Acer is unveiling the Nitro XV270X, a 5K gaming monitor, at CES 2026, indicating that 5K resolution represents the future direction for PC gaming experiences.
In addition, the company's ProDesigner PE320QX monitor features an impressive 6K resolution, catering to professional design needs.
For those acquainted with PC gaming, it's clear that screen resolutions have progressed from 1080p through 1440p to 4K at 3,840 by 2,160 pixels, often paired with different refresh rates and panel types. Higher resolutions demand greater processing power from CPUs and GPUs to handle intricate scenes, which can lower frame rates even as image quality enhances.
Following the rise of 4K OLED panels with refresh rates exceeding 144Hz, the industry now advances to 5K, defined as 5,120 by 2,880 pixels in Acer's Nitro XV270X model.
While 5K monitors are currently sold online by retailers such as Amazon, they typically incorporate the additional pixels for wider aspect ratios like ultrawide formats. In contrast, Acer's XV270X maintains the conventional 16:9 aspect ratio prevalent across the sector.
This 27-inch IPS-based Nitro XV270X skips the standard 60Hz refresh rate despite its 5K capabilities, offering instead 165Hz at full resolution or 330Hz at 1440p. It achieves a 1 ms gray-to-gray response time, reaches 400 nits peak brightness in HDR400, or 350 nits in standard mode, and covers 95% of the DCI-P3 color space. Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.1 ports and one DisplayPort 1.4.
The ProDesigner PE320QX elevates specifications further with its 31.5-inch IPS panel supporting 6K at 6,016 by 3,384 pixels, providing 400 nits in regular use and up to 600 nits in HDR600 mode. Designed for creative professionals, it achieves 99% Adobe RGB coverage and 98% DCI-P3, with inputs comprising one HDMI 2.1, one DisplayPort 2.1, and USB-C ports.
These advanced monitors will carry premium prices: the Nitro XV270X at $799 and the ProDesigner PE320QX at $1,499, both scheduled for release in the second quarter of the year, according to Acer.
Acer isn't the only player entering the 5K gaming space; LG has revealed its UltraGear evo lineup, including the 27-inch GM9 model (27GM950B) equipped with miniLED backlighting and 2,304 local dimming zones. Details on pricing and availability remain undisclosed by LG.
The emergence of multiple manufacturers endorsing 5K for gaming monitors suggests an emerging industry shift, poised to drive growth for firms like Nvidia, Intel, and AMD alongside display producers. This development signals continued evolution in the PC gaming landscape.