The $1,299 Acer XR341CKA is a curved gaming monitor with Nvidia's G-Sync technology
G-Sync and a big, curvy displays spells big bucks.
The Acer XR341CKA might seem too pricey for all but the most well-heeled gamers, but this behemoth of a display is chock-full of the sort of creature comforts a tech-savvy gamer will appreciate. When it arrives later this year the monitor will set you back $1,299, and €1,399 in Europe. There's no word on availability in Australia, but the US price works out to AU$1,676.
This 34-inch IPS display will dominate desks, and has an ultrawide 21:9 aspect ratio. A pair of 7W speakers offer sound, and you'll also find a built-in USB 3.0 hub. There are DisplayPort and HDMI inputs, and Acer says that the thin bezel makes it a great fit for multi-monitor setups -- provided you're willing to shell out this much cash, of course.
The XR341CKA is also equipped with Nvidia's G-Sync technology, making it the first curved display to do so. G-Sync synchronizes the monitor's refresh rate to an Nvidia graphics card's render rate, so images are displayed when they're ready. Nvidia claims this will eliminate screen tearing and stutter, and improve input lag.
In our tests of G-Sync technology we saw a bit of a performance dip in games, but the end result was a smoother, more enjoyable viewing experience. It does come at a cost-premium over standard displays, though. Acer started shipping a pair of G-Sync displays earlier this year ,
The XR341CKA has a 3,440-by-1,440-pixel resolution, and a response time of 4ms. The display is also curved, a feature manufacturers have consistently claimed will make for a more immersive experience, while also easing eyestrain -- consider Samsung's recent entries into the space . Acer claims that the curve "puts every corner of the screen at the same distance from the customer's eyes," offering a wider field of view. We'll have to reserve judgment until we can test Acer's new behemoth firsthand.
If the price isn't a concern, you'll still need to wait until September before you can get your hands on it -- that should leave you plenty of time to find room on your desk.