Building a great gaming rig doesn’t necessarily require a large budget. Yes, a no-expense-spared system will perform at the highest level. But it isn’t that difficult to achieve greatness at a lower cost – if all components are properly matched.
Monitors are often judged by resolution. On the surface, more pixels are better, but it isn’t quite that simple. For static images, higher pixel density is certainly an advantage but gaming is another matter. Motion resolution is key to the experience. It doesn’t matter how high resolution is if moving objects break up into formless blurry blobs.
This is why 27-inch, 1440p resolution screens are so popular right now, and many are among the best gaming monitors. 2560 x 1440 is an ideal performance balance, where you can achieve high frame rates, without spending four figures on a graphics card. The Asus ROG Strix XG27AQ is an ideal example. With G-Sync Compatibility, up to a 170 Hz refresh rate with overclocking and HDR support, it delivers high performance for a reasonable price and doesn’t require a huge investment in PC components to reap the max benefits.
Asus ROG Strix XG27AQ Specs
| Panel Type / Backlight | IPS / W-LED, edge array |
| Screen Size & Aspect Ratio | 27 inches / 16:9 |
| Max Resolution & Refresh Rate | 2560 x 1440 @ 170 Hz with overclock (144 Hz without) |
| G-Sync Compatible: 48-170 Hz | |
| Native Color Depth & Gamut | 8-bit / DCI-P3 |
| DisplayHDR 400, HDR10 | |
| Response Time (GTG) | 1ms |
| Brightness | 400 nits |
| Contrast | 1,000:1 |
| Speakers | 2x 2w |
| Video Inputs | 1x DisplayPort 1.2 |
| 2x HDMI 2.0 | |
| Audio | 3.5mm headphone output |
| USB 3.0 | 1x up, 2x down |
| Power Consumption | 24.9w, brightness @ 200 nits |
| Panel Dimensions WxHxD w/base | 24.1 x 16.1-20 x 10 inches (611 x 408-508 x 255mm) |
| Panel Thickness | 3.2 inches (82mm) |
| Bezel Width | Top/sides: 0.3 inch (7mm) |
| Bottom: 0.8 inch (21mm) | |
| Weight | 18.9 pounds (8.6kg) |
| Warranty | 3 years |
The Asus ROG Strix XG27AQ should not be confused with the XG27UQ which is the 4K version of this monitor (and one of the best 4K gaming monitors, according to our testing). The AQ we’re exploring here runs at QHD resolution and tops out at 170 Hz when overclocking is engaged. Natively, it runs at 144 Hz, though we had no problem running our sample at 170 Hz. If things start to warm up inside, a very quiet fan comes on to keep the internals cool.
A G-Sync label is affixed to the base and the XG27AQ is indeed certified by Nvidia. It also runs on FreeSync systems without issue (see FreeSync vs G-Sync). Both technologies work with HDR at 170 Hz over DisplayPort. HDMI is limited to 144 Hz but can be used for consoles like the latest Xbox and PS5 machines. ULMB blur reduction is also included but here, it’s called ELMB Sync. The sync means it can be used together with adaptive sync. This is an extreme rarity; usually one must choose between them.
Image quality is assured by an extended gamut that covers over 91% of DCI-P3 as confirmed by our tests. Accuracy is also assured by an enclosed data sheet, but we found some visible gains in quality with calibration and careful selection of picture modes. HDR10 signals are supported with a peak output of over 400 nits and dynamic contrast which takes the ratio up to over 22,000:1. You can use this feature for SDR signals too and see a similarly broad dynamic range.
As an Asus ROG product, the XG27AQ includes all the standard GamePlus features like aiming points, timers, frame counter and alignment marks. You also get sniper aids for both light and dark scenarios. Owners of other ROG components like motherboards or RAM sticks can coordinate a light show with the Aura Sync feature implemented through a desktop app. If you’d rather just light up the back of the monitor, Aura RGB offers a multitude of colors and effects behind a glowing ROG logo.
It’s a very complete package for $500 at this writing. Let’s take a look.
Assembly and Accessories
Separating the large blocks of crumbly foam reveals a panel and upright already assembled and a solid metal base that attaches with two captive bolts. Cables include USB, DisplayPort and HDMI (see DisplayPort vs HDMI) along with a small external power supply. A snap-on cover is provided to tidy up the input panel. All accessories are packaged in their own box inside the carton, a nice touch to the premium side.
