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Conclusion
We started off by saying that curved ultra-wide monitors are clearly here to stay and not just a passing folly. The XR382CQK only helps to solidify that statement. It is not a gimmick by any means, but a serious display with top-shelf performance and solid gaming chops. For those looking to move away from flat 16:9 panels, it represents a fairly expensive upgrade, but there is plenty of value here.
Judging from reader comments, resolution and panel technology are at the top of the purchase parameter list, with speed and adaptive refresh running a close second. This monitor offers 75Hz, which may not seem like a huge leap from 60Hz, but in gameplay situations, that extra 15 FPS makes a significant difference in smoothness and response. Retaining resolution during the fastest movement is paramount to keeping the gamer in the moment, and even though the XR deactivates its overdrive during FreeSync operation, we didn’t notice anything missing as long as the framerate remained above 60 FPS. And the IPS panel means viewing angles are among the best that LCD technology can offer.
Color and contrast are equal to the better gaming monitors we’ve tested, so there is no real separator when it comes to accuracy and image depth. The XR328CQK offers the same picture quality as any other premium gaming display. Once you factor in the curve and the sheer size of that expansive screen, however, the choice becomes clearer.
The one thing every gamer will enjoy about the XR382CQK is its immersive effect. We’ve already extolled the virtues of curved ultra-wide monitors, but the 38”-class screens take it to a whole new level. At 20-30” away, the viewer’s peripheral vision is completely filled with the image, and its height ensures you won’t be easily taken out of the moment. Once you’ve experienced first-person gaming on a monitor like this, price concerns quickly fall away—at least for those with the wallets to even consider an option like this.
Early curved screens caused a bit of sticker shock for consumers, and prices haven’t really come down much in the past two years. But considering that new models are appearing just as regularly as their flat counterparts, buyers must be embracing them. Remember that a monitor is something that can last through multiple hardware upgrades. Five years is not a difficult goal to reach. And the XR382CQK’s high resolution adds a point in that column.
For its superb gaming performance, smooth motion processing, and immersive screen size, we’re giving the Acer XR382CQK our Editor Recommended Award.
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