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ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q Monitor Review

Tested using Methodology v1.1
Reviewed Oct 08, 2020 at 10:43 am
Latest change: Retest Feb 01, 2022 at 12:05 pm
ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q Picture
8.1
Mixed Usage
8.0
Office
8.5
Gaming
7.9
Multimedia
8.1
Media Creation
7.3
HDR Gaming

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q is an excellent gaming monitor packed with extra features. It has Adaptive Sync variable refresh rate (VRR) support that provides both FreeSync and G-SYNC compatibility to reduce screen tearing. Its native 144Hz refresh rate can be overclocked to 170Hz, its response time is remarkable, and it has low input lag, but it increases significantly at 60Hz. The Black Frame Insertion (BFI) feature can be used with VRR enabled, which is a nice addition. The IPS panel offers wide viewing angles, but it has a low contrast ratio and bad black uniformity, so it's not an ideal choice for use in dark rooms. Lastly, it meets its advertised DisplayHDR 400 standards, as it displays a wide color gamut and has decent peak brightness in HDR.

Our Verdict

8.1 Mixed Usage

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q is a great monitor for most uses. It offers excellent gaming performance because it has a remarkable response time, VRR support, and incredibly low input lag. Its very good ergonomics, wide viewing angles, and high resolution make it a good choice for office use. It's good for watching movies, but it has a low contrast ratio and bad black uniformity. Lastly, for gaming in HDR, it displays a wide color gamut and gets decently bright, but it also adds a fair amount of input lag.

Pros
  • Large screen and high resolution.
  • Remarkable response time.
  • FreeSync and G-SYNC compatibility.
  • Decent peak brightness in HDR.
Cons
  • Uniformity issues.
  • Input lag significantly increases at 60Hz.
8.0 Office

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q is great for office use. It has a large, 27 inch screen that offers enough space to multitask, and the 1440p resolution delivers clear text. It has wide viewing angles if you need to share your screen with others, and the ergonomics are very good. It has significant backlight bleed and some uniformity issues, but this may vary between units. On the upside, reflection handling is great, and it gets bright enough to combat glare.

Pros
  • Large screen and high resolution.
  • Wide viewing angles.
  • Good ergonomics.
Cons
  • Uniformity issues.
8.5 Gaming

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q is excellent for gaming. The native 144Hz refresh rate can be overclocked to 170Hz, it's G-SYNC and FreeSync compatible, and its response time is remarkable. The input lag at its max refresh rate is incredibly low, but it increases significantly at 60Hz, so it's not suggested for console gaming. It has an IPS panel with a low contrast ratio, so it's not a good choice for dark-room gaming, but it has wide viewing angles for co-op gaming.

Pros
  • Remarkable response time.
  • FreeSync and G-SYNC compatibility.
  • Low input lag at max refresh rate.
  • BFI feature can be used with VRR enabled.
Cons
  • Uniformity issues.
  • Low contrast ratio.
7.9 Multimedia

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q is good for multimedia use. It has a large screen with a high resolution that delivers crisp images. It has great reflection handling, and it gets bright enough to combat glare if you want to use it in a well-lit environment. Its IPS panel provides wide viewing angles, great for watching content with friends. However, it has a low contrast ratio, so blacks appear gray when viewed in the dark.

Pros
  • Large screen and high resolution.
  • Wide viewing angles.
  • Good ergonomics.
Cons
  • Uniformity issues.
  • Low contrast ratio.
8.1 Media Creation

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q is great for content creators. It offers enough screen space to open multiple windows at once, and the 1440p resolution helps deliver crisp images. It has very good ergonomics and wide viewing angles if you need to share your screen with others. Sadly, it has a low contrast ratio and bad black uniformity, so it's not the best option if you work in a dark room. Fortunately, it has great reflection handling and great brightness if you work in a well-lit environment.

Pros
  • Large screen and high resolution.
  • Wide viewing angles.
  • Great reflection handling.
  • Good ergonomics.
Cons
  • Uniformity issues.
  • Low contrast ratio.
7.3 HDR Gaming

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q is decent for HDR gaming. It offers a ton of gaming perks like VRR support, a remarkable response time, and a Black Frame Insertion feature. HDR content looks good because it displays a wide color gamut, but it has a low contrast ratio that makes blacks appear gray, black uniformity is bad, and the input lag is quite high when gaming in HDR.

