Acer Predator X32 X3 evaluate: 4K OLED glory paired with USB-C

Greatest Costs At this time: Acer Predator X32 X3

The present crop of 32-inch 4K OLED screens are a private favourite. They provide beautiful picture high quality in each SDR and HDR alongside top-tier movement efficiency. Nevertheless, most 32-inch 4K OLED screens have two downsides: excessive pricing and a scarcity of USB connectivity. The Acer Predator X32 X3 tackles each points.

Acer Predator X32 X3 (X3BMIIPHUZX) specs and options

The Acer Predator X32 X3 has excellent specs. It’s additionally somewhat mundane. Each are true as a result of, like its direct opponents, the Acer Predator X32 X3 depends on a brand new technology of LG WOLED panel that may assist 4K decision at as much as 240Hz or 1080p decision at as much as 480Hz. A number of different screens supply this panel.

• Show measurement: 32-inch 16:9 widescreen
• Native decision: 3840×2160
• Panel sort: LG WOLED
• Refresh price: 4K as much as 240Hz / 1080p as much as 480Hz
• Adaptive sync: AMD FreeSync Premium Professional
• HDR: Sure, VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 Licensed
• Ports: 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode with 90 watts of Energy Supply, 3x USB-A downstream, 1x USB-C information downstream, 3.5mm audio out
• VESA mount: Sure, 100x100mm
• Audio system: 2x 5-watt audio system
• Value: $1199.99 MSRP / $879.99 typical retail

Nevertheless, the Acer Predator X32 X3’s connectivity is a bit completely different from most. It has a USB-C port with 90 watts of Energy Supply, which is nice to see and nonetheless not included on all premium gaming screens.

The Acer Predator X32 X3 debuted with an MSRP of $1199.99, however was swiftly discounted to $879.99 (and, on Amazon, at present shows that as MSRP). That’s a giant drop, and it’s vital to the Acer Predator X32’s standing in opposition to its friends. At MSRP, it’s a sensible choice however doesn’t stand out. At $879.99, it’s a terrific deal.

Additional studying: See our roundup of one of the best 4K screens to find out about competing merchandise.

Acer Predator X32 X3 design

The Acer Predator X32 X3 has its strengths, however design isn’t one among them. From the entrance, the monitor seems somewhat generic, that includes slim bezels on the highest and sides, a small backside chin, and no seen Acer emblem. The rear of the monitor is equally unremarkable, with a easy matte black end interrupted by a number of textured panels. Whereas it doesn’t look unhealthy, it fails to face out.

This subdued design does have its benefits, because it permits the monitor to mix seamlessly into a house workplace or skilled setting. Nevertheless, it lacks RGB LED accent lighting.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Whereas the Acer Predator X32 X3’s design is somewhat reserved, it unusually abandons that technique with the huge, tripod-like stand. It’s practically as huge because the panel itself and, as a result of it’s not flat, the area it occupies can’t be used to put objects in your desk. That’s a bit annoying if you wish to use the monitor on a compact desk.

The stand permits the standard ergonomic changes, nevertheless, together with top, tilt, and swivel. A 100x100mm VESA mount is included to be used with third-party monitor stands and arms. 

Acer Predator X32 X3 connectivity

The Acer Predator X32 X3’s design is a miss, however its connectivity is extra promising. The monitor helps two HDMI 2.1 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4, and one USB-C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode. That’s a complete of 4 video inputs, all of which might assist the monitor’s most resolutions and refresh charges.

The USB-C port additionally helps as much as 90 watts of Energy Supply. That’s notable for a pair causes. First, not all 4K OLED screens hassle to assist USB-C upstream: the LG Ultragear 32GS95UE-B and Alienware AW3225QF are two examples. Second, the Acer Predator X32 X3’s explicit association of ports lets customers join two sport consoles (over HDMI), a desktop PC (over DisplayPort), and a laptop computer (over USB-C) concurrently.

The USB-C port connects to a few extra USB-A ports and one USB-C downstream port, which makes the monitor a helpful USB hub for including wired peripherals. The USB-C port, and one of many USB-A ports, are discovered on the lip of the decrease bezel for simple entry. The USB ports conform to the USB 3.2 Gen 1 customary.  

The monitor lacks eARC assist, nevertheless. Although unusual amongst screens as an entire, this may be discovered on 4K OLED screens just like the Alienware AW3225QF and may show helpful if you wish to use a monitor with a soundbar.

