If there’s a {hardware} class that defines the mantra, “competitors improves the breed,” then it’s positively gaming screens. Nowadays, it’s laborious to discover a dangerous one, and most shows, in any respect value factors, differ primarily in delicate methods. However often, one comes alongside that turns into a reference by which all others are judged.
In my expertise, most reference-level gaming screens have come from both Asus or Acer. The ROG Swift and Predator strains are at all times a go-to for these searching for final efficiency. You received’t discover wonderful bargains there, however each manufacturers ship so much for the cash.
4K on the desktop actually arrived with the introduction of Asus’ ROG Swift PG27UQ and Acer’s Predator X27. Each sport full-array local-dimming backlights with 144 Hz, Adaptive-Sync, HDR1000 and large shade gamuts. I nonetheless use an X27 as we speak as a reference show.
Acer has by no means been one to face nonetheless, and now, it provides a brand new monitor to vie for the reference title. It’s the Predator X32, and it features a 32-inch IPS Mini LED panel with 4K decision, 160 Hz refresh, Adaptive-Sync, HDR1000, large gamut shade and 576 dimming zones. And it’s costly, although not as a lot as you may suppose, at round $1,200 as of this writing.
Acer Predator X32 Specs
| Panel Sort / Backlight | IPS / Mini LED |
| 576 dimming zones | |
| Display screen Measurement / Side Ratio | 32 inches / 16:9 |
| Max Decision & Refresh Price | 3840×2160 @ 160 Hz |
| FreeSync Premium Professional: 1-160 Hz | |
| G-Sync Final | |
| Native Colour Depth & Gamut | 8-bit / Rec.2020 |
| HDR10, DisplayHDR 1000 | |
| Response Time (GTG) | 0.7ms |
| Brightness (mfr) | 400 nits SDR |
| 1,000 nits HDR | |
| Distinction (mfr) | 1,000:1 |
| Audio system | 2x 7w |
| Video Inputs | 1x DisplayPort 1.4 w/DSC |
| 4x HDMI 2.1, 1x USB-C | |
| Audio | 3.5mm headphone output |
| USB 3.0 | 1x up, 4x down or None |
| Energy Consumption | 52.3w, brightness @ 200 nits |
| Panel Dimensions | 28.6 x 19.9-25 x 12.5 inches |
| WxHxD w/base | (726 x 505-635 x 318mm) |
| Panel Thickness | 3.3 inches (83mm) |
| Bezel Width | Prime/sides: 0.4 inch (9mm) |
| Backside: 0.9 inch (22mm) | |
| Weight | 24.5 kilos (11.1kg) |
| Guarantee | 3 years |
When you have an inventory of options that needs to be in a gaming monitor, the X32 checks each field with only one exception: it doesn’t have a backlight strobe. This isn’t an uncommon omission and it on no account diminishes gaming efficiency. You get FreeSync Premium Professional and G-Sync Final certification from 1 to 160 Hz. You possibly can run HDR and Adaptive-Sync in any respect refresh charges over the DisplayPort 1.4 enter, which includes Show Stream Compression (DSC) to maintain enter lag low. And, spoiler alert, it really works. The X32 is without doubt one of the quickest 4K screens I’ve examined.
Image high quality is pretty much as good because it will get for the present state-of-the-art. The 576 dimming zones and a 1,000-nit Mini LED backlight guarantee excessive distinction. The colour gamut is big, masking over 80% of Rec.2020 (120% of DCI-P3). You may as well choose any gamut from the listing of present requirements, together with sRGB. Native dimming ups the distinction ratio from an IPS-typical 1,100:1 to over 50,000:1. With a couple of tweaks, its accuracy is near-perfect.
The X32 is tremendous versatile as properly. There are 4 HDMI 2.1 inputs and USB-C, totaling 5 video connections. 4 USB ports, two of that are on the facet, provide loads of peripheral interface choices. A KVM perform allows you to join and management a number of methods with a single keyboard and mouse. A number of image modes, a few of which will be programmed by the person, make it straightforward to change between configurations. Full calibration controls imply professionals can use the X32 as a mastering display screen between frag classes.
At $1,200, the X32 is a premium buy, however think about that when the X27 got here out in 2018, it price $2,000, with fewer dimming zones and a smaller shade gamut. This new Predator is a whole lot of enjoyable and helpful on the identical time. Let’s have a look.