Pros
  • Remarkable response time.
  • Displays wide color gamut.
  • Decent peak brightness in HDR.
Cons
  • Uniformity issues.
  • Low contrast ratio.
  • Input lag significantly increases at 60Hz.
  • 8.1 Mixed Usage
  • 8.0 Office
  • 8.5 Gaming
  • 7.9 Multimedia
  • 8.1 Media Creation
  • 7.3 HDR Gaming
  1. Updated Feb 01, 2022: We investigated an issue with flicker when watching HDR content.
  2. Updated Mar 22, 2021: Fixed an error with the number of USB ports.
  3. Updated Oct 13, 2020: We tested the local dimming feature.
  4. Updated Oct 08, 2020: Review published.
  5. Updated Oct 02, 2020: Early access published.
  6. Updated Sep 16, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
  7. Updated Sep 11, 2020: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  8. Updated Sep 06, 2020: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
  9. Updated Sep 02, 2020: The product has won our suggestion poll, so we'll buy and test it soon.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

We tested the 27 inch ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q, which is the only size available for this product. However, there are other monitors in the ROG Strix lineup, some of which are listed below.

Model Size Resolution Panel Max Refresh Rate Variable Refresh Rate Curve Notes
XG279Q 27" 1440p IPS 170Hz Adaptive Sync No  
XG27UQ 27" 1440p IPS 144Hz Adaptive Sync No No ELMB Sync
XG32VQR 32" 1440p VA 144Hz FreeSync Yes  
XG32VQ 32" 1440p VA 144Hz FreeSync Yes Mini DisplayPort
XG32VC 32" 1440p VA 170Hz Adaptive Sync Yes  
XG43VQ 43" 3840x1200 VA 120Hz FreeSync Yes  

If someone comes across a different type of panel or if their ASUS XG279Q doesn't correspond to our review, let us know and we'll update the review. Note that some tests, such as the gray uniformity, may vary between individual units.

The XG279Q we reviewed was manufactured in May 2020, and you can see the label here.

Compared To Other Monitors

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q has one of the best response times we've seen on any monitor with an IPS panel, and motion remains exceptionally clear even when gaming at 60Hz, which is great. However, its input lag at 60Hz is too high compared to other gaming monitors, such as the LG 27GL850-B/27GL83A-B. Also see our recommendations for the best gaming monitors, the best 144Hz monitors, and the best 1440p monitors.

ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQ

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q and the ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQ are very similar monitors with similar specs. The biggest difference is that the XG27AQ has a simplified stand, and its local dimming is a little less aggressive. The XG27AQ shows less backlight bleed, resulting in better black uniformity, but this is something that can vary. The XG27AW also has slightly wider viewing angles. The XG279Q, on the other hand, gets brighter overall in SDR and HDR, so it can fight glare a little more easily and can bring out more highlights in HDR content. Otherwise, they perform very similarly and both are among the better gaming monitors we've tested, so you can't really go wrong with either.

ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q is slightly better than the ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A, but both have an IPS panel with Adaptive Sync support and a 170Hz max refresh rate. The ROG Strix gets brighter in SDR, has better reflection handling, a much quicker response time, and much better out-of-the-box color accuracy. However, the TUF Gaming displays a wider color gamut in SDR and HDR, has lower input lag, and has marginally better ergonomics.

ASUS ROG Swift PG279QM

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q and the ASUS ROG Swift PG279QM offer very similar performance overall. The XG279Q has an optional backlight strobing feature, which can improve the appearance of motion, and it has slightly better ergonomics. The PG279QM, on the other hand, has a slightly faster refresh rate and low input lag. There's also a difference in supported variable refresh rates, as the PG279QM natively supports G-SYNC, resulting in a more visually consistent gaming experience if you have an NVIDIA graphics card.

ASUS TUF VG27AQ

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q and the ASUS TUF VG27AQ are two very similar-performing monitors. The XG279Q has a slightly higher max refresh rate, it gets brighter, displays a wide color gamut for HDR, and has a quicker response time. However, the VG27AQ has lower input lag, the BFI feature can flicker at a lower frequency, and it has much better ergonomics.

ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQ

The ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQ is a bit better than the ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q. The XG27UQ has a much lower input lag when playing at 60Hz, gets brighter to combat glare, and its 4k resolution results in better text clarity. The XG279Q has a faster response time, a higher refresh rate, wider viewing angles, and better reflection handling.

