Despite lacking anticipated GTX 1080Ti announcement, Nvidia still offers thrilling new tech for Gamers
Nvidia veered away from announcing a new SKU for their current ten series GPU lineup, but amidst the disappointment, the company surely did have a lot to offer to change the way we enjoy games. First up, the company Announced GeForce now, a virtual desktop service which allows gamers to play titles from several other platforms such as Steam and Origin while your subscription goes to renting virtual graphics systems to render the game without the use of your PC. The next new tech is the Nvidia Shield Pro, a $299 streaming device which the company claims to have at least three times more performance than the current offerings we have today. The gadget has 4K HDR capability and is designed to work with the GeForce Now service and the latest Android TV-powered HDR televisions we have seen at CES. The base Shield TV with a Tegra X1 processor, 3gb of RAM and 16gb internal storage is already available for pre-order in North America and some EU regions for $199, while the 500gb Pro version will follow later this month. Both have the controller and the remote included, but you can also purchase the Nvidia Spot mic accessory for around $50.
This news is significant for gamers who would want to get rid of the hassle of building computers, but what about the old school players like us who still prefer fantastic rigs with bleeding edge components and monitors? Nvidia also announced G-Sync HDR, an evolved version of the pioneering VRR solution we mostly find on premium gaming displays. The company is working with AU Optronics, a panel manufacturer which provides high-performance panels to companies such as Asus for their ROG Swift line to give users with the best possible gaming experience with almost non-existent input lag like what you would usually experience when gaming on a TV. There are two new gaming screens with G-Sync HDR coming to the market, and these are the Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ and the Acer Predator XB272 HDR, both of which are 144Hz 4K monitors with DisplayPort 1.4 and HDR10 support.
Asus Fires up the Consumer Electronics Market with New Gadgets and Introduces Game-Changing Monitors
Asus announced two new massive professional displays at CES 2017, starting with the Asus Designo Curve MX38VQ, a colossal 37.5-inch ultra-wide monitor with a 2300r curvature, 3840 x 1600 resolution IPS panel. This new ultra-wide product has a pair of 8-watt Harman Kardon speakers and Qi wireless charging. We think the MX38VQ is a model meant for executives and professionals, but for the meticulous designers, Asus is going to offer the ProArt PA32U, a 32-inch HDR monitor, with 95% DCI-P3, 99.5% Adobe sRGB, 85% Rec 2020, and 100% sRGB Gamut coverages. To achieve these numbers, the PA32U utilizes a full-array LED backlight with 384 direct illumination zones and a maximum output of 1000cd/m2. This new product also has Thunderbolt 3 functionality making it compatible with futuristic host gadgets carrying the standard. From what we can tell, the screen is indeed capable of eye-popping clarity and unrivaled levels of detail, plus metallic the exterior is as sophisticated as the specifications. Both products are set for a Q3 2017 launch, with prices ranging from $1,099 for the MX38VQ and around $1,800 to $2,000 for the PA32U.
These two products are exciting developments for the industry leading company, but what excites us as gamers is their announcement of the Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ, a gaming display with a 27-inch IPS panel with 4K HDR output which is 25% wider in color coverage than the typical 4K products we already know about. The PG27UQ will also use Quantum Dot lighting technology and is poised to achieve a blazing 1000nits of brightness for HDR to work. But aside from these specs we have seen on other monitor and TV offerings, what’s exciting about this new model is its snappy 144Hz at 4K refresh rate, a characteristic long-awaited for by enthusiasts. It’s picture capabilities are made possible through the use of a DisplayPort 1.4 connector, a signal input standard which has irritated the community due to the delay of its release. The PG27UQ uses the design cues of the PG348Q and the PG258Q, with the attractive helix-shaped stand with a ROG logo projector, orange ROG treatment, plus high tech design patterns on the cabinet. But instead of silver, the product is not back in black, a shade most gamers prefer for their beastly gaming rigs.
Razer Reveals Out of This World Project Valerie and Project Ariana
We were curious to see what the popular gaming peripheral is up to in the CES 2017 presence, and the company has gladly introduced its crazy concept called Project Valerie, a 17-inch gaming laptop which can unfold its screen to reveal an 11520 x 2160 wide triple display. The two peripheral screens are attached to the primary via proprietary hinges, so when completed folded, the laptop has a 1.5-inch full profile. Each screen is equally sized at 17.3 inches each, and all of them can boast of resolutions up to 4K. All three are also G-Sync enabled, so the massive eye-candy from this tri-head setup will appear silky smooth. To power this massive mobile screen, Razer claims it will use a desktop-grade Nvidia GTX1080 for maximum efficient performance. Aside from the extra thickness, this laptop will also weigh 12 pounds, making it heavier than some of the high-end gaming models we have seen. The rest of Project Valerie’s specs will also make it ideal for VR applications since the spec list exceeds some of the minimum requirements set by VR gadgets such as the Oculus Rift.
On the other hand, Razer also unveiled their quirky Chroma project named Project Ariana. The device’s purpose is to extend Chroma’s multicolor lighting to the whole room instead of distinct zones in Razer devices. This device will project images based on effects that are happening in the game you playing via its ultra-wide fisheye lens. Project Ariana will adjust it’s out on its own by using two 3D depth-sensing cameras which will allow it provide the best projection for any space. Its actual use is questionable at this time, but it could enhance the perceived depth and immersion of your game, or it could also act as a fun gimmick for your man cave. The device is only a prototype, so we can expect Razer to develop it further and enhance its usefulness for the enthusiasts. With this development, the company has also announced that it will share its Chroma technology with third party partners, a step Razer has taken slowly in the past with their involvement in combining Chroma functionality in games such as Overwatch and Battlefield.
ViewSonic Offers Three New Professional Displays
As CES unfolds for its multitude of attendees and the rest of the techie world, ViewSonic, one of the least known but highly capable monitor brands releases three new models which can potentially steer sedulous professionals into joining their side of the display market. This new series starts with the ViewSonic VP3881, a huge 38-inch diagonal ultra-wide curved monitor with an extra-wide 24:10 aspect ratio, a full range of ergonomics, USB 3.1 Type-C connectivity and a USB 3.0 hub for other accessories. This offering is an ideal product for multi-taskers such as programmers and researchers since the awe-inspiring vastness of the screen allows for a ton of windows open at the same time. The VP3881 is the most expensive of the bunch since it will start at around $2,000 in June.
The ViewSonic VX2781-UC is a sleek 27-inch mix-use display with a SuperClear IPS panel and a 2560 x 1440 QHD resolution for stunning clarity and image detail. A frameless cabinet holds the beautiful screen plus a stand mechanism which offers a diverse range of adjustments so users can conveniently find a comfortable viewing angle. This model is USB-C compatible, meaning it can derive its signal input and deliver charging power from a compatible host device like the 2016 MacBook. From the looks of things, the VX2781-UC could be a worthy contender that could make us change our best USB-C monitors lineup on the website.
The last but certainly not the least is the ViewSonic VP3268-4k, a 32-inch 4K IPS monitor which also uses a svelte frameless design. This model is intended for photographers and graphic designers, so we can expect color accuracy features and specifications to augment the eight million pixels for eye-watering vibrancy and detail. ViewSonic also states that the VP3268-4K will be factory calibrated to have a Delta-E grade less than 2, for fantastic uniformity and accuracy for use with programs and work which relies on color-critical performance. Both the ViewSonic VX2781-UC for $750 and the VP3268-4K for $1,359 will also be available by June this year.