Product 360 of Asus ROG Strix XG27AQ
Styling is distinctly Asus ROG with nothing to distract in the front. A small ROG logo adorns the 21mm wide trim strip across the bottom while the remaining bezel is flush, just 7mm wide when the image is present. The Asus ROG Strix XG27AQ makes a good candidate for multi-screen setups where a thin dividing line is desired. Alignment marks in the GamePlus menu aid in marrying the images together.
OSD controls are around the back right. You get three large keys plus a power toggle and a small joystick. Everything feels high-end with solid and responsive clicks. The stand is equally well built with a 100mm height adjustment, 25° swivel to either side, a 90° portrait mode and 5/20° of tilt. Movements are firm with no drift or play.
The Aura RGB lighting feature is found behind a large ROG logo on the back. It’s not super bright which is a good thing when the XG27AQ is up against the wall. There are many options for color and effect, all under the user’s control. Turning on Aura Sync coordinates the lighting with other Asus ROG components. If you populate your windowed case with enough LED hardware, you might even make your gaming rig visible from space. A downloadable desktop app runs the whole affair.
The input panel includes two HDMI 2.0 ports which can be used for consoles running at up to 120 Hz with adaptive sync and HDR, or up to 144 Hz with a PC. The single DisplayPort 1.2 accommodates 170 Hz signals with G-Sync or FreeSync and HDR. Audio is supported by a 3.5mm headphone output and two internal 2-watt speakers which play at polite volumes in the upper midrange frequencies.
OSD Features of Asus ROG Strix XG27AQ
Pressing the tiny red joystick brings up a large OSD packed with features and options. It’s divided into seven submenus with plenty of choices for picture modes, image adjustment, gaming tools and lighting effects. Settings can be saved to one of four memory slots and you can program two of the control keys for quick access to commonly used functions.
The Gaming menu has a complete set of video processing features along with nine picture modes and GamePlus play aids. To run at 170 Hz, overclocking must be turned on or you’ll be limited to 144 Hz. Our sample ran perfectly at top speed during the review.
Overdrive has five levels though the highest produced visible ghosting during our tests. Level four is the best choice and is completely free of artifacts. Adaptive sync can be toggled on or off, but you’ll want to leave it on because it works in tandem with ELMB Sync if you wish. ELMB is a backlight strobe that reduces motion blur by inserting a black field between each image frame. The Asus ROG Strix XG27AQ doesn’t include a pulse width slider like many monitors with this feature but brightness is only reduced by around 20%. ELMB works reasonably well at removing blur but we saw a slight parallax error where thin lines trailed moving objects. It was visible in test patterns and harder to spot in actual content.
GamePlus includes an array of play aids like aiming points, countdown timers, frame counters and multi-screen alignment marks. Two new options come with the Asus ROG Strix XG27AQ, Sniper and Sniper Night Vision. These will magnify the center of the screen 1.5, 1.7 or 2.0 times and place a red or green aiming dot in the center. Night Vision does the same thing but tones the image window green like night vision goggles. It takes a few button-presses to bring up the option, but a single click will cancel it. It’s great for shooting practice.
Calibration is easy to accomplish in the Color menu with three gamma presets, three color temps and a set of RGB sliders. We found visible improvement after a few adjustments. You can also tweak color saturation if you wish.
Here are the controls for Aura Sync and Aura RGB. Aura Sync is simply an on/off toggle that coordinates the Asus ROG Strix XG27AQ’s lighting with other ROG components. You’ll need a USB connection and the Asus Aura desktop app to set up your light show. If you prefer to just light up the ROG logo on the back of the panel, Aura RGB includes five different effects.
Asus ROG Strix XG27AQ Calibration Settings
The XG27AQ ships with a calibration report, but we found a better image with a few adjustments. The native color gamut is DCI-P3 which is covered over 91% and hits its targets closely. Grayscale is a bit warm by default but easily aligned with the RGB sliders. Gamma is slightly light in tone but rides close to 2.2. An sRGB mode is included which delivers similar accuracy but is not adjustable. It does successfully reduce the color gamut though. Below are our recommended SDR settings.
HDR signals automatically switch the Asus ROG Strix XG27AQ over and reveal two additional picture modes: Cinema and Gaming. Our tests showed them to be almost identical in color and luminance. Contrast is enhanced by a dynamic backlight feature that is also available in SDR mode.
| Picture Mode | User |
| Brightness 200 nits | 35 |
| Brightness 120 nits | 16 |
| Brightness 100 nits | 12 |
| Brightness 80 nits | 7 |
| Brightness 50 nits | 1 (min. 47 nits) |
| Contrast | 80 |
| Gamma | 2.2 |
| Color Temp User | Red 99, Green 97, Blue 98 |
Gaming and Hands-on with Asus ROG Strix XG27AQ
With better than average IPS contrast, the Asus ROG Strix XG27AQ delivers a nicely saturated image with plenty of depth and dimension. The Dynamic Dimming feature is very effective at increasing the contrast of graphical content like games and videos. We used it for all our play tests. It doesn’t do much for static Windows apps though. In fact, we preferred it turned off when working because it’s a bit slow to respond to changes in the overall picture level. We couldn’t see it operating when gaming.
The same was true of HDR in Windows. Since the backlight responds slowly to changes in content, turning on HDR for workday tasks made many things like spreadsheets and written documents look washed out. HDR is best reserved for games and full screen video. In either case, color was very bold and vivid with natural hues and plenty of detail in the more saturated areas of the image. When working on photos, the sRGB mode came in handy when the content called for that smaller gamut.
Checking out a few motion patterns from BlurBusters revealed a slight ghosting artifact when using the ELMB Sync feature. Though it works with adaptive sync at 170 Hz, it doesn’t make enough improvement in motion clarity to warrant turning off Dynamic Dimming. This feature is unavailable with ELMB Sync and the XG27AQ warns of this when you switch it on. Ultimately, we preferred to stick with adaptive sync and Dynamic Dimming. In HDR mode, ELMB is disabled.
SDR games like Tomb Raider really benefited from the increased contrast. Shadow detail remained strong while blacks looked truer. The extra saturation was welcome too even if it wasn’t entirely accurate. We’re getting used to using extended color for everything since so many monitors now include it.
Video processing options are many, so we tried various combinations before going with adaptive sync on, 170 Hz overclock, Overdrive level 4 and Dynamic Dimming on. ELMB provided no benefit and in fact weakened image quality by taking Dynamic Dimming out of play. With these settings in our calibrated User mode, games played with lighting quick response, smooth and clear motion, and a real sense of realism. The Asus ROG Strix XG27AQ is one of the better SDR gaming monitors we’ve reviewed.
HDR games like Call of Duty WWII showed a more varied effect. Dark sequences like the train capture mission were richly detailed but ultimately more a dark gray than black. It was like playing at dusk rather than at night. Daytime content looked fantastic though with brighter highlights and far more perceived contrast. Dynamic Dimming seems to benefit more luminous content while doing less to enhance images with subdued lighting. Our overall impression of the XG27AQ’s HDR is that it is better than a monitor without dynamic contrast but not as good as a full-array local dimming display. It’s certainly worth turning on for the right games and at this price point, it’s about as good as HDR gets.
To read about our monitor tests in-depth, please check out Display Testing Explained: How We Test PC Monitors. Brightness and Contrast testing is covered on page two.
Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level
We have a large group of 27-inch QHD gaming monitors to choose from for comparison to the XG27AQ. All are IPS except the 240 Hz AOC PD27 which is VA. From Gigabyte comes the M27Q, Dell provides its S2721DGF, MSI brings the MAG274QRF and Acer, the XV272U-KV. The IPS screens all run at either 165 or 170 Hz.
To get maximum output from the XG27AQ in SDR mode, you must use its Scenery mode. The default option, Racing, tops out at around 350 nits. sRGB delivers 170 nits max. For a typical indoor environment, any picture mode will provide enough light.
Black levels are mid-pack in this group but resulting contrast is the best, by a hair, of the IPS panels at 1158.4:1. We’ve noticed that some of the latest Fast IPS panels are a bit down on contrast but the XG27AQ is not one of them. It beats many other IPS monitors in this test.
