Acer Predator X38s is the new beast in monitors with which the brand intends to further raise the performance bar for eSport and competitive. It brings together a series of features not seen until now, such as a 37.5” large format 3840x1600p 2300R curved IPS panel capable of reaching 175 Hz in OC and 0.3 ms GTG . Stratospheric figures also integrating Nvidia G-Sync and Latency Reflex , proposing a great standard calibration. The goal is to enjoy gaming with high-end GPUs, will it meet our high expectations?
We thank Acer for their trust in us for sending us this monitor for review
Acer Predator X38s technical characteristics
Unboxing
Although it is a top-of-the-range monitor in the manufacturer’s list, the Acer Predator X38s arrives to us in a rather discreet way by using a rigid cardboard box with a neutral finish. In it we only see the sketch-like outlined product and some of its specifications on the side.
The contents of the box for sale to the public will be:
- Acer Predator X38s monitoralready assembled
- Power cord with European plug
- HDMI and DisplayPort video cable
- Conector USB Type-B – Type-A para datos
- 4x extension screws for VESA mounts
- User manual and warranty
Fortunately, the monitor is already fully assembled, so the procedure will be to unpack and enjoy.
External stand and monitor design
Aesthetics is one more element within the staging of the Acer Predator X38s , and for this Acer opts for its new base design where it sharpens the support legs with an aggressive but elegant touch. Being a wide and curved monitor, the necessary depth on our desk will be at least 30.9 cm , more if we want to obtain room for maneuver.
The support base uses a format of “V” legs made entirely of really sharp aluminum and with 3 support points. They come out quite a bit from the front plane of the image panel, so our keyboard and mouse must keep a certain distance from the monitor. Obviously we have non-slip rubber protections to rest safely on wooden or plastic surfaces.
Going up to the monitor support area we have a metal column that acts as a vertical rotation axis with a smooth and very well integrated movement to be aesthetically different from the competition. The support consists of a flat element with a hydraulic mechanism combining a metal chassis and plastic protections without forgetting the handle at the top to offer a somewhat more comfortable transport. The union frame for the support is compatible with VESA 100×100 mm.
We continue with the rear area of the Acer Predator X38s , which consists of a fairly tight plastic cone where the hardware and image panel are installed. It has multiple passive cooling openings in a “V” shape in an exquisite combination, but it does not integrate RGB lighting. We see on the right edge (seen from the front) the joystick and OSD control buttons , in a more or less central location the Kensington slot for locks and on the right edge two USB ports to improve accessibility.
Looking forward we have a slightly curved monitor with a radius of 2300 mm (R2300), since being an IPS panel, it admits very little curvature compared to VA. In any case, it has been possible to adjust the screen frames to the maximum by integrating the sides and upper edge in the panel itself with thicknesses of 8 mm for them (3 mm physical + 5 mm screen) and 25 mm for the lower edge . On the upper frame facing the ceiling we have the light sensor for automatic brightness adjustment.
Ergonomics
The Acer Predator X38s enjoys a good level of ergonomics for a curved monitor, as it will be free on the 3 main adjustment axes . First of all, we have a hydraulic mechanism that gives us a range of 130 mm to position it at different heights.
On the support we have vertical orientation capacity in a range of 30º both to the right and left . Continuing with the support hinge for the monitor, it gives us adjustment in horizontal orientation in a range of -5º downwards and 30º upwards .
connection ports
We make the next stop with the port configuration , divided into the main lower area and the side area for peripheral connections. In total we will find the following:
- 2x HDMI 2.0
- 1x DisplayPort 1.4a
- USB-B for data (Upstream)
- 4x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A (2 en el lateral) (Downstream)
- 1x Jack 3,5 mm combo audio
Regarding the video connections, an upgraded HDMI interface to 2.1 is conspicuous by its absence , since the two ports are limited to 2.0. This implies that we can only obtain maximum performance through DisplayPort 1.4. A notable absence in this section that we honestly did not expect. A USB-C video port would also have been recommended for its price, as well as advanced functions such as KVM or PIP/PBP that should be integrated for its price.