Even so, I feel the Acer Predator X32 X3’s ports are preferable to most of its opponents. Its association of HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C offers choices for each laptop and sport console, from a high-end gaming desktop to a MacBook Air to a PlayStation 5.

Acer Predator X32 X3 menu and options

The Acer Predator X32 X3’s menus are managed with a joystick centered behind the monitor’s decrease bezel. It’s responsive (as true of most such joystick controls), and Acer’s on-screen menus are logically organized. The menu textual content is a bit small, although, so it may be arduous to learn. Acer additionally offers a software program utility referred to as Acer Show Widget, which can be utilized to regulate most monitor options from inside Home windows.

Picture high quality customization is intensive. The monitor offers a number of gamma presets which goal particular gamma values. There are additionally a number of colour temperature modes, although these don’t goal particular values and as a substitute use imprecise labels (like “Warm”). The monitor has six-axis colour calibration, as nicely. The monitor’s colour area presets embrace sRGB, Rec.709, DCI-P3, and SMPTE-C.

Importantly, the Acer Predator X32 X3 has a Fixed Brightness mode. This minimizes the brightness swings that OLED panels can endure when quickly transitioning between shiny and darkish content material. I like to recommend that house owners use this characteristic when utilizing Home windows and desktop apps.

Streamers and content material creators will respect the inclusion of a tripod mount on the highest of the Acer Predator X32 X3’s stand. Unusually, Acer doesn’t appear to speak about this within the monitor’s advertising and marketing, but it surely’s a uncommon additional. Asus is the one competing model that routinely offers it. The mount can be utilized to connect a digicam, microphone, LED mild, and the rest which you can screw into the mount.

A pair of five-watt audio system spherical out the options. They’re not wonderful, however they’re okay to make use of for podcasts or listening to sit back beats at low volumes. LG’s Ultragear 32GS95UE-B, which has a novel “pixel sound” system, simply defeats the Acer on audio—however most opponents, just like the Alienware AW3225QF, lack audio system.

Acer Predator X32 X3 picture high quality

The Acer Predator X32 X3 has an LG WOLED panel that helps as much as 4K decision. It’s additionally a 10-bit panel, which implies it ought to ship nice colour efficiency in each SDR and HDR.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

We begin off with sustained SDR brightness, which is a weak spot for OLED screens. The Acer Predator X32 X3 is just not completely different, as its most of 256 nits falls proper according to different 4K OLED screens.

This stage of brightness is ok for common use in a room with mild management. In the event you can flip off the lights, or shut the blinds, you’re more likely to find yourself utilizing the monitor at roughly half its most brightness, or much less. But when your room has shiny, sunlit home windows, otherwise you work in an workplace with lights you possibly can’t management, then the Acer Predator X32 X3 may look a bit dim at instances. 

The monitor has an anti-glare coating. It is a subject of some debate amongst OLED fans. Some desire a shiny end for its perceived distinction and readability, whereas others desire matte for sensible use in rooms with combined lighting. I’m within the second camp, as an anti-glare coat makes essentially the most of OLED’s meager brightness.

Whereas the monitor isn’t particularly shiny, it delivers an successfully infinite distinction ratio that gives an amazingly immersive, alluring picture. That is made potential as a result of the OLED panel can cut back the brightness of every pixel to zero nits, which boosts realism in darkish scenes and amplifies distinction between shiny and darkish pixels. It’s an enormous profit, however one shared by all fashionable OLED screens, so the Acer Predator X32 X3 has no benefit over its opponents right here.  

Matthew Smith / Foundry

The Acer Predator X32 X3’s colour gamut highlights the distinction between LG WOLED and Samsung QD-OLED panels. The QD in QD-OLED stands for Quantum Dots, a expertise that permits screens just like the Samsung Odyssey G8 OLED to realize a wider colour gamut than LG WOLED options. That locations the Acer Predator X32 X3, which has the LG WOLED panel, behind a few of its opponents.

With that mentioned, although, the Acer Predator X32 X3 can nonetheless show as much as 96 % of the DCI-P3 colour gamut and 87 % of AdobeRGB. These are stable outcomes that ship a vibrant, saturated picture.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

The Acer Predator X32 X3’s colour accuracy is stable throughout the board. Although it’s not essentially the most correct LG WOLED monitor I’ve examined, it’s aggressive with the options.

