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Acer Predator X34P 34" Gaming Monitor Review: Overclocked Curves

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Brightness & Contrast

To read about our monitor tests in-depth, please check out Display Testing Explained: How We Test Monitors and TVs.  Brightness and Contrast testing is covered on page two.
Acer Predator X34
AOC AG352UCG
Asus ROG PG348Q

Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

Today’s group explores the smaller end of curved ultra-wides. In addition to the Predator X34P, we have its predecessor, the Predator X34, which is still available. Also present is LG’s 34UC79G, Asus’ PG348Q and XG35V, and AOC’s AG352UCG. Four of the screens are IPS and two use AMVA panels.

Image 1 of 3

With ULMB left off the feature list, the Predator X34P doesn’t need a ton of output to accomplish its mission. It’s rated for 300 nits and measures comfortably over that at 319.8455cd/m2. It’s the brightest of the IPS monitors here, and that results in the highest black level: .2916cd/m2. Resulting contrast tops 1000:1 and is visually identical to the two-year-old X34 and the Asus PG348Q. LG manages to coax a little more dynamic range from its 34UC79G with a 1304.6:1 score.

Uncalibrated – Minimum Backlight Level

Image 1 of 3

The Predator X34P’s minimum backlight setting takes it down to around 44 nits, slightly darker than the ideal 50-nit level we prefer. The black level moves right along with the brightness slider, so contrast remains consistent at 1083.4:1. This is the result we’d expect from a premium monitor.

After Calibration to 200 nits

Image 1 of 2

Calibrating the Predator X34P requires a change in gamma plus a 10-click reduction of the contrast slider. On many monitors, that would mean a visible drop in dynamic range, but thanks to well-implemented RGB controls and a darker-than-normal gamma curve, we lost only 11%. 970.6:1 is just a bit below the other monitors. And to our eyes, they look the same.

ANSI Contrast Ratio

The ANSI contrast value is almost the same as the sequential result, indicating a premium panel part made with good quality control. Even though the gamma is a bit darker than the usual 2.2, the Predator X34P’s image has good depth and contrast with sharp detail. That said, it won’t quite deliver the pop of the two AMVA panels. Comparing the new monitor with the old X34, overall contrast is about the same, but Acer has made some gamma tweaks that give it a slight edge.

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Christian Eberle
Christian Eberle
Contributing Editor

Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.

13 Comments Comment from the forums
  • feelinfroggy777
    If I did not already have the x34, I would get this monitor in a heartbeat. But for now, I guess I will just wait till the 200hz panel is released.
    Reply
  • Ninjawithagun
    Acer copied Dell Alienware's AW3418DW, but failed to match the much better quality of the AW unit. And the Acer has an external power brick (similar to that of a laptop). NO THANK YOU! I prefer the integrated power unit within the AW unit. Also, the price for the Acer X34P is too high. I bought both of my AW3418DW units for $930/each with a 4-year free replacement warranties ;-)
    Reply
  • adambomb13
    DO NOT BUY ACER MONITORS at least the one with GSync capable, I bought a xb321hk for $1000.00 and got the famous artifacting and screen blanking issue.
    Below link for Acer's community forum regarding this issue
    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/441879/xb321hk-weird-artifact/p1

    I have reached the END of Acers customer service line, They only offered me $400 refund LOL. After 5 returns, 3 different xb321hk monitors, I have worked with Corporate Customer service and "Elite" technical support and wasted 3-4 months for $400.00 refund.... Unbelievable. I will continue to post my personal experience on websites and I'll update my Youtube video warning people NOT to buy ACER?,
    Reply
  • adambomb13
    DO NOT BUY ACER MONITORS at least the one with GSync capable, I bought a xb321hk for $1000.00 and got the famous artifacting and screen blanking issue.
    Below link for Acer's community forum regarding this issue
    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/441879/xb321hk-weird-artifact/p1

