ASUS released pictures of its upcoming VG248QE 24-inch 3D monitor, built for gaming. It supports a blazing fast 144 Hz refresh rate, which ensures an eye-pleasing 72 Hz per-plane when using stereoscopic 3D. It is based on an older TN-film panel that's LED-backlit, but its narrower viewing angles shouldn't matter to gamers. Apart from its stellar refresh rate, it features 1 ms response time, and 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution. It needs dual-link DVI or DisplayPort 1.2, to keep up with its steep bandwidth requirements. HDMI is also available, though it could limit refresh-rate to 72 Hz (due to lack of bandwidth). The VG248QE stand supports height, tilt, and 90° pivot rotation (to a portrait mode). It packs 2W stereo speakers. ASUS Splendid software comes included, which lets you tweak image quality and display clock. All this could come with a hefty price-tag, around 3,000 Swedish Kronor including 25% VAT (US $450).

NEC Display Solutions of America, a leading provider of commercial LCD display and projector solutions, announced today the MultiSync MD211C2 and MD211C3 medical-grade displays for diagnostic imaging in healthcare organizations. The MD211C2 and MD211C3 are on display at Radiological Society of North America's 2012 Expo (Booth No. 7520) today through November 29 at the McCormick Place in Chicago.

These 2- and 3-megapixel medical diagnostic displays are designed to meet the needs of healthcare facilities requiring consistent and accurate medical imaging using Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). MultiSync MD Series models are factory calibrated to the DICOM grayscale function for luminance and include a new, smaller front sensor to maintain a calibrated brightness as well as an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts the display's brightness based on existing lighting conditions. The all-digital connectors, including DisplayPort and a new two-port USB hub, enable advanced connectivity for any type of workstation.

GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY Co. Ltd., a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, today announced that their dual Thunderbolt series of motherboards support 4K resolution monitors in configurations derived from two Mini DisplayPort connectors, each capable of 2K resolution output. Testing was successfully carried out at GIGABYTE's regional facility in Tokyo, Japan with the EIZO FDH3601 high resolution color monitor that is designed for air traffic control and geophysical services.

"Desktop PC motherboards are all about cutting edge features, performance, and upgradeability, and this is why GIGABYTE was the first motherboard company to adopt dual Thunderbolt ports instead of the single port option," commented Tim Handley, Deputy Director of Motherboard Marketing at GIGABYTE. "When combined with other innovative products, such as EIZO's 4K resolution FDH3601 monitor, GIGABYTE Thunderbolt motherboard users can enjoy next generation display options with their existing platform, without having to wait for future 4K resolution standards."

LG Electronics has now announced that in Europe its newly-released 29-inch monitor, the EA93, will bear a price tag of €599 (~ $764). Set to ship in the EU at the end of this month, LG's display features an IPS panel, a native resolution of 2560 x 1080 pixels, a 5 ms (GtG) response time, 300 cd/m2 brightness, a contrast ratio of 10,000,000:1, two built-in 7 W speakers, a three-port USB 3.0 hub, and DVI, HDMI (x 2) and DisplayPort inputs.

Gigabyte launched the Z77X-UD4H, a new socket LGA1155 motherboard model designed to fill the gap between the $155 Z77X-UD3H and $190 Z77X-UD5H. It is built with Gigabyte's Ultra Durable 4 construction, featuring 2 oz copper layer, temperature, humidity, and electrostatic protection features. The LGA1155 socket is powered by a 11-phase VRM that draws power from an 8-pin EPS connector. The socket is wired to four DDR3 DIMM slots, and three PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots (electrical x16/NC/NC, x8/x8/NC, x8/x4/x4, depending on how they're populated). 3-way NVIDIA SLI and AMD CrossFireX are supported. Other expansion slots include three PCI-Express 2.0 x1, and a legacy PCI.

Straightaway, you'll notice that Gigabyte did away with the mSATA slot featured on the Z77X-UD3H and Z77X-UD5H. In addition to the two SATA 6 Gb/s and four SATA 3 Gb/s ports that the Z77 PCH provides (all of which are wired as internal ports), Gigabyte added two additional 2-port SATA 6 Gb/s controllers, which provide two each of internal SATA 6 Gb/s, and eSATA 6 Gb/s. The board features a total of eight USB 3.0 ports, six on the rear panel, and two by headers. In addition to the four ports the Z77 PCH provides, a 4-port VLI-made host controller is used.

The high-speed, wire-free dream is moving closer to reality today, with the announcement of a major new industry partnership between the Wireless Gigabit (WiGig) Alliance and the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA). WiGig and VESA have established a highly effective, joint working group to advance the WiGig DisplayPort video standard certification.

