The Acer Predator Orion 3000 is a compact gaming PC that’s more attractive and affordable than most rivals, and the PO3-630-UA15 model in this review is one of the best gaming PCs you can buy now for playing modern AAA games at 1080p to 1440p.
Unlike more bulky gaming behemoths like the Asus ROG Strix GA15DK or the iBUYPOWER SlateMR 215a, the Orion 3000 is small enough to effortlessly fit on a desk next to your monitors. And you don’t have to worry about a thing, it has several convenient easily accessed front-facing ports for all your peripherals.
It also comes with the pre-installed PredatorSense app that allows for a good degree of RGB tweaking, allowing you to set various effects, and even specify the speed and duration at which the colors pop.
The Acer Predator Orion 3000 isn’t just about a beautiful face, as you’ll find when you run some faces. Powering the Predator PO3-630-UA15 is an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 graphics card and an Intel Core i7-11700F processor, making for a high-powered gaming PC that can handle decent 4K gaming at a smooth 60fps threshold though, with this GPU, it’s best suited for 1440p gaming.
Combined with the right monitor such as the LG UltraGear 38GN950, the Orion 3000 can easily hit 120fps at lower resolutions like 1080p, which is a nice thing to have when playing most fast-paced titles like Doom Eternal, Apex Legends, or CS: GO.
Acer Predator Orion 3000 Specs
Here is the Acer Predator Orion 3000 configuration in this review:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-11700F (8-core)
- Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: Western Digital 500GB SSD, Western Digital 1TB HDD
- Ports (front): 1 x USB 3.2, 1 x USB-C 3.2, 2 x 3.5mm audio jack
- Ports (rear): 2 x USB 3.2, 2 x USB 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort, 1 x HDMI, 2 x WiFi module
- Connectivity: Killer E2600 Gigabit Ethernet Controller
- Weight: 24.4 pounds
- Size: 15.2 x 6.89 x 15.43 inches
Price and Availability
The Acer Predator Orion 3000 gaming PC isn’t cheap by any means. The PO3-630-UA15 model in this review will set you back a good sum (average $1,600 at the time of this writing). For that price, you’re getting an 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11700F (8-Core), Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070, and 16GB of RAM with Windows 11, making for a very capable 1440p gaming PC.
Other configurations are available, so you can spend more or less money on a rig that fits within your budget. Some feature the less powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, or the same specs but with Windows 10.
Sadly, no configuration of the Orion 3000 features the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 GPU, so you’ll have to look at something like the HP Omen 30L (RTX 3080) or the iBUYPOWER Trace5MR9350iA (RTX 3090) if you’re keen on unlocking your gaming potential at high frame rate 4K gaming.
Design
One of our favorite things about the Predator Orion 3000 gaming PC must be the size. It’s incredibly compact and not in a bad way, can be moved around easily and relatively small chassis means the Orion 3000 is easier to fit on a desk. The small footprint gives you plenty of options as to where you’d like to showcase your tower.
Surprisingly, even with the compact build, the internal components aren’t cramped together. There’s plenty of space inside this rig which allows the FrostBlade fans to work without obstructions. All said it’s a smartly crafted gaming PC in that regard, managing to feature everything it needs without any hint of shoddy build quality.
The same neatness extends to the machine’s internal cable management. For a prebuilt PC, Acer has put taken away the headache of creating a rig from scratch but has also made sure to put together a machine with a very tidy interior as possible. It’s especially a beautiful machine for anyone who likes to have RGBs all blown out, but at the same time needs them to shine through, unobstructed by eyesore cables.
We are pleased by the plethora of ports around the back, but the front-facing ports leave a sour taste in the mouth. Upfront, there’s only one USB 3.2 port, paired with a singular USB-C 3.2 port and a pair of 3.5mm audio jacks for headphones and a mic.
Practically, it looks a bit barebones, especially if you use a lot of wired devices. That said, the placement of a headset grip on the front of the PC, while a nice idea, we feel like it would have been done better. It is placed directly above the front-facing ports, so depending on your headset, it can obstruct those ports until the headset is removed.
Performance
- 11th Generation Intel Core i7-11700F 8-Core Processor (Up to 4.9GHz), 16GB DDR4 3200MHz...
