The upcoming Acer XB323U offers a QHD display in a more immersive, 32-inch size with a decent boost in speed of up to 170Hz. This form factor was previously and commonly offered by LG with the likes of the LG 32GK650F which had a decent price and great gaming performance. However, what sets the Acer XB323U apart is it uses an IPS panel type instead which prioritizes color reproduction and improved viewing angles.
One of the immediately striking characteristics of the Acer XB323U is its design which looks close to the Acer X27 which we prefer over its counterparts when it comes to looks. The sculpture-like stand oozes with a premium appeal, while the Predator markings immediately tell you that this is a premium gaming model. The display area isn’t bezel-free, but we think it’s a design consideration that is related to the backlight.
The Acer XB323U is capable of DisplayHDR 600 performance as mentioned, thanks to its panel and backlight’s interesting specifications. The combination is rated to produce 99% Adobe RGB, 95% DCI-0P3 with the help of 10-bit color support. The flicker-free WLED backlight’s typical brightness peaks at 400 cd/m2, but it can pulse above 600 cd/m2 with local dimming as needed by HDR content.
IPS technology has a disadvantage against the more commonly used VA types with identical monitors, but the specialized backlight should help boost it beyond the normal range. The Acer XB323U should be able to produce considerably better visuals than its predecessors and competitors, including the underwhelming HDR 400 variants.
Its also worth mentioning that the Acer XB323U has a 1ms response time claim, but that is entirely inaccurate and should be taken lightly. Like all monitors that have this particular rating, the model will most probably come with backlight strobing or an extremely powerful pixel overdrive to boost it. Thankfully, IPS has the advantage in motion handling compared to VA models, so you can expect less blurring or ghosting with it.
The Acer XB323U is a FreeSync gaming monitor, unlike the previous Predator offerings which were exclusive to Nvidia G-Sync. But Nvidia users shouldn’t worry since even if this new model doesn’t have the G-Sync HDR module, it will still work flawlessly with the green team’s GPUs via G-Sync Compatible Mode. This variant will arrive fully certified, so we are expecting zero issues with the latest Nvidia GPU driver.
Another benefit of going with FreeSync/G-Sync compatibility instead of G-Sync exclusivity is you don’t get a restricted connectivity layout. The Acer XB323U will include DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, four USB 3.0 ports along with a 3.5mm jack. You can also swap the included stand out in favor of a VESA mount, but it already offers full adjustability by default.
There is no official release date or regional pricing for the Acer XB323U, but it was originally spotted at this listing from Tabao which is a Chinese retail website. The monitor’s price as listed is at 5799.00 Yuan which translates to around $820 USD. Keep checking this page for the latest news if you are interested in the XB323U.
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.
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