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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Acer Predator X32
Editor's Choice
(Image: © Tom's Hardware)

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There are many factors to consider when shopping for a premium gaming monitor. The most important element is the system being used to drive it. If you want the ultimate in picture quality, you’ll need a lot of power in the tower. And if you can drive an 4K image at 160fps, there is some truly stunning imagery available.

4K computer monitors represent the top of the high end and among them, the competition becomes one of color gamut volume and contrast. To be called reference, a display must excel in those areas and be accurate as well. Acer’s Predator X32 earns that title.

(Image credit: Acer)

With 576 dimming zones and nearly 1,200 nits measured peak output, the X32 delivers a level of HDR that other monitors makers only aspire to. There's also a massive color gamut that covers over 80% of Rec.2020, which means beautifully saturated hues. It’s colorful to say the least. My only wish is for a more accurate out-of-box mode. Though you can select one of the fixed gamut modes to achieve high fidelity, the best picture comes after a few adjustments.

Gaming performance is also class-leading. I noted slight ghosting from the overdrive, which is fixed in Adaptive-Sync mode but in no way detracted from the play experience. With the lowest input lag of any 4K monitor I’ve tested, the X32 becomes an extension of the mouse and keyboard. Pro gamers with high-end systems will want to add this monitor to their arsenal. Add in its super solid build quality and you have a serious display. And even though it’s not a small purchase at $1,200, it delivers more for the money than its predecessor, the X27, did almost five years ago.

If you have the budget and the high-end system components to drive a speedy 4K panel, the Acer Predator X32 has no equal at this point in time. Gamers looking for a reference display should definitely check it out.

MORE: Best Gaming Monitors

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MORE: How to Buy a PC Monitor

MORE: How to Choose the Best HDR Monitor

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.

10 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Sluggotg
    Very nice! I wish they would make a 43" model. It is pricey but not insane. We are seeing significantly better monitors at decent prices. This is a luxury item, but really good gaming monitors are very reasonable now days.
    Reply
  • Kridian
    Sluggotg said:
    It is pricey but not insane.
    Oh! It's INSANE alright! $1,274.03 is absurd.
    Reply
  • spoidz
    Do you have the exact Model number you reviewed? I am not finding the exact specs as listed on Amazon or even the Acer Site. They both do not list the native GSync in the specs:

    https://www.acer.com/us-en/predator/monitors/x32-fp - FP Model only

    The Review Amazon link is also FP model
    Reply
  • Degrader
    The color settings are available in HDR mode with the latest firmware, v010. While the overall color accuracy is good in HDR there's a strange color temperature shift happening. This shift occurs when dark images are being displayed. Bright images do have temperature of around the 7000K on the unit I had, but the temperature increases significantly in dark content, up to 9000K, which makes it way too cool. Also the Adaptive Dimming setting "Fast" introduces heavy flickering in several content. These issues are not seen by the reviewer apparently.
    Reply
  • sblantipodi
    Can we trust a review when the reviewer does not even know that X32 does not exist and that the monitor he reviewed does not have the GSYNC module even if he thinks so? :)

    In any case I have the X32FP (the one reviewed here) and I confirm that this monitor is a new reference in terms of speed and colour accuracy. HDR is amazing on it so I recommend it hands down.
    Reply
  • spoidz
    sblantipodi said:
    Can we trust a review when the reviewer does not even know that X32 does not exist and that the monitor he reviewed does not have the GSYNC module even if he thinks so? :)

    In any case I have the X32FP (the one reviewed here) and I confirm that this monitor is a new reference in terms of speed and colour accuracy. HDR is amazing on it so I recommend it hands down.

    Is it listed anywhere as at least G-Sync Compatible in your Monitor documents? I will likely upgrade to RTX4090 this year unless I can only get this level of monitor to run best with 7900XTX.
    Reply
  • sblantipodi
    spoidz said:
    Is it listed anywhere as at least G-Sync Compatible in your Monitor documents? I will likely upgrade to RTX4090 this year unless I can only get this level of monitor to run best with 7900XTX.

    No it's not written in the documentation because the documentation talks about Freesync Premium PRO.

    I have a 4090 and GSYNC works like a charm
    Reply
  • drivinfast247
    Make it at least 38in. and I'll take one.
    Reply
  • Jake Hall
    Yeah, I'm really confused here. Not seeing a G-Sync model, only the Freesync FP model.
    Reply
  • riddick51pb
    sblantipodi said:
    No it's not written in the documentation because the documentation talks about Freesync Premium PRO.

    I have a 4090 and GSYNC works like a charm

    Jake Hall said:
    Yeah, I'm really confused here. Not seeing a G-Sync model, only the Freesync FP model.
    @Jake Hall i'm going out on a limb here and stating that TH Member @sblantipodi found the Predator X32 FP "works like a charm" with the nvidia 4090. now, if someone tells me that i am in error, well that is entirely possible.
    Reply