The monitor additionally did nicely in gamma and colour temperature testing. The gamma curve got here in at 2.3, which is barely a hair off the goal of two.2. Which means the picture is a tad darker than it needs to be, but it surely’s arduous to note. Coloration temperature got here in proper on course at 6500K, which is our desire. Which means the picture doesn’t look too heat and rosy, nor too cool and sterile.

Sharpness is sweet. 4K decision on a 32-inch panel works out to about 138 pixels per inch (PPI), which is far greater than a 1440p 32-inch monitor’s pixel density of 92 PPI. Small objects and fonts usually look sharp, although some pixelation and aliasing are seen if I lean in to view the monitor extra carefully. OLED screens are likely to endure sub-pixel rendering points that may cut back sharpness in comparison with an IPS panel monitor, however this downside is far much less noticeable on a 4K 32-inch monitor just like the Acer Predator X32 X3 than on a 27-inch 1440p monitor just like the ViewSonic XG272-2K-OLED.

General, the Acer Predator X32 X3’s SDR picture high quality is great, although it doesn’t stand out from different 4K OLED screens. It has an successfully infinite distinction ratio, a good colour gamut, good colour accuracy, and affordable SDR brightness. The monitor’s efficiency in all these areas is just like different screens which have the identical LG WOLED panel, and a tad behind opponents that use a Samsung QD-OLED panel.  

Acer Predator X32 X3 HDR picture high quality

The Acer Predator X32 X3 helps HDR and is VESA DisplayHDR 400 True Black licensed. Its total HDR efficiency is usually according to aggressive OLED screens—which is sweet information, as fashionable 32-inch 4K screens are a stable alternative for HDR.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

HDR brightness isn’t distinctive, but it surely’s stable. The Acer Predator X32 X3 usually wasn’t as shiny because the Asus ROG Swift PG32UCDP and LG Ultragear 32GS95UE-B, but it surely’s not too far behind—I feel it’s debatable whether or not it is a noticeable distinction in real-world viewing. 

It’s additionally value point out that the options are stiff competitors. If the Acer Predator X32 X3 is in comparison with a cheaper 4K IPS monitor, just like the Acer Nitro XZ320QK, the Predator is clearly superior.  

Acer Predator X32 X3 movement efficiency

The Acer Predator X32 X3 is a “dual-mode” monitor, which implies it’s designed to accommodate two completely different native resolutions with various refresh charges. To be particular, it helps 4K decision at as much as 240Hz or 1080p decision at as much as 480Hz.

Whereas this might sound odd, it’s not only a gimmick. Need to get sweaty in Apex: Legends? Change to 1080p/480Hz. Need to get pleasure from Cyberpunk 2077 at most sharpness? Flip again to 4K/240Hz. Acer is just not the primary monitor to supply this characteristic, nevertheless, as options just like the LG Ultragear 32GS95UE-B and Asus ROG Swift PG32UCDP additionally present it.

The 1080p/480Hz mode arguably represents the higher finish of movement readability accessible from any fashionable show. Quick-moving objects look razor sharp and small textual content is usually readable even when it zooms throughout the display. I personally discover the improved readability straightforward to note. The 4K/240Hz mode isn’t as crisp in movement, however can be fairly clear, and offers an apparent improve over older 4K screens with a 60Hz to 144Hz refresh price.

Adaptive sync is supported, although Acer solely lists official assist for AMD’s FreeSync Premium Professional. The monitor’s adaptive sync ought to usually perform with Nvidia G-Sync and VESA Adaptive Sync appropriate video inputs, as these requirements are associated, however I wasn’t capable of take a look at this first-hand.  

Do you have to purchase the Acer Predator X32 X3?

The Acer Predator X32 X3 is a good 4K OLED monitor that separates itself from the competitors on two key factors: connectivity and worth.

Acer offers a USB-C port with USB Energy Supply alongside a number of downstream USB-A ports, which supplies the monitor a bonus over its friends on the subject of connectivity (as most lack USB-C). Acer additionally hits a barely decrease retail MSRP which, at time of this writing, undercuts opponents by $30 to $130 {dollars}. The Predator X32 X3’s stand is a bit wider than it needs to be, and the monitor lacks RGB LED lighting, however I count on many consumers shall be keen to miss these small design shortcomings.  

That makes the Acer Predator X32 X3 straightforward to suggest as long as it maintains a slight worth benefit over its friends.