We’ve reached a point in PC gaming where more products are targeting higher and higher refresh rates to the smoothest possible image on our gaming displays. Nvidia themselves have introduced technologies that aid in that and in reducing input latency for competitive gamers.
Now Nvidia have announced the latest iteration of their Ultra Low Motion Blur (ULMB) technology with a successor that promises over 1000Hz effective motion clarity when active. For reference, the highest currently available displays are “only” capable of reaching 500Hz.
Nvidia published a video showcasing how they went about designing this new feature and the ideas behind it:
The original ULMB and ULMB 2 use a technique called backlight strobing, which is also in use by other display manufactures via different names. The idea being that this will help improve image clarity during motion as the current means of display tech is too slow to keep up with a monitor’s overall refresh rate.
Currently only two display even have access to Nvidia’s brand new technology. These being the Acer Predator XB273U F and ASUS ROG Swift 360Hz PG27AQN. The ASUS ROG Swift Pro PG248QP and AOC AGON AG276QSG G-SYNC Monitors were announced to be support this when they release in the future.
While ULMB 2 is impressive in what it is able to accomplish as has been shown through independent testing. It’s very limited in release, only available on monitors that cost upwards of $1000.
Hopefully this comes to more affordable monitors as Nvidia has published the guidelines that a display must meet in order to be capable of ULMB 2. These are:
- Deliver over 1000 Hz of effective motion clarity
- Drive ULMB 2 at the monitor’s full refresh rate
- Deliver over 250 nits of brightness with minimal crosstalk or double images
Time will tell how common this technology will end up being among the display space as a whole. While it’s primarily targeted towards gamers who play competitive games. With gaming consoles aiming for higher fps targets, this will still have impact of those playing more adventure type titles.
This is Niche Gamer Tech. In this column, we regularly cover tech and things related to the tech industry.
