BenQ XR3501 Curved Gaming Monitor Review

The BenQ XR3501 includes an external power supply and cable, using the slightly less common cloverleaf attachment. There's a minijack-to-minijack cable for routing audio to the screen from your PC, and a 1.8m long HDMI 1.4 connector. There's also supposed to be a 1.8m mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable, but that wasn't included with our sample.

A photo doesn't really do justice to just how large this screen actually is on your desk. It may only be Full HD with extra pixels either side (320 left and right to be exact), but the 35in diagonal and narrower 21:9 aspect mean it feels imposingly wide. That's essentially the idea – that the edges sit in your peripheral vision to provide a greater sense of immersion.

There are few adjustment options available with this screen. You can't swivel the screen, or raise it up and down at all. There is a small amount of tilt available, but even this is minimal. The BenQ XR3501 is clearly meant to be positioned comfortably on an appropriate desk, and left there.

The port selection is reasonably generous. Alongside the input for the external power pack, there are two HDMI 1.4 connections, full-sized DisplayPort 1.2, and mini DisplayPort. There are three audio minijacks: line input from your PC sound card output, line output to speakers so you can route out digital audio from HDMI, and a headphone jack.

The ports are all hidden behind a round panel and have cable tidy clips, so you can keep them in place. But this isn't particularly practical for your headphones. The jack for these should be on the front for easy access. A more grave omission is any USB ports, as there is no USB hub built in.

The control buttons for the OSD are on the bottom right edge. The image on the left shows the row of round buttons and the power LED and button. On the right is how they look from the front. You have to reach under the panel to press them.

Become a Patron!

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here