ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQV 170Hz curved QHD IPS
As an Amazon Associate and Newegg Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases made using the “Buy” button at the bottom of this post. Where possible, you'll be redirected to your nearest store. Further information on supporting our work.Medium refresh rate QHD options are popular for both gaming and general purpose use. In this space, the choice of curved or flat will often force users into one panel type or the other. The ASUS XG27AQV of the ROG Strix series is particularly interesting because it combines a 27″ IPS panel with gentle curve. The monitor offers familiar styling for the series, slightly ‘gamery’ but without too many flashy colourful elements. The top and side bezels feature a dual-stage design, with slender panel border flush with the rest of the screen plus thin hard plastic outer part. The OSD (On Screen Display) is controlled by some buttons and a joystick at the rear of the monitor, towards the right side as viewed from the front.
A 27″ IPS-type panel is used with 2560 x 1440 (QHD or 1440p) resolution and a gentle 2900R curve, designed to draw you in just a little without feeling unnatural. A 170Hz refresh rate is also supported, alongside Adaptive-Sync – including AMD FreeSync Premium with 48 – 170Hz VRR range plus LFC. A matte anti-glare screen surface is included, whilst a 1000:1 static contrast ratio, 178°/178° viewing angles and 8-bit colour support are specified. A flicker-free WLED backlight delivers a 400 cd/m² typical maximum luminance, without a gamut specified. Basic HDR10 support is delivered via VESA DisplayHDR 400 – a certification level with very limited brightness, no requirement for local dimming or for a generous colour gamut. Though it does require 10-bit processing for enhanced nuanced shade variety.
A 1ms grey to grey response time is specified (pinch of salt as usual) whilst ‘GameFast Input technology’ is noted as a nod towards low input lag. ULMB is also included, a strobe backlight setting which can be used instead of Adaptive-Sync if you wish. The manufacturer also mentions ‘Variable Overdrive’, designed to re-tune the monitor over a range of refresh rates to avoid excessive overshoot as frame rates decrease in a VRR environment, for example. This has been applied with mixed success on previous models from the manufacturer that also claim this. The included stand is fully adjustable, including 110mm (4.33 inches) height adjustment and pivot into portrait. It can be removed via a quick-release mechanism and an alternative 100 x 100mm VESA compatible solution used. The ports face downwards and include; DC power input (external ‘power brick’), DP 1.2a+ (HDR feature set), 2 HDMI 2.0 ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Further information can be found on the manufacturer’s website. The monitor is listed for ~£420.
