14 DAY TRIAL // ASUS has released a new 27-inch monitor, just like Acer and AOC did this week, but the new display is not quite the same as theirs from the refresh rate perspective. While there is some GPU synchronization going on, this is not exactly a FreeSync display.
AMD FreeSync is an open technology that allows a monitor's refresh rate to be synchronized with the frame rate of the computer's graphics processing units, GPU for short.
ASUS did not specifically come out to say that the new MG279Q supports this functionality, but it did mention that the new monitor supports Adaptive Sync variable refresh rate (VRR).
That means that AMD's FreeSync technology should work on it, as long as the monitor adheres to the standards of DP 1.2a+. Which it does.
The specifications of the ASUS MG279Q monitor
The ASUS MG279Q display has an IPS screen, which gives it wide viewing angles of 178 degrees both horizontally and vertically.
The native resolution is of 2560 x 1440 pixels, or WQHD, while the brightness is a solid 350 cd/m2. Rather good for IPS technology really.
The response time is the area where the ASUS display loses to the recent ASUS and AOC ones: 5 ms versus their 1 ms.
On the other hand, the difference between the two isn't really felt all that much, even in games, so ASUS will get away with this as long as the price is reasonable.
That said, the newcomer has a DisplayPort, a Mini DisplayPort, two HDMI connectors and one MHL connection, plus a 2-port USB 3.0 hub.
Other specs include a 1000:1 contrast ratio, a narrow bezel (not enough to be called frameless or edge-less though), and a refresh rate of 40 Hz to 120 Hz.
3D viewing support is not mentioned anywhere, but the refresh rate at least makes it possible to be achieved. Glasses aren't included though, obviously.
Availability and pricing
ASUS is asking for $599 / €526 in exchange for one of these things, which will seem like a little or a lot depending on where you live. Shipments will begin near the end of this quarter, which means late March most likely.