If you’re looking for a respectable gaming monitor that doesn’t break the bank, there are dozens of options out there. One that doesn’t typically fall into the “affordable” category is Acer’s Predator XB323U, a 32-inch model with a 1440p resolution and a 170Hz refresh rate. It’s currently €349.99 at Woot, while Amazon sells it new for $575.
I’ve already mentioned the specs that matter most, but there are other qualities that make this a standout monitor for the price. You’re getting an IPS panel, which is better than TN panels in terms of contrast, accurate color reproduction, and wide viewing angles. It can reach up to 600 nits of peak brightness when using HDR, or up to 400 nits during normal use.
In addition to the relatively high 170Hz refresh rate via DisplayPort (in other words, displaying up to 170 frames per second if your system can handle it), the screen features a 1ms response time, meaning the pixels change color faster than you’re likely to notice.
A couple of other things worth noting is that the XB323U can be mounted to a monitor arm via the standard 100 x 100 VESA mount, in case the very edgy stand doesn’t do it for you. The monitor has a single DisplayPort 1.2 port, dual HDMI 2.0 ports (which support up to 120Hz refresh rates at 1440p), plus a generous selection of USB ports for plugging in accessories. This monitor gets extra points for including HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB cables in the box, and it is backed by Acer’s three-year limited warranty.