Acer pushes high refresh gaming to the next level
Acer is shaking up the gaming monitor world at CES 2026 with three new displays aimed squarely at competitive and enthusiast PC gamers. The star of the lineup is a 27 inch monitor that can reach an incredible 1000 Hz refresh rate at 720p resolution.
For years, 144 Hz and 240 Hz were considered the sweet spots for smooth gameplay. Then 360 Hz and 500 Hz panels started appearing for esports players who wanted every possible edge. Acer is now leaping far ahead of that with a 1000 Hz option that targets extreme responsiveness above all else.
This type of monitor is clearly built for players who care more about pure speed than image detail. At 720p you get lower resolution than the usual 1080p or 1440p, but that trade off lets the panel and your GPU focus on pushing a massive number of frames every second. If your PC can keep up, that means ultra low motion blur and lightning fast input response.
Why 1000 Hz matters for PC gamers
A 1000 Hz refresh rate means the screen can update up to 1000 times every second. That pairs well with extremely high frame rate gameplay in competitive titles such as shooters or battle arena games where every millisecond matters.
For competitive PC gamers, the advantages of such a high refresh rate can include:
- Smoother motion which makes it easier to track fast moving targets.
- Lower input latency so your mouse and keyboard actions feel more instant.
- Clearer image during fast flicks and rapid camera movement.
- Better visual consistency at extremely high frame rates when paired with a powerful GPU.
Of course, to really benefit from 1000 Hz you need a system that can output extremely high frame rates. That usually means a strong gaming CPU and a high end graphics card, along with tuning in game settings to favor performance over visual effects. Many players will drop resolution and graphics quality to squeeze every frame out of their hardware, which fits perfectly with a 720p 1000 Hz panel.
This kind of monitor is not designed as an all round entertainment display. Movies, casual games and high resolution single player titles do not really need 1000 Hz. Instead, this is a specialist tool for esports and competitive PC players chasing the smoothest, most responsive experience possible.
Three monitors for different types of gamers
Alongside the headline grabbing 27 inch 1000 Hz 720p model, Acer is also introducing two other gaming monitors at CES 2026. While full specs were not detailed in the short announcement, it is clear that Acer is building a lineup that aims to reach several segments of the PC gaming audience.
You can expect these other models to offer more traditional mixes of resolution and refresh rate, most likely with options that balance sharp visuals and fast performance. Typical modern gaming monitors might include combinations like 1440p at 240 Hz or 4K at 144 Hz, aimed at gamers who want both good image quality and responsive gameplay.
By offering three monitors rather than a single flagship, Acer is likely trying to appeal to:
- Competitive players who want maximum speed and do not mind lower resolution.
- Core gamers who want a good balance of resolution, refresh rate and price.
- Enthusiasts who might aim for higher resolutions for immersive single player gaming.
The 27 inch size of the 1000 Hz model is also an important detail. Many esports players still prefer monitors in the 24 to 27 inch range because the entire screen is easy to see without moving your head. It keeps everything in your field of view, which is useful in fast paced titles.
Whether the 1000 Hz 720p monitor becomes a common sight in tournaments or training setups will depend on adoption by pro teams and leagues. Still, it shows where monitor makers think the high end PC gaming space is heading.
What this means for the future of gaming monitors
Acer bringing a 1000 Hz monitor to CES 2026 sends a clear message. The race for higher refresh rates is not slowing down. As GPUs and CPUs keep getting faster, monitor manufacturers are pushing to keep up with panels that can actually show all those frames.
For most PC gamers today, something in the 144 Hz to 240 Hz range is still more than enough, especially at 1080p or 1440p. However, as extremely high refresh gear like this Acer 1000 Hz screen appears, it sets new expectations at the top end of the market. Over time, features that start out as extreme enthusiast options often trickle down to more affordable models.
If you are building or upgrading a gaming PC, this kind of announcement is a reminder to think carefully about how you balance resolution, refresh rate and performance. A cutting edge monitor can only shine if the rest of your hardware is strong enough to feed it the frames it needs.
Acer’s new gaming monitors, especially the 27 inch 1000 Hz 720p model, are clearly aimed at serious PC gamers who want the fastest and most responsive experience possible. As CES 2026 unfolds, expect more details on specs, pricing and availability, along with more competition from other brands trying to match or beat these numbers.
Original article and image: https://www.tomshardware.com/monitors/gaming-monitors/acer-brings-trio-of-predator-and-nitro-gaming-monitors-to-ces-1-000-hz-dual-mode-5k-165-hz-and-360hz-wqhd-qd-oled
