Acer Predator XB273K 144Hz 4K IPS Monitor Review – it has a fan!

1. Introduction2. Acer Predator XB273K – Design and Features3. Acer Predator XB273K On Screen Display Menu4. Acer Predator XB273K 4K, Gaming and HDR5. Acer Predator XB273K Image Quality Analysis6. Acer Predator XB273K Closing Thoughts7. View All Pages

The Acer Predator XB273K is a super high quality monitor that delivers superb image quality and solid gaming performance. Its more expensive sibling the Acer Predator X27 is an incredible panel, but at £1,800 it is out of reach for all but the most wealthy of gamers. This is why the XB273K has been released to market.

The XB273K drops the asking price by £600 and with a combination of 4K resolution, 144Hz maximum refresh rate, IPS LCD technology and high colour gamut makes for some of the most absorbing, colourful and smooth images you can get. If you’re after a top-quality 4K monitor that can also hold its own when gaming, it’s up to the task.

However, for all its capabilities, as an overall package it doesn’t completely convince. Its HDR claims are let down by its inability to deliver a particularly high contrast. You get the richer colours of HDR but for that real HDR impact, you really do need the higher contrast.

Meanwhile, it is always worth bearing in mind that to game at 4k with a frame rate over 60 is still incredibly difficult, even for the latest raft of Nvidia graphics cards such as the RTX 2080 ti. Unless you are willing to drop image quality in game, running at 4k at a solid 144 frames per second (to match the refresh) will be out of reach for most people.

Likewise, the fact that you only get a desktop space equivalent to a conventional 27-inch 1440p monitor means you only get the benefit of 4K some of the time. Scaling will be a must for most situations.

Then of course there’s the price. At £1,200, this display may well be cheaper than its flagship sibling, the X27, but it’s still vastly more expensive than just about anything else out there. Considering the number of caveats that we noted in this review, it is going to be very much a personal decision. If you earn a lot of money and want a great 4K monitor with super high refresh then we would recommend it.

You can currently buy the XB273K directly from Acer for £1199.99 HERE.

Pros:

• Excellent overall image quality.
• 4k at 120Hz looks amazing.
• HDR colours look great.
• One of the few 4K at 120Hz displays you can buy.

Cons:

• Doesn’t deliver true HDR contrast.
• is equipped with a cooling fan.
• Very expensive.
• 4K gaming needs a lot of GPU power, especially if you want 60+ fps.
• No pivot on stand.

KitGuru Says: The Acer Predator XB273K is a fantastic monitor and is £600 cheaper than the Predator X27 flagship. £1,200 is a lot of money for a 27 inch panel however, so we urge caution before buying as to take full advantage of the 144hz refresh at 4k you really do need a lot of graphics horsepower on hand.

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