monitor. Ergonomics includes up to 60 mm height adjustment and-5 °, 20 ° tilting while the 1800R screen curvature even farther immerses you in the gaming world.

Connectivity includes two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, two USB 3.1 ports, a USB Type C port, and a headphone jack.

Even so, the USB-C port does not support PD (Power Delivery) for laptops; it can be used as a DisplayPort Alt mode or as an upstream USB port.

When using the USB-C port as an alternative display mode, the USB hub is limited to USB 2.0 bandwidth (480Mb/s) – if used as an upstream port, the USB hub offers up to 5 Gb/s bandwidth.

Price & Similar Monitors

The price of the BenQ EX3501R is around $550. For $100 less, you can get the AOC CU34G2X, which is a 3440×1440 144Hz ultra-wide gaming display with a curved VA screen and a broader color set.

One can also get the Philips 346B1C, which is a 3440×1440 100Hz USB-C ultra-wide VA monitor that supports both DP Alt Mode and 90W Power Delivery under $500.

Visit our state-of-the-art, ultra-wide monitor buyer guide for more information and the best deals available.

Conclusion

All in all, the BenQ EX3501R is an excellent ultrawide monitor for gaming and other multimedia, but there are more cost-effective choices available.