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BenQ's EL2870U; Freesync for sure, HDR not so much

Subject: Displays | April 18, 2018 - 03:59 PM |
Tagged: benq, EL2870U, freesync, 4k, hdr10, TN

The BenQ EL2870U is a 27.9" 4K TN display that touts a 1ms gtg response time, supports HDMI 2.0a and DisplayPort 1.4, a FreeSync range of 40-60Hz and HDR 10 support.  The proof is in the testing however, which Kitguru conducted in their review.  The display suffers from an all too common flaw; it accepts HDR input but cannot properly display it so you should consider this a SDR display, more or less.  The colour calibration is not good enough for professional usage but would certainly function perfectly for gaming.  Check out the full details before considering a purchase.

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"On paper, the BenQ EL2870U initially seems like the ideal entertainment and productivity monitor. It’s a stylish, flicker-free 28in 4K UHD display with a 1ms response time, AMD FreeSync and HDR 10 support, to list but a few of the highlights."

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Source: Kitguru

Need a new display, right now?

Subject: Displays | March 12, 2018 - 02:03 PM |
Tagged: 1080p, 1440p, 4k, 21:9, g-sync, freesync

Today is perhaps not the best day to buy a new monitor, FreeSync 2 should be arriving soon, as should high refresh rate UHD models, and well, the HDR standard is a wee bit more dynamic than we want right now.  There are some out there who will feel the need to upgrade or to replace a veteran panel which has hit retirement age, so check out TechSpot's current recommendations.  They have spilt their displays into four categories, 1080p, 1440p, 4K, Ultrawide aka 21:9 and a budget category.  For the most part, they chose G-SYNC as NVIDIA holds the largest marketshare but they did include a few FreeSync alternatives. 

Check out their recommendations to see if anything might fit your immediate needs.

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"With the gaming monitor market expanding to all sorts of display types and technologies, it's time we had a dedicated Best Of feature dedicated to them. Today we'll provide you with 5-10 key monitor recommendations across a variety of popular categories."

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Displays

Source: TechSpot

AMD FreeSync 2 for Xbox One S and Xbox One X

Subject: General Tech | March 10, 2018 - 05:11 PM |
Tagged: xbox, freesync, amd

Next week, in the Xbox One alpha release ring, Microsoft will enable AMD FreeSync 2 for the Xbox One S and the Xbox One X. This allows compatible displays, ones that accept FreeSync variable refresh rate signals over HDMI, to time their refresh rate to the console’s rendering rate and removes the micro-stutter that could be seen due to this mismatch.

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Because it is FreeSync 2, it will also work with HDR content.

As stated, FreeSync over HDMI will be required to use this feature, which has two caveats. The first is that DisplayPort will not work, so that’s something to be careful about if you’re planning to buy something (either a display or an Xbox itself) for this feature. The second is that, as far as I know, not a single TV currently supports FreeSync – but that could change. There is now a major console manufacturer pushing the standard, which is a stronger use case than “maybe someone with an AMD (or potentially Intel someday) GPU will plug their PC into this TV”.

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The menu to enable FreeSync on the Xbox One

The Xbox Insider Program Alpha Preview ring is invite only. It will then trickle to Beta, Delta, and Omega, before being released to the general public.

Source: Xbox (via YouTube)

ASUS ROG Announces the Ryzen powered Strix GL702ZC

Subject: Mobile | November 20, 2017 - 02:23 PM |
Tagged: ryzen 7 1700, asus, ASUS ROG, Strix GL702ZC, amd, gaming laptop, RX580, freesync

The ASUS ROG Strix GL702ZC is the first Ryzen powered gaming laptop we have seen, featuring the Ryzen 7 1700 desktop CPU along with a 4GB RX580 GPU.  This means that the 17.3" IPS 1080p monitor is Freesync capable with a maximum 60Hz refresh rate.  That resolution and refresh rate will ensure even AAA titles can play with your graphics settings cranked.  

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In addition to the previously mentioned components,the GL702ZC ships with 16GB DDR4-2400MHz, a 256GB SATA III SSD, a 1TB 5400rpm HDD, USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C connectivity and 802.11ac 2x2 Wi-Fi along with Bluetooth 4.1.  The base model retails for a competitive $1500.

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PR below the fold.

