CES 2020: ASUS and Nvidia take it up a notch with 360Hz gaming monitor
The snappy new G-SYNC display from ASUS can output one frame every 2.8 milliseconds.
During the busy week of CES 2020, ASUS and Nvidia teamed up to unveil the world's first G-SYNC 360Hz gaming monitor, the ROG Swift 360.
ASUS packs the new-found power of 360Hz into a 24.5-inch form factor. The high refresh rate on the Swift 360 means that it's up to 6 times faster than what Nvidia calls "traditional gaming displays" (panels running at 60Hz). The display itself is running at the standard Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) resolution.
Since the monitor bears the G-SYNC label, it's undergone full testing and certification from Nvidia to ensure it meets the graphics-focused company's quality and performance standards. Without certification, ASUS wouldn't be able to use the branding of Nvidia's variable refresh rate technology on its display.
High refresh rate monitors are critically important for fast-paced competitive games, which more than 60% of gamers on Nvidia GeForce hardware play each month. The display is likely to be welcomed by esports pros and enthusiasts alike, who'll be best able to take advantage of the display's refresh rate, as well as the lack of screen tearing and other display distractions.
The monitor is expected to hit shelves this year, in what seems to be good timing for ASUS given that esports seem to be increasing in popularity. Competitive esports shooter Counter-Strike: Global Offensive recently overtook its Valve-developed counter-part Dota 2 as the most played game on Steam.
To take full advantage of the monitor's refresh rate, you'd need a graphics card powerful enough to output games at 360 frames per second. For many traditional esports titles, such as Rocket League and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, that shouldn't be too challenging. Just don't expect to be able to run a highly-intensive game like GTA 5 at a frame rate that can take advantage of the monitor's full potential.
It'll come as no shock that Nvidia recommends using one of its RTX series of graphics cards to take advantage of the high refresh rate of the monitor, but other cards from the likes of AMD should do the trick just fine too.
