MSI today launched three new monitors on their Optix lineup, catering to budget-conscious gamers that want fast, responsive gameplay. MSI's new Optix G241 and Optix G271 differ solely in diagonal (one is 24", the other 27"), and both offer a 1080p, IPS panel with support for refresh rates up to 144 Hz and up to 1 ms response times. Both these monitors feature support for AMD FreeSync, max 250 nits brightness, and connectivity is taken care of by 1x DisplayPort 1.2a and 2x HDMI 1.4b. The MSI Optix G241 will be available for $189.99, whilst the 27" MSI Optix G271 will go for $239.99.

More interesting for gamers that want crazy refresh rates, however, is the MSI Optix MAG251RX. This monitor keeps the 1080p resolution and IPS panel, but brings refresh rates up to a crazy 240 Hz with up to 1 ms response time. MSI has also "upgraded" the Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) technology up to NVIDIA's G-Sync. There's HDR 400 support (don't read that much into that though; it's the bare minimum for entry and far from a quality HDR experience). It also sports USB-C connectivity and RGB customization on the back of the monitor via MSI's Mystic Light software. The MSI Optix MAG251RX will be available for a still conscious $359.99, provided you didn't stop reading at the mention of a 1080p panel.

BenQ today announced the latest addition to its monitor family design for professional use. The SW321C, as it is called, is a 32-inch monitor with an IPS panel of 4K (3840×2160p) resolution. The panel itself is a 60 Hz screen with 250 nits of brightness, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 5 ms GtG response time, and it offers 178-degree viewing angles, which is standard for IPS panels. When it comes to the color coverage and the ability to accurately represent them, the SW321C features 95% of the DCI-P3, 99% of the Adobe RGB, and 100% of the sRGB color gamut. It has a 16-bit 3D look-up table (LUT) and features calibration for DeltaE ≤ 2.

The monitor comes with HDR10 specification, however, due to the brightness of 250 nits, it is not capable of performing any serious HDR content editing. Another interesting note is that this monitor supports Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) standard, which is an uncommon one. For input, the monitor had support for one DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0, and one USB-C port. There is a dual-port USB hub, which has an SD card reader right next to it, making this very useful feature for photographers. Exact pricing and availability of this monitor are unknown, however, it is supposed to hit the market soon.

Acer Japan has today launched two predator monitors based on IPS technology. The two monitors in question are 24.5-inch and 27-inch IPS panels based on 1080p resolution named XB253QGXbmiiprzx (the 24.5-inch model) and XB273GXbmiiprzx (27-inch model), which is not a typo and are the actual name of the models. Both of them feature Display HDR400 certifications, meaning that their maximum brightness is 400 nits. Other specifications include a maximum supported refresh rate of 240 Hz with 1 ms GtG response time that can be reduced to 0.5 ms response time with override mode. There are two options of frame syncing, where one is NVIDIA's G-SYNC, and the other is VESA's Adaptive-Sync. Both of them support up to 240 Hz refresh rate, meaning that you can use any card to get syncing at a high refresh rate. The IPS screen covers 99% of the sRGB color gamut.

For connectivity, Acer has equipped these monitors with one DisplayPort 1.2a, and two HDMI 2.0b ports used for input. There is a USB hub with four USB 3.0 ports and one 3.5 mm headphone jack output. The monitor is rocking two 2 W integrated stereo speakers. When it comes to the pricing, the smaller 24.5-inch model is priced at around ¥46,000 ($430 in the United States) and ¥55,000 (around $500 in the US).

EIZO Corporation today announced the release of the ColorEdge PROMINENCE CG3146, a 31.1-inch, DCI-4K (4096 x 2160) HDR (high dynamic range) reference monitor for the professional post production and color grading workflow. It is the successor model to EIZO's flagship HDR reference monitor, the ColorEdge PROMINENCE CG3145, and is the first to incorporate a built-in calibration sensor.

