The annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2019) is currently taking place in Las Vegas, showcasing a variety of innovations in the multimedia sector, along with some highlights specifically for gamers.
We have selected 5 announcements that we found to be the most interesting so far:
- Nvidia presented a new mid-range graphics card, the GeForce RTX 2060, at the electronics show,
- as well as the support for the image synchronization technology known as “Adaptive-Sync” by AMD, called “FreeSync”.
- Meanwhile, Asus showcased the ROG Mothership, a visually unusual laptop variation for gamers, which is considered a bulky gaming counterpart to Microsoft’s Surface line.
- Peripheral manufacturer Razer is meanwhile presenting its first gaming monitor, the Raptor 27, while the already introduced Big Format Gaming Displays (BFGD) are set to reach market readiness soon.
GeForce RTX 2060
After the introduction of the RTX 2070, RTX 2080, and Co. last year, the RTX 2060 follows as the currently smallest model based on Nvidia’s “Turing” architecture.
This is what the card can do: The GeForce RTX 2060 is said to operate at the performance level of the GTX 1070 Ti released at the end of 2017 and is claimed by the manufacturer to be, on average, 60 percent faster than its direct predecessor, the GTX 1060.
Who is this model suitable for? Nvidia markets the model for gaming at high graphics settings and high frame rates (60 fps) at Full HD resolution; however, the card can also handle WQHD resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels smoothly depending on the title.
With a recommended retail price of 369 euros, the model is not exactly inexpensive for entry-level, and the video memory of 6 GB is somewhat limited.
In the test: PCGamesHardware.de confirms that the RTX 2060 offers good performance regarding noise levels, power consumption, and more, but criticizes not only the somewhat high price but especially the VRAM, which is not always sufficient by today’s standards:
Anyone wishing to play in the high-end range without stuttering and visual artifacts should therefore consider an 8-gigabyte graphics card. Depending on the budget, a Radeon RX Vega 56, Vega 64, or GeForce RTX 2070 is recommended.
Meanwhile, it is expected that prices for the RTX 2060 may settle slightly lower after its market launch on January 15, with availability of various custom models. Moreover, it is rumored that a new graphics card generation from AMD called “Navi” will be launched in July this year.
“G-Sync Compatible” with “Adaptive-Sync”
What was G-Sync again? It is Nvidia’s proprietary image synchronization for its own graphics cards and monitors with a corresponding hardware module that dynamically matches the display’s refresh rate with the frame rate of games.
This results in a smoother gaming experience without tearing effects, which is qualitatively superior to the usual software solution “VSync”.
What’s new? With the release of a new driver on January 15 coinciding with the launch of the GeForce RTX 2060, Nvidia will support the open standard “Adaptive-Sync” in addition to maintaining the existing G-Sync.
This will enable GeForce graphics cards to control the now widely used FreeSync monitors with variable refresh rates as G-Sync displays and theoretically benefit from the mentioned advantages. Nvidia calls this “G-Sync Compatible”.
There are two catches: According to Nvidia, of the 400 monitor models tested so far, only 12 from Acer, Asus, and BenQ have passed the test to work flawlessly with the proprietary technology.
For these models, the function is supposed to be automatically activated in the driver; in other cases, this must be done manually. Moreover, the feature will only be enabled for graphics cards from the GTX 1000 and RTX 2000 series.
Asus ROG Mothership
What makes the device special? The Asus ROG Mothership is positioned somewhere between a 2-in-1 convertible and a gaming laptop in terms of form factor.
It offers powerful hardware in a compact space, with an overclocked six-core Core i9-8950HK and Nvidia’s RTX 2080, as well as up to 64 GB of RAM. All of this is packed behind a 17.3-inch display with Full HD resolution and up to 144 Hz, along with G-Sync support.
Surface Pro for gamers? The Asus ROG Mothership has often been compared in the media to Microsoft’s premium tablet Surface Pro due to its form factor with powerful hardware, detachable keyboard, and display stand since its announcement.
However, compared to that, it does not offer a touch display, but does provide a significantly more powerful configuration. This will likely also affect the yet undisclosed price, which will typically be something only for the well-heeled enthusiasts. The market launch is expected in the second quarter.
Razer Raptor 27
This is what the model can do: Razer’s first gaming monitor “Raptor” features a 27-inch display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels at a refresh rate of 144 Hz.
The IPS panel is designed for 10-bit HDR and is said to offer brightness up to 420 cd/m² (HDR400) as well as a contrast ratio of 1,000:1. The response time is specified as 4 milliseconds. It also supports AMD’s FreeSync and 95 percent of the DCI-P3 color space.
The monitor connects via HDMI 2.0a, DisplayPort 1.4, or optionally via USB Type-C in Alt Mode, allowing for the connection of devices such as the Razer Phone. Additionally, there is a USB hub with two USB 3.0 ports and a 3.5mm audio jack.
What makes the monitor special? First and foremost, the unusual housing design with a lit stand, along with Chroma synchronization for compatible devices, a panel that tilts 90 degrees, and the green flat ribbon cables.
Whether the image quality will also be convincing, however, will have to be determined in tests when the model is released at a yet unspecified time. Price point: Also quite high at 700 US dollars.
Big Format Gaming Displays
Giant monitor instead of TV: To enhance the gaming experience, Nvidia, together with several OEMs, created the “Big Format Gaming Displays” (BFGD) that aim to provide better picture quality on large screens than ordinary televisions.
These were already announced last year but have not yet hit the market. Now, with the Omen X Emperium 65 from HP, they are expected to launch in the USA at the end of February and in March here.
What are the advantages? The “Big Format Gaming Displays” are expected to appeal to gamers, especially with extremely low latency and good display quality compared to conventional televisions, but they do not offer a TV tuner.
On the plus side, the Omen X Emperium 65 boasts:
- A 64.5-inch LCD panel (AMVA) with 3840 x 2160 pixels
- A native refresh rate of 120 Hz (144 Hz via overclocking)
- Local dimming with 384 LED zones and Quantum Dot technology
- G-Sync HDR and support for HDR1000
- An integrated Nvidia Shield TV
There is also an optional soundbar available, which is not included in the price of 3,999 euros (recommended retail price). Acer and Asus are also planning to bring their own “Big Format Gaming Displays” to market soon. Whether the technical advantages justify the price increase compared to conventional televisions will also need to be determined in tests.
Lastly, something for the eyes: At Nvidia’s press conference, a new trailer for Anthem was also released. The shooter will be bundled with Nvidia’s new graphics card (RTX 2060). Check it out:
