Acer Predator XB252Q High Speed 240Hz G-Sync Gaming Monitor Review
Acer Predator XB252Q Subjective Analysis
Next we'll evaluate the Acer Predator XB252Q from a more subjective angle, using some popular FHD videos, movie trailers, and games.
 |
|
Dark Tower @ 1080P (YouTube), Scaled To Full Screen
We checked a number of movies, YouTube clips, and trailers using the Predator XB252Q with great results. Again, color accuracy is not amazing here, but it gets the job done well enough for a TN panel. Also, as we mentioned, we've seen deeper blacks on other display types like IPS. However, we were well immersed in the action and these foibles did little to detract from the experience. In line with the merits of the display, the high refresh rate and 1ms response time offers a silky smooth viewing experience without blurring or ghosting of any sort.
On the audio side of things, the pair of integrated stereo speakers are a decent stop gap for those without aftermarket multi-speaker solutions. Bass wields a noticeable kick and treble is clean without any hollow or "tinny" sounds. These are still integrated speaks, so set your expectations accordingly, but they're not bad. Otherwise, you can use the included audio jack on the back of the panel for your headphones of choice.
Enjoy your media in style with this speed demon. Just be prepared to huddle up a bit when watching with friends. Those viewing angles are bit restrictive.
Digressing a bit, before we jumped into movies or games, we pulled up the NVIDIA Control Panel to manually increase the refresh rate to 240Hz. You can also use the monitor's OSD to set a hotkey to cycle through the many refresh rate options.
On the audio side of things, the pair of integrated stereo speakers are a decent stop gap for those without aftermarket multi-speaker solutions. Bass wields a noticeable kick and treble is clean without any hollow or "tinny" sounds. These are still integrated speaks, so set your expectations accordingly, but they're not bad. Otherwise, you can use the included audio jack on the back of the panel for your headphones of choice.
Enjoy your media in style with this speed demon. Just be prepared to huddle up a bit when watching with friends. Those viewing angles are bit restrictive.
Gaming on this puppy is where it's at. NVIDIA G-SYNC tech is not smoke and mirrors. It works as advertised and effectively eliminates both screen tearing and judder, while minimizing input lag. This coupled with the 1ms response time and high supported refresh rates creates an experience that has to be seen to be fully appreciated, but is hands-down superior and more immersive than any standard 60Hz panel solution out there. Higher resolution displays may offer better static image quality, but lack the level of smooth gameplay if they don't also incorporate higher refresh rates and some sort adaptive refresh technology like Freesync or G-SYNC.
Overwatch @ 1080p
The benefit of G-SYNC and the high refresh rates are optimal mostly in fast-paced games that are not incredibly demanding in terms of system resources. Resource-hungry games can tax a GPU making it hard to achieve high enough FPS to appreciate the 240Hz refresh rate of this display. So, we fired up some face-paced shooters like Overwatch, Dirty Bomb, WARFRAME and CS: GO to achieve high, triple-digit frame rates -- and yes, it was amazing. Competitively or casually, frame-syncing support offered by technology like G-SYNC offers a distinct advantage that results in better visuals through buttery-smooth, stutter-free playback with no screen-tearing. With it, it's easier to follow the action with fewer distractions from artifacts and glitches, and it's simply easier on your eyes. You'd be surprised what your eyes have tolerated all these years, once you've experiences a high-speed panel with adaptive refresh rate technology while gaming.
All these speedy perks are not just for games, though. A good mouse, or specifically a highly accurate mouse will greatly benefit from the super high refresh rates of this monitor as well. It will significantly increase how smoothly the mouse travels across your display area. This is a game changer for some productivity hounds who suffer adverse affects from prolonged use working on a 60Hz display.
Overwatch @ 1080p
The benefit of G-SYNC and the high refresh rates are optimal mostly in fast-paced games that are not incredibly demanding in terms of system resources. Resource-hungry games can tax a GPU making it hard to achieve high enough FPS to appreciate the 240Hz refresh rate of this display. So, we fired up some face-paced shooters like Overwatch, Dirty Bomb, WARFRAME and CS: GO to achieve high, triple-digit frame rates -- and yes, it was amazing. Competitively or casually, frame-syncing support offered by technology like G-SYNC offers a distinct advantage that results in better visuals through buttery-smooth, stutter-free playback with no screen-tearing. With it, it's easier to follow the action with fewer distractions from artifacts and glitches, and it's simply easier on your eyes. You'd be surprised what your eyes have tolerated all these years, once you've experiences a high-speed panel with adaptive refresh rate technology while gaming.
All these speedy perks are not just for games, though. A good mouse, or specifically a highly accurate mouse will greatly benefit from the super high refresh rates of this monitor as well. It will significantly increase how smoothly the mouse travels across your display area. This is a game changer for some productivity hounds who suffer adverse affects from prolonged use working on a 60Hz display.