After Calibration to 200 nits
Calibration maintains a solid black level but the XG27AQ slips one spot in the rankings. The contrast ratio is still over 1000:1 which is always a win for an IPS monitor. ANSI contrast is also solid at 1037.8:1, among the best of IPS. If you turn on Dynamic Dimming in the Image menu, the static ratio goes up to over 23,000:1. Shadow detail becomes a little hard to see but the overall effect is very good.
The XG27AQ ships, like all Asus gaming screens, in Racing mode. This is a good all-around setting for gaming, video, photos and general use. It’s reasonably accurate out of the box but allows for calibration which in this case, makes an improvement.
Grayscale & Gamma Tracking
Our grayscale and gamma tests use Calman calibration software from Portrait Displays. We describe those our grayscale and gamma tests in detail here.
The default Warm color temp is indeed a bit warm with a red tint that can be seen almost throughout the brightness range. Gamma also runs slightly light at higher levels though this error is barely visible.
You can calibrate in the Racing mode, but we went for User to create a separate picture memory. You can see that the result is excellent. Grayscale errors are now non-existent with all values less than 1dE. Gamma is unchanged. We tried the one higher value preset but it made the picture too dark.
If you choose the sRGB picture mode, the color temp is also too warm. The error is slightly lower at 4.35dE average. No adjustments are possible, and brightness is locked at 170 nits. Gamma tracks the same as the Racing and User modes.
Comparisons
The XG27AQ’s 5.89dE result is a bit higher than most gaming monitors at their default settings. The picture looks a bit warm but not objectionable. You can make it cooler with the Normal color temp setting, but calibration is the best course to take. Dial in our recommended settings and you’ll likely come close to our superb 0.68dE result. It’s surprising that value is only good enough for fifth place here but in practice, you won’t see a difference between any of these monitors after adjustment. This is excellent performance.
The gamma tests are affected by a slight dip in tracking as the picture becomes brighter. This has the barely visible effect of flattening highlight detail, a very minor issue. Though the XG27AQ doesn’t fare well in the comparison, that’s only because the competition is so stiff.
Color Gamut Accuracy
Our color gamut and volume testing use Portrait Displays’ Calman software. For details on our color gamut testing and volume calculations, click here.
The XG27AQ’s color gamut accuracy is quite good out of the box. The grayscale error pulls secondary hues slightly off-target but not enough to be seen by the naked eye. The DCI-P3 gamut is almost completely covered except for green which is a tad under-saturated. This is typical of nearly all extended color monitors. On the magenta and blue side of the triangle, there is a bit of over-saturation.
Calibration pulls all colors onto their targets. Cyan and green are still a bit under but not visibly so. The overall error is below the visible threshold.
The sRGB picture option is also very good with a 2.53dE average error, also below the visible threshold. You can see that the primaries are a tiny bit under-saturated, but this is still a very good sRGB mode for those who need that reduced gamut.
Comparisons
Even though the XG27AQ posts a respectable 2.42dE average color error, it’s only good for last place in a tough field of competitors. In practice though, you won’t see any differences between these six screens. An average value under 3dE means errors cannot be seen by the naked eye. This is excellent performance.
The XG27AQ’s DCI-P3 gamut volume is above average with 91.22% coverage. Like nearly every other DCI monitor, green is slightly under-saturated. It’s only a tad behind the Dell. The MSI and Gigabyte screens should be considered an exception with their unusually large gamuts. sRGB volume is a tad lower than average but the under-saturation is balanced over the entire gamut, so it isn’t a significant issue. If you want to use the Asus for color-critical work, apply a lookup table to the native DCI gamut in User mode.
Our HDR benchmarking uses Portrait Displays’ Calman software. To learn about our HDR testing, see our breakdown of how we test PC monitors.
The XG27AQ supports HDR10 signals and switches formats automatically. Both G-Sync and FreeSync are available in HDR mode at 170 Hz over DisplayPort. Two picture modes are available, Gaming and Cinema.
HDR Brightness & Contrast
The XG27AQ is very bright with over 455 nits of peak HDR output. Both Gaming and Cinema HDR modes produce the same brightness and contrast results. The variable dimming option is turned on and delivers spectacularly low measured black levels and an impressive contrast ratio of 22,506.9:1. It doesn’t get much better than that. Though the XG is not a full-array zone dimming panel, it creates very good HDR, especially when the content is bright.
