I measured the contrast ratio at 2,800:1, considerably better than its 1,000:1 rating, thanks to a low black level and an excellent score for an in-plane switching (IPS) monitor. Indeed, in our quantitative testing using a Klein K10-A colorimeter and SpectraCal CalMAN 5software, the Predator X27 shone at 643 nits in Racing mode, easily the highest luminance score that I've ever recorded. Based on the new VESA DisplayHDR standard, the Predator X27 supports DisplayHDR 1000, with a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits and a native brightness of 600 nits.
The panel's 4K UHD (3,840-by-2,160-pixel) resolution renders a highly detailed image, though to run it at full frame rates (144Hz when overclocked, up from a standard 120Hz) requires a primo graphics card-I used the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Founders Edition. Also included is an anti-glare hood, which fastens easily to the panel's top and sides to provide some shielding from ambient light. A handle at the top of the shaft provides extra support for carrying the monitor. You can snake cables through a triangular hole in the stand's column.
It provides up to 4.7 inches of height adjustment, plus or minus 30 degrees of swivel adjustment, and minus-5 to 25 degrees of tilt adjustment. The ergonomically friendly mount looks stylish and feels solid. The stand comprises a "V"-shaped base that branches upward to support a cylindrical shaft to which the panel is fastened. Its bezels are fairly substantial, 0.6 inch thick on top and on the sides, and 0.9 inch on the bottom.
When affixed on its stand, it measures 22.3 by 14.8 by 24.8 inches (HWD) and weighs 27.1 pounds. At a Glance, Deceptively Plainįrom the front, at least, the Predator X27 looks like a typical 27-inch panel, housed in a matte-black cabinet. On top of the monitor's own stratospheric price, for most users it will require a considerable additional hardware investment in a top-of-the-line graphics card, such as an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 $799.00 at Nvidia or the GeForce RTX 2080 Ti.If you can afford it (and if need be, build a gaming system around it), though, the Predator X27 is without peer, and it earns our pick as our Editors' Choice high-performance gaming monitor. Now, to be sure, at two grand for a 27-inch panel, the Predator X27 is not for everyone. This panel's brilliance and dynamic range set it apart as something special, and my initial impressions have been borne out in both our quantitative and experiential testing. I viewed a demo of Final Fantasy XVand was awestruck by this monitor's ability to capture subtle variations in shading and bring out detail in dark areas, as well as to capture brilliance in bright areas without them looking washed out. I first saw the X27 in action last summer at a demo hosted by Nvidia, which developed the monitor's G-Sync adaptive-sync technology. Add wicked-fast refresh rates, a plethora of input ports, an ergonomically friendly stand, and gaming-friendly features such as multiple crosshair types, and you have an absolute dream-screen gaming display (with a price to match). High luminance and an expanded color gamut-check. 4K UHD resolution, support for Nvidia's G-Sync adaptive-sync tech, and HDR support-check.
Put together a wish list-the sky's the limit-of things you'd want in a 27-inch gaming monitor,and you'd probably come up with something like the Acer Predator X27 ($1,999.99).