The Acer Nitro XV340CK is a sub-$500 1440p ultrawide IPS monitor with high-end specs and performance from a top-tier brand in the gaming business. It’s not as premium as the Predator models, but it can deliver a smooth and responsive gaming experience like the AOC CU34G2X, and that matters more. Of course, there are some cut corners to help the Acer Nitro XV340CK reach its low price, so let’s check out what you can expect from it.
Acer Nitro XV340CK Specifications
- Screen Size: 34 Inches
- Resolution: 3440 x 1440 UW-QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 21:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 250 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 3 Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4x 2, HDMI 2.0 x 2, USB 3.0 x 3, 3.5mm Audio Jack x 1
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 32.2” x 17.6” x 10.6”
- Weight: 19.62 lbs
Design and Features
The Acer Nitro XV340CK looks modest just like the other Nitro monitors such as the XV273K which prioritized solid gaming performance over aesthetics. The monitor is mostly finished in matte black, but it has a red accent on its base to denote its gamer-centric nature. The display is bezel-free on three sides, but it still has panel borders that aren’t noticeable due to the screen size.
You will also notice that the brand’s current iterations have become slimmer in proportion compared to the older models. The circular base of the Acer Nitro XV340CK is what needs over ten inches of depth, but the cabinet itself is thin and flat so it can be mounted to a wall. The device weighs in at 20 lbs, which isn’t a lot for an ultrawide, but it surely isn’t portable in most cases.
The Acer Nitro XV340CK is a budget monitor, but it doesn’t sacrifice the build quality and the parts’ precision. Each piece comes together perfectly, so there are no gaps or uneven seams on any of the product’s edges. The stand’s upright is made of metal, so it is very durable, although there is a slight wobble if you accidentally tap the screen.
One thing we dislike about the Acer Nitro XV340CK is its OSD button layout which is pasted at the back and more difficult to use. It’s easy to erroneously press the wrong button since you can’t see the keys, and it would take some time to memorize their functions. You can always find a sweet spot for the image settings but trying to adjust something common like the brightness on the fly can be annoying.
The stand included with the Acer Nitro XV340CK offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments so you can practically get a great view angle. Pivoting an ultrawide display is awkward, so, understandably, it’s not included in the ergonomics. You can swap this part out with a VESA mount, but it is only necessary if you want to save space.
The Acer Nitro XV340CK has plenty of connectivity ports at the back so that it can accommodate more than just your PC. The I/O includes two slots each for DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 2.0, along with a trio of USB receptacles for your peripherals. There is also a 3.5mm jack for audio output which will come in handy if you are using the HDMI input for consoles.
You also get a pair of 3-watt speakers with the Acer Nitro XV340CK which also has its uses in scenarios other than gaming. The pair can get a bit louder than the usual, but they still lack the oomph necessary for games and movies. You are better off with an immersive headset to match the screen, but it’s still useful for work from home use and anything similar.
Display and Performance
The Acer Nitro XV340CK boasts a flat 34-inch IPS panel with a 3440 x 1440 resolution, a 144Hz maximum refresh rate, and a 1ms boosted response time. The backlight is limited to 250 cd/m2, while the contrast is rated at 1000:1 like most IPS panels. This model isn’t DisplayHDR compliant, but its HDR10 compatible so it can accept HDR inputs and translate it as best it could.
The UW-QHD screen on the Acer Nitro XV340CK is great as an all-rounder due to its pixel density and the space that comes with it. You get more room for your workflow and apps, while games will look sharp and expansive if they support the ultrawide native resolution. It also doesn’t miniaturize text too much, so most will not struggle with reading and browsing even if scaling isn’t used.
The Acer Nitro XV340CK produces 99% of the sRGB gamut which is sufficient for most gaming purposes. Color accuracy isn’t the best with a deltaE average of 2.98, but it’s acceptable for games and general use. The Acer Nitro XV340CK doesn’t support DCI-P3, so its HDR performance even if its HDR10-compatible.
Calibrating the Acer Nitro XV340CK is beneficial since you can tighten its deltaE average will improve to 0.87. That’s already usable for professional work like editing and content creation, but a colorimeter’s cost is prohibitive if your main purpose is gaming. Most will be able to get away with a few minor tweaks which are always necessary for a new monitor.
The Acer Nitro XV340CK doesn’t get very bright, so its best used in a room that doesn’t have a lot of windows. The backlight is limited to 248 cd/m2, while the contrast ratio at 60% brightness sits at 1060:1. The latter is already a decent result for IPS panels, but the screen can still look grayish while viewing dark or dominantly black scenes.
Panel uniformity is mixed on the Acer Nitro XV340CK since it looks evenly lit when showing a full-color image, but there is a slight drop in brightness at the sides. The test unit also showed some clouding issues which are mostly noticeable in dark scenes. Take note that this aspect varies between every unit, so there are better ones out there.
The Acer Nitro XV340CK has an excellent pixel response and draw time, so blurring and ghosting isn’t an issue. Setting its overdrive to its Normal level works great in reducing the already minor persistence at 144Hz. We don’t recommend the Extreme setting since it induces overshoot that is noticeable in almost every transition type.
The Acer Nitro XV340CK is a FreeSync gaming monitor, but it also works with Nvidia’s G-Sync Compatible mode. It’s the perfect monitor for the top-tier cards, especially the new RTX 3080 and RTX 3090 and the upcoming Big Navi GPUs. Input lag sits at 4ms at 144Hz, so there are no delays while you are enjoying your favorite title.
Thoughts on the Acer Nitro XV340CK
The Acer Nitro XV340CK isn’t perfect, but its awesome price makes it difficult to ignore if you want a fast ultrawide without spending a small fortune. You get a decently vibrant IPS screen with a 144Hz refresh rate and an excellent pixel response time for less than $500. It is also compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync which extends its value per dollar since its VRR will work regardless of what GPU you choose in the future.
Our complaints regarding the Acer Nitro XV340CK are mostly minor and expected from an IPS panel. There’s the use of OSD buttons and the limited vibrancy, but it’s difficult to use these to argue about the product’s value. The Acer Nitro XV340CK is a great buy if you are after an immersive screen with decent image quality and smooth visuals.
Pros:
- Accurate Color When Calibrated
- Fast 144Hz IPS with Quick Draw Times and Pixel Response Time
- Attractive Minimalist Design
- Low Input Lag
- FreeSync/G-Sync Compatible
- Affordable Ultrawide
Cons:
- Mediocre Default Accuracy
- Limited Contrast and Brightness
- HDR Capability is Limited
- Slight Wobble on the Stand
-About the Author:
Paolo is a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since his junior high years. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations and he believes that it’s every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.