Like its predecessor, the ColorEdge PROMINENCE CG3146 correctly shows both very bright and very dark areas on the screen without sacrificing the integrity of either - a process which cannot be achieved with SDR (standard dynamic range) monitors. The monitor achieves 1000 cd/m^2 (typical) high brightness and 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio for true HDR display.

iiyama today announced a new addition to their monitor lineup in the form of the ProLite X4372UHSU. For straters, let me tell you straight from the bat that this monitor doesn't tick many gaming boxes. The 4K resolution is its most appealing feature (and even then, most users would say that a 2560 x 1440 resolution is currently best for gaming with all but the most expensive graphics card solutions). The IPs panel comes in as a close second, though that is typically marred with slower response times - quoted at 4 ms in the announcement.

Other features include a 60 Hz framerate, which is expected given the 4K resolution. Typical brightness stands at a respectable (if nothing to write home about) 450 cd/m², and contrast is quoted at 1300:1. HDR support is therefore present, though no mention of a VESA certification (available at 400 cd/m² brightness). Connectivity-wise, the monitor features 2x HDMI, 2x DisplayPort and 4x USB (2x 3.0 and 2x 2.0) connectors. A bevvy of technologies (Flicker Free, Blue Light Reducer, HDR, PbP (Picture-by-Picture), headphone hook and remote control) aim to make the display more usable with some quality of life features, and the inclusion of 2x 9 W speakers can be a bonus for some (and will for most work environments). The iiyama ProLite X4372UHSU is available at around €490.

AOC launches the 35" (88.98 cm) AGON AG353UCG with 200 Hz refresh rate, 2 ms GtG response time, 3440 x 1440 UWQHD (21:9) resolution, VESA DisplayHDR 1000 and Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate.

Its native 3440 x 1440 UWQHD (21:9) resolution combined with the 1800R curvature creates the next level of immersion. The AG353UCG's visuals pop thanks to Quantum Dot technology, 1000 nits peak brightness with VESA DisplayHDR 1000, 2500:1 contrast and 90% DCI-P3 coverage. Finally, the monitor supports Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate, offering HDR with 1000 nits brightness, at the same time eliminating stutter, tearing and reducing latency.

Samsung Electronics is pushing the industry another step forward with an expansion of QLED 8K SMART displays, new applications of The Wall and showcasing the new-and-improved Samsung Flip 2 digital flipchart.

"Samsung is making tomorrow's technology a reality with complete display solutions that are more immersive, collaborative and interactive than ever before. ISE is one of the best opportunities for Samsung to showcase advanced commercial applications of our industry-leading displays," said Hyesung Ha, Senior Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. "We're excited to unveil new features and expanded lineups of our digital signage with next-generation technology such as 8K, the new model of The Wall, collaborative displays and more that will provide businesses with opportunities they've never had before."

Today MSI announced the latest addition to its monitor lineup - the MSI Optix MAGG332CR gaming monitor. With its 180 Hz refresh rate, this monitor is targeting gamers who focus on first-person shooter games primarily. When it comes to the panel characteristics, this monitor is rocking a 31.5-inch anti-glare 1080p display with a 1500R curvature applied to it. The panel type in question is an 8-bit VA panel with Frame Rate Control (FRC) that enables the monitor to achieve a wider color spectrum withing the 8-bit range.

The monitor offers 1 ms Moving Picture Response Time (MPRT) performance, along with the brightness of 300 nits, and a contrast ratio of 3000:1. When it comes to the refresh rate syncing technology, there is VESA's Adaptive-Sync present with AMD FreeSync certification. Marked as "HDR Ready", it is not exactly meeting any requirements due to its 300 nits brightness, however, there is at least a possibility to view HDR content. The display covers 96% of DCI-P3 and 125% of sRGB color gamut. Additionally, for input, there are quite a few options. There is one DisplayPort 1.2a, two HDMI 2.0b connectors, and one USB-C port that supports DisplayPort alternate mode allowing for video input over USB. There is also a USB hub present with two USB 2.0 ports and for audio, there is one 3.5 mm headphone output port. Besides, support for MSI Mystic Light RGB setup is also present.

