The Acer Predator XB283K KV offers an enhanced product with 4K 144Hz performance for PC and console gamers. It’s an HDMI 2.1 monitor, but with added flair from the company’s Predator branding. Let’s take a closer look to see if going with Predator gaming gives you an advantage versus saving cash on a budget model like the Gigabyte M28U.
Acer Predator XB283K KV Specifications
- Screen Size: 28 Inches
- Resolution:3840 x 2160 UHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Response Time:1ms (0.5ms VRB)
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
- Brightness: 400 cd/m2
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 2 Watts)
- 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 PD65W x 1, USB 3.0 x 5, 5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions With Stand (WxHxD): 25.06″ x 16.45″ x 9.3″
- Weight: 15.1 lbs
Design and Features
The Acer Predator XB283K KV looks more like the X28, so it doesn’t have the more stylish and minimalist appearance of the later models. The monitor has a matte black finish and a gunmetal stand, so it doesn’t look too gaudy like the original Predator monitors. The display has a three-sided bezel-free design, which looks cleaner than most options.
It’s not oversized, unlike some competitors, so it should fit right into most desks with a reasonable amount of peripherals. The monitor only needs 9.3 inches of depth, so it should be manageable even with a deep keyboard. It weighs only 15.1 pounds, so you can easily bring it to LAN parties or gaming events.
Its build quality doesn’t fall short of the Predator standard, so you get your money’s worth based on it. The plastics used are thick and sturdy, with no cosmetic defects like uneven gaps or rough edges. The included stand is firm and stable, so the monitor won’t sag or shake during online battles.
The Acer Predator XB283K KV has an OSD joystick at the back and some hotkeys for comfort and convenience. You can’t see the layout, but it’s within reach from the right side of the screen. The opposite side has a USB hub with two ports for your accessories and peripherals.
The stand included in the package offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for your comfort and convenience. It is easy to get a good view with the default setup for those extended hours of gameplay. You can also use VESA mounts, but it’s not as essential unless you have a small desk or multiple monitors.
The monitor’s connectivity layout makes it a good choice for console and PC gamers. You get DisplayPort 1.4 DSC for 4K 144Hz operation with a PC, while the two HDMI 2.1 ports handle up to 4K 120Hz on the Xbox Series X or PS5. Acer also added a 65-Watt USB-C slot which you can use for work PCs like MacBooks.
The Acer Predator XB283KKV also has four USB 3.0 ports, a 3.5mm jack, and a pair of 2-watt speakers. The latter sounds tinny and unusable for games, and something from the Predator branding deserves better. However, users will likely use headsets anyway, so this isn’t a deal-breaking issue for us.
Display and Performance
The Acer Predator XB283K KV sports a 28-inch Agile Splendor IPS panel with a 3840 x 2160 resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a 0.5ms boosted response time. The backlight has a 400 cd/m2 maximum while the contrast is listed at 1000:1, like most IPS panels. This model is DisplayHDR 400-certified, but that also means that its incapable of true HDR performance.
4K looks sharp and crisp at 27 inches, so gaming enthusiasts and professionals widely prefer it. It can be a struggle for some to read and type with it since letters look quite small, but that’s easily solvable. Note that you will need a top-tier GPU if you want a game to run consistently at this resolution.
The Acer Predator XB283K KV renders 99% sRGB and 79% DCI-P3 for decent colors in games and movies. Its default accuracy has a deltaE average of 1.33, so it’s good to go right away. The monitor has an sRGB mode which improves that dE average slightly to 1.29 without dropping the brightness.
Calibrating the monitor reduced the dE average further to 0.81, putting it in line with prosumer monitors. However, you need a colorimeter to achieve that, and those aren’t cheap or practical if you are only gaming. We can only recommend the added purchase if you plan to use your monitor for color-critical work.
The Acer Predator XB283K KV’s backlight reached 389 cd/m2 in SDR but peaked at 431 cd/m2 when its HDR mode was active. However, Its contrast remained unremarkable at 1079:1 at 50% brightness. The monitor is incapable of deep blacks and true HDR performance, but that’s an expected limitation.
Panel uniformity for the test sample had some backlight leaks at the top edge of the screen. They aren’t as disturbing in full-color images or white backgrounds but can become noticeable in dark or pitch-black scenes. Note that this can vary between every monitor made due to manufacturing tolerances, so there are better units out there.
Its pixel response time is excellent, so there is no need to boost the screen’s overdrive. The Normal level is your best bet since it offers the best balance. Setting the overdrive too high will induce overshoot which is more visible and worse than the screen’s minor persistence.
The Acer Predator XB283K KV is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync, so you don’t have to worry about tearing and stuttering. This duality is a must-have so you don’t have to stick to one GPU brand when it’s time for an upgrade. Input lag sits at 4ms at 144Hz, so the monitor is fast and responsive enough for competitive play.
Thoughts on the Acer Predator XB283KKV
The Acer Predator XB283K KV is a great buy at its current price since it’s flexible and capable. It is not the best when it comes to vibrancy, but its accuracy is great, even if you use the default imaging setup. It’s robust and well-equipped with features like HDMI 2.1 and USB-C, so you can get more out of every dollar spent.
However, its HDR performance leaves much to be desired, just like most HDR 400 monitors in the market. However, that’s not a deal-breaker unless the monitor costs more, so buyers can treat the HDR mode as an extra feature to play around with. Overall, it’s a nice buy if you want to upgrade to 4K 144Hz without spending a small fortune.
Pros:
- Robust Predator Build and Design
- Excellent Color Accuracy (Default and Calibrated
- USB-C and HDMI 2.1 Connectivity
- Fast and Responsive
Cons:
- Limited Contrast
- Poor HDR Performance
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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