ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ 27in 165Hz Gaming Monitor Review

1. Introduction2. ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ3. ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ On Screen Display Menu System4. ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ Analysis5. Closing Thoughts6. View All Pages

Full HD might have been the sweet spot for a gaming monitor a few years ago, but things have moved on. Now, a lot of graphics cards can comfortably handle higher resolutions, and 2,560 x 1,440 has become a more sensible mainstream option. But you still want high refresh ability and adaptive sync. Enter the ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ. This 27in screen offers a 2,560 x 1,440 resolution, 165Hz and FreeSync adaptive sync that is certified NVIDIA G-Sync Compatible.

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ cuts few corners with its core specification. The panel type is IPS, which usually majors on colour accuracy. This supplies the habitual 350cd/m2 brightness and 1,000:1 contrast of IPS. ASUS only quotes the MPRT pixel response of 1ms, probably because IPS doesn't fare so well with grey-to-grey response readings compared to TN. The jewel in the crown is the 165Hz refresh, although this is with overclocking enabled, and 144Hz is the un-overclocked maximum.

ASUS is a bit coy about what adaptive synchronisation is supported, but this appears to be a FreeSync 2 screen that is officially on NVIDIA's G-Sync Compatible list, so will provide adaptive sync with AMD or NVIDIA graphics cards. The screen also supports HDR-10.

There's plenty of adjustability, with swivel, tilt, height, and even pivoting into portrait available. The video inputs include two HDMI and DisplayPort, with an analog output for audio plus built-in 2W stereo speakers. The one thing you don't get is a USB hub.

This is a bit of a disappointment considering that this screen costs close to £500. But with a very promising specification in every other respect, this is still a gaming screen with plenty of potential. Read on to see how it performs.

Specification:

• Screen size: 27-inch, 16:9 aspect
• Native resolution: 2,560 x 1,440
• Refresh rate: 144Hz (165Hz overclocked)
• Panel type: IPS
• Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 (typical)
• Brightness: 350cd/m2
• Response time: 1ms MPRT
• Display inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.2
• USB hub: No
• Tilt: 5 degrees forward, 35 degrees backward
• Raise: 130mm
• Swivel: 90 degrees left and right
• Portrait: Yes
• Other: Audio output, 2 x 2W speakers

Retail Price: £484.99 (inc. VAT)

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