NVIDIA's G-SYNC technology is rivaled by AMD's project Freesync, which is based on a technology standardized by the video electronics standards association (VESA), under Adaptive Sync. The technology lets GPUs and monitors keep display refresh rates in sync with GPU frame-rates, so the resulting output appears fluid. VESA's technology does not require special hardware inside standards-compliant monitors, and is royalty-free, unlike NVIDIA G-SYNC, which is based on specialized hardware, which display makers have to source from NVIDIA, which makes it a sort of a royalty.

When asked by Chinese publication Expreview on whether NVIDIA GPUs will support VESA adaptive-sync, the company mentioned that NVIDIA wants to focus on G-SYNC. A case in point is the display connector loadout of the recently launched GeForce GTX 980 and GTX 970. According to specifications listed on NVIDIA's website, the two feature DisplayPort 1.2 connectors, and not DisplayPort 1.2a, a requirement of VESA's new technology. AMD's year-old Radeon R9 and R7 GPUs, on the other hand, support DisplayPort 1.2a, casting a suspicion on NVIDIA's choice of connectors. Interestingly, the GTX 980 and GTX 970 feature HDMI 2.0, so it's not like NVIDIA is slow at catching up with new standards. Did NVIDIA leave out DisplayPort 1.2a in a deliberate attempt to check Adaptive Sync?

The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA), working in liaison with the USB 3.0 Promoter Group, today announced the publication of the DisplayPort Alternate Mode ("Alt Mode") on USB Type-C Standard. Using the DisplayPort Alt Mode, a USB Type-C connector and cable can deliver full DisplayPort audio/video (A/V) performance, driving monitor resolutions of 4K and beyond, SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.1) data and up to 100 watts of power--over a single cable. The DisplayPort Alt Mode can also drive adaptors that support the huge installed base of existing DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI, and VGA displays.

VESA utilized the Alternate Mode functional extension of the USB Type-C specification in the development of this new Standard. The DisplayPort Alt Mode repurposes some or all of the four existing SuperSpeed USB lanes to deliver full DisplayPort performance, and uses other signaling available in the USB Type-C connector for DisplayPort's AUX channel and HPD (Hot Plug Detection) function. This enables computers, tablets, smartphones, displays, and docking stations to implement the new USB Type-C connector at both ends while using the DisplayPort Standard over USB Type-C to transmit high-resolution A/V along with USB data and power.

Acer America is bringing its new XBO series gaming displays featuring NVIDIA G-SYNC technology to gaming enthusiasts in North America. This cutting-edge line delivers significant performance advantages that infuse gaming with incredibly smooth, realistic and responsive visuals, elevating game play to a new level of stunning realism.

The two XBO series display models for North America include the Acer XB280HK boasting a 28-inch 4K2K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) display with a @ 60Hz refresh rate and the Acer XB270H with a 27-inch screen and a maximum Full HD 1080p @ 144Hz resolution. Both models provide a quick 1ms response time, further enhancing in-game performance. They also feature revolutionary NVIDIA G-SYNC technology, comfortable ergonomics and excellent connectivity.

Ahead of its 19th September launch, more pictures of MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming surfaced, confirming that the company's new TwinFrozr V cooling solution will debut with it. These latest set of leaks include detailed shots of the card's custom-design PCB, which draws power from a combination of 6-pin and 8-pin PCIe power connectors, and uses a 6+2 phase VRM to condition power. The card's display outputs include two dual-link DVI, and one each of HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.2 connectors. Its cooling solution features a glowing logo, and a unique 6-pin fan header, which lets you control speeds of individual fans of the cooler.

