Acer Predator CG437K: Specifications
Screen Size: 43 inches
the decision: 3840×2160
refresh rate: 144 Hz
Input: DisplayPort, HDMI, USB-A, USB-C
Dimensions: 38.5 x 26.5 x 3.9 inches
The Acer Predator CG437K deserves a lot of credit for innovation. This funky device aims to split the difference between a living room TV and gaming monitor, delivering PC-level performance with a console-ready design. However, the CG437K isn’t quite as impressive as it could be, offering faded colors and a sub-par remote control. The overall product is a modest implementation of a great idea.
If you want to set up a gaming PC in your living room and don’t trust standard TVs, the CG437K is not without its charms. It’s the right size, has plenty of ports and works well with HDR systems. On the other hand, the screen simply doesn’t look good, which is a tough sell at such an expensive end.
The CG437K may be worthwhile, because there are simply not many gaming monitors in this size range. But at least avoid buying it at full price, if possible. Read on for the full Acer Predator CG437K review.
Acer Predator CG437K review: Configurations
The first thing you should know about the Acer Predator CG437K is that it’s not easy to know which one to get. There are two different models of the device, but they both have the exact same name, and even Acer’s website isn’t very good at distinguishing the two.
We reviewed the Acer Predator CG437K Pbmiippuzx, which has a 43-inch screen, 120Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.0 inputs. This model costs $1,500.
However, you can also buy the Acer Predator CG437K SBMIIPUZX, which has a 42.5-inch screen, 144Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 inputs. This model costs $1600.
The two devices are virtually identical otherwise, but if you want to connect your PS5 or Xbox Series X, you’ll need SBMIIPUZX, as it supports HDMI 2.1. Otherwise, you’ll still be stuck at 60Hz output, even though both systems support 120Hz refresh rates in certain games. It is an incredibly subtle and complex difference for the everyday consumer, especially since the term “HDMI 2.1” does not appear in The official Acer website that compares the two models (Opens in a new tab)or on Pbmiippuzzx product page (Opens in a new tab). It’s not at all difficult to imagine a console player buying a monitor without HDMI 2.1.
Acer Predator CG437K review: Design
The Acer Predator C437K is much larger than most gaming monitors. This almost goes without saying, but it’s worth reiterating what makes it so different from most other monitors on the market. While most 4K gaming monitors fall somewhere in the 28-32 inch range, the C437K is a full 43 inches. This takes the command from the “desktop” area to the “living room” area. If you want this screen to live on a desktop, you might want to rethink your choice – we couldn’t really see everything when we sat in front of it at a desk.
From a physical point of view, the 43-inch size is respectable for the peripheral living room, and the device looks very good. With a simple black chassis, a few LED lights, and a simple stand that doubles as a gaming console storage, the CG437K looks completely different than a traditional TV to make a statement.
It also has a lot more ports than a traditional TV. Our review sample came with two DisplayPorts, three HDMI 2.0 ports, four USB-A ports, and one USB-C port.
The lack of USB-B and 3.5mm audio ports is noted, but that’s not the end of the world, since the back of the device isn’t easy to reach anyway.
Acer Predator CG437K review: Monitor
For such an expensive monitor, I would have expected the Acer Predator CG437K to have a much better screen. I tested the device using both a gaming PC and PS5. With HDR turned off, color was dull and faded; With HDR turned on, color accuracy was much better, but the screen looked too dark otherwise.
Here’s how the Acer Predator CG437K stacks up with some of the other 4K gaming monitors we’ve tested recently:
| brightness (lice) | sRGB spectrum (%) | Delta E | |
| Acer Predator CG437K (Standard) | 506 | 147 | 0.22 |
| Acer Predator CG437K (HDR) | 700 | 146 | 0.31 |
| Acer Nitro XV282K (Standard) | 185 | 137 | 0.31 |
| Acer Nitro XV282K (HDR) | 248 | 136 | 0.22 |
| Asus TUF VG28UQL1A (sRGB mode) | 247 | 102 | 0.27 |
| Asus TUF VG28UQL1A (HDR) | 233 | 102 | 0.27 |
This is one of those unusual cases where the benchmarks and our qualitative observations don’t match up at all. On paper, the Predator CG437K looks amazing, with much higher brightness and color spectra than its smaller counterparts. The only big problem is that color accuracy (Delta-E; lower numbers are better) isn’t anything special in HDR mode, but it’s no worse than the competition.