    I have reached the END of Acers customer service line, They only offered me $400 refund LOL. After 5 returns, 3 different xb321hk monitors, I have worked with Corporate Customer service and "Elite" technical support and wasted 3-4 months for $400.00 refund.... Unbelievable. I will continue to post my personal experience on websites and I'll update my Youtube video warning people NOT to buy ACER?,
    Reply
  • Ninjawithagun
    21070004 said:
    DO NOT BUY ACER MONITORS at least the one with GSync capable, I bought a xb321hk for $1000.00 and got the famous artifacting and screen blanking issue.
    Below link for Acer's community forum regarding this issue
    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/441879/xb321hk-weird-artifact/p1

    I have reached the END of Acers customer service line, They only offered me $400 refund LOL. After 5 returns, 3 different xb321hk monitors, I have worked with Corporate Customer service and "Elite" technical support and wasted 3-4 months for $400.00 refund.... Unbelievable. I will continue to post my personal experience on websites and I'll update my Youtube video warning people NOT to buy ACER?,

    The flicker issue is caused by cheap DisplayPort cables being used by consumers. I had a similar issue with my Acer XB321HK unit. I replaced the stock cable with a high quality DP 1.4 certified cable and the issue disappeared. Yes, I know the XB31HK comes with only a DP 1.2 port, but the high quality DP 1.4 cable has extra shielding, which apparently eliminates the flicker issue due to signal degradation from the graphics card to the monitor.
    Reply
  • adambomb13
    Not true I have bought 3 different and 1.4 cable and still has issues
    Reply
  • Kahless01
    21069959 said:
    Acer copied Dell Alienware's AW3418DW, but failed to match the much better quality of the AW unit. And the Acer has an external power brick (similar to that of a laptop). NO THANK YOU! I prefer the integrated power unit within the AW unit. Also, the price for the Acer X34P is too high. I bought both of my AW3418DW units for $930/each with a 4-year free replacement warranties ;-)

    they didnt copy anyone. only one company makes the panels so everyone takes them and designs products from them. you wont see much more than packaging differences. and what you got the monitors for and their msrp arent the same thing. i can get the acer for $830. your aw with the build in power supply is also 4.5lbs heavier. i move my monitor around alot. that makes a difference.

    and other dude. why the hell are you playing diablo 3 on an expensive 4k monitor? seems like wasted money. the problems youre describing are as much an nvidia problem as an acer problem. all you need to do is change your search from acer artifacting to gsync artifacting and youll see its pretty widespread. i can guarantee you that your monitor isnt being tested like you think it is. its being put on a big rack not being watched. its checked on to see if its failed after a few hours and if it hasnt its shipped on. they sure as hell arent going to give techs gaming computers to dink around on your one monitor playing a 6 year old hack n slash game.
    Reply
  • AcesB
    Many gamers buy G-Sync monitors to have ULMB (me included). Sync is not a real issue in high refresh games powered by GXT 1070/1080 and higher, as they run steady and stable at 100Hz/120Hz, a typical fixed refresh rate with ULMB.
    If you don't know, G-Sync and ULMB can not work at same time. If you game already runs fine in +100/120 fps there is no reason to enable GSync. BUT the crystal clear images produced by ULMB are out of this word. ( At least in my Dell S2716 DGR)
    Reply
  • rhysiam
    Am I the only one who's pretty disappointed at the lack of progress in gaming monitors over the last few years? I mean, the original X34 released at $1300. So nearly 3 years later we get a very similar product with a few improvements at 15% less. It's a little better and a little cheaper, sure, but it's really just an iterative upgrade.

    If you compare that to TVs, take a look at what you can get for your money at just about any price bracket today vs 3 years ago and the difference is massive. We just don't seem to be seeing the same level of progress in gaming monitors. Am I missing something??
    Reply
  • adambomb13
    KAHLESS01 I play other games too LOL, but anyways I'll never buy another Acer product
    Reply