With its next-generation GeForce GTX 980 graphics card, NVIDIA has taken the initiative to help phase out DVI, the digital display connector that has had its reign since the dawn of flatscreen monitors. In its place, NVIDIA is promoting DisplayPort. A picture of the rear I/O shield of a GeForce GTX 980 graphics card reveals that the card features no less than five display connectors, a staggering three DisplayPorts, and one each of HDMI 2.0 and dual-link DVI (with analog/VGA pins for compatibility with D-Sub only monitors). The rear vent pattern has been revamped to triangles, so vents can be cut through in vacant spaces between the connectors, without compromising on the shield's structural rigidity. This pattern made its debut with the dual-GPU GeForce GTX TITAN-Z.

The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) announced the release of the DisplayPort 1.3 audio / video (A/V) standard. An update to the widely used DisplayPort 1.2a standard, this latest version increases the maximum link bandwidth to 32.4 Gbps, with each of four lanes running at a link rate of 8.1 Gbps/lane-a 50% increase from the previous version of the DisplayPort standard. Allowing for transport overhead, DisplayPort's 32.4 Gbps combined link rate delivers 25.92 Gbps of uncompressed video data.

The increased bandwidth enables higher resolution monitors, including recently announced 5K monitors (with pixel resolutions of 5120 x 2880) using a single DisplayPort cable without the use of compression. It will also enable higher resolutions when driving multiple monitors through a single connection using DisplayPort's Multi-Stream feature, such as the use of two 4K UHD monitors, each with a pixel resolution of 3840 x 2160, when using VESA Coordinated Video Timing.

ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of visual solution products, introduces the VG2438Sm 16:10 desktop monitor to its line of award-winning displays. The combination of premium SuperClear panel technology that provides wide viewing angles, as well as a 16:10 aspect ratio, ensures that the VG2438Sm 24-inch display offers an excellent screen experience for demanding computing usage from commercial to enterprise environments and more.

With 1920x1200 resolution, the ViewSonic VG2438Sm's additional vertical space and boosted pixels provide better resolution over standard Full HD monitors, making it ideal for productivity-based tasks from editing and designing to engineering applications. It also features a DisplayPort connection and built in USB hub for more adaptable and flexible connectivity.

Acer today unveiled two new monitors, the 27-inch S277HK and the 25-inch H257HU. Featuring frameless designs and 4K2K Ultra HD and WQHD resolutions respectively, they bring together stylish form factors with great functionalities.

The Acer S277HK has the distinction of being the world's first 4K2K monitor to feature a frameless design and DTS surround sound. Besides giving it a stylish streamlined look, the design also maximizes its viewing area and provides a more seamless viewing experience for multi-monitor setups.

EIZO Corporation (TSE: 6737) today announced the release of the FlexScan EV2455 and FlexScan EV2450 IPS monitors for business environments such as trading rooms, back offices, and control rooms.

These monitors feature a new "Fusion" design that houses EIZO's own EcoView technologies for reduced power consumption and improved visual ergonomics inside an extremely compact cabinet. This new housing features 1 mm ultra-slim bezels on the sides and top (with black borders of 5.2 mm for the FlexScan EV2455 and 4.3 mm for the FlexScan EV2450) and a depth of a mere 47.9 mm for both models. This makes for an attractive design that blends in with the desktop and reduces eye movement in a multi-monitor setup.

ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of visual solution products, expands its entertainment line today with the launch of its new VG2401mh, a 24-inch Full HD display designed specifically for avid gamers and entertainment enthusiasts.

The VG2401mh features a 144 Hz rapid refresh rate and blazing-fast 1 ms response time, delivering ultra-smooth graphics and lag-free, crisp images for extreme moments of game play, as well as action-packed videos and other multimedia entertainment applications. The VG2401mh also features ViewSonic's Game Mode technology. Game Mode technology enhances visibility and detail by brightening the dark scenes of video games providing the ultimate gaming experience. In addition, an "Aimpoint" hotkey function provides gamers with on-screen crosshairs for an instant and accurate.

AMD announced its most important GPU for the season, the Radeon R9 285. The chip is designed to compete with the GeForce GTX 760 from NVIDIA at not just performance, but also energy-efficiency, and low component costs, so AMD can price it better. Based on a brand new 28 nm silicon by the company, codenamed "Tonga," the R9 285 features 1,792 Graphics CoreNext 1.2 stream processors, 112 TMUs, 32 ROPs, and a 256-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface, holding 2 GB of memory.