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Graphics with 8GB of GDDR6 Video Memory (3 x Display Ports & 1 x...
- DTS X: Ultra Audio, Intel Wireless Wi-Fi 6 AX201 802.11ax, Killer Ethernet E2600...
As with all other Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 powered machines, the Acer Predator Orion 3000 will not only deliver high framerates at 1080p, it’s no slouch in 4K either, most modern titles hit and maintain 60fps at a high resolution.
For instance, Forza Horizon 4, a graphically demanding and resource-heavy game, loads without a hitch in performance at Ultra settings. Similarly, intensive games AAA games like Doom Eternal and Cyberpunk 2077 average a 4K 60fps performance, but it’s worth noting that you’ll experience occasional frame drops with the latter. That’s largely due to Cyberpunk’s busy open-world setting as well as the stringent optimization thus far.
Still, the Orion PO3-630-UA15 is capable of running some of the most visually stunning games out there at 4K, while maintaining a consistent high frame rate, thanks in a big part to the high-end GPU in the machine.
But if you’re not in the “hardcore” 4K gaming class, performance at 1080p settings is even better, where you can play games at a high, unlocked frame rate. This is especially great if you find yourself indulging in multiplayer titles like Apex Legends, League of Legends or planning to invest in titles like Battlefield 2042.
As ever, we’d recommend trying out the GPU’s ray tracing modes where possible, too. You can take Control for a spin, as it features one of the best implementations of the snappy tech so far, and we’re sure the performance will be satisfying. If you’re just curious about how great some of the latest titles can look, then the Orion 3000 is a solid platform for your endeavors.
Lastly, the Orion 3000 is a VR-ready machine, and its performance is nothing short of stellar. If you happen to own a VR device, maybe an Oculus Quest 2, you can rest assured that graphically demanding VR titles like Half-Life: Alyx will run smoothly on this machine.
Apart from the superb graphical fidelity, the Orion 3000’s processing is similarly great. The Intel Core i7-11700F twinned with 16GB of RAM keeps intensive games under control. That chi is a great companion to the GPU and SSD.
Speaking of SSD, it’s quick as you’d expect from the new technology. Having a 512GB SSD plus 1TB HDD storage is as good as it can be, you have all the room to store your games, just keep in mind though, all your SSD-installed games will be sharing space with the OS.
Verdict – Delightful 1440p gaming
In a lot of good ways, I think the Acer Predator Orion 3000 is a perfect first gaming PC for someone looking to get into pro-gaming.
You can get one like our review unit, the PO3-630-UA15 model, for under two grand, and you’ll still shine in the brilliance of an RTX 3070 GPU in a sleek, pint-sized case that lights and looks extremely beautiful on your desk.
The case itself is easy to open when you’re ready to DIY, maybe upgrade the ARMA or memory, but even if you never upgrade it, this gaming PC has enough power to play the latest games at good framerates for years to come.
Overall, the Acer Predator Orion 3000 PO3-630-UA15 is a great gaming PC with a super-smart design and all the gaming glory you’d expect of a sub-$2000 machine. Plus, it comes neatly packaged with a serviceable mouse and keyboard in a single box that’s easy to open. At least for 1080p and 1440p, we have nothing to complain about.
But if you’re looking for more power out of your prebuilt gaming PC, you’ll likely be better off saving up a bit more and splurging on a relative competition like the Alienware Aurora R12 or the HP Omen 30L desktops. That way lies blissful 4K PC gaming greatness.
The Review
Acer Predator Orion 3000
The Acer Predator Orion 3000 PO3-630-UA15 sports lovely RGB lighting in a slick compact design, looking past that reveals a very capable 4K gaming machine that has all the hallmarks of future-proofed gaming and productivity performance.
Recommended Configuration
Acer Predator Orion 3000 PO3-630-UA15 Gaming Desktop
1 used from $1,288.00
PROS
- Smart build with lovely RGB
- Great gaming performance
- Stylish design looks good on a desk
- Superb cooling
CONS
- 500GB SSD is a tad small
- Low-quality keyboard and mouse
Review Breakdown
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EDITORS RATING
Last update on 2024-10-30 at 11:58 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