This new joint working group will address interoperability between the DisplayPort standard and WiGig's own Display Extension Protocol Adaption Layer (PAL). When the group's work is complete, DisplayPort certified WiGig devices will be able to seamlessly interconnect without the need for any wires, providing a DisplayPort interface without the use of a DisplayPort cable.

Following on LG's footsteps, Dell has introduced its own 29-inch monitor with a 21:9 aspect ratio, the UltraSharp U2913WM. This new UltraSharp model features an IPS panel, LED backlighting, a native resolution of 2560 x 1080 pixels, a 99% Adobe RGB coverage, a 5 ms response time, D-Sub, DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort connectivity, a three-port USB 3.0 hub, and a stand allowing for height, tilt and swivel adjustment.

The UltraSharp U2913WM has started selling in Australia for AUD662.20 (~ USD 687.80).

Sapphire announced a new Radeon HD 7870 GHz graphics card based on a compact PCB, and its Dual-X cooling solution that features on some of its higher-end HD 7770 graphics card models. Not to be confused with the HD 7870 FleX with Dual-X, the new card features a standard display output layout, a cost-effective PCB, and a noise-optimized dual-fan cooling solution. The card packs 2 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 256-bit wide memory interface, and sticks to AMD reference clock speeds of 1000 MHz core, and 4.80 GHz memory. The card draws power from two 6-pin PCIe power connectors, display outputs include two DVI, and one each of HDMI and DisplayPort. Expect the card to be priced at US $230.

Philips has now unveiled a new widescreen monitor featuring ErgoSensor technology, the 23-inch 231P4QRYES. Made to 'promote a healthier and productive workplace', the ErgoSensor lowers power consumption (it turns the monitor off when the user is away) and provides feedback on how to sit in an ergonomic position at the PC while also offering time break advice.

ErgoSensor aside, Philips' display has an IPS panel, W-LED backlighting, a native resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, a 7 ms (GtG) response time, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio (20,000,000:1 SmartContrast), D-Sub, DVI and DisplayPort inputs, a built-in four-port USB hub, two 1.5 W speakers, and a stand allowing for height, pivot, swivel and tilt adjustment. The 231P4QRYES has a recommended price tag of €249.

Extreme Engineering Solutions (X-ES) introduces the XPand6104 Small Form Factor (SFF) system supporting a 3rd generation Intel Core i7 COM Express module. With commercial connectors, this SFF system can be utilized as an XPedite7450 COM Express development platform, a deployable SFF system, or a demo platform for applications requiring a high-performance Intel Core i7 processor solution.

In a natural convection-cooled SFF enclosure, the XPand6104 is ideal for Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP)-constrained applications at 2.10 in. (H) x 4.88 in. (W) x 7.70 in. (L) and weighing less than 4 lbs. It includes an XPedite7450 Intel Core i7 ruggedized COM Express module and an optional 1.8 in. SSD. The front panel features an RJ-45 Ethernet connector to a10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet port, a USB 2.0 connector to a USB 2.0 port, an eSATA connector to a SATA 3.0 Gb/s port, two micro-DB-9 connectors to RS-232 serial ports, a DisplayPort connector for graphics, reset and power switches, and status LEDs. It includes an integrated MIL-STD-704 28 V DC input voltage power supply with MIL-STD-461 EMI filtering and an external AC/DC 110 V AC input voltage power supply for development.

STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications and a top player in ICs for home multimedia, today added the STDP43 series of products to its innovative DisplayPort portfolio. These Systems-on-Chips (SoCs) are the world's first high-speed active-protocol bi-directional media-routing devices that manage audio and video data from various sources and send this data to multiple displays. The devices support DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 1.4, the latest versions of the two most common digital-display interface technologies used in computer and consumer electronics. The STDP43 SoCs are catalytic in the rapidly expanding markets for next-generation digital signage, universal docking stations and video hubs required by the new generation of notebooks and PCs based on the latest Intel and AMD CPUs that support the multi-stream features of DisplayPort 1.2.

It seems that one memory-light Radeon HD 7850 isn't enough for Gigabyte because the Taiwanese company is currently preparing a second such card, the GV-R785WF2-1GD. Seen below, this latest Pitcairn-powered offering features an Ultra Durable 2 design (Low RDS(on) MOSFET, Ferrite Core Choke, All-Solid Capacitors), a blue PCB, a WindForce2X (two fans, two copper heatpipes) cooler, a GPU clock of 860 MHz, a 256-bit memory interface, 1 GB of GDDR5 VRAM set to 4800 MHz, and DVI, HDMI plus dual mini DisplayPort outputs.

The GV-R785WF2-1GD hasn't been priced or dated yet.

BenQ has this week announced the upcoming arrival of its newest, business-oriented display, the 24-inch BL2410PT. This monitor features a VA panel with a native resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, 178/178 degree viewing angles, a 4 ms (GtG) response time, a contrast ratio of 5,000:1, 250 cd/m2 brightness, and D-Sub, DVI, plus DisplayPort inputs.