AMD partners are free to come up with 4 GB variants. The card supports DirectX 12, OpenGL 4.4, and Mantle. It features new AMD innovations, such as XDMA CrossFire, TrueAudio DSP, and 4-display Eyefinity by plugging into every connector on the card (two dual-link DVI, one DisplayPort 1.2, and one HDMI 1.4a). The card draws power from a pair of 6-pin PCIe power connectors. Available now, the Radeon R9 285, from various AMD partners starts at US $249.

EIZO Corporation today introduced the ColorEdge CS240, a 24.1-inch monitor that fits the varying needs and budgets of all levels of photographers and graphic design professionals. The ColorEdge CS240 offers many of the advanced features of other EIZO ColorEdge monitors such as a wide color gamut and hardware calibration. It also delivers benefits not usually available with cost-performance monitors such as dedicated calibration software that supports compatibility with a wide range of third-party calibration devices and a manufacturer's five-year warranty.

ColorEdge CS240The ColorEdge CS240 features a wide-gamut IPS (in-plane switching) with a 1920 x 1200 native resolution and reproduces 99% of the Adobe RGB color space. With this extended gamut, images shot in RAW can be converted to Adobe RGB or images shot in Adobe RGB will be displayed in vibrant and lush colors. An LED backlight reduces power consumption to just 27 watts during typical operation and utilizes brightness modulation technology for flicker-free image display to help prevent eye fatigue.

Dell is showing the 16:10 aspect ratio some love with its newest UltraSharp model, the U2415, which features a 24.1-inch AH-IPS panel with a native resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. Seen below, Dell's display comes with a slim (6.9 mm) bezel, a W-LED backlight, a 6 ms G2G respone time (that's with the FAST mode enabled), 300 cd/m2 brightness, 1,000:1 contrast ratio, a 5-port USB 3.0 hub, a stand allowing for tilt, swivel, rotate and height adjustments and one DisplayPort, one mini DisplayPort and two HDMI inputs, plus one DP out for daisy chaining (up to three monitors).

The UltraSharp U2415 can be found on Dell's Chinese website bearing a price tag of 3,299 yuan ($537/409 Euro).

Dell released its UltraSharp U3415W, a 34-inch curved ultra-wide monitor, which the company claims will provide an ergonomic multi-display workspace with just two displays; to rival those with three full-HD ones. The displays are equipped with blue-light reduction technology, to reduce eye-strain. The U3415W offers an aspect ratio of 21:9 (cinematic), with a native resolution of 3440 x 1440 pixels, refresh rate of 60 Hz, and 8 ms response time (GTG). Display inputs include HDMI 2.0 (sufficient bandwidth to run the panel at its native specs), mini-DisplayPort 1.2, and MHL. The monitor takes both analog inputs, and digital audio passthrough from its HDMI 2.0 and DP 1.2 connections, to drive its inbuilt 9W stereo speakers. The UltraSharp U3415W from Dell will begin selling some time in November, 2014.

Ahead of its launch, we scooped a few more details of the XB270HAbprz, a high-end variant of Acer's upcoming XB0 line of monitors that support NVIDIA G-Sync. There's good news, and bad news. Bad news first. The XB270HAbprz features just full-HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) native resolution, which at 27-inch size, is bound to look dotty for the keen-eyed. It is based on a TN-film panel. The good news, however, is that the display offers a staggering 144 Hz of refresh rate, which means it can drive 3D at 72 Hz per plane, and a blazing response time of 1 ms. Other vitals include 300 cd/m² maximum brightness, 1000:1 static contrast ratio with dynamic mega-contrast, and viewing angles of 160° V, 170° H. Inputs include a DisplayPort 1.2 connector, with dual-link DVI adapter. It lacks any internal speakers, but features a 4-port USB 3.0 hub.