AMD today released the latest version of Radeon Software Adrenalin 2020 Edition. Version 20.2.1 beta adds optimization for "Zombie Army 4: Dead War." A handful issues have also been fixed. To begin with, unusually high memory usage with ReLive has been fixed. HDR content becoming excessively dark or bright with DirectX 12 games on RX 5000-series graphics cards, has been fixed. Camera element experiencing stutter with ReLive has been fixed. A missing scroll bar in the "compatibility" tab of Radeon Software application has been fixed. Also addressed is Radeon Software failing to detect VR games when SteamVR is running. Radeon Anti-Lag toggle audible alerts falsely sounding has been fixed. Grab the software from the link below.

DOWNLOAD: AMD Radeon Software Adrenalin 20.2.1 beta

AORUS, the premium gaming brand of Gigabyte Technology, debuted a tactical monitor that gives gaming enthusiasts twice the details and display quality than Full HD, and allows them to enjoy games and movies in their original size. The AORUS F127Q features a 27" QHD panel (2560x1440 resolution) in a 16:9 aspect ratio with a 165 Hz refresh rate. New monitor supports AMD Radeon FreeSync technology which puts an end to choppy gameplay and broken frames to create a fluid and artifact-free performance at any framerate.

The AORUS F127Q is one of the most responsive gaming monitors in the market. By accelerating the twisting speed of the liquid crystals, the response time can be reduced to 1 ms, and let you enjoy a fluent gaming experience without any ghosting effects. This feature is particularly useful with high tempo games! The AORUS F127Q uses an advanced 10 bits (8 bits+FRC) Color IPS display technology which gives you extra wide viewing angles with 178/178 degrees. While in fierce competition, the F127Q's smooth rendering ability eliminates any chance of ghosting effects.

MSI at CES 2020 presented the "world's very first" laptop with a built-in display that uses Mini LED technology, called the Creator 17. Equipped with a 17-inch, 4K panel, the Creator 17 is a charming portable content creator PC. Incorporating the new Mini LED technology, this laptop's display outshines every commercial laptop screen. With a maximum peak brightness of up to 1000 nits, it beats most of the competition. Capable of displaying 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, this laptop screen is ready for displaying all of the HDR content you can throw at it.

When it comes to the Mini LED technology itself, it allows individual LEDs inside the screen to be less than 2 mm in size, which is very small and allows for some creative solutions. For example, MSI used this advantage to enable the display to have 240 local dimming zones, representing a big improvement in this size range compared to IPS. Another big improvement that Mini LED brings is that HDR content will get an upgrade as well. Due to the nature of Mini LEDs, the display can achieve a very distinguishing level of contrast between dark and bright areas. CPU support includes options of Intel's 10th generation Core i9 processor, while the GPU option is unknown. For storage, there are slots for two NVMe PCIe 3.0 M.2 SSDs and one M.2 SATA SSD slot.

It's finally here: a high-end PCI-Express gen 4.0 M.2 NVMe SSD by Samsung, made end-to-end by homebrew components. When it releases sometime later this year with a possible technical reveal in Q2, the SSD 980 will be possibly the only client-segment M.2 NVMe PCIe gen 4 SSD to feature MLC (2 bits per cell) NAND flash memory. This also means that the highest capacity on offer is just 1 TB. The company also put out sequential transfer rates: up to 6,500 MB/s reads, with up to 5,000 MB/s writes. The biggest payoffs of MLC would be sustained write performance and endurance (in its capacity class, compared to TLC and QLC).

Next up, is the Portable SSD T7 Touch, a successor to the T5 from 2017. This drive comes in an in-built fingerprint reader, letting you secure its data with your fingerprints. The drive is also a much needed update to the T5, which still uses 64-layer TLC NAND; and possibly uses the latest generation 96-layer V-NAND. The drive is built with an aluminium case that's drop-resistant up to 2 m. A single USB 3.2 connection handles power and data. The drive includes type-C to type-C and type-C to type-A cables, and will be compatible not just with PCs, but also Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablets.

