At Computex, three cutting-edge gaming monitors were unveiled, each pushing the boundaries of refresh rates. The standout is the Asus ROG Strix Ace XG248QSG, a 1080p monitor boasting an astonishing 610Hz refresh rate. Not to be outdone, both MSI and Acer introduced 1440p monitors with 500Hz refresh rates, a specification that challenges even the most advanced setups, such as those equipped with an RTX 5090 and multi-frame generation technology.
Acer's offering, the Predator X27U F5, combines speed with a QD-OLED display, promising exceptional color accuracy. Initially launching in Europe and China at a starting price of €899, Acer plans to bring it to the US market as well. However, due to ongoing tariff negotiations, a US price hasn't been disclosed yet. Given the rising costs of tech products, affordability might be a concern.
MSI's 27-inch MPG 271QR X50 also features a QD-OLED panel but stands out with an innovative AI feature. As reported by PC Gamer, the monitor includes a small sensor that detects when you move away from the screen. This information is relayed to a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), triggering the monitor to turn off automatically for burn-in protection. This feature is particularly relevant for gaming monitors, where static images are common, and burn-in is a known risk. While the AI aspect might seem unsettling, it's preferable to the OLED protection activating during gameplay.
Do Gaming Monitors Need to Be This Fast?
The introduction of monitors with such high refresh rates, like the Asus ROG Strix Ace XG248QSG's 610Hz at 1080p, raises questions about their necessity. In an era where Nvidia's multi-frame generation can boost frame rates significantly, achieving these high frame rates remains a challenge. Even in fast-paced games like Marvel Rivals, an RTX 5090 paired with multi-frame generation might be needed to reach 610Hz, though this approach is generally discouraged in competitive settings due to added latency.
Achieving such high frame rates requires not only a powerful graphics card but also a robust CPU. At frame rates approaching 600 fps, the CPU must efficiently feed data to the GPU. Technologies like Nvidia Reflex and frame generation can help, but a powerful CPU is essential for maintaining these speeds. If a game can be rendered at these high frame rates without relying on frame generation, the result is incredibly low render latency, crucial for competitive gaming. In games like Counter-Strike 2, where every millisecond counts, players often opt for the lowest settings to minimize input lag. While these high-refresh-rate monitors offer significant advantages for competitive gamers, their likely high cost raises questions about their broader appeal.
