Computex 2025: Gaming Monitors Break Refresh Rate Barriers

Three gaming monitors unveiled at Computex are redefining refresh rate limits. Leading the pack at the Taipei tech expo is the Asus ROG Strix Ace XG248QSG, a 1080p monitor boasting a 610Hz refresh rate. MSI and Acer introduced 1440p displays with 500Hz refresh rates, a feat challenging even for an RTX 5090 with multi-frame generation.

Acer’s Predator X27U F5 combines speed with a QD-OLED panel for exceptional color accuracy. It launches in Europe and China at €899, with U.S. availability pending due to tariff-related pricing negotiations. Acer plans to announce U.S. pricing closer to release, but affordability remains uncertain given rising tech costs.

MSI’s 27-inch MPG 271QR X50, another QD-OLED, introduces an innovative AI feature. Per PC Gamer’s hands-on report, a sensor detects when you step away, signaling an NPU to power down the display, activating burn-in protection.

Burn-in protection is standard for OLED gaming monitors, which often display static images for extended periods. The monitor periodically powers off to refresh pixels, preventing burn-in. While AI-driven protection feels futuristic, it ensures the feature doesn’t interrupt critical moments.

Are Ultra-Fast Gaming Monitors Essential?

The arrival of three ultra-high-speed monitors is striking, with the Asus ROG Strix Ace XG248QSG leading at 610Hz. Even at 1080p, this refresh rate is remarkable, especially in an era of Nvidia’s multi-frame generation pushing frame rates to new heights. For games like Marvel Rivals, hitting 610Hz demands an RTX 5090 and multi-frame generation, which can introduce slight latency—less ideal for competitive play.

Achieving such frame rates requires more than a top-tier graphics card; a robust CPU is critical to supply data at these speeds. Technologies like Nvidia Reflex and frame generation help, but at 600+ fps, a high-performance CPU is non-negotiable.

Rendering games at these speeds without frame generation delivers exceptionally low latency, a game-changer for competitive titles like Counter-Strike 2, where players prioritize minimal settings for maximum frame rates to reduce input lag. Whether this justifies the likely premium price for most gamers, however, remains debatable.