Meeting and Equipment
The X32 arrived in an enormous carton containing the assembled monitor and stand. All I needed to do was take away the highest piece of crumbly foam and raise it out. After undoing the Velcro strap stopping the stand from extending, I set it up on my check bench noting its massive 12.5-inch depth. The facility provide is inner, so I discovered an IEC twine within the field together with DisplayPort, HDMI, USB-C and USB-A/B cables. A headphone hook snaps onto the highest of the stand, which additionally has a beneficiant seize deal with, splendid for shifting this heavy monitor round.
Product 360
Picture 1 of 4
The primary adjective that got here to thoughts when organising the X32 was imposing, and I imply that in a great way. It’s a big piece of package, from its 32-inch display screen (which is pretty thick) to the large base commanding over a foot of depth and placing the panel additional ahead than most stands. You’ll want a bit extra desktop area than different 32-inch screens require. And in regular circumstances, there isn’t any likelihood the monitor will fall over in any path.
The stand is a forged aluminum piece with a 5.1-inch (130mm) peak adjustment, 30 levels of tilt, and 40 levels swivel. There is no such thing as a portrait mode. Actions are easy and certain, befitting a show of the best high quality. The X32 is constructed like a tank in each respect.
The entrance view makes the stand appear slender, however it’s not. You possibly can see a small passthrough for cables slightly below the display screen. The bezel is skinny, at 9mm across the prime and sides, with a wider 22mm strip on the backside that sports activities the Predator moniker. Across the left facet, you’ll discover two USB ports, that are handy for straightforward peripheral administration. I keep in mind when this characteristic was anticipated, however it’s a rarity as we speak.
Within the again, there’s one other Predator graphic and beneficiant air flow that does its job passively with out an inner fan. You received’t discover any LED lighting right here, which is barely shocking, however I didn’t miss it. And it helps preserve the worth down, at the very least a little bit. The controls are additionally again right here with a tiny joystick, three keys and an influence toggle. A tiny LED on the entrance reveals energy standing: blue for on and orange for standby.
The enter panel has every little thing one may use to attach a monitor and combine it into any system, PC, console, A/V; you title it. There are 4 HDMI 2.1s and a DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC. Two extra USBs and an upstream port spherical out the peripheral hub. And there’s a USB-C port with DisplayPort perform and helps peripherals and charging with 90 watts of juice.
OSD Options
Urgent the X32’s joystick or any of the keys brings up a fast menu that provides brightness, shade mode and enter choice. One other press reveals the in depth OSD.
Picture 1 of 6
The Image menu has all fundamental picture controls besides the native dimming discovered within the Gaming menu (extra on that later). HDR has an Auto mode, however I found you continue to have to change HDR on and off manually utilizing the image mode selector. A low blue mild setting creates an image extra snug for studying. You’ll additionally need to flip Max Brightness on to set the height SDR white stage above 120 nits.
The Colour menu has two screens that embody each attainable calibration possibility. There are 5 gamma and 4 shade temp presets, plus a person possibility that has achieve and bias sliders to dial in grayscale with precision. On the second display screen, you may name up one of many eight image modes and swap between seven gamut modes. You get each present commonplace besides Adobe RGB, which could discourage photographers from contemplating the X32. Normal renders over 80% of Rec.2020, which suggests the X32 is actually colourful. It has one of many largest native gamuts I’ve measured to this point. Calibration is simply attainable within the Normal gamut mode.
The Gaming menu has overdrive choices, an Adaptive Sync toggle and sport enhancements like a body price counter and a choice of aiming factors. Native dimming is managed right here as properly, with three ranges of aggressiveness. I like to recommend Common as one of the best setting for each SDR and HDR. Within the photograph, overdrive and Extremely-Low Latency are grayed out as a result of Adaptive-Sync is turned on. Low latency is locked on and overdrive is fastened to its center possibility. This can be a slight flaw, as there’s a tiny little bit of ghosting. I discovered the cleanest movement with each Adaptive Sync and overdrive turned off.
After tweaking, save your settings to one of many three programmable image modes. They seem within the selector as the primary three selections. Consumer is the default once you make any change to any image management. You’ll additionally want to change forwards and backwards between HDR and Consumer when viewing HDR and SDR, respectively.