Source: AMD

AOC's AGON AG322QCX, a nice mix of features with Freesync

Subject: Displays | November 13, 2017 - 03:48 PM |
Tagged: AOC, AGON, AG322QCX, 144hz, freesync

The AGON sacrifices 4k resolution to provide refresh rates of up to 144Hz; instead the 31.5" curved display offers a 1440p resolution, demonstrating its focus on gaming.  The monitor also includes a QuickSwitch control, a physical keyboard which you can control the settings on your monitor, an extremely effective alternative to navigating an OSD with the buttons build into monitors.  Kitguru tested the monitor out found it to be great for large screen gaming, but perhaps not for movie viewing as all the presets are gaming focused.  The inputs were another point of contention, while comprehensive with two HDMI 2.0, two DisplayPort 1.2, VGA, headphone and mic jacks as well as two USB 3.0 ports, the placement is not the most convenient for some.  Drop by for a look.

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"Curved screens are really starting to come of age for gaming. We are seeing more and more of these, in many different sizes, and the latest to grace the KitGuru testing table is the AOC AGON AG322QCX. It’s pretty sizeable at 31.5in, but unlike many larger screens it’s still packed with features to please the serious gamer."

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Source: Kitguru

The ASUS ROG Strix XG27VQ, 144Hz of FreeSync

Subject: Displays | October 13, 2017 - 01:40 PM |
Tagged: XG27VQ, ROG, freesync, Asus ROG Strix XG27VQ, asus

ASUS just announced the $350 ROG Strix XG27VQ, a 27" 1080p display with a 1800R curve, using a VA panel capable of a refresh rate up to 144Hz.  It is a Freesync display with an adaptive sync rate between 48-140Hz making it a great addition to a system using a Vega or other AMD GPU. 

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ASUS advertises a GtG response time of 4ms and a maximum brightness of 300 cd/m2, with HDMI v1.4, DisplayPort 1.2 and Dual-link DVI-D inputs.  They have continued to place Aura RGB behind the screen as well as projecting below the monitor stand, with several patterns you can choose from.  In addtion to using the OSD to manage profiles and settings you can install their DisplayWidget, to control features such as ASUS' GameVisual, App Sync, and Blue Light Filter.

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Full PR below the break.

Source: ASUS

Asus XG27VQ; 27" of curved Freesync

Subject: Displays | September 22, 2017 - 05:25 PM |
Tagged: 27, freesync, Asus ROG Strix XG27VQ, asus, XG27VQ, 1080p, va lcd

To start with the particular specification which will upset some people, the ASUS XG37VQ is a 1080p monitor; so if life starts at 1440p then feel free to move on.  For those still reading, this Freesync monitor supports refresh rates from 48 to 144Hz and can display 95% sRGB coverage.  Techgage were impressed with the quality of the display but when it came to the RGBs present on the monitor they had some questions; the ROG logo that is projected from the bottom of the monitor only comes in red, while the glowing circle on the back of the display supports a full gamut of colours which no one will ever see.  Pop over for the full review.

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"Let's cut right to the chase. The Asus ROG Strix XG27VQ is a $350 gaming monitor, 27 inches in size, with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and a refresh rate of 144 Hz. We're looking at a VA LCD panel here with FreeSync support, sporting an 1800R curvature."

Here are some more Display articles from around the web:

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Source: Techspot

To blindly go where no monitor has gone before

Subject: Displays | July 31, 2017 - 03:58 PM |
Tagged: gsync, freesync

At recent AMD events, attendees were invited to try a blind sight test (an oxymoron if there ever was one) in which they had a chance to play on a AMD system with the new Vega GPU and Freesync as well as a machine powered by a GTX 1080 and G-Sync.  The two machines and monitors were concealed so you could not tell which was which.

Seeing as how many of us did not have a chance to attend these conferences nor see the difference between the two, [H]ard|OCP decided to replicate the experiment, albeit with a GTX 1080 Ti in the G-Sync system.  The two Windows 10 64-bit systems were powered by a AMD Ryzen 7 1800X CPU with 16GB of DDR4-2666MHz; the only difference was the GPU and display.   The two displays were capable of up to a 100Hz refresh rate and the display settings were matched as well as humanly possible.  The two monitors were a $720 ASUS MX34V with FreeSync and a $1300 ASUS PG348 G-Sync display, something worth noting for those with a shopping list.

Check out the video of the subjective experiences of the participants here, remembering that this is not exactly a rigid scientific experiment.

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"Totally unscientific and subjective testing is scorned by many, so if that gets your panties in a bunch, I suggest you stop reading. We had the opportunity to preview AMD's RX Vega this weekend, and we put it up against NVIDIA's GTX 1080 Ti, both using 100Hz FreeSync and G-Sync panels, with our testers representing 223 combined years of gaming experience."

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Source: [H]ard|OCP

Podcast #454 - Cryptocurrency Revisited, XBox One X, and more!

Subject: General Tech | June 15, 2017 - 10:38 AM |
Tagged: xps, video, Samsung, Project Scorpio, powerplay, podcast, logitech, G433, g-sync, freesync, destiny 2, dell, cryptocurrency, corsair, Area-51, alienware

PC Perspective Podcast #454 - 06/15/17

Join us for talk about Cryptocurreny mining resurgence, XBox One X, and more!

