Three new gaming monitors unveiled at Computex are pushing refresh rate boundaries to new extremes. The standout at the Taipei computing trade show is the Asus ROG Strix Ace XG248QSG, a 1080p display boasting a blistering 610Hz refresh rate. Meanwhile, MSI and Acer have each introduced 1440p displays with 500Hz refresh rates – a spec demanding immense graphical power, even with hardware like a future RTX 5090 and multi-frame generation techniques.
Acer's entry, the Predator X27U F5, pairs its high speed with a QD-OLED panel for exceptional color accuracy. Initially, this monitor will launch only in Europe and China, starting at €899. According to Acer, a US release is planned, though pricing details are not yet available. The company cites ongoing tariff negotiations as the reason for the delayed price announcement, stating that final US pricing will be confirmed closer to the retail launch. Given current market trends, however, expectations for an affordable price tag should be tempered.
MSI is also entering the arena with a QD-OLED panel in its 27-inch MPG 271QR X50, which similarly lacks confirmed pricing. Beyond the fast, high-quality display, a notable AI feature has drawn attention. As reported by PC Gamer after a hands-on demo, a small sensor at the bottom of the monitor detects when the user steps away. This data is processed by a dedicated NPU (Neural Processing Unit) to automatically power down the display, initiating burn-in protection protocols.
Burn-in protection is a standard feature for OLED displays, especially crucial for gaming monitors where static interface elements are often present. These systems typically refresh pixels periodically to prevent image retention. While an AI-driven approach may seem unconventional, it offers a potential improvement over sudden, intrusive screen blanking during active use.
Do Gaming Monitors Need to Be This Fast?
The arrival of three ultra-high-refresh-rate monitors is remarkable, with the Asus ROG Strix Ace XG248QSG leading the pack. A 610Hz refresh rate at 1080p is exceptionally fast, even in an era where Nvidia's multi-frame generation can significantly boost frame rates. Achieving such performance in a title like Marvel Rivals would likely require top-tier hardware like an RTX 5090 and multi-frame generation, the latter of which can introduce added latency—a potential drawback in competitive gaming.
Reaching these extreme refresh rates demands more than just a powerful graphics card; a high-performance CPU is equally critical. At frame rates soaring near 600 fps, the CPU must work relentlessly to supply data to the GPU. Technologies like Nvidia Reflex and frame generation help alleviate bottlenecks to some extent, but raw CPU power becomes a dominant factor at this elite performance tier.
That said, rendering a game at such high frame rates—particularly without relying on frame generation—results in exceptionally low render latency, a key advantage in competitive play. This is precisely why professional Counter-Strike 2 players often use the lowest graphical settings, prioritizing frame rate over visual fidelity to minimize input lag. Whether the undeniable competitive edge justifies the expected high cost for the average gamer, however, remains an open question.