At this year's CES, GIGABYTE has unveiled a new lineup of gaming monitors. Supposed to offer good value and high refresh rate, GIGABYTE decided to start offering 3 initial products in the form of the GIGABYTE G27F, G27QC, and G32QC. The first in the lineup is the G27F, a 27-inch 1080p monitor. It features a 144 Hz refresh rate along with support for FreeSync and G-SYNC technologies. Along with a high refresh rate, there is a 120% sRGB color saturation support. It has two integrated 2 W stereo speakers and feature GIGABYTE's auto-update, a feature which performs automatic system checkups once the monitor is connected to the PC.

Next up, two more monitors are a part of the QC Series, which brings advanced features to the table. The G27QC is a 27-inch 1440p display with 1500R curvature applied to it. It has a higher, 165 Hz refresh rate capability with 90% of DCI-P3 color saturation coverage. The display itself is also HDR capable to bring better, brighter and more vibrant colors to users. When it comes to syncing technology, it has support for AMD's FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA's G-SYNC. There are also two 2 W stereo speakers and the monitor has support for GIGABYTE's Auto-Update feature. In addition to these monitors, GIGABYTE also showed off the G32QC monitor, which takes the presented features even further. This time we are getting a 32-inch 1440p monitor with a 1500R curvature as well. It also has support for the 165 Hz refresh rate and 90% coverage of DCI-P3 color saturation standard. HDR support is also present, however, it has VESA's DisplayHDR 400 standard in place. For syncing support, there is AMD's FreeSync Premium Pro that takes the FreeSync support to another level, while G-SYNC is also present. For this model, there aren't any integrated speakers, while the support for the Auto-Update feature is still present.

Besides its flagship ROG Swift PG32UQX flagship display, ASUS unveiled the ROG Swift PG43UQ, a larger 43-inch gaming display that's reasonably heavy on the specs sheet. Its 43-inch non-glare VA panel offers "G-SYNC Compatible" readiness, 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels) resolution, 144 Hz refresh-rate, 1 ms response-time, and DisplayHDR 1000 certification (1,000 cd/m² maximum brightness). It uses DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC to enable all its features, and is TUV Rheinland certified for low blue-light and flicker-free brightness adjustment.

ASUS also unveiled the ProArt PA27UCX, a 27-inch professional graphics monitor for high-grade content creation. Among its long list of panel specs are 4K UHD (3840 x 2160 pixels) resolution, 10 bpc color (1.07 billion colors) covering 97% DCI-P3, 99.5% Adobe RGB, 100% sRGB, and 83% Rec. 2020. In addition, it is DisplayHDR 1000 certified with 576 dimming zones, along with support for HDR-10 HLG and Dolby Vision. One of its key features is USB-C input support, with a single cable providing display signal, USB data transfer, and power-delivery for the monitor. Flicker-free and low blue-light mode make for the rest of it.

ASUS today showed off its latest flagship gaming monitor for bleeding-edge resolution and speed, the ROG Swift PF32UQX. This 32-inch flat-screen boasts of specs made of dreams: non-glare IPS panel, support for NVIDIA G-SYNC Ultimate (hardware G-SYNC), the highest-grade DisplayHDR 1400 certification with 1,400 cd/m² maximum brightness and 1,152 local dimming zones, 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels) resolution, and 144 Hz refresh-rate. The included DisplayPort 1.4 cable is required to let the monitor work its magic, besides three HDMI 2.0 inputs. The monitor also offers 90% DCI-P3 color gamut. The monitor will also pack all ROG-exclusive features from ASUS.

NEC today announced the launch of the MultiSync PA311D, a new 31-inch IPS wide color gamut display with a 4K (4096x2160) resolution. "The MultiSync PA311D will take its place as our flagship monitor in the PA Series of professional desktop displays," said Kevin Christopherson, Director of Product Marketing at NEC Display Solutions. "It provides higher resolution, along with better black levels and contrast. Further, the PA311D includes USB-C connectivity with 65 W charging and several new cutting-edge features to meet the color-critical needs of professional graphic designers, photographers and video producers."