BenQ's creation also packs a two-port USB hub, two 1 W speakers, a stand allowing for height, tilt, pivot, stroke and swivel adjustment, an ambient light sensor, an eco sensor (it switches the monitor to Eco Mode when you step away from the PC), and a ' Smart Reminder' that will notify the user to 'take a break in a predefined time interval'. The BL2410PT will start selling next month for €289.

PowerColor's HD7990 will soon have some competition as HIS (Hightech Information System) is also going to release a graphics card powered by two AMD Tahiti chips. Dubbed Radeon HD 7970 X2 (apparently HIS doesn't want to use '7990'), this new dual-GPU card features a three-slot, dual-fan cooler, three 8-pin PCIe power connectors, a Lucidlogix PCIe switch (the PowerColor HD7990 uses a PLX bridge), a GPU clock of 1050 MHz, and 6 GB of GDDR5 memory set to 6000 MHz.

HIS' HD 7970 X2 also has dual-DVI and quad mini DisplayPort outputs. Pricing and availability are still unknown.

Quickly following on AOC's footsteps, Philips is preparing the release of a self-branded 27-inch monitor equipped with an AMVA (Advanced Multi-domain Vertical Alignment) panel, the 271P4QPJKEB/00. Part of the Brilliance P-line, this incoming widescreen has a W-LED backlight, a native resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, 178/178 degree viewing angles, a 6 ms (GtG) response time, 300 cd/m2 brightness, a 5,000:1 contrast ratio (20,000,000:1 DCR), and D-Sub, DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort connectors.

The 271P4QPJKEB/00 also comes with two built-in 2 W speakers, a 3-port USB 2.0 hub, a 2.0-megapixel camera, a 'people sensor' (that lowers brightness when the user is not in front of the display), and a stand allowing for height, pivot, swivel and tilt adjustment. This monitor is available for pre-order priced as low as €400.

Display specialist AOC launches a new XXL monitor with ultimate ergonomic functions in its Professional Line. An AMVA panel for superb image quality, LED backlights, a screen size of 68,6 cm (27") and numerous other features make this outstanding LCD a must-have - especially for demanding users. With the m2752Pqu AOC presents a premium product in the field of professional displays.

AMVA display technology for professional requirements

The m2752Pqu is equipped with an AMVA panel, a display technology that excels with sharp contrasts and an extraordinarily high colour stability plus viewing angles of up to 178° (vertical and horizontal). This panel type is thus particularly suitable for advanced graphic applications and has the added benefit of allowing several persons to simultaneously see a clear picture without colour shift. Even dynamic gaming or video sequences are rendered without distortions or blurring, making the monitor just as suitable for multimedia applications.

SAPPHIRE Technology Ltd., a global supplier of innovative IT products and a leading provider of components for digital signage installations, today announced that it has joined InfoComm International in order to share its expertise, network and shape the professional AV industry. InfoComm is the leading non-profit association serving the professional AV communications industry, with members throughout the world.

Known for its state-of-the-art graphics cards, motherboards, splitters/expanders and player PCs, SAPPHIRE has recently expanded its product line to include a broader range of products ideally suited to the professional AV industry. From extenders to digital signage software, SAPPHIRE is committed to offering reliable, interoperable, and cost-effective products for installation in retail locations, bars/restaurants, education facilities, lobbies, houses of worship and other environments.

AMD today announced its collaboration with Microsoft Corp. for more than 125 Windows 8-based PC designs from leading OEMs including ASUS, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, Sony, Toshiba and more. With a hardware accelerated user interface, Microsoft and AMD have collaborated to design Windows 8 to unlock the high performance graphics capabilities found in AMD accelerated processing units (APUs) and discrete AMD Radeon graphics processing units (GPUs) to deliver the best HD video, gaming and app experience consumers want with the always on, always connected, touch-driven interface with great battery life they need.

"There is a lot of exciting innovation happening in the marketplace today -- from the new Windows 8 graphics-accelerated user interface and apps, to ultraportable and sleek hardware designs -- and AMD's CPU, GPU and APU technology designed for Windows 8 helps enable a no-compromise solution," said Stefan Kinnestrand, director of Product Management, Windows Division at Microsoft.

ZOTAC unveiled a new bells and whistles-laden GeForce GTX 650 graphics card in the Greater China region, the GTX 650 Destroyer TSI (twin, silent, intelligent). The card combines a custom-design PCB with a sporty high-performance cooling solution. The PCB packs a strong (relative to this GPU) 3+1 phase VRM to power the factory-overclocked GPU.

