At Computex 2022 in Taiwan, Asus and Nvidia announced the world's first 500Hz G-Sync gaming monitor as part of the former's ROG-series gaming PCs and accessories. Asus has been at the forefront of delivering high-refresh displays for more than a decade, having launched the world's first 144Hz display back in 2012. The company also released the first 240Hz G-Sync display in 2017 before announcing the first 360Hz gaming display in 2020. However, the company's latest offering tops all of that with a massive 500Hz refresh rate for a smoother gaming experience.
Held annually in Taipei, Taiwan, Computex is one of the largest tech expos in the world, with participants from around the world. Being a Taiwanese brand, Asus is one of the foremost participants at the event every year, typically showcasing its laptops, smartphones, PC components, accessories, and peripherals. This year was no different, with the company launching a couple of brand new ExpertBook laptops and a ROG x670E motherboard for the newly-announced Ryzen 7000 desktop processors. However, all eyes were on the new monitor with the insane refresh rate.
Unimaginatively named the ROG Swift 500Hz, the new G-Sync monitor is designed for competitive gamers and comes with a 24.1-inch 1080p (1920 x 1080) 'E-TN' (eSports TN) panel that the company claims would produce 60 percent quicker response times than standard TN panels. It also uses Nvidia's Reflex Analyzer technology, which reduces latency and input lag on gaming PCs under certain conditions. Another new tech incorporated by the monitor is an enhanced Vibrance Mode that the company claims is specially tuned for eSports and built into the monitor's firmware. Asus says that the technology is designed to let more light through the LCD crystals, adding more vibrancy to colors and helping gamers pick out details more easily.
Games That Will Support The 500Hz Refresh Rate
In terms of the games that will benefit from the new 500Hz refresh rate, Asus says that the device is specially tuned for games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Valorant, Overwatch, and Rainbow Six Siege. In related news, Nvidia also announced four new Reflex-supported games at the event, including Icarus, My Time at Sandrock, Soda Crisis and Warstride Challenges. The new monitor will fully support all these.
Asus' 500Hz monitor comes when 144Hz is the global standard for gaming monitors and has been so for a while now. While higher-refresh-rate panels are available in the market, most gamers choose to give them a pass and stick to their 144Hz displays. However, both Asus and Nvidia claim that the new technology will make a difference and enhance the gaming experience. Asus hasn't announced availability and pricing details for the new monitor, but it is unlikely to be on the affordable side compared to the 144Hz alternatives.