Indulge in Gaming Accuracy While Preserving Eye Health
Would you like to take a quick test to see how well you know the factors that make a great gaming monitor? Relax, it’s a joke we are no teachers. We’re more of a guide. Seriously though, can you name the monitor selection parameter that most often gets neglected?
Let’s talk about safety.
There is this thing called eye strain. Real and serious. There is always more you can do in terms of healthy gaming. Do it. On the bright side, the whole health thing doesn’t change the fact that a monitor must function beautifully as a piece of amazing gaming equipment.
This is a review of a possible solution. Tagged ‘Eyecare Technology’, the ASUS VG278Q is sure to attract attention. It sports ergonomic design and extra gaming experience customization features. I quietly obeyed to the Voices, and went to my lab to take it apart and see what it has in store.
- 27” Full HD (1920x1080) Panel 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms (GTG) response time gaming monitor and free Sync/Adaptive Sync for a tear-free experience
- Nvidia G-SYNC technology ensures smooth gameplay by eliminating screen tearing and stuttering ASUS Smart Contrast Ratio (ASCR) is 100000000 1
- Stereo 2W speakers provide for a full sound while eliminating the need for external speakers
- Marathon ready with Asus Eye Care technology to minimize eye fatigue and an ergonomic stand with full height/tilt/swivel/pivot adjustments to accommodate any desk
- Flexible connectivity options with DisplayPort 1 2 HDMI 1 4 Dual-link DVI-D
Specifications
Screen size | 27 inch |
Resolution | 1920 x1080 FHD |
Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
Panel Technology | Twisted Nematic (TN) |
Refresh rate | 144 Hz |
Response time | 1 ms |
Contrast ratio | 1000:1 (Static) |
Brightness | 400 cd/m² |
Speakers | Yes |
Stand Height | Yes |
Stand Tilt | Yes |
Stand Swivel | Yes |
Stand: Pivot | Yes |
VESA compatibility | Yes (100 x 100) |
Connectivity: | HDMI 1.4 x 1, DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, DVI-DL x 1, 3.5mm Jack |
Dimensions (W x H x D) | 24.4” x 14.8” x 8.3” |
Weight | 12.35 lbs |
Build and Design
The Asus VG278Q looks sleek and sophisticated, and fans will find the satisfying matte black texture that is often associated with the brand. Though the screen isn’t bezel-free, the borders are pretty thin and not obtrusive.
Good thing that ASUS has managed to retain consistency with the VG278Q. It has an incredible build quality which is to be expected even from their not so expensive models. You will notice that the casing’s seams, as well as the edges, are clean-cut. I also didn’t find any jagged gaps or any unevenness. The frame appears sturdy and it doesn’t creak when adjusting the viewing angle.
The stand is pretty flexible. It will allow you to tilt, swivel, pivot, and adjust the height. Which is a good thing, since TN’s narrower viewing angles are quite notorious, but with proper adjustments, it shouldn’t be a concern. If the stand is not your thing, you can freely swap with a VESA 100 x 100 mount. Overall, it is designed to not consume a lot of space.
Display and Performance
The Asus VG278Q is a 27-inch TN panel, just the golden middle. It also has a 1920×1080 resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time, perfect for fast-paced gaming. Not to mention that it will fare pretty well as a lag-free monitor for FPS gaming.
When it comes to color accuracy the ASUS VG278Q is no slouch. The TN module can produce 100% of the RGB gamut with a DeltaE of only 1.5, which means that you can use this panel for picture/video editing purposes too. This was evident during my Horizon Zero Dawn playtime. The color was rich and vivid and made my adventure even more epic.
When I tried darker games like Evil Within 2, I noticed that the blacks appear lightly grayish in super dark rooms. That is a small price to pay for the additional boost in pixel response. I would also like to add that the backlight only reaches 375 cd/m2, but that is overly bright for extended use, even for me.
The Asus VG278Q is a FreeSync monitor. Lovable feature. It has a functional range of 40Hz to 144Hz and is one of the monitors that are compatible with Nvidia’s G-Sync too. Nvidia or AMD, you’re on.
The Input lag averages are 11ms, so expect no delays or “de-synced” instances in FPS games where speed and timing are critical.
Controls and Connectivity
I think many will be delighted to know that ASUS VG278Q uses the usual OSD control layout that is standard for the high-end ROG Swift line-up. For the controls, you will find a multi-directional joystick at the back with four hotkeys. It also has 8 main menus with the GameVisual, Color, and Image menus among others.
The connectivity options of the ASUS VG278Q include DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 1.4, Dual-Link DVI-D, headphones jack, and two 2W built-in speakers.
You will find a DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 1.4, and DVI-DL slot just on the back, beside the dual 3.5mm jacks for audio input and output.
Sadly, there are no USB slots available, and frankly, the 2W speakers are not much.
Added Features
We started with health benefits. The ASUS Eye Care technology has been designed to prevent eye strain that plagues gamers and all techies in this digital age. This technology will ensure blue light reduction and filter harmful radiation as well. Easily the unit’s best feature.
Additional features such as ASUS’ own ULMB (Ultra Low Motion Blur) called ELMB is also present. This is an excellent feature to reduce motion blur, perfect for smoother movements and less pressure to your peepers.
Final Verdict
The Asus VG278Q is a marvelous gaming monitor with excellent image quality. If you are looking for responsiveness, especially when playing shooters like Apex Legends and Fortnite, then this is a great fit.
Overall, this is a gaming monitor that could shine in the competitive gaming area, sold at a rather attractive and reasonable price.
- 27” Full HD (1920x1080) Panel 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms (GTG) response time gaming monitor and free Sync/Adaptive Sync for a tear-free experience
- Nvidia G-SYNC technology ensures smooth gameplay by eliminating screen tearing and stuttering ASUS Smart Contrast Ratio (ASCR) is 100000000 1
- Stereo 2W speakers provide for a full sound while eliminating the need for external speakers
- Marathon ready with Asus Eye Care technology to minimize eye fatigue and an ergonomic stand with full height/tilt/swivel/pivot adjustments to accommodate any desk
- Flexible connectivity options with DisplayPort 1 2 HDMI 1 4 Dual-link DVI-D