During the IFA 2018 in Berlin, Acer had expanded the range of Predator and Nitro gaming monitors. The most irrepressible novelty was the Acer Nitro XV273K gaming monitor, with its 27-inch 4K HDR IPS panel capable of reaching a refresh rate of 144 Hz, which we were able to experience firsthand.
The monitor in question arrives in a sturdy box well packed and protected. The accessory bundle includes two DisplayPort 1.4 cables and one USB 3.0, as well as an external power supply and manuals. The monitor is delivered pre-assembled with base and screen already connected together.
The full technical specifications are as follows:
- Screen size: 27 ″
- Maximum resolution: (4K UHD) 3840 x [email protected] Hz
- Projection format: 16: 9
- Contrast Ratio: 1,000: 1
- Response time: 1 ms VRB
- Managed colors: 1.07 billion
- Brightness: 350 cd / m² - Native, 400 cd / m² - Maximum (HDR mode)
- Backlight: LED
- Viewing angles:
- 178 ° Horizontal
- 178 ° Vertical
- Stand
- Tilt (-5 ° ~ 25 °)
- Swivel (-20 ° ~ 20 °)
- Height adj (100 mm)
- Speakers: 2 x 4 W
- Ports and connectors:
- HDMI®
- 2x HDMI®-in
- 2x DisplayPort
- 1x USB 3.0 Upstream
- 4x USB 3.0 Downstream
- Power: 55W (Power On)
- Colors: Black
- Noise Prevention Technology: AMD Free-Sync
- VESA Compatible: (Yes) 100 x 100mm
- Approximate weight)
- 4,51 kg
- 6,59 kg (with stand)
The Acer Nitro XV273K monitor is equipped with extensive connectivity located on the back: there are several video inputs including two DisplayPort ports and two HDMI 2.0 ports. There are also four USB 3.0 inputs so you can power various devices or charge your smartphone during long gaming sessions. Furthermore, as regards the audio sector, there are two 3.5 mm jack outputs and two 4 W speakers; the latter are able to guarantee a valid sound with appropriate volume and minimum distortion. The bass is not particularly powerful while the treble allows a clear and crystalline sound representation. Of course, these speakers are not suitable for competitive gaming but are more suitable for less frenetic video games where audio is not a fundamental point. We did a test with FIFA 20 and at the audio level we can be satisfied.
In terms of design, the ACER NITRO XV273K monitor follows the traditional ACER style of high-end monitors. The product comes with a sturdy stand, which offers ample room for maneuver to orient or raise the panel. These features give the monitor a mix of elegance and aggression at the same time. In the lower part there are the characteristic RGB LEDs, which can be customized from the OSD menu. All seasoned with the inevitable combination of sticks and keys positioned at the bottom right on the back of the screen.
The materials chosen, although of fine workmanship, are sometimes a bit "plasticky" to the touch and to the eye, but nothing to worry about. The metal base gives solid stability to the whole structure.
As for the OSD menu, the solution offered by ACER in this particular case is not the best. The absence of proprietary software for managing and customizing the monitor and the abundance of buttons on the back forces the user to pay particular attention to where he puts his hands, making mistakes often and willingly and pressing an unwanted button. The OSD interface in the first days of use could be not very reactive and intuitive, but after a few hours of use the management of the various parameters (including RGB lighting) will be easier. Acer XV273K also integrates the VRB or Visual Response Boost function, which allows you to reduce even more the blur of moving images, but with a considerable increase in the backlight as well as not allowing the use of FreeSync.
The image quality is high, the contrasts are not too pronounced and the colors are sharp and vivid.
HDR technology is limited to a lighting boost due to the absence of FALD technology, but at the same time it is capable of guaranteeing an increase in color space coverage and increasing brightness beyond 500 Nits. When the HDR option is enabled from the OSD menu, it will not be possible to use the 144 Hz and FreeSync / G-Sync technology. The HDR mode of the Nitro XV273K is a real improvement over SDR. Even Windows benefits from the HDR effect: the desktop appears well detailed and the fonts more readable.
The monitor in question has to make some compromises to keep the price down. Among these compromises is the 8-bit + FRC panel to simulate 10-bit and the absence of Full Array Local Dimming technology (which impacts the actual operation of HDR and the uniformity of the backlight). In the moment in which there are moving images the yield is excellent, despite these absences.
The overall average input lag is lower than even the most expensive models of the same type, thus also reducing the actual response times.
The anti-glare is not perfect, better than long-standing IPS but inferior to that of some modern panels. In addition, the panel has a fairly smooth facade, avoiding the kind of intrusive graininess that can be seen on some opaque surfaces of other products.
Testing the monitor, we did not experience any eye strain even after several hours of use and we were also pleased to see that the light coming from external sources (such as a window) does not alter the image quality.
The Acer Nitro XV273K monitor is an excellent gaming monitor intended exclusively for gamers and is the cheapest choice for 4k at 144 Hz. For those looking for the best performance and the best possible HDR support this product is not the ideal choice, but for gamers this is not a serious flaw as HDR support is not currently extended to many video games. The gaming experience is very similar to what is experienced with more expensive models. The quality / price ratio is really high, the Taiwanese company's monitor offers countless interesting and bold options and always returns vivid and sharp images. For videomakers or photographers such a monitor may not be the best choice, as there are less expensive (2k) monitors with better IPS panels. Acer Nitro XV273K is available on Amazon at a price of 990 Euros.