Acer Predator X32 Calibration Settings
The X32 features a calibration information sheet that certifies the sRGB mode. My checks confirmed its accuracy. All of the fastened gamut modes are spot-on, which is sweet since they’ll’t be adjusted. The default Normal mode wants a little bit work wants. Gamma tracks properly on its 2.2 preset, and the grayscale is a bit heat. It may be made excellent with a couple of clicks of the RGB achieve sliders. I additionally needed to decrease distinction two clicks to resolve a shade clipping concern. When full, I like to recommend setting the native dimming to Common for one of the best distinction. Under are my SDR settings. Notice that the Normal gamut mode means you’ll be utilizing the total shade area for all content material. It’s fairly massive, over 80% of Rec.2020, and should look overblown for some SDR content material. However I doubt too many avid gamers will complain.
When an HDR10 sign is utilized, you should swap to the HDR image mode, or set the HDR choice to Auto, which accomplishes the identical factor. HDR within reason color-accurate and can’t be calibrated.
| Image Mode | Consumer |
|---|---|
| Brightness 200 nits | 45 |
| Brightness 120 nits | 26 |
| Brightness 100 nits | 23 |
| Brightness 80 nits | 18 |
| Brightness 50 nits | 12 (min. 3 nits) |
| Adaptive Dimming | Common |
| Distinction | 48 |
| Gamma | 2.2 |
| Colour Temp Consumer | Acquire – Purple 47, Inexperienced 50, Blue 52 |
| Bias – Purple 50, Inexperienced 50, Blue 50 |
Gaming and Fingers-on
You’d suppose by now that I might have seen sufficient 4K screens in motion that I might be laborious to impress. However the Predator X32 impressed me in a serious approach. Its great shade saturation is a big promoting level when in comparison with different screens of any decision. It’s so colourful that you just barely want the native dimming in SDR mode. I performed Tomb Raider for about an hour earlier than I noticed that I’d switched it off. Though native distinction is simply 1,200:1, which is sweet for an IPS monitor however properly shy of an OLED or VA panel, the additional shade made the picture punchy and tremendous vivid. In actual fact, with dimming on Common, shadow element took a bit extra effort to make out. I may enhance the Black Enhance to compensate, however that defeats the aim. My suggestion is that when you’re taking part in a sport with a whole lot of darkish nooks and crannies, flip off the dimming in SDR mode.
HDR gaming is on one other stage with the X32. You’ll need the dimming for certain because it has a really totally different impact. Shadow element is completely seen whereas blacks are true. Highlights pop proper out however the image is rarely harsh in tone. Colour is once more the star, with wealthy hues in each attainable state of affairs. Earth tones are textural even when there’s no texture within the graphic. Main colours virtually transcend the show. Except you have already got a monitor with a shade gamut this massive, the X32 will redefine your perceptions.
Video processing is equally particular. However I’ll get my nit-pick out of the way in which first: Partaking Adaptive-Sync means you may’t regulate the overdrive. It’s locked to its center setting, which causes slight ghosting. I may see it in areas of excessive distinction the place objects moved in opposition to static backgrounds. However I used to be searching for it as properly. It’s only a minor concern. My want is that I may flip overdrive off altogether. It isn’t really vital for easy movement decision.
One of the best a part of gameplay is the X32’s extraordinarily low management lag. I may understand its benefit over different 4K screens I’ve examined. I checked out it proper subsequent to a five-year-old Predator X27 and skilled an incredible distinction in really feel. The X27 has a complete lag of 39ms, 18ms greater than the X32. In case you’re contemplating an improve to your X27, or another 4K monitor from that period, the X32’s velocity is motive sufficient to make the acquisition. As a gaming monitor, the X32 has no equal beneath 240 Hz.
For workday duties, I’m a fan of any 32-inch 16:9 panel as a result of it’s what I take a look at day-after-day. The dimensions and form are perfect for doc modifying of every type. You possibly can view an unlimited portion of a spreadsheet, place two Phrase paperwork facet by facet, preserve a browser and e mail window seen, or edit images with all of your instrument palettes available. The X32 handles these purposes with ease and is nice for watching TV moreover. Whether or not it’s YouTube or Netflix, the picture is tremendous straightforward on the eyes. Once more, the guide swap to and from HDR is a little bit annoying. And if you wish to view SDR video with the proper shade, a guide change to the gamut can be required. Although the X32 appears to be like higher than almost all televisions, it’s a bit much less handy to function.
These are minor quirks that appear to be part of each high-end laptop monitor. However make no mistake, I think about the Predator X32 to be a reference product in each respect. As a gaming show, it’s almost unequaled. And it does every little thing else properly sufficient to be your sole monitor.
MORE: Finest Gaming Displays
MORE: How We Take a look at PC Displays