StarTech.com, a leading manufacturer of hard-to-find connectivity parts, has announced the availability of three new Active 4K-capable Video Adapters, which enable users to stream audio and video from their DisplayPort 1.2 or Mini DisplayPort 1.2-equipped computer to an HDMI-equipped TV, monitor or projector. The new adapters offer active signal conversion, which unlike passive video adapters does not require a multi-mode DisplayPort (DP++) source signal, greatly expanding compatibility options.

Sapphire unveiled a factory overclocked version of the mainstream Radeon R7 250X Vapor-X graphics card it launched back in February, the Radeon R7 250X GHz Edition. Based on the same exact board design, featuring the same dual-fan Vapor-X cooling solution as its predecessor, the GHz Edition card features clock speeds of 1000 MHz core, and 4.80 GHz (GDDR5-effective) memory; compared to reference clock speeds of 925 MHz core and 4.50 GHz memory. The card takes in power from a single 6-pin PCIe power connector. Display outputs include two dual-link DVI, and one each of HDMI 1.4a and DisplayPort 1.2. Based on the 28 nm "Cape Verde" silicon, the Radeon R7 250X features 640 stream processors, 40 TMUs, 16 ROPs, and a 128-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface. This card features 2 GB of it.

ASUS mastered the art of using daughterboards to effectively increase the board area of its mini-ITX motherboards, to cram in more features, beginning with its pioneering VRM board, which added 8- to 10-phase CPU VRM. The company's latest such product builds heavily on this idea. The Maximus VII Impact, based on Intel's new Z97 Express chipset, and supporting socket LGA1150 processors, features as many as five daughterboards.

It begins with one that holds the board's mighty 8-phase CPU VRM; one called ImpactControl II, which features onboard power/reset, clear CMOS, and ROG Connect buttons, apart from POST LEDs, which show out from the rear I/O panel; one called the Impact CoolHub, which gives out two 4-pin PWM fan headers, with an LN2 mode toggle; the mPCIe Combo IV board, which features an mPCIe x1 slot on one side (which is populated with the board's 802.11 ac WLAN card), and an M.2 slot with PCIe 2.0 x4 link layer wiring on the other; and the SupremeFX Impact II, which is the audio board featuring an EMI-shielded 110 dBA SNR CODEC, audio-grade capacitors, a headphones amp, and inherent ground-layer isolation.

Acer America has announced the availability of the Acer B286HK display for both consumers and commercial users in North America. This leading-edge 28-inch display features sharp images and exceptional color accuracy with an ultra-high 4K2K (3840x2160) resolution and 6-axis color adjustment.

The UHD 3840x2160 resolution has four times as many pixels as 1920x1080 Full HD, delivering exceptional detail, a perfect fit for consumers who enjoy photography and video editing and professionals requiring premium image quality, such as graphic designers, photographers, videographers, website developers and marketing professionals. A large 28-inch backlit LED screen is ideal for viewing large spreadsheets, brochures, newsletters and two documents side by side.

EIZO Corporation today announced the release of the FlexScan EV3237, a 31.5-inch 4K IPS monitor with a 3840 x 2160 native resolution. The FlexScan EV3237 incorporates ecological features, visual ergonomics as well as picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture to offer advanced functionality for offices, control rooms, gaming, and CAD/CAM.

The FlexScan EV3237 uses an LED-backlit IPS (in-plane switching) LCD panel with 178° viewing angle that minimizes color shift and contrast changes when viewing the screen at an angle. The maximum brightness is 300 cd/m2 and contrast ratio is 1000:1.

