Acer Nitro XV273 X Review

Pros:

Excellent Default Color Quality
Very Low Input Lag and Pixel Response Time
FreeSync/G-Sync Compatible
240Hz
Editor’s Choice!

Cons:

Expensive
Only 1080p

The Acer Nitro XV273 X offers a high-refresh IPS panel with gaming-grade specs such as FreeSync and G-Sync compatibility for the best possible experience. But what truly makes it special is its 240Hz refresh rate which used to be exclusive to TN screens in the last two years or so. The Acer Nitro XV273 X commands a premium over the latter due to the advantages of IPS technology, so let’s see if it’s worth shelling out the extra for it.

Screen Size: 27 Inches
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Full HD
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
Refresh Rate: 240Hz
Response Time: 1ms
Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
Brightness: 350 cd/m²(400 cd/m² Peak)
Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 2 Watts)
Stand: Height – Yes
Stand: Tilt – Yes
Stand: Swivel – Yes
Stand: Pivot – Yes
VESA Compatibility: Yes
Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, , USB 3.0 x 4, 3.5mm Jack x 1
Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 24.17” x 20.87” x 9.29”
Weight: 13.76lbs

Design and Features

The Acer Nitro XV273 X adopts the aesthetic of the XV273K which has a more contemporary appeal compared to the likes of the Acer XB272. The monitor is finished in matte black with silver accents on the feet of the base which in our opinion, minimized the garish appearance of Acer’s gaming displays. The display is bezel-free on three sides, so you can enjoy an excellent view of the velvety smooth screen.

You will still see panel borders when the monitor is turned on, but they are only a few millimeters thick and barely noticeable during gaming. This look makes the Acer Nitro XV273 X ideal for multi-monitor setups where the bars in between each unit matter more than most would realize. The device’s physical features are also a tremendous help in this regard, making it easier to set up preferred view angles.

Build quality for the Acer Nitro XV273 X is spectacular as expected, and we have no complaints about it whatsoever. The plastic housing feels thick and sturdy, while the generous application of metal reinforcements provide stability and durability for the model. There are no cosmetic defects on any of the parts, thanks to the excellent packaging of the product.

The Acer Nitro XV273 X is supported by a well-made stand that offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments. This allows users to set the screen according to their needs, especially in multi-display setups. You can also remove this part via a quick-detach mechanism if a VESA mount is favorable for your build.

The Y-shaped metallic base doesn’t completely contact the surface of your desk, but it has great footing once placed on a flat surface. It’s also worth mentioning again that this new design looks substantially better than the old Predator scheme which was too gaudy according to public opinion.

Connectivity for the Acer Nitro XV273 X is plentiful since the monitor doesn’t have a full G-Sync FPGA installed, unlike the Acer XB272. The layout includes DisplayPort 1.2, dual HDMI 2.0 connectors, and a total of four USB 3.0 ports for your peripherals. Two of the latter are placed in a hub on the left-hand side, making it easier to plug in your USB accessories such as thumb drives and any gaming peripherals.

On the other hand, the Acer Nitro XV273 X’s OSD control is easy to use even for beginners thanks to the inclusion of a joystick. You will also find three hotkeys with the former which you can program to swiftly access settings such as presets or even brightness control. The monitor has quite a number of submenus and settings, so having an intuitive and easy to use implementation is a big plus.

Display and Performance

The Acer Nitro XV273 X sports a 27-inch IPS panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, 240Hz refresh rate, and 1ms response time. The backlight has a typical rating of 350 cd/m2 and a maximum of 400 cd/m2, while contrast is still at 1000:1. This model is the first to offer a 240Hz IPS panel which supposedly surpasses its TN competitors when it comes to colors and viewing angles.

Full HD at 27 inches isn’t preferred by many due to the feedback that it looks fuzzy or pixelated compared to 24-inch variants. Experience dictates that this isn’t the case for many of the monitors unless you look too close or if a bit of image softening due to the looser pixel density bothers you. Reading walls of text or browsing won’t be a struggle, although some smaller fonts will look less sharp compared to a 1440p variant.

The Acer Nitro XV273 X includes excellent calibration from the factory and the qualities of its very special IPS panel. The screen covers around 110% of the sRGB gamut with a DeltaE average of only 2.0, which means most wouldn’t need to calibrate the monitor to get lifelike results. You can reduce the color variance to a DE of only 0.5, but you will need a colorimeter since no amount of manual tweaking provided substantial improvements to the accuracy of the screen.

The Acer Nitro XV273 X is also able to reach as much as 1150:1 for contrast, putting it ahead of a lot of the IPS variants we saw in the past. However, blacks or even dark scenes can still look grayish in low-light rooms, unlike VA-type monitors which are always better in this regard. Gamma was also perfectly still at 2.2, so you won’t need to be concerned if the images on the screen are too bright or dim.

Panel uniformity for the Acer Nitro XV273 X was reasonably good except for a few minor leaks at the bottom corners which adds a slight haze in darker scenes. Its mostly unnoticeable unless you use an all-black image, so games like Modern Warfare wouldn’t be affected drastically. However, take note that this characteristic of IPS monitors varies widely between every unit due to manufacturing tolerances.

The Acer Nitro XV273 X has one of the best pixel response times in the market, so many users will not feel the need to use overdrive at 240Hz. Blurs that persist are very minor, and they are easily removed when the Normal level of the OD is used. However, the Extreme setting will be unusable for many due to the overshoot it induces, but it isn’t necessary anyway.

The Acer Nitro XV273 X is a FreeSync gaming monitor, but its also certified to be G-Sync compatible since day one. Buying a monitor like this is beneficial in the long run since you don’t have to stick with one GPU brand when shopping for upgrades. Input lag sits at a little over 2ms at 240Hz, making this model one of the fastest in the market.

Thoughts on the Acer Nitro XV273 X

The Acer Nitro XV273 X is a must-buy if you are looking for a strong combination of fantastic color quality and extreme responsiveness. The monitor’s IPS panel doesn’t require calibration right out of the box, while the 240Hz refresh rate and the very agile pixel response time of the new IPS module make it one of the current best in the market. The ability to switch between AMD and Nvidia GPUs to enjoy the benefits of VRR is a huge bonus, especially for displays meant for competitive gaming.

However, the Acer Nitro XV273 X does have a few cons, namely, it’s high price and the lower pixel density. The former can dissuade many users who don’t want to spend half a grand, while the 1080p resolution (which also makes the price too high in our opinion) can turn off the purists. However, the product’s jaw-dropping performance where it matters most will easily help many buyers overlook these limitations, especially if buying the best is a priority.

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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.