LG 45in 5K2K vs Dell 40in 5k2K

[seasurfer]

I am having a hard time deciding between the two 5K2K monitors. I am a casual gaming and I have a M4Max MBP. I am looking to get an ultra wide monitor for both work and casual gaming.

Is the Dell 40 inch 5k2k still worth it in late 2025?

I heard about the LG 40 inch 5K2K but I also heard that its fan produce noise, I don't wish to have noise.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

The Dell is still very much worth it (I assume you mean the U4025QW), I am planning on picking it up for Black Friday, as I both game and work.

The LG is definitely top tier for gaming at the moment, but it has several draw backs: The agressive curve, the size and thus PPI (For some people), and the pixel layout. Especially the latter can be a problem for work related stuff, but based on what I understand, it is very subjective how much of an impact it has. The curve is also somewhat subjective, but as I understand it, it can give weird distortions if you are working with image-based work.

 

[seasurfer]

The Dell is still very much worth it (I assume you mean the U4025QW), I am planning on picking it up for Black Friday, as I both game and work.

The LG is definitely top tier for gaming at the moment, but it has several draw backs: The agressive curve, the size and thus PPI (For some people), and the pixel layout. Especially the latter can be a problem for work related stuff, but based on what I understand, it is very subjective how much of an impact it has. The curve is also somewhat subjective, but as I understand it, it can give weird distortions if you are working with image-based work.

I also felt that the 45 inch seems a bit big.

I really like the Dell 40 inch, but worry it is a bit old.

If the LG 45 inch end up cheaper due to discount, would you pick the LG over Dell?

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

No, I would personally not. The curve is WAY too agressive for me, both from a personal preference, but also due to the fear of distortions. And it is also too big.

My plan is to get the U4025QW, then upgrade to a 34-40" 5k2k (Or 6k2k perhaps?) OLED in the future, when they've fixed the pixel layout issue. I need a new display more for productivity than gaming at the moment, and thus the LG has too many "but's and if's" as it is now.

 

[seasurfer]

So I decided and I got the 45 inch LG 5K2K monitor, Best Buy is having a $500 discount and the monitor only cost $1499, this is cheaper than the Dell 40 inch 5K2K, I thought it is a good deal and bought it yesterday.

Here are some of the problems I am facing:
1. The curve is a bit aggressive, or maybe I am not used to it?
2. Pixel seems good, comparable to a 4K monitor, but I also have the Apple Pro XDR at work, it pales compare to it
3. The color seems weird? There are few settings, I am not sure which one to use

 

[ascender]

So I decided and I got the 45 inch LG 5K2K monitor, Best Buy is having a $500 discount and the monitor only cost $1499, this is cheaper than the Dell 40 inch 5K2K, I thought it is a good deal and bought it yesterday.

Here are some of the problems I am facing:
1. The curve is a bit aggressive, or maybe I am not used to it?
2. Pixel seems good, comparable to a 4K monitor, but I also have the Apple Pro XDR at work, it pales compare to it
3. The color seems weird? There are few settings, I am not sure which one to use

I really like the curve on it, I find it really immersive but it did take a week or so to get used to it. I like that I can have content off to the left/right with something in the centre and I don't have to move my head much/adjust to see what's on the extremes which I've had to do with other flatter monitors.

PPI is never going to match the XDR and retina screens, but I found it was "good enough" and quickly adjusted to it. If you're swapping between that and the XDR regularly, I suspect you're always going to notice the difference unfortunately.

If you look on Reddit (ultrawidemasterrace) there's a few good posts with recommended settings for this monitor to get the best out of it.

 

[bigglow]

I also felt that the 45 inch seems a bit big.

I really like the Dell 40 inch, but worry it is a bit old.

If the LG 45 inch end up cheaper due to discount, would you pick the LG over Dell?

I had the 2017 Dell U3818DW 38" 4K 21:9 ultrawide at 111ppi and at a focusing distance of 66cm I found my head moving left to right to look at the 4 corners of the screen. Sold it months later at a profit so it isn't a wash.

I mention this as I was looking at the 2024 Dell U4025QW 40" 5K2K 21:9 ultrawide at 140ppi. It is notable for its superb macOS compatibility.

The 2025 LG 45GX950A-B 45" 5K2K 21:9 ultrawide at 125ppi.

I'm currently using a 2025 ASUS ProArt Display PA32QCV 32" 6K 16:9 display at 218ppi. I don't find myself moving head from left to right. macOS compatibility is pretty good even when I cannot control brightness from the keyboard.

 

[brosenz]

I really like the curve on it, I find it really immersive but it did take a week or so to get used to it. I like that I can have content off to the left/right with something in the centre and I don't have to move my head much/adjust to see what's on the extremes which I've had to do with other flatter monitors.

PPI is never going to match the XDR and retina screens, but I found it was "good enough" and quickly adjusted to it. If you're swapping between that and the XDR regularly, I suspect you're always going to notice the difference unfortunately.

If you look on Reddit (ultrawidemasterrace) there's a few good posts with recommended settings for this monitor to get the best out of it.

I am currently using an LG UltraFine 5K (2048 x 1152) + 2x LG UltraFine 4K (daisy chain mode) (1920 x 1080) connected via two Thunderbolt ports to a MacBook Pro 16 M1 Max, I am planning to migrate to a single Ultra Wide monitor like the LG 45GX950A-B. Three monitors consume a lot of energy and generate a huge amount of heat.

My main concern is that with macOS after configuring the display in Retina mode, the actual resolution in 45" will be 2560 x 1080, that seems not enough for such a big screen. I can't use it in native mode 5120 x 2160 because the fonts will be too small for me, I don't know if macOS 15.7.7 (Sequoia) will allow for in between resolutions.

What is your experience using this ultra wide LG 45GX950A-B monitor with your MacBook? I would like some feedback regarding font size, sharpness, clarity and image quality, coming from the LG UltraFines (the models sold at the Apple Store a few years ago) the bar is already very high. I don't do anything fancy like video processing, gaming, etc., just browsing and typical office apps. Thank you