G-SYNC Pulsar#2 in our G-SYNC Pulsar rankingsBest for a USB hub and speakers
Acer Predator XB273U F5 review
A 27-inch 1440p 360Hz G-SYNC Pulsar IPS with a USB hub and built-in speakers; Tom's Hardware gave it an Editor's Choice award.
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Quick verdict
The XB273U F5 delivers the same headline experience as the other launch Pulsar monitors, very clear motion with VRR still on, and adds practical extras: a three-port USB hub and a pair of small speakers. Tom's Hardware called it the smoothest and quickest LCD gaming monitor it had tested and saw no brightness drop with Pulsar engaged.
It shares the Pulsar caveats: an NVIDIA GPU is required, Pulsar switches off below about 90 fps, and IPS contrast of around 1,100:1 means no real HDR despite the DisplayHDR 500 label.
27″ · 1440p · 360Hz · IPS · G-SYNC Pulsar
Buy it if
- You have an NVIDIA GPU and play fast games above 90 fps.
- You want USB ports on the monitor and basic built-in audio.
- You prefer an LCD for static desktop work.
Skip it if
- You use AMD, Intel, or console graphics only.
- You want HDR with deep blacks; choose an OLED.
- You need a rock-steady stand for frequent adjustments.
Key specifications
| Exact model | XB273U F5 — US SKU suffixes include F5bmiiprx and F5bmiiprzx |
|---|---|
| Size / aspect | 27″ / 16:9 |
| Resolution | 2560×1440 |
| Refresh rate | 360Hz |
| Dual mode | No |
| Panel family | IPS |
| Panel subtype | IPS |
| Subpixel layout | RGB stripe (LCD) |
| Coating | Matte anti-glare |
| Curvature | Flat |
| Backlight | Edge-lit LED with rolling-scan strobing for Pulsar; no local dimming |
| Motion technology | NVIDIA G-SYNC Pulsar: backlight strobing synchronized with VRR (NVIDIA GPUs only; operates from about 90 fps) |
| Adaptive sync / VRR | Full G-SYNC (Pulsar); Adaptive-Sync with other GPUs, without Pulsar |
| HDR | VESA DisplayHDR 500; no zone dimming |
| DisplayPort | 1x DisplayPort 1.4 |
| HDMI | 2x HDMI 2.1 |
| USB-C | None |
| USB ports | USB 3.2 hub: 1 upstream, 3 downstream |
| KVM switch | No |
| Audio | 2 x 2W speakers |
| Stand | Height (about 5.9 in) and 90° pivot; slight wobble at the fulcrum (Tom's Hardware) |
| VESA mount | Yes (size not verified) |
| Warranty | Unknown (not verified for the US) |
Specifications are manufacturer-stated unless marked as measured. “Unknown” means we could not verify the value, not that it is zero or absent.
Advantages and drawbacks
Advantages
- G-SYNC Pulsar with no brightness penalty, per Tom's Hardware.
- USB 3.2 hub with three downstream ports.
- Built-in 2 x 2W speakers.
- Generous height adjustment and portrait pivot.
Drawbacks
- Pulsar requires an NVIDIA GPU.
- IPS contrast and no zone dimming.
- Slight stand wobble at the fulcrum.
What independent testing reports
| Metric | Reported result | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pulsar operating range | 90–360 fps | Below 90 fps Pulsar disengages to avoid flicker | Tom's Hardware, March 20, 2026 |
| Contrast | About 1,100:1 | SDR | Tom's Hardware, March 20, 2026 |
These are third-party results, not our tests. Different outlets use different methods, so compare numbers only within the same source.
Motion, response, and latency
Pulsar synchronizes a rolling-scan backlight pulse with each refresh while VRR stays on. Tom's Hardware found it active from 90 to 360 fps and reported no artifacts in its testing with RTX 40 and 50 series cards. Below 90 fps Pulsar turns off, because slow strobing flickers visibly. The figure NVIDIA advertises, over 1,000Hz of effective motion clarity, describes perceived blur, not the refresh rate, which tops out at 360Hz.
Image quality and HDR
Tom's Hardware measured about 1,100:1 contrast, solid for IPS, and found out-of-box color accurate. The DisplayHDR 500 certification brings brighter highlights but no zone dimming, so HDR lacks contrast.
Connectivity, PC, and console notes
One DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.1 ports, and a USB 3.2 hub (one upstream, three downstream). Speakers are built in. There is no USB-C.
Warranty and ownership
As an LCD, no burn-in concern. Check the Acer listing for US warranty terms; we could not verify them.
Warranty: Unknown (not verified for the US)
Alternatives worth comparing
ASUS ROG Strix Pulsar XG27AQNGV
27″ · 1440p · 360Hz · IPS (Fast IPS (AU Optronics M270DAN10.6, per TFTCentral))
Our top Pulsar pick, with the deepest published testing and ULMB 2 modes down to 60Hz.
AOC AGON PRO AG276QSG2
27″ · 1440p · 360Hz · IPS
Same panel class, often the cheapest route to Pulsar.
Questions buyers ask
Is the Acer faster than the ASUS Pulsar model?
They use the same class of 27-inch 1440p 360Hz IPS panel. Differences come down to firmware, stand, ports, and extras rather than raw speed.
Why do listings say F5bmiiprx or F5bmiiprzx?
Acer adds suffixes for regional or bundle configurations. Both refer to the XB273U F5 model family; check the ports listed on the page.
Final recommendation
Buy the XB273U F5 if you want Pulsar and value a USB hub and speakers. If you do not need the extras, the ASUS XG27AQNGV has the most thorough testing, and the AOC model is the one to buy when it is priced lowest.
Sources
- Acer Predator XB273U F5 27-inch QHD 360 Hz gaming monitor review — Tom's Hardware, March 20, 2026 (independent testing)
- NVIDIA G-SYNC Monitors with Pulsar & Ambient Adaptive Tech Available January 7 — NVIDIA, January 5, 2026 (manufacturer specification)
- Amazon listing for this exact model (ASIN B0GK2R59QW), matched on September 30, 2026 by its listing title. We do not show Amazon prices or ratings.
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