Asus has announced the release of two new monitors at this year’s CES. Both are proud to be flying under the company’s Republic of Gamers flag, which aims to give PC gaming enthusiasts strong value alongside cutting-edge technology.
Asus MG279Q WQHD
This new monitor makes up for its lackluster name with 1440p resolution, crazy quick response times, and a fully adjustable stand that comes equipped with the company’s patented SmartCable cord management system.
Speed is what this monitor is all about, as it offers a 120Hz refresh rate and achieves a response time of five millisecond gray to gray. Connectivity includes one DisplayPort (version 1.2a, making it the first of its kind this year), one mini-DisplayPort, two HDMI, and an MHL to show off any mobile devices you may want to plug in.
The MG279Q also features the trademark ASUS “Gameplus” hotkey, which creates a customizable crosshair on the screen in case you’d like more accuracy in a game that normally doesn’t offer one, or disables it in certain views. This can give a definite competitive edge (indeed, some gamers might call it cheating).
Asus ROG Swift PG27AQ
Only the quickest computers can play AAA titles at 4K, but those lucky PC gamers with uber-capable rigs will no doubt want a display that lets their hardware show off. The 27-inch ROG Swift PG27AQ is that monitor.
The highlight is Nvidia’s G-Sync technology, which synchronizes the frame rendering from an Nvidia card to the refresh rate of the monitor, which in this case is 60Hz. Doing so eliminates screen tearing and other graphical issues that occur when a monitor refreshing in the middle of a frame.
We’ve G-Sync before, of course, but the PG27AQ is the first ever to combine it with a 4K panel that uses In Plane Switching (IPS) technology. Past monitors like the Acer XB280HK have offered G-Sync and 4K, but always with an inferior Twisted Nematic (TN) panel, which can’t match the color gamut and black levels of IPS.
No details on pricing or availability have been released for either display yet. Asus has a reputation for value, but we doubt either of this displays will be cheap. The PG27AQ in particular is likely to hit stores at more than $1,000.
