Acer Predator X32 32-inch 4K Mini LED Gaming Monitor Review: A New Reference

160 Hz, Adaptive-Sync, HDR, Rec.2020 color and a 576-zone Mini LED backlight

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The X32 is one of the fastest 4K monitors available, both on paper and in practice. To compare it, I’ve included other speedy screens like Samsung’s 240 Hz G8, Cooler Master’s GP27U, Asus PG42UQ OLED, Gigabyte’s M32UC and Philips’ 279M1RV.

Pixel Response and Input Lag

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Acer Predator X32
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Obviously, more Hertz means higher frame rates (provided you have one of the best graphics cards that can handle pushing that many pixels) and smoother motion. The Samsung G8 takes that prize with its 240 Hz rate and 4ms screen draw time. But the X32 follows closely at 6ms. Though 2ms doesn’t seem like much, it is a visible difference.

The landscape changes in the lag test. The X32 has lower input lag than nearly every monitor I’ve ever tested. Only 360 Hz screens are faster. Among 4K panels, it is the fastest. This is also a difference that can be seen. Playing at high frame rates is a revelation of lightning-fast motion that retains resolution during intense action and battle sequences. You will need a lot of processing power to push 4K frame rates above 120 fps, though. I used a GeForce RTX 3090 and had to reduce game detail to hit 160fps. It was worth it though. The X32 is one of the few 4K monitors I would call competition worthy.

Viewing Angles

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

A 32-inch monitor should have good off-axis image quality because even a single user will have a greater angle to the sides of the screen than with a 27-inch or smaller panel. The X32 is a bit warm in the 45-degree view but light output only falls off slightly and gamma is preserved. You won’t have any trouble making out fine shadow detail at the edges. The top view turns blue with a 40% light reduction and some loss of detail. I recommend sitting at least three feet back for optimal viewing.

Screen Uniformity

To learn how we measure screen uniformity, click here.

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

My X32 sample aced the uniformity test with a result that should be the norm for any high-end monitor. With just a 6.17% average deviation from the center zone, you won’t see any anomalies in a black field pattern, or any other brightness or color pattern. The X32 continues to earn the title of reference.

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Christian Eberle
Christian Eberle
Contributing Editor

Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.