When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
It is clear that, based on many of the products launched at Gamescom this year, premium, luxury gaming is becoming a bone fide thing.
Not only have we had a few major announcements about high-performance graphics cards (including a few yet to be unveiled), gaming monitors fromSamsungand, now,Asusare proving that there is a growing market for highly-desirablegaming monitors.
Featuring pro-level colour reproduction and contrast, it is really something to behold. I got to see it in action during the Republic of Gamers Gamescom press conference and was left in awe at the image quality.
Image1of3(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
Image1of3(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
Image1of3
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
I own an OLED TV, so am fully aware what the tech brings to the table. The on/off pixels and no backlight don’t just provide deep, involving black levels, but a colour palette that, I feel, is second to none. However, the 144Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time should ensure that games move as well as they look.
The panel has a resolution of 5120 x 1440, which is more than enough these days – I’m happy to swap a 2160p resolution for 1440p if it keeps the frame rate high and allows for a wider field-of-view. I can’t also help feeling that this would be ideal for work use too, with all that real estate on offer.
All it seems to be missing is the DisplayPort 2.1 connection Samsung has added to its new monitor, but most devices still only support DP1.4 anyway.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
It goes on sale in October, with price details to follow.
Image1of2(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
Image1of2(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
Image1of2
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
Equally impressive, albeit for different reasons, is the ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM – said to be the “world’s first” 32-inch gaming monitor using QD-OLED technology.
It is capable of a peak brightness of 1,000nits and, while it isn’t wide nor curved, it does have a refresh rate of 240Hz and a similar 0.03ms response rate. Also like its larger stablemate, the danger of screen burn is greatly diminished through the use of a custom heat sink and graphene material used in the panel construction.
It too uses DisplayPort 1.4 rather than 2.1, and is powered through USB-C.
I was particularly impressed with its handling of contrast, as the demo gameplay was set in darkened rooms with stark lighting effects. It picked everything out very nicely indeed.
The PG32UCDM will be available in early 2024 (Q1). Again, pricing is yet to be revealed.
Image1of2(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
Image1of2(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
Image1of2
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
Finally, the ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDM is a 34-inch ultrawide monitor with 800R curvature and a 240Hz refresh rate. It too reduces the risk of burn-in through a dedicated heat sink.
Its peak brightness is the highest of the trio of new releases, at 1,300nits, and it is DisplayHDR True Black 400-compliant, plus G-Sync compatible.
You get a HDMI 2.1 port alongside the DisplayPort 1.4 and USB-C power.
Again, the PG34WCDM will be available in Q1 next year. We’ll update you on pricing when possible.
Certainly, when considered at as a collection, it’s a marked step in the right direction for premium play. Now we just need consoles to catch up to the PC gaming rigs these displays will best serve.
TOPICSasus
TOPICS
Vollebak pushes the limits of outerwear with Double Graphene Puffer and Shielding SuitThe company continues to weave innovation into every thread
The company continues to weave innovation into every thread
Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 review: sensational sound, ordinary ANCBowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?
Bowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?
Forget your steam decks, Asus just updated its powerful gaming tabletThe Asus ROG Flow Z13 gets a big update for 2025, making it the ultimate gaming all-in-one
The Asus ROG Flow Z13 gets a big update for 2025, making it the ultimate gaming all-in-one
Asus ranges a 14-inch high-performance gaming laptop that could replace your MacBook ProSmaller sized but super powerful
Smaller sized but super powerful
Asus ROG Ally X official, will bring some significant upgrades to handheld gamingNot quite an Asus ROG Ally 2 yet, but more than a basic refresh
Not quite an Asus ROG Ally 2 yet, but more than a basic refresh
Asus ROG Ally 2 reportedly coming next month – at least one major fix is plannedAsus' next-gen handheld PC tipped to launch during Computex
Asus' next-gen handheld PC tipped to launch during Computex
Asus ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM review: a gorgeous gaming experienceAnother stand-out monitor from Asus
Another stand-out monitor from Asus
ASUS ROG Ally gets a great free performance upgrade that will boost your gamesThe PC gaming handheld is getting even better
The PC gaming handheld is getting even better
Asus shakes up its ROG gaming laptops for 2024A new take on old favourites
A new take on old favourites
The new ASUS ZenBook is here to usher in a new generation of laptopsThere’s something special under the hood
There’s something special under the hood