You can subscribe to us through iTunes and you can still access it directly through the RSS page HERE.

The URL for the podcast is: http://pcper.com/podcast - Share with your friends!

Hosts: Ryan Shrout, Jeremy Hellstrom, Josh Walrath, Allyn Malventano

Peanut Gallery: Alex Lustenberg, Ken Addison

Program length: 1:26:18
 
Podcast topics of discussion:
 
  3. Week in Review:
  4. News items of interest:
  5. Hardware/Software Picks of the Week
  8. Closing/outro

Subscribe to the PC Perspective YouTube Channel for more videos, reviews and podcasts!!

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Samsung Announces FreeSync 2 HDR Displays, includes C49HG90 49-in UltraWide!

Subject: Displays | June 9, 2017 - 11:24 AM |
Tagged: Samsung, hdr, freesync 2, freesync, CHG90, CHG70, amd

Samsung made a surprise announcement this morning, taking the wraps off of the first FreeSync 2 monitors to grace our pages, officially. These gaming displays come in three difference sizes, one of them incredibly unique, and all with HDR support and Quantum Dot Technology to go along with the variable refresh rate technology of FreeSync. 

All three displays utilize the QLED Quantum Dot tech first showcased in the QLED TV lineup launched just this past January at CES. It uses a new metal core and has some impressive color quality capabilities, going to 125% of the sRGB color space and 95% of the DCI-PE color space! I don't yet know what the peak luminance is, or how many backlight zones there might be for HDR support, but I have asked Samsung for clarification and will update here when I get feedback. All three displays use VA panels.

All three displays also become the first to pass certification with AMD for FreeSync 2, which we initially detailed WAY BACK in January of this year. FreeSync 2 should tell us that this display meets some minimum standards for latency, color quality, and low frame rate compensation. These are all great on paper, though I am still looking for details from AMD on what exactly the minimum standards have been set to. At the time, AMD would only tell me that FreeSync 2 displays "will require a doubling of the perceivable brightness and doubling of the viewable color volume based on the sRGB standards."

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The bad boy of the group, the Samsung CHG90 (part number C49HG90), is easily the most interesting. It comes in with a staggering screen size of 49-inches and a brand new 32:9 aspect ratio with an 1800R curvature. With a 3840x1080 resolution, I am eager to see this display in person and judge how the ultra-wide design impacts our gaming and our productivity capability. (They call this resolution DFHD, for double full HD.) The refresh rate peaks at 144 Hz and a four-channel scanner is in place to minimize any motion blur or ghosting. A 1ms rated response time also makes this monitor incredibly impressive, on paper. Price for the C49HG90 is set at $1499 with preorders starting today on Amazon.com. (Amazon lists a June 30th release date, but I am looking to clarify.)

Also on the docket is the CHG70, available in two sizes, a 32-in (C32HG70) and a 27-in (C27HG70) model. Both are 2560x1440 resolution screens with 16:9 aspect ratios, 1ms response times and FreeSync 2 integrations. That means the same 125% sRGB and 95% DCI-P3 color space support along with the Samsung Quantum Dot technology. Both will sport a 144 Hz refresh rate and an 1800R curvature. The specifications are essentially identical between all three models, making the selection process an easier choice based on price segment and screen real estate. The C27HG70 will be on preorder from Samsung.com exclusively for $599 while the C32HG70 will be on preorder at Newegg.com for $699, just $100 more.

All three displays will feature a Game Mode to optimize image settings for...gaming.

Samsung’s CHG90 extends the playing field for virtual competitors, with its 49-inch design representing the widest gaming monitor available. The monitor delivers a dramatic 1,800R curvature and an ultra-wide 178-degree viewing angle, ensuring that content is clearly visible from nearly any location within a given space. As a result, gamers no longer need to worry about the logistics, expenses, and bezel interference that occur when combining multiple smaller monitors together for an expanded view.

The new CHG90 monitor includes a height adjustable stand (HAS), allowing flexible height adjustment for improved viewing comfort. Designed for the most demanding games, the CHG70 monitor goes a step further with a dual-hinge stand that provides users more precise control over how the display panel is positioned.

In addition to Game Mode, a feature that optimizes image setting for playing games when connected to a PC or a game console, each of the new monitors include a game OSD dashboard, designed to blend seamlessly into game interfaces.

A full table of specifications is below and trust me on this one guys, I am already up in Samsung's and AMD's face to get these monitors in here for review!

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Now all we are missing is the power of a Radeon RX Vega card to push this high resolution, high refresh rate HDR goodness!!

Source: Samsung

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