The GPU is clocked at 1071 MHz, and the memory at 5.00 GHz. The card packs 2 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 128-bit wide memory interface. It relies on a 6-pin PCIe connector for power. Display outputs include two DVI, and one each of HDMI and DisplayPort. Moving on, the TSI cooling solution appears use a large monolithic aluminum heatsink ventilated by a pair of 70 mm fans, and a sporty cooler shroud that keeps up with the color scheme of its Extreme Edition cousins, which lends it a high-end feel. Pricing and availability is under the wraps, although this one is most likely meant only for Greater China.

After releasing GeForce GTX 660 Ti, Leadtek Research Inc, a world-leading maker of professional gaming graphics cards, announces its high-level GeForce GTX 660 graphics card today. With all the features of the NVIDIA Kepler, the GTX 660 delivers smooth graphics performance at 1080p. The dual fan SKU will be available later.

The GTX 660 features a GPU Boost function for users to make dynamic clock adjustment for optimal performance/watt. With 960 CUDA cores, the GTX 660 delivers a base clock and boost clock speed up to 980 MHz and 1033 MHz to automatically adjust the clock according to the needs of gamers.

MSI maintained the R7970 Lightning as its flagship AMD Radeon graphics card from March, even after AMD launched the Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition in June. The company finally decided to combine its R7970 Lightning board with the new "Tahiti XT2" Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition ASIC, creating the R7970 Lightning Boost Edition (BE). While the original R7970 Lightning shipped with 1070 MHz core and 5.60 GHz memory, the new R7970 Lightning BE ships with 1070 MHz core, 1150 MHz PowerTune Boost, and 6.00 GHz memory (288 GB/s). It packs 3 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 384-bit wide memory interface.

Most other features remain the same. The R7970 Lightning BE packs an enthusiast-grade 17-phase VRM, dual-BIOS, voltage-conditioning GPU Reactor module, and TwinFrozr IV cooling solution. Quite shockingly, MSI didn't take the opportunity to address the lack of dual-link DVI connectors in the original R7970 Lightning, the Lightning BE continues to have two single-link DVI, and four mini-DisplayPort connectors. The new R7970 Lightning BE could displace the original from its US $499.99 price-point.

ASUS released the P8Z77-I Deluxe/WD, a variant of the P8Z77-I Deluxe socket LGA1155 motherboard based on the Intel Z77 Express chipset, in the mini-ITX form-factor. Essentially identical to the original, its WLAN controller features Intel Wireless Display Technology (WiDi), which lets you stream high-definition video to displays and projectors wirelessly. The P8Z77-I Deluxe/WD features a 10-phase Digi+ CPU VRM, two DDR3 DIMM slots, a PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slot, two each of SATA 6 Gb/s and 3 Gb/s ports, and connectivity that includes 6-channel analog and 8-channel digital audio, DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort display outputs, and a number of USB 3.0 ports. ASUS could charge a small premium over the original's US $199 price-tag.

I-O Data has just announced a new addition to its monitor offer, a 27-inch model called LCD-MF271CGBR which features an IPS panel capable of a maximum resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. I-O Data's display also has an 8.6 ms response time, a contrast ratio of 1,000:1, a maximum brightness of 420 cd/m2, D-Sub, DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort connectors, and two 2 W built-in speakers.

The LCD-MF271CGBR will ship at the end of this month.

EIZO GmbH is expanding its portfolio of medical surgical monitors to include the RadiForce LX300W, a new, high-bright 4 megapixel monitor. This LCD color monitor in widescreen format is designed for use in operating rooms (interventional radiology, cardiology, surgery) and features a new cooling concept and flexible operating modes.

The RadiForce LX300W has a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels on a 29.8-inch screen, as well as high contrast ratio and brightness values (1100:1, 750 cd/m²). It is also equipped with an environmentally-friendly, durable LED (Light-Emitting Diode) backlight. The new monitor is an ideal, value for money solution for smaller examination and operating rooms. In such cases, individual monitors increasingly are being replaced by large-format screens capable of displaying multiple image sources simultaneously.

Iiyama introduced the ProLite XB2485WSU 24.1-inch monitor. For a refreshing change, this monitor conforms to the WUXGA standard, with 16:10 aspect ratio, and native resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. The ProLite XB2485WSU packs an IPS LCD panel with LED illumination, which gives it 178-degree viewing angles. The monitor also includes Iiyama's ECO Mode technology that chops power consumption down by 48 percent. The monitor draws as little as 36W. Other vital specs include 5 ms response time, 300 cd/m² maximum brightness, and mega-contrast. Inputs include DisplayPort, DVI, D-Sub, and HDMI. Its stand allows swivel and tilt adjustments. 3W stereo speakers come built in. Slated for October 12, the ProLite XB2485WSU is expected to be priced at 35,800 JPY (US $457.3).