New article: ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ WQHD Gaming Monitor Review: Get rid of the shackles

ASUS continues to lead the gaming monitor market and strives to be the first to push new standards and technologies. The top series of gaming displays ROG Swift quickly won the hearts of buyers, and the later ROG Strix allowed savings for those who prefer graphics cards from the AMD camp. Meanwhile, in both cases, the models turned out to be expensive, not everyone had enough stock of their capabilities, and therefore it was not easy to fight on equal terms with some competitors.

After NVIDIA's announcement of the start of official support for the VESA Adaptive-Sync protocol, which was made at CES-2019 in January, the hands of monitor manufacturers have become untied. Now, in order to interest your less demanding and wealthy consumers, there is no need to use an expensive G-Sync module for the adaptive sync system to work - just a little better prepare, set up and test a new monitor, and then request NVIDIA G-Sync Compatible certification.

This one step brings the cost of the monitor closer to models with support for free AMD Free-Sync, but ASUS went further. In monitors of a completely new series called TUF Gaming, the manufacturer removed USB ports, abandoned any external space lighting systems, and also simplified the case and mounting system, which together made it possible to further reduce the price of displays.

However, this does not mean that all new "chips" will now be only in expensive monitor lines. The ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ reviewed today was one of the first monitors on the market where dynamically variable refresh rate (VRR - Variable Refresh Rate) can work together with the black frame insertion system - this is called ELMB-Sync. And of course, the much-loved combination of a 27-inch panel with a resolution of 2560 × 1440 pixels and a frequency of 165 Hz has not gone away - and all this at an attractive price. How do you like such an application for success?             

⇡#Reference information and specifications

New was announced in September 2019, after the past series of rumors about the older comrade VG32VQ. ASUS was in no hurry to sell the display, and therefore both new items can be freely purchased only in the USA and some European countries. In the first case, the price of the monitor under study starts at $429, and for the 32-inch version they ask for a little more - $459. You have to choose based on which diagonal and which type of matrix suits you best. If you're a heavy gamer and need high responsiveness and color work, then the IPS panel-based VG27AQ is the obvious choice. 

The first shipments should reach our country in October, and the promised price is still at the level of 32 rubles (we assume that the real price will fall below 990 in a month or two) - and this is already a rather interesting offer. Among similar solutions, we can cite the new products from Acer and Gigabyte, which in terms of price are on both sides of the ASUS solution. However, they cannot offer any analogue of ELMB-Sync, and this is perhaps the main difference.

Now let's dive into the main technical characteristics of the hero of the review. Its heart is the latest and not yet found in other displays AHVA-matrix AU Optronics, model M270Q008 V002IPS type. The manufacturer notes that it is 8-bit (without FRC or with it - it's not clear), with the ability to play 16,7 million colors. The color gamut is standard - at the sRGB level, it is provided by the usual W-LED backlight without flicker (Flicker-Free).

The monitor's working resolution is 2560 × 1440 pixels (WQHD standard), which, together with the 27-inch diagonal, provides a pixel density level of almost 110 ppi and allows you not to complain too much about the working space, and also to do without the use of a scaling system. Windows.  

A maximum backlight brightness of 350 nits, a contrast ratio of 1000:1 and viewing angles of 178 degrees in both planes are quite common characteristics for a modern IPS matrix. Of the interesting things, only support for receiving HDR metadata is declared, but there is no question of any real compliance with one or another standard: the monitor matrix does not provide requests for even the most primitive (and most useless) of them - VESA Display HDR400, not to mention the specified ASUS HDR10. This is neither bad nor good. It's just the same as 99% of the previous gaming monitors on the market!

However, all this did not prevent the manufacturer from adding as many as two HDR modes to the VG27AQ menu (one for cinema, the other for games) with a different approach to processing the received metadata from related content. Well, that's his right. If you like a bright and oversaturated picture, you will like it too, but of course, there can be no talk of any real HDR.  

At the time of the release of the TUF Gaming VG27AQ, the manufacturer declared for it the maximum refresh rate of 155 Hz. Later, the numbers were revised, but this value still flaunts in the TX and on the packaging. In reality, the monitor provides a trouble-free operation at a frequency of 165 Hz (in overclocking mode), which not all IPS gaming monitors on the market can boast of. Until recently, this was considered a very high figure. 

The monitor is certified by NVIDIA as G-Sync Compatible, and the operating range for VRR is quite wide: 48-165 Hz. Owners of video cards from the "green" ones will be able to get a working G-Sync in this range only when using the installed Display Port 1.2 interface, and users of AMD video cards can also get an HDMI connection (which is necessary for set-top boxes with VRR). By the way, for the latter, support for Low Framerate Compensation (LFC) is also provided, and therefore you don’t have to worry too much if the FPS counter drops below 40-48 frames per second for a short time.

At the same time, the display uses an improved “black frame insertion” system, which not only allows you to specify the frequently occurring frame display time of 1 ms (according to the MPRT method), but is also able to work simultaneously with one of the VRR systems, which was previously impossible. The standard response time for the VG27AQ is typical - 4 ms GtG.

⇡#Packaging and appearance

The monitor comes in a small box with high-quality printing, the same photo on both sides and listing the main features using various icons on the sides. There is a plastic handle on top for easy portability.

The manufacturer almost completely gave one of the sides of the box to the main list of advantages of the model, which we counted as many as 14.

The sticker on the packaging does not contain particularly useful information for the buyer. It only informs that the display is made in China.

