ASUS XG27AQM 270Hz WQHD IPS

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The combination of 2560 x 1440 (WQHD) resolution and 240Hz refresh rate can be very appealing. The ASUS XG27AQM delivers this and a little more, incorporating a factory overclock to reach the refresh rate a little higher. This model is a member of the ROG Strix series and as such has a ‘gamery’ style – although a fairly low-key one. Matte black plastics are used extensively without flashy colourful additions. The top and side bezels are dual-stage, with a slim panel border flush with the rest of the screen. Plus a thin hard plastic outer part. The OSD (On Screen Display) is controlled by a joystick and buttons at the rear of the screen, towards the right side as viewed from the front.

Strix styling

A 27″ 2560 x 1440 (WQHD or 1440p) IPS-type panel is employed, with 270Hz (overclocked) refresh rate and Adaptive-Sync support. The AUO M270DAN08.0 AHVA panel, more specifically. This includes Nvidia’s ‘G-SYNC Compatible Mode’, with a 48 – 270Hz VRR range plus LFC. Other aspects to note include a matte anti-glare screen surface, 1000:1 static contrast ratio and 178° horizontal and vertical viewing angles. The monitor is factory calibrated with a specified DeltaE ≤2, with true 8-bit colour supported. A flicker-free Quantum Dot LED backlight delivers a 97% DCI-P3 colour gamut (150% sRGB) and 350 cd/m² typical maximum luminance. This can boost to 400 cd/m² for HDR purposes, with the monitor responding to HDR10 content at the VESA DisplayHDR 400 level. So only a basic experience without local dimming specifically required or a particularly high brightness. But allowing the colour gamut to be put to good use alongside 10-bit colour reproduction, with the aid of GPU dithering in this case.

A 0.5ms grey to grey response time is specified, but as usual don’t put too much weight on this. A 1ms MPRT response time is also specified, using the ELMB Sync strobe backlight mode. This can be activated at the same time as Adaptive-Sync. The stand attaches centrally and is fully adjustable, including 100mm (3.94 inches) height adjustment. It can be removed using a quick-release mechanism, with 100 x 100mm VESA mounting supported as an alternative. An Aura Sync RGB LED motif is included towards the top right, customisable via the OSD or using Armoury Crate software. The ports face downwards and include; DC power input (external ‘power brick’), a 3.5mm headphone jack, 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, 2 DP 1.4 ports and 2 USB 3.0 ports (plus upstream).

A colorful motif

Further details are available on the manufacturer’s website. The monitor is listed for $700 USD.

ASUS XG27AQM