AOC is readying the next generation of their enthusiast-gaming AGON line. The 353 series supersedes the 352 series launched in February last year, and keeps the 35" diagonal of its previous iteration. The specs are up there with the best available for what a VA panel can offer: 4K resolution, 1000 nits peak brightness in HDR mode, 1 ms (MTRT response time, or a rated 4 ms GtG) and a 200 Hz maximum refresh rate with support for AMD's FreeSync 2 or NIDIA's G-Sync HDR. There's also 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space, if color accuracy is a must.

The AGON 353-series will be available in two models, for either AMD FreeSync 2 or NVIDIA G-SyncHDR certification. AG353UCG featuring NVIDIA's G-Sync HDR as well as another one supporting AMD's FreeSync 2 HDR. The G-Sync HDR version, however, will be carrying a 512-zone full array local dimming for increased contrast. Connectors include HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, and a four port USB 3.1 (5 Gbps) HUB. The NVIDIA G-Sync version is expected to launch around June this year; no word on the AMD equivalent. No word on pricing either, but don't expect these (particularly the NVIDIA one, with its full array local dimming) to come cheap.

PCPer had the opportunity to disassemble the ASUS ROG Swift PG27UQ 27", a 4K 144 Hz G-Sync HDR Monitor and found that the G-Sync module is a newer version than the one used on 1st generation G-Sync monitors (which of course do not support 4K / 144 Hz / HDR). The module is powered by an FPGA made by Altera (Intel-owned since 2015). The exact model number is Arria 10 GX 480, which is a high-performance 20 nanometer SoC that provides enough bandwidth and LVDS pins to process the data stream.

The FPGA is sold in low quantities for $2000 at Digikey and Mouser. Assuming that NVIDIA buys thousands, PCPer suggests that the price of this chip alone will add $500 to monitor cost. The BOM cost is further increased by 3 GB of DDR4 memory on the module. With added licensing fees for G-SYNC, this explains why these monitors are so expensive.

ASUS today introduced the Republic of Gamers (ROG) Swift PG27UQ, a 27-inch monitor with 4K Ultra HD resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels), a staggering 144 Hz refresh-rate, and support for NVIDIA G-Sync HDR. Under the hood is an IPS Quantum-Dot panel with DCI-P3 Color Gamut support, 4 ms response time, 178°/178° viewing angles, and 10-bpc (1.07 billion colors) support. 300-1000 cd/m² maximum brightness, and 20,000:1 static contrast ratio, make for the rest of the panel specifications.

The monitor features (and requires) DisplayPort 1.4 to sustain 4K @ 144 Hz with 10-bpc color. It also features HDMI 2.0. Also featured are GamePlus (OSD goodies), GameVisual (genre-specific display presets), a and 2-port USB 3.0 hub. The stand and the back-side of the display features RGB LED elements that can be controlled by Aura Sync RGB. The company didn't reveal pricing.

As we reported in March, the first 4K monitors with 144 Hz refresh-rate began showing up in stores. This summer, PC gamers and enthusiasts up for a monitor upgrade, are in for a treat. An increasing number of companies are preparing to launch monitors with not just 4K Ultra HD resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels), but also staggering 144 Hz refresh-rates, and support for adaptive sync technologies, such as AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync. To push 4K at 144 Hz, you'll need your graphics card to feature DisplayPort 1.4 (or above) connectivity, as DisplayPort 1.2, or even the newer HDMI 2.0, lack the required bandwidth.

Among the first blazing fast 4K UHD + 144 Hz monitors, are the 2018 Acer Predator X27 (UM.HX0EE.009) first unveiled in 2017, and soon to be joined by the ASUS ROG Swift PG27UQ. Both monitors feature 4K Ultra HD resolution, 144 Hz refresh-rate, IPS quantum-dot panels, and support for the new NVIDIA G-SYNC HDR standard. The monitors take input from DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0, although you will need DisplayPort 1.4 to get 4K @ 144 Hz to work correctly. The IPS quantum-dot panels feature DCI-P3 color-standards, 99% Adobe RGB coverage, and 10 bpc (1.07 billion-color) palette, in addition to 384 LED elements backlighting the panel. The ROG Swift PG27UQ starts at 2,445€ and the Predator X27 at 18,475 DKK Sounds good? Get ready to foot upwards of USD $3,000 for either of them, to go with your $3,000 TITAN V, for a 3,000-inch e-p.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced that it will unveil the new ROG Swift PG65 big format gaming display (BFGD) with NVIDIA G-SYNC at CES 2018 in Las Vegas. The 65-inch 4K UHD ROG Swift PG65 is the world's largest gaming display format, and is designed to bring uncompromising performance and a giant screen experience that's ideal for PC gaming. The new monitor will be on display at the ROG Showcase Room at Encore Las Vegas, Fairway Villa, from January 9-12, 2018.

PC gaming today makes the leap to a giant screen, with NVIDIA's introduction of big format gaming displays, or BFGDs. Created in conjunction with NVIDIA hardware partners Acer, ASUS and HP, BFGDs integrate a high-end 65-inch, 4K 120Hz HDR display with NVIDIA G-SYNC technology together with NVIDIA SHIELD, the world's most advanced streaming device. The combination delivers a buttery-smooth gaming experience and your favorite media streaming applications - all on a giant screen.

"PC gamers expect high performance and instant response times, but, until now, they've been largely limited to traditional desktop displays," said Matt Wuebbling, head of GeForce marketing at NVIDIA. "BFGDs change that. With NVIDIA's latest technology built into these new displays, PC gamers can now experience their favorite titles in all the low-latency glory they deserve."

NVIDIA today announced the G-SYNC HDR technology. An evolution of the company's proprietary adaptive display sync technology, which keeps the display's refresh-rates dynamically in-sync with the graphics card's frame-rates, G-SYNC HDR, as its name suggests, adds support for HDR (high dynamic range) displays. NVIDIA's partner display manufacturers such as Acer, and ASUS have each announced displays with this technology, which will will be available later this year.

NVIDIA worked with display panel maker AUOptronics to develop G-SYNC HDR. It leverages full 384-zone LED backlights, and a quantum-dot technology. The monitors rely on wide color gamuts, with 10-bit (1.07 billion color palettes) to bring HDR to life. G-SYNC HDR monitors come with support for the HDR10 standard. The year's most anticipated game, "Mass Effect: Andromeda," will come with support for G-SYNC HDR.