However, when we tried the Predator CG437K for ourselves, it looked dull and lifeless, with inaccurate gray tones. I consulted with a couple of other Tom’s Guide game experts, who agreed that Standard mode looked dull on PC, and HDR mode looked too dark on PS5. In Standard mode, you can tweak a lot of different settings to get better color levels, but in HDR mode, you’re pretty much stuck with what the screen has to offer you.
We are not sure if our observations or benchmarks are best taken with caution. All we can say is that after repeated testing and analysis, they did not match each other.
Acer Predator CG437K review: Performance
I tested the CG437K with a variety of games on both PC and PS5. The screen handled red and violet better than other colors, with eternal tormentScenery of rocky hell looks particularly threatening. On the other hand, blues and blacks sounded less lively, as a lifeless version of Cyberpunk 2077 movieThe city night appeared. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – Usually a very colorful game – similarly uninspiring. Nioh Remastered It did a little better, however, probably due to the heavy emphasis on gray textures in its levels.
It is calculated that the CG437K can handle high frame rates quite well. Every game I tested on PC ran at 75 frames per second or more; Each PS5 game had a fixed rate of 60 fps (at least when set to “frame rate” modes rather than to “resolution” modes). The only caveat here is that the CG437K model supports 120Hz modes on the console; the other does not. Check the Configurations section and be careful when ordering.
The bottom line is that while a handful of games looked good on the CG437K, nothing was great – and some games looked a lot worse than I’d expect from an expensive monitor.
Acer Predator CG437K review: The interface
Like other monitors from the same company, the Acer Predator GC437K has an exposed menu system that you can use to change inputs, tweak color options, and so on. Once you know where everything is, the options are pretty straightforward, although the menus themselves are slow to load and cumbersome to navigate. You can also select different visual presets or control the volume using either the remote control or the built-in buttons.
The problem here is that the list is too small, and there is no way to make it bigger. This isn’t an issue for a monitor that lives on a desktop, but you’ll likely be sitting at least 10 feet away from the CG437K. If you want to tweak the options, even using the remote control, you’ll have to get up from the sofa and sit right in front of the TV. It’s a strange and unwelcome comment from a more traditional screen design.
Acer Predator CG437K Review: Accessories
Since the Acer Predator CG437K is a living room peripheral, it makes sense that the device would come with built-in speakers and a remote control. The only problem is that no one has all that good. The speakers are a cut above typical screen fare, in that they don’t have the same metallic and muddy quality as most other speakers. Compared to high-end TV speakers, it’s nothing special, with flat sound, unbalanced bass and treble. Since the device does not have Bluetooth, it is also not easy to connect to the speaker (although you can just go through your computer instead).
The remote control is less functional than I would have liked. The volume buttons are probably their most useful feature, but there is a significant input lag between pressing the button and the screen analyzing your command.
You can also modify a number of menu options, but because the menu font is small, it is difficult to do without sitting directly in front of the TV. The brightness buttons have a limited benefit, as you cannot use them when the TV is in standard HDR mode.
Acer Predator CG437K review: Verdict
The Acer Predator CG437K isn’t a terrible machine, but it has many drawbacks for its cost as it is. While the device’s impressive 1ms latency is much lower than what you’d find even in a high-end TV, the practical benefits may be limited. In our testing, we found that similarly priced TVs had 10ms of latency in game mode, which is more than good enough for everyday gaming. High-end TVs may also have better color options or premium OLED screens. If nothing else, they often have better remotes.
If you know exactly what you’re getting into, the Predator CG437K at least fills an unusual niche in the gaming monitor world, and it performs well enough for most games. Just don’t dive in without at least thinking about a similarly priced TV, like LG C1 OLEDfirst.
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