We have 4 USB ports as data connection for peripherals, highlighting the red port as it is the one that implements Nvidia Latency Reflex Analyzer . This increasingly common function in eSport models is capable of measuring the E2E (End-to-End) latency from when we click the mouse until a color change occurs in the pixels on the screen, for example the firing of a a weapon. To do this , we connect a compatible mouse to said port, and through the screen, system, and Nvidia drivers, the click and change of pixels are detected, thus measuring the elapsed time.
In compatible games such as COD Warzone, Fortnite or Valorant among many others, in addition to measuring latency, it also adds a function that automatically reduces latency by optimizing all the factors involved if possible. For the system to be effective, we must choose a weapon that gives visible flashes or flashes . The Nvidia Experience software will extend this function by monitoring and breaking down PC + screen latency data , system latency, mouse, rendering, FPS among other measures that we will see by pressing Alt + R.
Display and specifications
This Acer Predator X38s equips one of the most powerful curved panels at the moment, although it opts for a fairly wide radius of 2300R (3.2 m) because it is an IPS LCD technology model. Let’s keep in mind that the VA type are the ones that support the most curvature, ignoring the OLEDs, so this already supposes a significant effort on the part of the panel manufacturer.
As for technical characteristics, we have a 37.5” screen in 21:9 format that offers a native resolution of 3840x1600p, cataloged as UWQHD+. In addition to its high density of pixels per inch we have a typical brightness of 450 nits with sustained peaks of 600 nits, allowing it to obtain DisplayHDR 600 certification . It offers a typical contrast of 1000:1 and color depth of 10 bits (8 bits + FCR) promising 95% color coverage in DCI-P3 and factory calibration with Delta E < 2 thanks to Agile-Splendor .
For now, the features don’t look bad at all in terms of color quality, but it goes a step further in gaming features as we have already seen due to its Nvidia Reflex support. The Nvidia G-Sync processor and IPS technology offer the best with a refresh rate of 175 Hz in OC and a response time of 1 ms GTG and 0.3 MPRT in the most aggressive Overdrive configuration.
As for advanced functions for games, we have automatic brightness adjustment, black equalizer at various configurable levels and crosshairs on the screen. The backlight also supports level configuration, with various preset picture modes , 3-axis sharpening adjustment, and blue light filter . The viewing angles for this monitor will be 178º with excellent performance both vertically and horizontally, although the curvature favors maintaining brightness and contrast.
Acer has also not forgotten to equip a powerful sound system with two 7W speakers, offering performance above the average in its segment, and reaching a television level. The frequency profile will be quite well adjusted, with decent bass and good detail, so they will eventually replace speakers if necessary.
Panel Performance Testing and Calibration
We are going to analyze the calibration and performance of the Acer Predator X38s , verifying that the manufacturer’s technical parameters are met. For this we will use the X-Rite i1Display Pro colorimeter , and the DisplayCAL 3 and H CFR programs .
latency
We are going with an End-to-End latency test for the monitor using the benchmark with Intel Core i9-10850K, Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti and Nvidia Reflex . We will use Doom Eternal for this , in Ultra quality, native resolution and 175 Hz activated on DisplayPort 1.4. With it, it is intended to measure the latency of the complete set, from when we click the mouse until the screen pixels respond to the trigger.
38 ms of average latency between monitor and PC is not a bad figure, although it has not been the lowest on the list either. During the tests, it is true that we have obtained lower punctual figures depending on the game scenario and number of enemies, but the result that we present is the total average.
Image artifacts
We use Testufo tests for artifacts such as ghosting or blurring . For this we have kept the default configuration of the Ghosting test in terms of color and speed, taking photos following the movement of the UFOs to detect the possible trail.
The difference in results between off and the first level of Overdrive is practically nil , and it is also the one that offers the best ghosting results, seeing absolutely no black or white trails behind the UFOs. In the most aggressive mode we get an accentuated white trail that we will even notice in the game.
contrast and brightness
Now we will take care of performing the basic tests that will give us the real measurements of brightness and contrast of the Acer Predator X38s in the User image mode.
| Brightness | Contrast | Valor Gamma | color temperature | black level |
| 464 cd/m2 | 822:1 | 2,18 | 7430 K | 0,5639 cd/m2 |
Measurements in line with what is expected for this panel, with a sustained brightness of over 450 nits and a color temperature setting slightly inclined towards cold colors, as we also usually see in the brand’s laptops. Contrast falls a bit below 1000:1, possibly due to the effect of panel curvature.
sRGB space
In sRGB we get 94.7% coverage with our colorimeter, lower than we expected and with a gamut volume of 95.1%. The average Delta E is spectacular with a value of 1.05 , so we can say that this monitor does not need any calibration.
