Acer Predator XB252Q 240Hz Monitor Review

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Conclusion

Gaming performance has pretty much come down to the relationship between the video card and the display. While CPUs, motherboards, RAM, and storage all play a part, it’s the graphics chip and the monitor that most directly affect the interaction between player and screen. Thanks to adaptive refresh technologies like G-Sync and FreeSync, coupled with high refresh rates, it is now possible to achieve maximum performance in all areas with a relatively modest investment. A GTX 1080 Ti coupled with a monitor like the Predator XB252Q is pretty hard to beat, for those who dislike compromise.

At its core, the Predator is a TN panel running at a native 240Hz. It achieves this without overclock, which means all buyers are assured of the highest possible refresh rate. It keeps input lag and response times at their lowest by using FHD resolution and a 6-bit+FRC configuration to further optimize bandwidth.

While these things may seem old-school, the resulting package is one of stunning image quality and seriously immersive gaming. We’ve reviewed plenty of higher-res screens that provide hours of entertainment, but the XB252Q offers just a little more. With G-Sync from 24-240Hz, you’ll never see a frame tear no matter what video card you use or what game you play. A truly usable ULMB feature gives users another option for enhancing motion quality. And a super bright panel means you won’t give up brightness when using the backlight strobe.

While this display is ideal for competitive gamers, and has no real equal in speed, there are still things we hope to see in the near future. More resolution is always welcome. To have the Predator’s feature list at the QHD level would be amazing. And even though we have no real issue with TN panels, VA and its much-higher contrast is what we really crave.

The XB252Q is clearly a “last one-percent” product that incorporates the latest in gaming technology. It’s priced at the premium level, but we suspect most devoted gamers will appreciate its performance regardless of cost. It’s much like the difference between a Corvette and a Porsche 911. Both will go fast, turn, and stop on a dime. But no one regrets paying extra for the Porsche.

If you’ve already spent a lot on a high-end gaming system, the XB252Q won’t destroy your budget. It offers incredible performance and a gaming experience that few other displays can match. It’s a little lacking in contrast and color accuracy, but those things take a back seat to its speed and responsiveness. For those reasons, we’re giving it our Tom’s Hardware Editor Recommended award.

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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.

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20 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Lucky_SLS
    These 240Hz r for the Hardcore Henry of e-sports gamers,
    Bring out the HDR and FreeSync 2 beauties !!!
    Reply
  • dstarr3
    The last time I had a TN panel was 15 years ago. I should give them another shot, they probably look a lot better today than they did the last time I had one.
    Reply
  • BulkZerker
    Where's the freesync version?
    Reply
  • AgentLozen
    I'm happy to see that engineers keep pushing the limits of panel technologies. It's a shame that this monitor couldn't have ran at a higher resolution or used a better display technology. Subjectively, can you see the difference between 144Hz and 240Hz?

    DSTARR3 said:
    The last time I had a TN panel was 15 years ago. I should give them another shot, they probably look a lot better today than they did the last time I had one.

    I'm using a Dell TN at home. After a little calibration, I think it looks great. Sometimes I notice the shoddy viewing angles and I sometimes wonder if it would look a little nicer with 8-bit color, but I'm satisfied otherwise. If you're in the market for a gaming monitor and you don't have bionic eyes that are sensitive to minor color inaccuracy, I'm sure this monitor would be great for you.
    Reply
  • joz
    Maybe I'm showing my age...

    But when did Acer become a premium product supplier? They used to sit right above "EMachines" when it came to jokes (and spec sheets) about their products performance and quality.


    That being said, I've been perfectly happy with my XB27.
    Reply
  • dstarr3
    20172847 said:
    I'm happy to see that engineers keep pushing the limits of panel technologies. It's a shame that this monitor couldn't have ran at a higher resolution or used a better display technology. Subjectively, can you see the difference between 144Hz and 240Hz?

    DSTARR3 said:
    The last time I had a TN panel was 15 years ago. I should give them another shot, they probably look a lot better today than they did the last time I had one.

    I'm using a Dell TN at home. After a little calibration, I think it looks great. Sometimes I notice the shoddy viewing angles and I sometimes wonder if it would look a little nicer with 8-bit color, but I'm satisfied otherwise. If you're in the market for a gaming monitor and you don't have bionic eyes that are sensitive to minor color inaccuracy, I'm sure this monitor would be great for you.

    I actually do have "bionic eyes," lol. I do a lot of photo editing that relies on color-accurate, calibrated displays, and I can pretty reliably detect inaccuracies, which is why I ditched TN panels 15 years ago. But that being said, I don't really need critical accuracy when playing games. I think I'd be alright with a super-high refresh rate at the expense of super-accurate color in games. So long as it looks, like, not obviously way off, I'm sure I'd be fine with it. The viewing angles might be problematic, though.
    Reply
  • ubercake
    How can Acer use the same panel as Asus and provide a monitor with the same specs, but in reality so much lower contrast? $70 difference.
    Reply
  • AgentLozen
    DSTARR3 said:
    I think I'd be alright with a super-high refresh rate at the expense of super-accurate color in games.

    That's what I'm trying to describe. There's never been a time when I was like, "Does Mercy have brown hair or blonde hair?" The picture is pretty good especially after a little calibration. I'm speaking from the experience of my Dell TN.

    Reply
  • dstarr3
    20173399 said:
    How can Acer use the same panel as Asus and provide a monitor with the same specs, but in reality so much lower contrast? $70 difference.

    If I had to guess, binning. The panels roll off the line, some are better than others, Asus pays the premium for the best ones, Acer takes the rest.
    Reply
  • Lucky_SLS
    ^ wait, that's there even in monitor panels? I thought binning is only for cpu.
    Reply