Grayscale, EOTF & Color
HDR grayscale and color performance is nearly identical for both Cinema and Gaming modes so we’re showing the charts from our tests in Cinema. Grayscale is neutral until the mid-range where it becomes a little cool in tone. The error is relatively low and hard to spot in actual content.
The EOTF runs too dark up to the tone-map transition point. There, the XG27AQ is a little late with an actual transition at 75% rather than 65%. The luminance errors appear to be due to the dynamic contrast’s slow changes to picture content. Static images look quite good but sometimes, the shifts in luminance lag behind changes in image brightness. How pronounced the effect is will depend on what you’re watching or playing, and it won’t always be visible.
HDR color is fairly accurate with some oversaturation in the mid-tones. This gives HDR images more punch while retaining good detail and depth. The XG27AQ performs much like its competition in this test.
Viewing Angles
The XG27AQ’s viewing angles are very good with just a slight shift to blue and a 20% light reduction at 45° to the sides. This is comparable performance to the best IPS panels we’ve photographed. From the top, the tint is green with a 40% reduction in output and very good retention of picture detail.
Screen Uniformity
To learn how we measure screen uniformity, please click here.
Our XG27AQ sample measured just over 10% deviation but we couldn’t see any issues with the naked eye in a completely dark room. Our meter noted hotspots in the upper and lower right zones, but we couldn’t see them when displaying a black field pattern. There were no color aberrations, nor were there hotspots in brighter patterns. This is very good performance.
Pixel Response and Input Lag
Please click here to read up on our pixel response and input lag testing procedures.
We treat response and input lag separately because they have different impacts on the gaming experience. Fast response means better motion resolution and less breakup of the picture when things move quickly. The XG27AQ performs as expected in this test. 6 ms is very smooth and will produce a clear image during fast-moving sequences with no significant blur.
ELMB is not needed and you can set the overdrive on level 4 without ghosting artifacts. Obviously, the 240 Hz AOC is superior in this test and even though 2 ms may seem insignificant, it makes a visible difference. Gaps in input lag values have a lesser effect. It’s doubtful that any player will notice a 3 ms difference in control input lag. Though the XG27AQ comes in last here, it felt no different to us during gameplay than any of the other monitors.
When measuring the performance of any system, balance is always the key to success. Spending a lot of money will usually guarantee excellence but balance will always deliver the best possible gaming experience. If you buy an Ultra HD monitor, you won’t get frame rates higher than 144 fps, and you’ll need to buy a top-of-the-line video card to drive it at maximum speed. When motion enters the equation, QHD at 170 fps can provide as much or more clarity than UHD at 144. And you can achieve this at a lower cost, both for the monitor and the video card.
This is the reason why high-speed 27-inch QHD monitors are flooding the market right now. The latest panels run at 165 or 170 Hz and you can get IPS or VA technology. It’s no longer necessary to settle for TN to see the fastest frame rates and quickest response.
The Asus ROG Strix XG27AQ represents this trend perfectly. It’s complete in its feature set and its dedication to performance. With 170 Hz, G-Sync certification and FreeSync compatibility, HDR and extended color; it delivers everything a premium gaming monitor should at a reasonable cost. It isn’t exactly a budget display, but it costs far less than an Ultra HD screen with a full-array local dimming backlight or a jumbo ultra-wide monitor.
Our tests show the XG27AQ to be color accurate after a few adjustments are dialed in. It covers more than 91% of the DCI-P3 gamut which is a little better than average. Dynamic Dimming effectively increases contrast for both SDR and HDR content, and the latter looks very good, especially in brighter material.
Video processing options are on par with the best monitors we’ve seen. Not only do you get motion blur reduction through a backlight strobe, it can be used with adaptive sync, one of the very few monitors that has this capability. It also boasts a very effective overdrive which cuts blur with no artifacts to spoil the image. And don’t forget Asus usual kit of gaming aids, GamePlus. The sniper mode is particularly cool and nicely enhances the aiming points, frame counters and timers we usually see. And if you’re into LED lighting, Aura Sync and Aura RGB provide plenty of flash.
The Asus ROG Strix XG27AQ is a strong and worthy addition to the 27-inch QHD gaming monitor category. It’s a decent value and it delivers all the performance necessary for a quality experience. Gamers shopping for an ideal balance between performance and cost should definitely check it out.
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