Gaming
From gaming PCs to stunning displays, here’s everything Acer unveiled – and stole the show with – at the gigantic German consumer expo.
The world’s largest tech titans descended on Berlin’s IFA this week to reveal the latest in cutting edge consumer electronics in front of thousands of fans and influencers alike. Perhaps the brand that sent the biggest, boldest message, however, was Acer: the tech manufacturer unleashed a fleet of new Predator gaming PCs, monitors and accessories at IFA 2017 to cater to gamers in any scenario.
From compact gaming devices to beefed-up, liquid-cooled desktop rigs and astounding, future-proofed monitors, all the new Predator gear dazzled. With their bold looks and dangerous colours, the Predator Triton 700 laptop, Predator Orion 9000 gaming desktop, Predator X35 gaming monitors all scream performance. The real story, however, is under the hood: above all else, the new Acer Predator line-up is about speed, performance and response times, making it easier than ever for you to dominate in Project CARS 2 or squeak out a scrappy, thrilling victory in For Honor. Let’s take a look.
Super speeds
Serious gamers require serious performance and not just when it comes to in-game graphics – if you’re live streaming your play, or editing audio for a podcast while watching the week’s LCS matches at the same time, say. Make no mistake, CPU still counts, and in this regard the Predator Orion 9000 delivers. The top of the line Orion 9000 series offers specifications up to an Intel Core i9 Extreme Edition 18 Core processor paired with up to Intel Optane 128GB quad-channel DDR memory, while even the more modest version packs an AMD Ryzen 7 processor to keep your next gaming rig future-proofed for everyday use – and for today’s top gamers, making a living broadcasting on Twitch, that’s more crucial than ever.
Hardcore PC gaming of course is no longer the reserve of desktop towers – and if you need proof, look no further than the new Predator Triton 7000 gaming laptop. Though a compact mobile device – its unibody aluminium chassis measures just 18.9mm deep – it’s still designed with the hardcore gamer in mind. An Intel Core i7 H-series processor as standard means it’s capable of a lot more than the odd round of Hearthstone: this is a multi-purpose 15.6-inch laptop that just so happens to be able to run 4K and VR games, as well as all of the most demanding titles in your Steam queue.
Next level graphics
If looks could kill, just owning the Predator Orion 9000 would earn you Grandmaster rank in Overwatch, but it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Your choice of AMD Radeon RX VEGA or two-way NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080Ti SLI cards makes virtual reality in your own home a physical reality and 8K ultra highdefinition resolutions possible – essential in top-of-the-line racing sims.
The Predator Triton 7000 meanwhile makes graphically demanding games like Mass Effect Andromeda or Grand Theft Auto V more than playable: they’re playable anywhere, thanks to the NVIDIA GTX 1080 graphics card on board, meaning you can be on a plane while stealing one in Los Santos – though it probably won’t help you find that elusive jetpack.
Keep cool
8K games will tax most hardware to the limit, which means you’ll need not only the right equipment, but the means to cool it as well. That’s a challenge for custom gaming rigs, but the modular nature of the Predator Orion 9000 series means individual components are cooled separately; the motherboard boasts its own liquid cooling module while dual fans expel heat generated by the powerful graphics cards working at full tilt.
So hardcore that you consider any PC that isn’t overclocked severely underclocked? No problem: the cabinet interior design also allows for up to six 14cm fans and an extra liquid cooling solution, so heated battles on screen in Quake Champions needn’t translate to heated battles inside your hardware. The Predator Triton 7000 meanwhile sports Dual AeroBlade 3D fans to keep its own hardware ticking over – essential when you’re playing Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds on the go.
Rapid response
GPU isn’t the only spec that makes or breaks a gaming rig – but nor is resolution. Acer’s new Predator displays unveiled at IFA 2017 look seriously sharp, powered on and off, but that’s just the start. The Predator X35 features an ultra wide curved 35-inch display with a 21:9 aspect ratio capable of 4K gaming. All well and good, but when every click counts, and your team-mates are counting on you, a monitor that isn’t just sharp, but fast is crucial. The Predator X35 is up to the challenge here, with a rapid 200Hz refresh rate as well as support for NVIDIA G-SYNC, minimising screen tear at crucial moments, whether that’s setting a new lap time on the Red Bull Ring in F1 2017 or getting that last hit in League of Legends solo queue.
Total control
A top-quality screen isn’t enough to help you on your way up the ladder in your favourite game without responsive inputs to match though – tactile and aural. The new line of Predator Cestus gaming mice are additional weapons in your arsenal online, with deep customisation options. Both new models are wired, for fast twitch reactions, and offer full and half-click options for different actions. Need your macros? Map them to any of the eight programmable buttons and five profile settings in the Predator Cestus 500, or four and three respectively in the Predator Cestus 300.
Sound is just as crucial to getting the drop on your opponents in many games, whether it’s listening out for their footfalls or just co-ordinating plays with your team-mates. The new Predator Galea gaming headset covers all your bases with USB connection for your PC, as well as custom EQ settings depending on what you’re playing – or watching. All that combined? The power to come out on top in your favourite games, anywhere. Good luck, have fun.
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