The Acer Nitro XV275K P3 is a reasonably-priced 4K 160Hz gaming monitor with HDR 1000 capabilities. There are plenty of 4K 144Hz models in the same price range, but not all of them have high-end specs that this variant provides. Let’s look closer to whether it’s a worthy investment for your gaming rig this holiday season.
Acer Nitro XV275K P3 Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution:3840 x 2160 UHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 160Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
- Brightness: 600 cd/m2 (1600 cd/m2 Peak)
- Built-in Speakers: None
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot– Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 DSC x 1, HDMI 2.1 x 2, USB-C PD90W x 1, USB 3.0 x 3, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions With Stand (WxHxD): 24.14″ x 17.21″ x 10.51″
- Weight: 14.82 lb
Design and Features
The Acer Nitro XV275K P3 looks very different than its predecessors, including its Predator siblings. The monitor has a matte black finish with some RGB lights, but it still looks discrete and laid back despite its gaming heritage. The screen has a bezel-free design, but it still has a thicker bottom strip and inner borders like most modern designs.
The cabinet’s design hasn’t changed much, but the base has changed with a noticeably slimmer arm and thinner legs for its base. It does need over 10 inches of depth, but it will at least fit on narrow desks since it isn’t too wide. The whole thing weighs less than 15 pounds, so we think it is still portable for a 27-inch model.
Its build quality is excellent even if it belongs to the brand’s Nitro series, comprising its budget to mid-range models. The plastics are sturdy, so they won’t flex easily, and there were no cosmetic defects on any of its parts. The stand is also firm and stable, plus it’s dead-silent even if it has a built-in fan like most HDR 1000 models.
One immediate letdown on the Acer Nitro XV275K P3 is its use of OSD buttons, which do not belong on a monitor like this. The cutout keys are stiff, so adjusting settings in larger increments, such as the brightness level, can be a pain sometimes. The only upside here is the layout’s location under the bottom bezel since it is easily within reach.
The stand included in the package offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for your comfort and convenience. Most budget to midrange options only offer height and tilt, so we’re glad to have more flexibility with the stock setup. You can also use VESA mounts, but that only becomes necessary in some select instances.
What’s most interesting about the Acer Nitro XV275K P3’s physical features is its I/O layout. It includes DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.1 slots, and a 90-watt USB-C port for modern laptops. You also get a three-slot USB 3.0 hub and 3.5mm for headphones, but there are no speakers on the device.
Display and Performance
The Acer Nitro XV275K P3 sports a 27-inch IPS panel with a 3840 x 2160 resolution, a 160Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms boosted response time. The backlight has a 600 cd/m2 output and a 1600 cd/m2 peak, while the contrast is listed at 1000:1. This model is HDR 1000 certified, and it comes with a 576-zone FALD backlight, so it is more capable than your typical budget to midrange HDR monitor.
27-inch monitors are sharper and crisper than most that are regularly available on retailer shelves. That makes them fantastic for gaming and imaging, but some may struggle when they are used for productivity, like with document processing. It’s also a known fact that you will need a more powerful GPU to game on it with consistently high framerates.
The Acer Nitro XV275K P3 produced 100% sRGB and 96% DCI-P3 coverages, so it is capable of very vibrant imagery. Its default accuracy is excellent, with a deltaE average of only 1.09, making it comparable with the top choices in the market. Most users won’t need to do much to ready it for gaming, so it’s a great upgrade for anyone.
Calibrating it reduced that dE average to a stunning 0.6, making it comparable with prosumer monitors that are more expensive. The downside is that you will need a colorimeter to achieve the same results. Copying settings or ICC profiles will not guarantee identical scores since every panel has minor differences in their outputs.
The Acer Nitro XV275K P3’s backlight reached 568 cd/m2 in SDR, but it peaked at 1655 cd/m2 when the FALD backlight was working its magic. That’s too much for daily use, but it and a refined local dimming light are necessary for great HDR performance. This monitor has enough zones for its HDR mode to be meaningful, and only OLEDs or those with more mini-LEDs are better in this regard.
Panel uniformity for the test sample was good since there were no backlight leaks on its edges. There was some clouding from the FALD backlight in select instances, but it’s nothing like what you would see on an edge-lit option. Note that it is still possible to get a unit with some issues since IPS glow is still an issue for the panel type.
Its SDR contrast reached 1133:1 at 25% brightness, but it peaked at 3044:1 when its HDR mode was active. It is not infinite like it is on OLED monitors, but it’s comparable with what most VA monitors can offer. That means that the Acer Nitro XV275K P3 will be able to provide deep and realistic blacks compared to some IPS variants, which can look washed out.
Blurring isn’t an issue with this model as well since it has a newer and faster IPS panel. There are some instances where it can still happen, especially when it’s running its HDR mode, but it is not a big deal at all. Turning it off for competitive games might be necessary for serious and sensitive gamers, but it won’t be necessary for the general populace.
The Acer Nitro XV275K P3 is compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync, so you can always use VRR for both PC and consoles. This dual compatibility is a must-have now so you don’t get stuck with one GPU brand. Its input lag sits at a little under 4ms at 160Hz, so it’s a great choice for E-Sports gaming as well.
Thoughts on the Acer Nitro XV275K P3
The Acer Nitro XV275K P3 is a fantastic gaming monitor based on its performance and very attractive price. You get a very capable 4K 160Hz HDR monitor under $800, so it will beat out most of its competitors in the same category. Its color accuracy and HDR qualities make it a top pick, in our opinion.
There is very little to complain about with it, but its use of cut-out buttons is an annoyance that doesn’t belong on it. It’s a fantastic option for both PC and console gaming, and only OLEDs or those that cost considerably more are better when it comes to imaging and HDR performance.
Pros:
- Fantastic Price for HDR 1000 Monitor
- HDMI 2.1 and USB-C Connectivity
- Great HDR Performance
- FreeSyn and G-Sync Compatible
Cons:
- OSD Buttons
About the Author: 
Paolo has been a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations; he believes that 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.
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