Asus ROG Swift 360: First 360Hz Gaming Monitor (CES 2020)
In the gaming accessories industry, the pursuit of extremes never stops. After 200Hz, 240Hz and 300Hz monitors, the first 360Hz refresh rate model is here. The Asus ROG Swift 360 was designed in cooperation with NVIDIA and relies heavily on G-Sync technology. Both companies prove with their statistical data that their new monitor makes sense. Professional gamers who were testing this new arrival showed a noticeable increase in success rates in the game. The ROG Swift 360 was introduced at CES 2020. It should be launched later this year and the price will be unprecedentedly high.
Asus ROG Swift 360 – CONTENTS
Asus ROG Swift 360 Puts Speed First
Gaming and multimedia monitors are quite far from each other on the spectrum. And esport-specific gaming models make that distance even greater. The Asus ROG Swift 360 will not be a household all-rounder, but a one-off for the most demanding gamers. Its Full HD resolution (1,920 × 1,080 px) at 24.5" suggests that image quality was not a priority. At least not in the way that it is with QHD and 4K monitors. In this case, all efforts were devoted to the speed of the panel and related components. The result should be the smoothest image the gamer's eye has ever seen.
But achieving a 360Hz refresh rate is no easy task. Overclocking an existing panel, mounting it in an exclusive chassis and setting the price tag high won't do. There are many technical challenges awaiting the manufacturer that need to be addressed. Asus and NVIDIA must have found a solution to these challenges in the development of the ROG Swift 360. In addition to the actual increase in refresh rate, the panel response or LED backlighting needed to be properly adjusted. With a faster panel, everything needs to work not only faster, but also more accurately.
| Parameter | Asus ROG Swift 360 |
|---|---|
| Refresh Rate | 360Hz |
| Diagonal | 24.5" |
| Resolution | 1,920 × 1,080 px |
| Panel Technology | Probably TN |
| Panel Manufacturer | AU Optronics |
| G-Sync | ✓ |
| Price | ? |
| Launch | Second half of 2020 |
The solution was G-Sync technology, which not only provides refresh rate variability to prevent image tearing, but in this case also connects key parts of the monitor to work together flawlessly to ensure maximum smoothness. Furthermore, only AU Optronics panels that come out of the factory in the highest quality will be fitted to the Asus ROG Swift 360. This rigorous selection, made after the panels are manufactured, will certainly be reflected in the price.
Asus ROG Swift 360: Tested on Gamers
To defend the importance of high refresh rates, NVIDIA has prepared data to prove that increasing monitor speeds still makes sense. While it may not be as noticeable as the jump from 60 Hz to 120 Hz, the progress, i.e. the increase in gamers' skills, can be witnessed. Professional gamers improved their own "flick shot" success rate, the success rate of a quick, snappy aim, by 4%. That may not seem like much, but in esports, those are the percentages that count, so professional players will certainly be interested in this new arrival.
It won't come as a surprise that NVIDIA and Asus are trying to convince even recreational or semi-professional gamers of the ROG Swift 360's worth, and there's no doubt that a faster monitor will make sense for them, too.
The Asus ROG Swift 360 was unveiled at CES 2020 and should be introduced to the market in the second half of this year, but its price remains unknown. However, given the technological advancements it represents, it will undoubtedly be one of the most expensive gaming monitors you'll be able to buy.
