The massive CPU and GPU bulletins at CES like Nvidia’s new RTX Tremendous GPUs and AMD’s new 7600 XT do not have a tendency to come back as an enormous shock, what with the infinite rumours and leaks. Nonetheless, display tech on the present does are likely to throw up some real information and CES 2024 is not any exception.
Kicking issues off is Samsung’s new 4K 240Hz 4K OLED, the Samsung Odyssey G8 OLED. On paper, it is just about all the pieces you might want for from a gaming monitor. All these pixels, Samsung punch QD-OLED tech, plus 240Hz.
It is not alone, after all, the HP Omen Transcend 32 is just about similar, spec-wise. Then there’s the Alienware 32 AW3225QF. Once more, it presents the identical 32-inch 4K OLED factor working at 240Hz. However of all these screens, it might be the primary you’ll be able to truly purchase. It goes on sale January 11 for $1,199.
Subsequent up, Acer has an entire bunch of latest panels, together with each 34-inch and 39-inch OLED ultrawides. However probably the most spectacular is the Acer Predator Z57, a 57-inch dual-4K monster with a VA-type LCD panel and a mini-LED backlight. Only a pity it is priced at $2,499, precisely the identical because the very comparable Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 G95NC, besides the Samsung runs at 240Hz, whereas Acer has opted for 120Hz.
If velocity fairly than large pixel counts are your factor, nicely, there’s the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG27QFW2A. It is a 27-inch 1440p LCD mannequin with an IPS panel. Good, however not vastly thrilling, you say? Nicely, it runs at totally 400Hz, which is getting on a bit for a 1440p monitor, it truly is.
Then there’s the brand new Dell UltraSharp U4025QW. Now, Dell’s Ultrasharp panels aren’t strictly for gaming. However this can be a 40-inch ultrawide with 5,120 by 2,160 pixels, so has precisely the identical density as a 32-inch 4K monitor. It is also HDR 600 licensed, so could have loads of punch not like earlier 40-inch 5K2K panels which topped out at 300 nits.
What’s extra, it rocks LG’s IPS Black know-how, for superior distinction. Lastly, it runs at 120Hz. That is not uber-high refresh, however given the very excessive decision, 120Hz is arguably loads. It is truly the display I am most serious about from CES this yr. So, it is a pity Dell has priced it at $2,399. That is simply solution to a lot given it lacks a mini-LED backlight.
If these are the primary contenders of the particular screens up to now, CES is arguably extra about new TV units than every other know-how. Massive TVs do not all the time make for nice PC gaming screens. Nonetheless, new TV tech inevitably migrates to PC screens. That is doubly true now that OLED is being extra broadly used for PC screens.
So, what do the massive TV manufacturers have on provide that we’d see quickly on the PC? Samsung’s new S95D OLED has a novel anti-glare coating that present goers reckon makes for a lot decreased reflection and solely a slight lack of distinction and black ranges in comparison with a shiny display. We’re suckers for a pleasant shiny panel, however possibly Samsung has give you one thing particular.
Samsung has additionally been displaying off its latest microLED screens. In reality, these nonetheless aren’t actually geared toward customers, not to mention avid gamers. However Samsung now makes one as small as 76 inches, so it is way more sensible than the everyday 100-inch-plus monsters that you just get with microLED tech.
Anyway, it has no bezels in any respect, the brightness and distinction are out of this world and it appears simply beautiful. It is most likely $20,000 or one thing, so just about irrelevant. Besides that it probably previews the sort of show we’re all going to be shopping for 10 or 15 years from now.
Samsung had one different microLED trick up its sleeve with a brand new clear panel. Clear OLED and LCD is already accessible. However clear microLED is, nicely, extra clear and, once more, is completely bezel-less. Apparently, it is arduous to inform it isn’t simply glass, it is that clear. So, for those who’re for the last word in sci-fi display tech, that is most likely it.
In fact, the opposite large noise in display tech is LG. Its new B4, C4 G4 and M4 OLED TVs do not seem like tremendous thrilling for probably the most half. Nonetheless, the G4 and M4 sport LG’s new second-gen MLA or Micro Lens Array tech, which makes use of zillions of tiny lenses to spice up brightness.
LG says the brand new second gen panels are a lot stronger with regards to lighting up small objects, with peak brightness on a 3% window up by a reasonably staggering 150%. The catch? LG additionally says the full-screen brightness of the brand new panels hasn’t modified in any respect.
That is a pity, as a result of in a PC monitor context, if LG’s WOLED panel tech has a weak point typically and likewise in comparison with Samusng’s QD-OLED panels, it is full-screen brightness.
General, there are some very good shows on present as CES this yr, however arguably the killer new monitor to finish all gaming screens, no less than till video games are pumped immediately into our brains has not fairly appeared.
For that, we could have to attend till CES 2025. Hearsay has it, LG is engaged on some a lot brighter OLED panels for 2025. What’s extra, LG has some 5K2K panels within the works in each 34-inch and 40-inch sizes. Think about that. A 40-inch 5K2K OLED with some real full-screen pop. I might just about promote my home for that.
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PC Gamer’s CES 2024 protection is being revealed in affiliation with Asus Republic of Avid gamers.
