Acer's 1,000Hz Predator XB273U F6 is finally more than just a tease, but it may not be what you expected.
The monitor, now listed on Amazon for $699.99, delivers a 540Hz QHD mode and a 1,000Hz 720p mode, positioning it as a dual-purpose esports tool. But the trade-off in resolution for speed narrows its practical use.
The XB273U F6 sports an IPS panel with dual-mode support. However, potential buyers should note the advertised 1,000Hz mode is locked to a 1280 x 720 resolution, making the XB273U F6 designed for fast-paced shooters but unfortunately not great for general use or media consumption.
The real question is how many gamers actually need 720p for competitive play? And is the reduction in resolution and image clarity worth the increase in refresh rate versus simply leaving the resolution and refresh rate at 1440p @ 500Hz?
Until I get the XB273U F6 in front of me for independent testing, I would recommend that any potential buyers focus on the 500Hz refresh rate in its 2560 x 1440p mode, rather than the 1000Hz headline, as the real-world results may differ from what we are currently seeing in marketing.
"The Predator XB273U F6 represents the next frontier in gaming displays. With its 500 Hz refresh rate, advanced IPS technology, and 1000 Hz dynamic mode, it delivers both speed and visual fidelity that redefine what competitive gamers can expect from a monitor," said Charles Wang, Senior Manager, Product Management, Digital Displays at Acer
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From TweakTown's coverage of this story.
Will the XB273U F6 require a specific GPU or connection (DisplayPort/USB-C) to reach 500Hz at 2560×1440 or 1000Hz at 1280×720?
Does Acer include any software or OSD options to switch between the 500Hz QHD and 1000Hz 720p modes and to adjust scaling/clarity when running at 720p?
How will input lag and motion clarity likely compare between the 500Hz QHD mode and the 1000Hz 720p mode for competitive shooters?
Are there any indications in the listing or PR about adaptive sync support (G-Sync/FreeSync) and whether it works at both 500Hz QHD and 1000Hz 720p modes?
Want something else? Ask TweakBot.
Ultimately, gamers looking for the fastest refresh rate possible should exercise some patience as sinking $699.99 into a new gaming monitor thinking night versus day performance gains may not happen here, especially if you already have a high refresh rate monitor.
