The Acer Predator X32 FP aims to satisfy meticulous gamers with its HDR 1000 display and flexible connectivity. It comes equipped with HDMI 2.1, so it’s also intended for 4K 120Hz-capable consoles like the PS5. Let’s check it out and consider if it’s a worthy investment since it’s not exactly cheap at nearly a grand and a half.
Acer Predator X32 FP Specifications
- Screen Size: 32 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: 400 cd/m2 (1200 cd/m2 Peak)
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 7 Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot– No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 DSC x 1, HDMI 2.1 x 4, USB-C PD90W x 1, USB 3.0 x 5, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions With Stand (WxHxD): 28.62″ x 20″ x 10.35″
- Weight: 22.71 lbs
Design and Features
The Acer Predator X32 FP sports a very distinctive Predator aesthetic which looks a bit more elegant than its predecessors. The monitor has a matte black chassis with a gunmetal stand, and it isn’t ridden with RGB lights like its competitors. The display is almost bezel-free but still has inner borders like most modern monitors.
It’s larger than your usual desktop display, so some preparation to accommodate it if you have other large peripherals. It’s 28 inches wide and a little over 10 inches deep, so it can offset large speakers or even full keyboards if your desk is shallow or narrow. It weighs 22.71 pounds, so taking extra care in moving it around would be wise.
It’s a Predator model, so it’s built like a premium offering that was intended for those who want the best. Its plastic panels are well-reinforced and robust so that they won’t flex or crack just like that. The included stand is firm and stable so that it can keep the large screen upright without any wobbling.
The Acer Predator X32 FP has an OSD joystick at the back for easy access to its settings and peripherals. It’s located at the back, but it’s easy to reach from the right-hand side. Other premium models include special add-ons like remotes, but those are unnecessary, and they usually raise the price even more.
The included stand offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments for comfort and convenience. It’s easy to get a comfortable viewing angle, but you can’t use it as a portrait display. It is not intended for that, but you can use a VESA mount if needed.
The Acer Predator X32 FP shines regarding connectivity since it becomes more flexible and the price a bit more bearable. You get DisplayPort 1.4 DSC for the 160Hz output, plus 4 HDMI 2.1 ports for 4K 120Hz with devices like the PS5 or Xbox Series X. It also has a 90-watt USB-C slot for laptops like the MacBook Pro.
You will also find 4 USB 3.0 ports, a 3.5mm jack, and a pair of speakers with 7 watts of power. They can get louder with a semblance of bass, performing better than most built-ins for entertainment. However, headsets will still work better since they are more immersive.
Display and Performance
The Acer Predator X32 FP boasts a 32-inch IPS panel with a 3840 x 2160 4K resolution, a 160Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms boosted response time. The backlight has a 400 cd/m2 output and a 1200 cd/m2 peak, while the contrast is listed at 1000:1. This model has an HDR 1000 certification thanks to its 576-zone local dimming backlight.
4K is much better at this size since it’s not too sharp due to the looser pixel density. However, games still look highly detailed and clean, so you don’t really lose any visual quality while gaining better legibility and visibility. 160Hz will be a challenge to reach with a typical GPU, so you will need top-end cards.
The Acer Predator X32 FP covered more than 100% sRGB and 98% of the DCI-P3 color space. However, it isn’t accurate out of the box since the deltaE average is relatively high at 3.61. this is common with wide-gamut displays, although some have better scores due to factory calibration.
Using a colorimeter on it improved its dE average to 0.51, which is one of the best we’ve seen from a premium gaming monitor. This makes it suitable for color-critical work, so you can get more out of the money you have to spend on it. However, getting the same result requires a colorimeter which will require more spending if you don’t have one yet.
The Acer Predator X32 FP reached 448 cd/m2, but the monitor peaked at 1167 cd/m2 when its HDR mode was active. Its SDR contrast reached 1193:1 at 50% brightness, but it rose exponentially when its local dimming kicked in. It’s considerably better for HDR gaming than the other HDR monitors that release in droves without local dimming.
Panel uniformity for the test sample was great since no backlight leaks were immediately noticeable. However, some clouding or halos can happen in some HDR instances. A monitor with more local dimming zones or an OLED panel will be better in this regard, but they are either harder to find or more expensive.
Its pixel response time is superb since there was barely any blurring or ghosting on it. You don’t need to max out its overdrive to clean up the screen, plus doing so will introduce noticeable overshoot. It’s suitable for fast-paced games, although OLEDs are noticeably better in this regard as well.
The Acer Predator X32 FP is compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync for tear-free gaming. It’s ideal to have functionality with both so you won’t get stuck with one GPU brand. Input lag sits at 4ms at 160Hz, so it’s snappy and responsive enough for competitive play.
Thoughts on the Acer Predator X32 FP
The Acer Predator X32 FP is a fantastic choice if you want a large 4K screen with great HDR performance. Its panel offers rich colors while its local dimming takes care of the contrast expansion and lighting details. It is designed well, and it comes with desirable connectivity options, which make it very flexible.
The glaring deal-breaker with this monitor is its high price, especially now when it’s easier to get an OLED display. You can get a 42-inch OLED TV for less money now, or go with a 240Hz QD-OLED for better HDR and speed. However, the Acer Predator X32 FP is still an excellent buy if you don’t want to deal with an OLED alternative’s higher maintenance needs.
Pros:
- Rich Colors
- Great HDR Performance
- USB-C and HDMI 2.1 Connecivity
- Premium Quality
Cons:
- Expensive
- Poor Default Color Accuracy
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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