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Bottom line: Nvidia is teaming up with MediaTek on a new scaler for gaming monitors that will eliminate the need for a separate G-Sync module. Dubbed G-Sync Pulsar, the new technology is expected to streamline production and could significantly reduce costs. With any luck, some of the savings will get passed along to consumers in the form of cheaper monitors.
Nvidia and MediaTek announced their partnership during the ongoing Gamescom trade show in Cologne, Germany. When the original G-Sync tech arrived in 2013, it required a proprietary module that added an extra layer of cost to the equation.
In 2019, Nvidia announced a new standard called G-Sync Compatible that does not require a hardware module (yet isn't as feature-rich). Most displays that work with G-Sync Compatible don't support premium features like ultra-low motion blur 2 (ULMB2), variable overdrive, or Nvidia's Reflex Latency Analyzer that you get with the full G-Sync suite.
Nvidia introduced a trio of displays that will be among the first to utilize G-Sync Pulsar technology, including the Asus ROG Swift 360Hz PG27AQNR, the Acer Predator XB273U F5, and the AOC AGON PRO AG276QSG2. All are 27-inch displays that boast a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels, a 360Hz refresh rate, and support HDR.
The new monitors are due out later this year, Nvidia said, but at what price? Surely they will be more affordable than traditional G-Sync monitors with proprietary modules, but by how much? For reference, the original Asus PG27AQN with G-Sync module commands nearly $800.
If all of this G-Sync talk has your head spinning, don't feel like the Lone Ranger as it is a lot to keep up with. Fortunately, our own Tim Schiesser compiled an excellent guide explaining everything you need to know about Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync in 2024.
What gaming monitor are you running these days, and is refresh rate a top priority when shopping for a new display or do you prioritize other features like resolution, screen size, or panel type?