(UPDATE: Acer has now launched the monitor) Acer at a special event unveiled their upcoming monitor that blurs the line between a television and a PC monitor. The Predator CG437KP makes use of a 43" VA panel (90% DCI-P3 coverage and low Delta E<1 color accuracy) with a 4K resolution. As if the size wasn't an impressive spec alone, Acer really have gone out of their way to make this a veritable Predator monitor, with 144 Hz refresh rates. The monitor also comes with Adaptive Sync support for both AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync and over HDMI for compatibility with current and future consoles. There's a maximum 1000 nits brightness, which brings VESA's DisplayHDR 1000 certification to the table.

I/O stands at 3x HDMI (likely to support all of those consoles users that are looking at this diagonal size might have), 2x DisplayPort 1.4 for actual Active Sync users, 1x USB 3.1-C, 2xUSB 3.0 and 2xUSB 2.0. There's even a remote control. The Acer Predator CG437KP is now available in the US at $1,499.99 MSRP.

AOC today announced two new entries to its monitor line-up, developed in partnership with Porsche's design studios. The U32U1 and Q27T1 are two wholly different beasts, so we'll take them one step at a time. The smaller monitor, the Q27T1, features a 27" IPS panel with a QuadHD (2560 x 1440) resolution, covering 90% of the NTSC color space and 107% of the RGB one. Brightness stands at 350 nits, just shy of an HDR certification, and connectivity is limited to 2x HDMI and 1x DisplayPort. Design-wise, it's a minimalist beauty, with its asymmetrical metal stand and a nice touch on the back of the panel. It won't absolutely break the bank if you're a design-conscious user: at £279, it depends on how much you value aesthetics.

The AOC U32U1, on the other hand, comes packing technology to the brim, and should be considerably more expensive. The 32" IPS panel features a 4K resolution, atop a 10-bit panel which offers 90% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space - a much more interesting proposition for professionals or just the most color-conscious users. There's VESA DisplayHDR 600 certification, and support for HDR10. The trident-like, three-pronged stand is one we haven't seen before, and props up the monitor and its number of display connectors: 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 1x USB-C 3.0 with 65 W output, and 4x USB 3.1 (downstream). Pricing on this piece of tech still hasn't been disclosed, and it will release closer to the end of 2019.

Rockstar Games has dropped a launch trailer for their upcoming PC release of the critically-acclaimed Red Dead Redemption 2. Fret not if you're worried about spoilers (though the game has indeed released quite a while ago): the trailer is only one minute long. There are some specific PC improvements to the title, such as support for up to 8K resolutions (good luck on that), support for higher framerates than on consoles, HDR, and support for non-standard monitor ratios.

The PC version of the game will also introduce a new photo mode for all you photography enthusiasts out there - even though it's in-game, it should still count. One of the things the PC version of the game won't ship with - sadly - is support for raytracing. There were some rumors running around the web regarding support for raytracing on the Rockstar Release due to some screenshots outed by NVIDIA that sported an RTX logo on the bottom right corner, but those served only as marketing for their latest 20-series graphics cards. No raytracing will be available in this game - and there is no reason to think it might.

AOC today launched the AG273QX, a flat panel gaming monitor (meaning there is no curve, which makes sense due to the usual 16:9 aspect ratio). The AG273QX sports a 27" diagonal with a VA panel, sporting a resolution of 2560 x 1440 and a 165 Hz refresh rate. This refresh rate is mated with support for AMD's FreeSync 2, which makes an appearance due to this monitor also being HDR capable - though at the lowest end of the spectrum, with its HDR 400 certification. With its 1 ms response time, this monitor seems to have all the claims to fame. Sadly, it only sticks to the Adobe sRGB color space with 99% coverage - no DCIP-3 here.

FreeSync 2 HDR means this monitor supports low-latency HDR tone mapping, and LFC (Low Framerate Compensation). AOC are pushing this as a 3-side frameless design, which means that the display should go all the way towards the bezels. If you want to carry this monitor to LAN parties, there's a carrying handle, and the monitor also sports double headset holders in the design. There's an RGB lighting ring on the back of the panel. Connectivity-wise this monitor sports a 4x USB 3.0 HUB, 1x Headphone out, and video inputs are taken care of by 1x VGA, 1x DisplayPort 1.2, and  1x HDMI 2.0. The AOC AGON AG273QX will be available in November 2019 at an MSRP of £439 / €489.

