Acer Predator Z35 35-inch Curved G-Sync Monitor Review

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Early Verdict

The perfect display has yet to cross our doorstep and the Z35 certainly has some flaws. But it presents a beautiful saturated image and will make your games look incredible if you pick the right set of options. In the lofty world of premium gaming monitors, it offers a unique set of qualities that may appeal to users looking for something different.

Pros

  • +

    Super-wide immersive form factor • Stunning contrast and image depth • Saturated yet accurate color • Build quality • 200Hz • ULMB • G-Sync • Best ULMB implementation we’ve seen yet

Cons

  • -

    Some motion artifacts at speeds over 144Hz • Expensive

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Introduction

It seemed as if gaming monitors had reached a plateau when G-Sync and FreeSync came along. Adaptive-refresh technology is a big step forward in video processing that brings smooth motion and tear-free gaming to more users than just those with expensive video cards. We thought manufacturer's efforts to increase refresh rates might relax a bit. Well, it looks like we were wrong.

Recently, we tested Asus' latest ROG Swift, the PG279Q. Not only does it deliver a superb image courtesy of an IPS panel and Nvidia G-Sync, it tops out at 165Hz supporting adaptive refresh to that maximum. With every feature a gamer could ask for, it earned our Tom's Hardware Editor Recommended Award.

Also in our recent review history is BenQ's XR3501. Why is that monitor significant? Because of its high-contrast VA panel, 2000R curve and immersive 35-inch screen size. With a 144Hz refresh rate it has plenty of gaming cred but lacks G-Sync or FreeSync. We lamented this as the only real flaw in an otherwise stellar display.

Today, we're looking at the new Acer Predator Z35. It combines the stunning panel of the XR3501 and the full feature set of the PG279Q in one package. And it raises the speed bar to a new height: 200Hz.

Specifications

Those who have browsed the specs certainly noticed the 2560x1080 pixel resolution. That's something we weren't thrilled to see in the XR3501 either but after testing and playing games on it for a while, the lower pixel density became a non-issue. We continue to maintain that contrast is the most important factor in image quality, not resolution. And the Z35 is no different.

You'll see in the contrast tests that it has an even greater dynamic range than the BenQ. Kudos to Acer's engineers for coaxing greater performance from the same AU Optronics panel part. Light output and color accuracy are about the same as the XR but the Z35 adds G-Sync and a 200Hz max refresh rate.

The panel's native rate is the same 144Hz but an overclock option in the OSD lets the user up the max to as much as 200Hz. There is no guarantee of stability from Acer. The company's website suggests lowering the rate if problems occur. We however, had no such issue. Our sample ran at 200Hz all day without even so much as a coil whine.

In addition to G-Sync, you also get ULMB with a 100-step variable pulse width. We found that to be very effective in the improvement of motion detail and resolution. The only caveat is you'll have to up the brightness control because light output is reduced by almost half at the least-aggressive setting.

On paper the Z35 sounds nearly perfect. Some will decry its 1080-pixel vertical resolution but stick with us and definitely check one out for yourself. The image is stunning and smooth for sure. Before we load up the games however, let's take a closer look.

MORE: Best Computer MonitorsMORE: Display Calibration 101
MORE: The Science Behind Tuning Your Monitor
MORE: All Monitor Content

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.

53 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Realist9
    "2560x1080" at 35 " in 2016. That's a joke, right?
    Reply
  • SBMfromLA
    "2560x1080" at 35 " in 2016. That's a joke, right?

    Not really....
    Reply
  • DanT060
    not 4K no
    Reply
  • Realist9
    The only 'gamer' I see buying this monitor is one that wants super mega hecka uber duper high refresh rate for their twitch FPS and doesn't care that the image looks crappy.

    Seriously, why not 1440, at least?
    Reply
  • SBMfromLA
    17582662 said:
    The only 'gamer' I see buying this monitor is one that wants super mega hecka uber duper high refresh rate for their twitch FPS and doesn't care that the image looks crappy.

    Seriously, why not 1440, at least?


    Some people feel a need to have the "latest and greatest"...
    Reply
  • turkey3_scratch
    17582662 said:
    The only 'gamer' I see buying this monitor is one that wants super mega hecka uber duper high refresh rate for their twitch FPS and doesn't care that the image looks crappy.

    Seriously, why not 1440, at least?

    It's a simple answer: CSGO. Competitive players want these high refresh rates.
    Reply
  • envy14tpe
    17582662 said:
    The only 'gamer' I see buying this monitor is one that wants super mega hecka uber duper high refresh rate for their twitch FPS and doesn't care that the image looks crappy.

    Seriously, why not 1440, at least?

    It's a simple answer: CSGO. Competitive players want these high refresh rates.

    Don't forget us BF4 players. We like the high refresh rates too. But for $300-400 less you could get a 1440p IPS panel like the PG279Q that runs up to 165Hz. That's why this bigger screen seems kinda weird given the price. At that price resolution should matter more.
    Reply
  • Jack_565
    "You'll need to use the former for G-Sync and for 200Hz operation, which also requires a GeForce GTX960 BOOST or better"
    Could someone clarify what a 960 BOOST is, a OC'd 960?
    Reply
  • ohim
    The thing with G-Sync is that every gamer in Battlefield 4 forums said that they use their monitors without G-Sync when gaming at 144hz, i asked them why and they all replied that it`s a pointless tech at that fps speed.. so practically you pay for G-sync only on the slower games where you can`t reach to fast fps.
    Reply
  • Max_x2
    Did any of you actually read the article? First paragraph under the specs, right on the first page:

    "Those who have browsed the specs certainly noticed the 2560x1080 pixel resolution. That's something we weren't thrilled to see in the XR3501 either but after testing and playing games on it for a while, the lower pixel density became a non-issue. We continue to maintain that contrast is the most important factor in image quality, not resolution. And the Z35 is no different."
    Reply