Acer Goes All-Out With Predator XB321HK, A 32-Inch 4K IPS G-Sync Monitor

News
By Niels Broekhuijsen
published

As far as gaming monitors go, it doesn't get a lot more lavish than this. Of course, you can get lower-resolution units with higher refresh rates for less money, but this is 4K. Meet Acer's 32-inch behemoth.

Over the last few months, Acer has been dripping XB1 Predator series gaming monitors onto the market, but today it is finalizing the roundup with the XB321HK. While the already-released models certainly have their own impressive spec sheets, this latest model tops them all. The XB321HK is a G-Sync enabled 32-inch IPS monitor with a 4K resolution and a 60 Hz refresh rate.

Looking at the monitor, you can easily recognize it as an Acer XB1 Predator series unit. It has a mostly black design with red accents and a stand that is similarly styled to the other Predators. And if those elements don’t give it away, the “Predator” lettering on the lower bezel certainly will.

Although IPS monitors have slowly been able to pull off refresh rates above 60 Hz, this particular one doesn’t, and that isn’t because of the panel itself – as a 4K monitor, it already maxes out the bandwidth provided by the single DisplayPort 1.2 connection it uses. This is definitely the lowest refresh rate you’ll see on the spec sheet of a G-Sync enabled monitor, but that shouldn’t worry you. G-Sync is most beneficial when operating at framerates below this refresh rate, so you’ll still get a smoother picture than non G-Sync monitors of 60 Hz, regardless.

Additionally, the monitor has 100 percent sRGB color coverage, a brightness of 350 cd/m­­­­2 and a 4 ms response time, and it can display up to 1.07 billion colors. The stand that the display rests on is capable of 120 mm height adjustment and -5° to 25° tilt. It does not swivel, so you won’t be able to use this monitor to game in portrait mode. Connectivity is handled by DisplayPort and HDMI (although the maximum refresh rate will be a measly 24 Hz), and it has a built-in USB 3.0 hub.

As with any piece of equipment with a lavish spec sheet, Acer’s Predator XB321HK comes with an equally lavish price tag. The MSRP sits at $1,299, and it should be available on shelves any moment now. Remember though, this is the MSRP price tag. Depending on the re- or e-tailer, the shelf price may sit a tad lower than that. Just don't forget about that extra GTX 980 Ti you may want to get, too.

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Niels Broekhuijsen
Niels Broekhuijsen

Niels Broekhuijsen is a Contributing Writer for Tom's Hardware US. He reviews cases, water cooling and pc builds.

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20 Comments Comment from the forums
  • sillynilly
    Yikes! That is a beast, but at only 60hz not very future proof at that price point. GPUs will catch up in the Reso/Hz race so this doesn't seem to be such a smart purchase at over $1000. Although it does have my 2 fav things - IPS/Gsync. Almost there Acer (for me). If it were up to 120Hz (heck even 90Hz) - it would be on my desk for years to come.
    Reply
  • toddybody
    Had their TN 4K G-Sync...very nice display, but the viewing angles were atrocious.

    I went with a 144hz G-Sync Monitor and have been blown away by what ~85hz+ provides. Can't wait for a 100hz 4K monitor with G-Sync. IF if was an OLED panel in addition, I'd be in display nirvana.

    ...gotta wait
    Reply
  • Achoo22
    Do all monitors that support NVidia's GSync support NVidia's 3d Vision? Does this one? Has NVidia made public statements regarding the status or future of 3D Vision or explained why their game list hasn't been updated in years?
    Reply
  • Uri___Pisarev
    I was really hoping to post before someone would complain about 60hz.................. ahhhhh God Bless America
    Reply
  • Alex Atkin UK
    Surely the HDMI at 24Hz is incorrect?

    I recently bought a low-end Acer 4K monitor and it has HDMI 2.0 and thus 60Hz support. It would be pretty odd for a higher-end monitor to not have it.
    Reply
  • gussy2000
    $1,299? BAHAHAHAHA! Okay just as soon as I get PAID to play video games, I'll be picking on of these up.
    Reply
  • epobirs
    Surely the HDMI at 24Hz is incorrect?

    I recently bought a low-end Acer 4K monitor and it has HDMI 2.0 and thus 60Hz support. It would be pretty odd for a higher-end monitor to not have it.

    Does the model you have include G-Sync? I think that may be the issue as support for G-Sync over HDMI is being readied but is still a ways off. My impression is this monitor is really intended for use with DisplayPort and the HDMI support is merely considered an extra feature.
    Reply
  • sillynilly
    I was really hoping to post before someone would complain about 60hz.................. ahhhhh God Bless America

    It isn't a complaint - it's just a plain statement that higher rates, as long as your FPS matches it, are just better. Have you played a game at 110FPS with 110Hz? If not - try it then make another snarky comment. My point is, and what you clearly missed, this monitor at this price point is not future proof due to the low Hz. Raise that rate and the monitor is solid. At that low rate it will be surpassed by the end of this year. Deal with it - we are in the resfresh rate/FPS arms race and 60Hz is clearly losing.
    Reply
  • Andrewst1021
    Oled, 5k, 144Hz, Gsymc/freesync, 32in 21:9 apect ratio... Oh and the volta GPU to run it.
    Reply
  • samopa
    Do not want to be rude, but after some disappointment with this brand I'm avoiding it for the last few years. I prefer Samsung or Dell instead, but I'm willing to change my mind if they get more reliable.

    @Alex Atkin UK : What's your opinion with your purchase ? I'm looking to upgrade my Samsung UE590, is this a good candidate, or there are better options out there ?

    Reply