The package is scattered around the box and includes only the essentials:

• power cable;
• external PSU;
• DisplayPort cable;
• HDMI cable;
• quick installation and configuration guide;
• prospectus ASUS VIP Member;
• prospectus for safe use.

In terms of appearance, the novelty is a slightly simplified ROG Swift or Strix, there is also something from the old models of the MG series with a similar diagonal. But in the TUF Gaming VG27AQ, the texture of some plastic surfaces has been changed, there are fewer glossy inserts and other decorative elements. Severity and minimalism in everything.

The manufacturer has retained the "frameless" design on all four sides (plastic overlays for non-working areas, like an ASUS "chip", have not gone away), an ergonomic stand and the usual control system based on a 5-way joystick and several pairs of keys.

The red insert around the central column has not gone anywhere, but the lighting system of the external space was told “Goodbye!”.

The stand itself is exactly the same as that of more expensive solutions, but the shape of the central column is a little simpler, but the designers did not refuse to list the entire range of adjustments in its upper part. 

In turn, the cable routing system for the VG27AQ is no different from what we saw in the almost twice as expensive old man PG279Q - it is made due to a special cutout in the lower part of the B-pillar. The solution is not the most efficient, but at least something.

The new product does not use a quick-release connection - another form of savings. The central column is initially attached to the case on a VESA-compatible mount, and the screw heads are covered with rubber plugs.  

Ergonomic stand provides height adjustment within 130 mm, tilt in the range from -5 to +33 degrees and body rotation 90 degrees right / left.

A turn to portrait mode (Pivot) is provided, while the centering of the body is practically not affected. The position changes accurately, clearly and with fixation in the required position.    

The base of the stand is plastic, but all internal fasteners are made of metal. For better grip on the work surface, seven rubber feet of various shapes are used, which do an excellent job with the duties assigned to them.

The matrix of the monitor with a semi-matte work surface. It has sufficient anti-reflective properties and pleases that the crystal effect on it is almost imperceptible in any viewing conditions.

By two long stickers on the bottom of the monitor case, we finally found out the production date of our copy (July 2019) and the contractor represented by the well-known company Qisda (Suzhou), which often fulfills ASUS orders. Everything else is not so interesting.

Interface connectors are located at the rear of the case and are directed downwards. Due to the ability to flip to portrait mode, connecting cables is very simple in any situation.

The monitor has a built-in speaker system with a total power of 4 watts. We can’t say anything good about the quality and maximum volume, but for some simple tasks such acoustics should be enough.  

The build quality of the monitor under study is close to ideal: all parts are connected precisely and with minimal uniform gaps, the painting is even, there are no backlashes, and the structure is highly rigid. The display is practically not amenable to twisting, but slightly crunches / creaks with adequate physical impact.

The materials used are not cheap, with different textures and a matte finish, without any problems with practicality and wear resistance. Two glossy inserts - for the sake of style. Paying about 30 thousand rubles, you get the same level of quality as ASUS models that are 2-3 times more expensive - this is the main thing to remember from this section.

⇡#Menu and control

The monitor is controlled by a five-way joystick and four different-sized trapezoidal physical buttons located at the rear of the device.

On the bottom edge there is a dim white power LED, which, if desired, can be turned off through the settings. The VG27AQ does not provide additional monitor operation indicators, as in more expensive models.

Of the four control buttons, one is responsible for turning on the monitor, the other is the cancel or exit button, the remaining two are used to activate the game timer / custom crosshair / FPS counter (GamePlus function) and quick access to GameVisual modes.

The five-way joystick allows you to navigate through the menu. This is one of the most successful ways to work with the OSD menu - and ASUS has long known about it. You get used to it quickly, you can manage without problems both day and night, everything is accessible and easy. 

The menu design has not changed for a long time, and everything is the same in the VG27AQ. The appearance of the OSD screen is simple, concise and modern. In the case of the novelty, it contains eight sections with slightly modified content.

To access the preset GameVisual color rendering modes, go to the first section of the menu.

The second section selects the degree to which the Blue Light Filter function affects the image on the screen. If you delve into this topic, it becomes clear that the color temperature simply decreases, however, sometimes with a strong bias in one of the parasitic shades. In the Blue Light Filter 4 mode, in addition, the brightness of the backlight is sharply reduced.

You can change the brightness, contrast, color temperature, saturation and skin tone in the Color section. Separately, we note that in most modes not all parameters are available, and when the HDR mode is activated in the OS, the section is completely blocked.

The Image section contains settings for the scaler, dynamic contrast, Trace Free matrix overclocking and Shadow Boost technology, which allows you to increase the visibility in the shadows. There is an option to increase the VividPixel edge sharpness (it is better not to touch it) together with the usual sharpness control, and when HDR is enabled, an HDR section appears in the operating system with two modes of metadata interpretation/processing. There are also options for increasing the vertical frequency (Overclocking), enabling Adaptive-Sync and ELMB-Sync.

Under the choice of the signal source and the volume control of the built-in speaker system, one section is allocated.

The System Setup section contains parameters that are mostly not related to the quality of the image on the screen. Among the available options: setting the appearance and position of the OSD menu, choosing the menu localization language (Russian is available with a fairly good translation), blocking the control keys and turning off the power indicator.

There is a subsection with basic working information on the monitor, the ability to turn on the ECO mode, activate the demonstration of the effect of GameVisual modes on the picture, and, of course, the function to reset all menu settings to default values.

The last section is designed to save the settings made to one of the three memory cells. If necessary, you can quickly switch between them.   

Source: 3dnews.ru