Acer XR341CK Gaming Monitor

Acer is to release new 34" gaming monitors with a 3440 x 1440 resolution and IPS panel, and as it now seems two actually. The XR341CK has AMD FreeSync support and the XR341CKA has NVIDIA G-sync support. They come in a silver and black design with a "zero-frame" panel (i.e. ultra thin bezel).

Spec are shared by TFT-central and both versions offer a 34" ultra-wide screen size with 21:9 aspect ratio and a curved screen format:

They are based on IPS panel technology and given we are only aware of LG.Display producing IPS-type panels in this sector, they are likely to be AH-IPS from LG.Display. The screens have a 3440 x 1440 resolution and support refresh rates up to 75Hz. Some people may be disappointed that there is not support for 120 - 144Hz but that is not possible at the moment from current IPS-type panels of this size and format. At least there is a bit of a boost beyond 60Hz potentially here which is something. The support for dynamic refresh rates via the G-sync or FreeSync technologies will help users cope with the demand of the high resolution as well here and are certainly welcome.

In other specs there is a 4ms G2G response time, 1000:1 contrast ratio (100 million:1 DCR), 300 cd/m2 brightness and 172/178 viewing angles (owing to the curved nature). They are listed as having an 8-bit+FRC panel which implies a 1.07b colour depth, although elsewhere in the spec it also lists 16.7m. A standard gamut W-LED backlight offers a 72% NTSC coverage / sRGB gamut.

The XR341CK (FreeSync version) will offer HDMI 2.0 (MHL), DisplayPort, Mini DP and DP out connections, along with a 4 port USB 3.0 hub. It will support daisy chaining via the DP out port and also PiP and PbP functions.

The XR341CKA (G-sync model) will apparently offer DisplayPort, but also an additional HDMI 1.4 video connection. That would mark the first G-sync screen we've seen with more than one connection, so we will be interested to see how this works. Acer mentioned the screen was G-sync v2, so perhaps they have made adjustments to allow more than one video input. With the G-sync module being used, the XR341CKA will also support ULMB (Ultra Low Motion Blur). The XR341CKA also has a 4 port USB 3.0 hub as with the other model.

Integrated 2x 7W stereo speakers with DTS sound are offered on both models, and the stand offers tilt and 130mm height adjustments from the stand. The screen is also VESA 100m compliant. There are no swivel or pivot adjustments offered. Cables are provided for HDMI, DP and USB with both versions of the screen. Both are also part of Acer's flickerless (PWM-free) focus and have additional low blue light modes as well.
 

Production of the new screens has actually been brought forward somewhat and are expected to be available within retail channels in early July. Overclockers.co.uk have indicated an expected retail price of around £899 for the FreeSync XR341CK version, and £999 for the G-sync XR341CKA version. We will be reviewing one version as soon as possible, hopefully before launch.

Via TFT-Central