Acer's new 42.5-inch 4K Predator CG437K S may be the ultimate gaming monitor

Predator CG437K S
Predator CG437K S (Image credit: Acer)

What you need to know

  • Acer has announced three new high-end gaming monitors.
  • All support HDR and the latest display technologies.
  • All three will be released between summer 2021 and later this fall.

If you're in the market for a new gaming monitor, you'll want to check out Acer's latest in is Predator gaming line. The company just announced three new displays ranging from a simple 28-inch 155Hz on up to a massive 42.5-inch 4K UHD with HDMI 2.1, which is big enough to be used for console gaming.

Here is what you need to know about each one.

Big boi

Acer Predator CG437K S

Predator Cg437k S

Source: Acer (Image credit: Source: Acer)

The Predator CG437K S is Acer's new king. The CG437K S features a 42.5-inch NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible UHD (3840x2160) display with an HDMI 2.1 port, which is essential if you want to use this with the latest Xbox Series S|X. That port also lets you run 4K 144 Hz (1 ms response) with variable-refresh rate (VRR) using only a single cable.

There are a few ports, too, including a full USB hub for USB Type-B, a pair of both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports, plus a USB Type-C (PD30W). There's even a built-in KVM ("keyboard, video and mouse") switch that simplifies the lives of those who juggle two multiple PCs.

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CategoryPredator CG437K S
Screen size42.5 inches
Resolution3840x2160 (UHD)
Refresh rate144Hz
Aspect ratio16:9
Brightness1,000 nits
Response time1ms
HDRVESA DisplayHDR 1000
VRRNVIDIA G-Sync(4K 144Hz)
PortsTwo HDMI 2.1USB-BTwo USB-A 2.0Two USB-A 3.0USB-C
Color90% DCI-P3
FeaturesKVM switchRGB lighting stripAcer ColorSenseAcer LightSenseAcer ProxiSense
Price$1,800
AvailabilityNovember (NA)

There's more tech built-in to this display, including a bevy of sensors:

Acer ColorSense adjusts the screen's temperature to match the ambiance of the environment, Acer LightSense detects ambient lighting and adjusts the monitor's brightness settings accordingly, and Acer ProxiSense automatically wakes the monitor when users are nearby or dims it when they aren't.

There are even RGB light strips on the rear that can be synced to music and media, because why not.

Source: Acer (Image credit: Source: Acer)

HDR is a necessity these days, and this one features an excellent VESA DisplayHDR 1000 Certification, meaning it can hit peak brightness of 1,000 nits – that's rare to see in a gaming desktop display. Color accuracy is also present with Delta E<1 rating and 90% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut.

The Predator CG437K S will be available in North America in November, starting at USD 1,799.99; in EMEA in November starting at EUR 1,599; and in China in October, starting at RMB 9,999.

Curvey boi

Acer Predator X38 S

Source: Acer (Image credit: Source: Acer)

If you're into ultra-wide curved screens, the Predator X38 S is your choice. The 37.5-inch UWQHD+ (3840x1600) monitor delivers a DCI-P3 98% wide color gamut, Delta E<2 ratings, and VESA DisplayHDR 600 Certification making it ideal for multimedia creation.

But the X38 S can also game well thanks to a 175Hz refresh rate (overclocked) and 0.3 ms response time.

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CategoryPredator X38 S
Screen size37.5 inches
Curve2300R
Resolution3840x1600 (UWQHD+)
Refresh rate175Hz (OC)
Aspect ratio21:9
Response time0.3ms
HDRVESA DisplayHDR 600
VRRNVIDIA G-Sync Ultimate
Color98% DCI-P3
FeaturesAcer LightSenseAcer ColorSenseNVIDIA Reflex Latency Analyzer
Price$2,000
AvailabilitySeptember (NA)

Source: Acer (Image credit: Source: Acer)

Like the CG437K S this monitor is packed full of unique Acer tech:

Predator Game Mode offers players eight pre-set (customizable) display modes to suit different genres of content, while Acer LightSense and Acer ColorSense make automatic adjustments to screen brightness and color temperature based on the environment. NVIDIA G SYNC Esports Mode is a display preset designed for competitive gaming that ensures the lowest possible latency by turning off variable backlight and makes it easier to distinguish objects in dark areas by increasing black levels and fine tuning gamma levels.The Predator X38 S also includes the NVIDIA Reflex Latency Analyzer, a revolutionary system latency measurement tool that detects clicks coming from the mouse and then measures the time it takes for the resulting pixels (i.e., a gun muzzle flash) to change on-screen, while NVIDIA G-SYNC ULTIMATE enables smooth, fast-paced gameplay by eliminating screen tearing, minimizing display stutter and cutting down on input lag.

The Predator X38 S will be available in North America in September, starting at USD 1,999.99; in EMEA in September starting at EUR 2,199; and in China in August, starting at RMB 14,999.

4K minimalist boi

Acer Predator X28

Predator X28

Source: Acer (Image credit: Source: Acer)

Last but certainly not least is the Acer Predator X28, which packs a 28-inch UHD (3840x2160) into a display with a very slim and clean-looking profile making it perfect for the minimalist gamer.

The Predator X28 features s VESA DisplayHDR400 Certified Agile-Splendor IPS, 155Hz refresh (overclocked), 1 ms G-to-G response time, NVIDIA G-SYNC, G-SYNC Esports Mode, and that fancy NVIDIA Reflex Latency Analyzer.

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CategoryPredator X28
Screen size28 inches
Resolution3840x2160 (UHD)
Refresh rate155Hz (OC)
Aspect ratio16:9
Panel typeAgile-Splendor IPS
Response time1ms
HDRVESA DisplayHDR 400
VRRNVIDIA G-Sync
FeaturesAcer LightSenseAcer ColorSenseAcer ProxiSenseBlueLightShield ProTÜV Rheinland Eyesafe
Price$1,300
AvailabilityAugust (NA)

Like the other monitors here, this one also features some crazy new sensors, including:

Acer LightSense, ColorSense, and ProxiSense ensure that the monitor always look as good as possible, in any lighting. To offer a more comfortable viewing experience, BlueLightShield Pro manages high-energy wave lengths in order to selectively filter out blue light emissions while maintaining Delta E<1 color accuracy.

The Predator X28 is also TÜV Rheinland Eyesafe, meaning it filters out blue light, which is thought to help reduce eye fatigue.

The Predator X28 will be available in North America in August, starting at USD 1,299.99; in EMEA in August starting at EUR 1,199; and in China in July, starting at RMB 7,999.

Daniel Rubino
Editor-in-chief

Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central. He is also the head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007, when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and watches. He has been reviewing laptops since 2015 and is particularly fond of 2-in-1 convertibles, ARM processors, new form factors, and thin-and-light PCs. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.