Three new gaming monitors showcased at Computex are setting unprecedented standards for refresh rates. Leading the pack at the massive computing trade show in Taipei is the Asus ROG Strix Ace XG248QSG, a 1080p display boasting an incredible 610Hz refresh rate. MSI and Acer have also introduced 1440p displays running at 500Hz—a level of performance that would challenge even an RTX 5090 paired with multi-frame generation.
Acer's offering, the Predator X27U F5, delivers not only speed but also a QD-OLED panel for exceptional color accuracy. Initially, this monitor will only be available in Europe and China, starting at €899. When asked about a U.S. launch, Acer confirmed plans to bring it stateside but did not disclose pricing. The company cites tariff negotiations as the reason for the delayed price announcement and is working closely with retailers to finalize costs. Acer will reveal U.S. pricing closer to the product’s arrival on shelves, though given the trend of rising tech prices, expectations for affordability should remain modest.
MSI is also entering the QD-OLED arena with its 27-inch MPG 271QR X50, though pricing details have not been shared. Beyond the panel’s speed and visual quality, the monitor includes an innovative AI-powered feature. According to a hands-on report by PC Gamer, a small sensor at the bottom of the display detects when the user steps away. This data is sent to a built-in Neural Processing Unit (NPU), triggering the screen to power down automatically and engage burn-in protection.
Burn-in protection is a standard feature in OLED displays, especially for gaming monitors that often display static images throughout their lifespan. These screens periodically refresh pixels to prevent image retention. While introducing AI to manage this process might seem unsettling to some, it’s arguably an improvement over abrupt OLED protection prompts interrupting gameplay.
Do Gaming Monitors Need to Be This Fast?
It’s remarkable to see three monitors pushing refresh rates to such extremes, with the Asus ROG Strix Ace XG248QSG clearly leading the charge. Even at 1080p resolution, a 610Hz display represents an extraordinary level of speed—surpassing what’s achievable with Nvidia’s multi-frame generation technology. To hit such frame rates in a title like Marvel Rivals, you’d likely need an RTX 5090 along with multi-frame generation, though competitive gamers often avoid the latter due to the added input latency.
Achieving these refresh rates requires more than just a top-tier graphics card; it also demands an exceptionally powerful CPU. At such high frame rates, the CPU must keep pace to supply the GPU with data efficiently. Technologies like Nvidia Reflex and frame generation help ease this burden, but once you approach 600 fps, a high-performance processor becomes essential.
That said, if you can render a game this smoothly—especially without relying on frame generation—you'll benefit from extremely low render latency, a critical advantage in competitive gaming. This is why professional Counter-Strike 2 players often run the game on minimal settings, despite its modest system requirements: higher frame rates reduce input lag, which can determine victory or defeat. Whether this level of performance justifies the anticipated high cost for the average user, however, remains to be seen.
