"Gaming Monitors Outpace Expectations at Computex 2025"

Three new gaming monitors pushing the boundaries of refresh rates have been unveiled at Computex. Leading the pack is the Asus ROG Strix Ace XG248QSG, a 1080p display boasting an astonishing 610Hz refresh rate. Both MSI and Acer have introduced 1440p monitors with 500Hz refresh rates, which even the powerful RTX 5090 with multi-frame generation struggles to drive effectively.

Acer's Predator X27U F5 stands out not only for its speed but also for its QD-OLED technology, promising exceptional color accuracy. Initially launching in Europe and China at a starting price of €899, Acer plans to bring the monitor to the US, though pricing remains undisclosed due to ongoing tariff negotiations. The company aims to reveal the US price closer to its release, but with rising tech costs, affordability might be a concern.

MSI's 27-inch MPG 271QR X50 also features a QD-OLED panel, but its highlight is a unique AI feature. A small sensor at the bottom of the display detects when you move away, triggering the monitor to turn off and activate its burn-in protection through an NPU (Neural Processing Unit). This AI-driven approach to preventing burn-in, a common issue with OLED displays, is innovative, though it may raise some privacy concerns.

Do Gaming Monitors Need to Be This Fast?

The introduction of these ultra-fast monitors raises questions about their necessity. The Asus ROG Strix Ace XG248QSG, with its 610Hz refresh rate, is exceptionally fast, even with technologies like Nvidia's multi-frame generation pushing frame rates to new heights. To achieve such high frame rates in games like Marvel Rivals, you would need an RTX 5090 and multi-frame generation, which is generally discouraged in competitive settings due to added latency.

To fully leverage these high refresh rates, a powerful CPU is essential. At frame rates approaching 600 fps, the CPU must efficiently feed data to the graphics card. While technologies like Nvidia Reflex and frame generation help, a robust CPU is still crucial.

The advantage of such high frame rates lies in significantly reduced render latency, critical for competitive gaming. In games like Counter-Strike 2, competitive players opt for the lowest settings to maximize frame rates and minimize input lag, which can be the deciding factor in high-stakes matches. Whether the substantial cost of these monitors justifies the performance gain remains a question for many potential buyers.