EIZO today announced a limited edition monitor that's sure to attract attention: likely positive due to its feature-set, likely negative due to its small diagonal. The Foris Nova is built fully in aluminium and packs an impressive amount of features for the admittedly small diagonal: the 21" display is a 4K OLED one with a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 330 nits maximum brightness and 1.07 billion colors. That small diagonal does have its benefits though: the pixel density is a very impressive (for desktop monitors) 204 pixels per inch. The 60 Hz refresh rate is nothing to glow at, but the 0.4 ms response time surely point to an amazing 60 Hz gaming experience.

There is HDR certification in the form of HDR10 and the royalty-free Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG), and connectivity is taken care of by 2x HDMI ports that support Deep Color and the HDCP 2.2 and 1.4 copy protection protocols. There are two 1 W speakers, VESA support,1x headphone jack and 1x line-out mini jack. The production is limited to only 500 units, and the Foris Nova will be available from November 1st in the U.S., Europe, China and Japan. No word on pricing - EIZO is asking users to contact them directly for orders and pricing. That serves as a warning, if any more were needed: this won't come cheap.

ViewSonic announced new additions to the ELITE gaming portfolio. The company is expanding its gaming line-up with the ELITE XG27 gaming monitor series, XG05 gaming monitor series, ELITE Ally monitor control peripheral, and two new software applications. The new gaming products and software provide the ultimate experience for multifaceted gamers while fulfilling a variety of setups and lifestyles.

MSI launched their latest monitor, in the form of the PS341WU Prestige monitor. This one comes in an all-white design with gold MSI accents - a welcome departure from the usual black color scheme preferred for these particular peripherals. The Prestige has been built with screen real-estate and color accuracy in mind - a monitor designed purely for gaming this is not. Its 21:9 aspect ratio is already slightly hit or miss in official game support, compounded by the 60 Hz refresh rate and 5 ms response time.

The monitor makes up for this for professionals or casual gamers (and aren't most of us?) due to its resolution and color rendition, tough: 5120 x 2160 pixels covering 98% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and 100% sRGB. DisplayHDR 600 certification is also on board, meaning up to 600 nits peak brightness and high-contrast HDR content delivery. The monitor's contrast ratio is set at 1,200:1, and support for display of 1.07 billion colors. Connectivity stands at 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort, 1x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type A, 1x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type B, 1x 3.5 mm headphone jack, mic in and an audio jack. It's currently available for preorder in select retailers for $1,199.99.

LG Electronics (LG) has joined forces with NVIDIA to make gamers' dreams come true, adding support for NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatibility to its stunning 2019 OLED TVs (model 65/55E9, model 77/65/55C9). LG's newest OLED products offer blazing speed and stunning color reproduction, their superior performance and image quality validated through NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible testing to ensure a smooth and immersive gaming experience without flickering, tearing or stuttering.

With exceptional picture quality, low input lag and an ultra-fast response time, LG OLED TVs have already earned a reputation for delivering an optimized gaming performance. The addition of NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatibility raises the bar once more, guaranteeing even more immersive big-screen PC gaming on the company's industry-leading 4K OLED models, available in 55- to 77-inch screen sizes.

HP announces their newest addition to their Omen lineup of specialized gaming monitors. The Omen X 27 (you have to love the simplicity) is a 27" monitor featuring a TN panel - the compromise needed for achieving the ultra-fast 240 Hz refresh rates on offer. The 1 ms response time ensures fast, responsive pixels, while FreeSync 2 is a must for refresh rates such as these - either your graphics card or CPU will introduce some framerate dips, you can almost be sure of that. There's HDR support at the lowest FreeSync 2-supported level - 400 nits. HP say this TN panel can render 90% of the DCI-P3 color space - which sets it apart from most other TN panels and even some IPS solutions.

The Omen X 27 joins HP's growing cadre of Omen monitors this September, joining the Omen X 25 - which has already made its debut for 630€ or $550. Connectivity includes 1x DisplayPort, 1x HDMI, and 2x USB 3.0 slots. Pricing is set at $649.99.