Space DCI-P3
For DCI-P3 we obtain a coverage of 67.4% , which is far from the promised 95%, although the Delta E remains in good numbers with an average of 2.41 . It could not be perfect in both spaces, which is why Acer has prioritized sRGB for being the most used space, let’s not forget that it is a gaming monitor, not a design one.
OSD panel and options
Finally we show you the OSD panel of the Acer Predator X38s where we have a total of 7 sections , as well as direct accessories configurable in the directions of the joystick from the System section. We will directly access the option of predefined image profiles through one of the rear buttons located above the joystick, as well as other options.
In the first section we will have all the options corresponding to the image display settings such as brightness, contrast, blue light filter, black equalizer or backlight response. The automatic brightness option is also found here, and it is recommended to disable it if we plan to set a fixed brightness value. The next section shows us the options related to color configuration such as temperature and adjustment in 3 axes, color mode and gamma. A following section is reserved for integrated audio volume only.
The next two sections will be important for gaming performance by incorporating all the Nvidia Reflex options for your configuration, Overdrive, 175 Hz overclocking and information display such as refresh rate and crosshair . The next two sections focus on general settings for OSD rendering, hotkey mapping, power delivery, and enabling USB Power Delivery when the monitor is powered off.
Final words and conclusion about the Acer Predator X38s
A few days using this monitor is enough to say that its image quality, calibration and brightness settings are quite impressive in all usage scenarios. To work, the ideal is to activate the light sensor and let the monitor adjust the brightness so as not to tire the eyes, with excellent viewing angles and a curvature that is very comfortable for general tasks . It offers great calibration in sRGB , although we expected more color coverage.
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The performance in games is exceptional , it combines a great width with 37.5 inches and that little point of investment that gives the curvature, although not as much as the 1500R or 1000R, but it compensates having an IPS panel. Its 175 Hz refresh rate, 0.3 ms MPRT and Nvidia Reflex will only be used at this high resolution with high-end graphics cards , so in terms of performance and price it is a monitor for very high-end setups.
Visit our updated guide to the best PC monitors on the market
The setting of ghosting, flickering or tearing will be fully controlled and optimized with such figures, although the average E2E latency is a bit higher than expected, at least in our setup. Acer has also thought about the extras, and we have integrated 7W speakers as a highlight that will do a good job of viewing multimedia content, at least above the average in its segment. Regarding connectivity, we have lacked HDMI 2.1 ports, USB-C and other functions such as PIP/PBP or KVM that some competitors do have at a lower price.
It’s time to checkout, and this Acer Predator X38s will cost us a whopping €2,200 at the official Acer store and other external stores such as PcComponentes or Amazon. For this figure it is to maximize the demands in performance and quality, and we see that in some details it does not reach the expected levels such as connectivity or perfection in color coverage. For the rest, nothing to object to, being the most extreme and powerful curved monitor on the market .
| ADVANTAGE | DISADVANTAGES |
| 175HZ, 0.3MS MPRT IN ONE CURVO MONITOR | THE HDMI ARE NOT 2.1, IT DOES NOT HAVE USB-C |
| G-SYNC, LATENCY REFLEX Y SIN GHOSTING | MISSING FUNCTIONS LIKE KVM OR PIP/PBP |
| EXCEPTIONAL VISUAL AND PLAYABLE EXPERIENCE | PRECIO |
| IPS PANEL WITH GOOD STANDARD CALIBRATION | |
| REMARKABLE INTEGRATED SOUND SYSTEM | |
| EXTERIOR DESIGN AND ERGONOMICS |
The Professional Review team awards you the platinum medal:
Acer Predator X38S.
Tbd
1.999,90 EUR
Last updated on 2022-09-26
Acer Predator X38s
DESIGN – 97%
PANEL – 96%
CALIBRATION – 96%
BASE – 98%
MENU OSD – 91%
GAMES – 100%
PRECIO – 80%
94%
Acer Predator X38s is an innovative curved monitor with a 175 0.3mm UWQHD+ IPS panel with integrated Nvidia Reflex. Features never seen in its format, designed for eSport