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Acer Nitro XZ342CU S 165Hz VA Ultrawide

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The horizontal space and aspect ratio offered by 21:9 ultrawides can provide a good level of immersion for gaming and benefits for other uses. The Acer XZ342CU S (XZ342CU Sbmiipphx) of the Nitro series provides this experience. In keeping with others in the series, the monitor includes a weighted metal base coated in matte black plastic. Plus a cylindrical coated metal stand neck. The top and side bezels adopt a dual-stage design, with slender panel border flush with the rest of the screen and slim hard plastic outer part. The OSD (On Screen Display) is controlled by buttons beneath the right side of the bottom bezel.

Metal stand neck with weighted base

A 34″ 3440 x 1440 (UWQHD, 21:9 ultrawide) VA panel is used, with support for a 165Hz refresh rate plus Adaptive-Sync. This includes AMD FreeSync Premium, with 48 – 165Hz VRR range plus LFC. A matte anti-glare screen surface is included with a 3000:1 static contrast, 8-bit colour support and 178°/178° viewing angles specified. The screen has a 1500R (moderately steep) curve to help draw you in a bit and enhance the feeling of depth. A flicker-free WLED backlight provides a 90% DCI-P3 colour gamut and 400 cd/m² peak luminance. The screen responds to HDR10 content in a basic way via VESA DisplayHDR 400. This doesn’t require the most generous gamut or highest brightness by HDR standards, nor does it require local dimming to enhance contrast. It allows the screen to put its reasonably gamut to good use with 10-bit colour processing alongside, however.

Low Blue Light (LBL) settings are included to potentially enhance viewing comfort, with a 1ms MPRT response time specified using the VRB strobe backlight mode. As usual, approach such specifications with a very sceptical mind. The stand provides tilt, swivel and height (130mm or 5.11 inches) adjustment. The ports face are concealed beneath a removable plastic cover towards the bottom of the screen. They include but aren’t limited to 2 DP 1.4 ports and 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, with 2 x 2W speakers included for basic sound reproduction.

Concealed ports

Further information on the Nitro XZ2 series can be found on the manufacturer’s website. The monitor is listed for ~$350 USD.

Acer XZ342CU S