Asustek demos world’s first IPS gaming display with 165Hz refresh rate

Asustek Computer this week demonstrated the industry’s first monitor with 165Hz refresh rate designed for gaming. The display is currently a technology showcase prototype, which will hit the market at a later date. But while not a lot is clear about the monitor, it is evident that this is a unique product.

At the Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin (IFA Berlin) trade-show, Asustek demonstrated its ROG Swift PG279Q display, which features Nvidia Corp.’s G-Sync dynamic refresh rate technology along with up to 165Hz panel refresh rate. The monitor was designed with professional gamers in mind, who require maximum framerate per second.

Asustek did not disclose any details about its new ROG Swift PG279Q display, but sources close to the company revealed some interesting facts about the product. The Asus ROG Swift PG279Q is based on an advanced in-plane switching (IPS) panel with a very low response time. If the panel in the ROG Swift PG279Q is similar to that of its predecessor (which is highly likely), then expect it to feature at least 2560*1440 resolution, 170°/160° horizontal/vertical viewing angles, 350cd/m² brightness, 1000:1 contrast ratio and 16.7 million (8-bit) colours. The monitor will use DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI interfaces.

Typically, monitors with 120Hz – 144Hz higher refresh rates use TN panels and thus do not feature great colour reproduction and good viewing angles. In fact, the vast majority of displays that support AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync also rely on TN panels to provide adaptive refresh rate across a broad range of frequencies. However, Asustek’s latest-generation ROG Swift PG-series displays rely on high-quality IPS panels with great colours and wide viewing angles.

Keeping in mind that Asustek Computer does not produce panels for displays itself, but buys them from other makers, it is unknown whether 165Hz is the native refresh rate of the particular panel, or Asus had to use a proprietary technology to enable such high frequency. It is also unknown whether 165Hz rate is actually supported at all times and by Nvidia’s G-Sync technology.

Pricing of the upcoming Asus ROG Swift PG279Q is unknown, but since it will be a premium display, it will not be affordable. Asus did not disclose availability dates for the product.

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KitGuru Says: The new display is not really big and its resolution is not really high. However, if you are a professional gamer who needs the highest framerate, then Asustek’s ROG Swift PG279Q is just what the doctor ordered. Moreover, if you need an ultra-high refresh rate and a good-quality IPS panel, the ROG Swift PG279Q simply has no rivals.

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