Colorful officially launched its flagship socket LGA1150 motherboard, a fruition of its partnership with Chaintech, the iGame Z97 Ymir-X. This motherboard is also being referred to as "Flame Warrior" in some markets. The motherboard was first unveiled at Computex 2014, early this June. Built in the standard ATX form-factor, this board draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX, and 8-pin EPS power connectors. A highlight here is its 16-phase CPU VRM, which uses driver-MOSFETs, and Poscap capacitors. The CPU is wired to four DDR3 DIMM slots, and three PCI-Express 3.0 x16 (electrical x8/x4/x4 when all three are populated, x8/x8 when two are, and x16 when one is.) Four PCIe 2.0 x1 slots make up the rest of its expansion area. Overclockers are offered on-board base-clock tweaking switches, auto-OC buttons, and PCIe slot power gating, apart from a feature-rich UEFI BIOS, with manually selectable dual-BIOS.

Storage connectivity on the iGame Z97 Ymir-X includes eight SATA 6 Gb/s, and an mSATA 6 Gb/s that doubles up as mPCIe. Display outputs include dual-link DVI, D-Sub, HDMI, and DisplayPort. Bolstering its gaming PC credentials, are its Killer E2200 gaming-grade gigabit Ethernet, and 8-channel "Voice Gamer" HD audio with audio-grade capacitors, a headphones amp, and ground-layer isolation that prevents electrical noise with headsets plugged in. Six USB 3.0 ports (four on the rear panel, two by header), and a number of USB 2.0/1.1 ports. Colorful speaks of a new dense-weave fiber PCB that's resilient to humidity. Colorful plans to market this motherboard in the Asia-Pacific and Europe markets.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced the Swift PG278Q Gaming Monitor, a 27-inch WQHD display with a 144 Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time to cater to the graphical requirements of today's fast paced games. It boasts gamer-centric features for a better gameplay experience, NVIDIA G-SYNC Technology for smooth, fluid visuals, as well as exquisite and ergonomic design touches.

The world's first and only WQHD G-SYNC fast gaming monitor
Designed especially for gamers, the ROG Swift PG278Q Gaming Monitor features a 27-inch WQHD 2560 x 1440 panel with a pixel density of 109 pixels per inch (PPI). The use of a WQHD panel gives it four times (4X) the resolution of 720p for sharper images, and provides 77% more screen workspace than similarly-sized 1080p displays.

AOC is setting new standards for "large": with the u3477Pqu, the display specialist has set sail to new shores as it combines size with enhanced productivity. This 34" (86.7 cm ) WQHD monitor is the right choice for cinema enthusiasts and demanding multi-task users alike. Stunning image clarity, detail and 1.07 billion colours make sure you get the full picture when displaying high-resolution images with 4.95 million pixels on the UltraWide panoramic 21:9 screen.

The monitor boasts an impressive resolution of 3440 x 1440 pixels on the more than a quarter of a square meter display area, and the aspect ratio allows viewers to watch movies without black bars on top and bottom. Thanks to a great interplay between hardware and software, users can easily watch a movie and play a computer game at the same time on the same screen. Alongside many different ports like USB 3.0 and DisplayPort, AOC offers an integrated HDMI port with MHL functionality which enables the user to directly mirror smartphones and tablet screens onto the big screen.

Acer will soon be throwing its hat into the 4K ring by rolling out a 28-inch monitor with a native resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. Acer's upcoming UHD display is called CB280HK and features a TN panel, an LED backlight, a 2 ms response time, a 1000:1 contrast ratio, a stand allowing tilt, pivot, swivel and height adjustment, and DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort and mini DisplayPort connectivity.

The Acer CB280HK can be found listed on pre-order with a price tag of 499 Euro.

Club 3D officially launches the next generation of USB 3.0 Graphics adapters capable of outputting high resolutions to DVI-I (2048x 1152p), DisplayPort (2560x 1600p) and the world's first USB 3.0 to DisplayPort Graphics (CSV-2302) adapter which supports 4K or Ultra High Definition resolution at 3840x 2160p.

The Universal Serial Bus (USB) Port of a desktop computer or notebook is multifunctional and can be used to connect a large variety of (storage) devices, keyboards, mice and and other peripherals like monitors. Back in 2011, Club 3D introduced its first SenseVision USB Graphics adapters.