Samsung Odyssey G7 C32G75T

Gaming-wise, the ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q and the Samsung Odyssey G7 C32G75T are very similar. The Samsung has a higher refresh rate than the ASUS, but the difference might not be noticeable to many gamers. Although both monitors have a black frame insertion feature to improve motion clarity, only the ASUS allows you to use it simultaneously with VRR. The most notable difference between them is that the Samsung has a curved VA panel better suited for dark rooms, while the ASUS has a flat IPS panel with wider viewing angles.

LG 27GL850-B/27GL83A-B

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q is better than the LG 27GL850-B/27GL83A-B. The ASUS has much better ergonomics, it gets brighter, there's a BFI feature, and you can overclock its refresh rate to 170Hz. However, the LG has a lower input lag and it has wider viewing angles.

Dell S2721DGF

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q is slightly better than the Dell S2721DGF. The ASUS has a BFI feature, a quicker response time at 60Hz, a slightly higher max refresh rate, and much better color accuracy. However, the Dell has a quicker response time at its max refresh rate and a much lower input lag at 60Hz.

ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q is better than the ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q. The XG279Q supports HDR, has a quicker response time, and its max refresh rate is slightly higher. However, the PG279Q has a much lower input lag at 60Hz, it has much better out-of-the-box color accuracy, and wider viewing angles.

Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0)

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q and the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) are very similar in terms of gaming performance. The differences are in the features. The ASUS offers better ergonomics, and its black frame insertion feature is usable simultaneously with VRR to improve motion clarity. On the other hand, the Gigabyte has a USB-C input that supports DisplayPort and 10W charging, as well as a Picture-in-Picture mode and built-in KVM switch.

Gigabyte AORUS FI27Q

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q is better than the Gigabyte AORUS FI27Q. The ASUS has a much quicker response time, it gets slightly brighter in HDR, and you can overclock its refresh rate to 170Hz. However, the Gigabyte has much lower input lag and much better out-of-the-box color accuracy.

ASUS ROG Strix XG17AHPE

The ASUS ROG Strix XG17AHPE and the ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q are different monitors with very different target audiences. The XG279Q is a desktop gaming monitor with much better ergonomics, a larger screen, and a few extra features, including a black frame insertion feature. The XG17AHPE is a portable gaming monitor with a built-in 7800mAh batter, designed for gaming on the go. In terms of raw gaming performance, though, they're very similar.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
Size 27"
Curved No
Curve Radius Not Curved
Weight (without stand)
8.4 lbs (3.8 kg)
Weight (with stand)
15.4 lbs (7.0 kg)

The ASUS XG279Q has a gamer-oriented design, with lighting on the stand and back. It has a unique tripod stand that's different than most ASUS monitors we've tested. It's well-built, has very thin borders, and has very good ergonomics.

Design
Stand
Width
20.3" (51.5 cm)
Depth
10.6" (27.0 cm)

The stand has three metal feet that feel heavy and support the monitor well. It takes up more space than the square-based stand on other ASUS gaming monitors, but there's still enough room to place things in front.

7.9
Design
Ergonomics
Height Adjustment
4.7" (12.0 cm)
Switch Portrait/Landscape Yes, Clockwise
Swivel Range -40° to 40°
Tilt Range -20° to 5°

The ergonomics are very good. It allows for a wide range of adjustments, so it should be easy to place it in an ideal viewing position. You can rotate to portrait mode, but only clockwise.

Design
Back
Wall Mount VESA 100x100

The back panel of the ASUS XG279Q has an etched design with ambient lighting where the brand logo is. It offers cable management through the stand. It can be VESA-mounted, but there's no quick-release button to easily take off the stand.

Design
Borders
Borders
0.3" (0.7 cm)

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q has thin borders, which is great for a multi-monitor setup.

Design
Thickness
Thickness (with stand)
10.6" (27.0 cm)
Thickness (without stand)
3.5" (9.0 cm)

The screen itself isn't very thick, but the entire monitor takes up a good amount of space with the stand attached.

8.0
Design
Build Quality

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q has a great build quality. The back panel and stand are both made of sturdy plastic, and the feet are metal. The stand is solid, supports the monitor well, and there's no noticeable wobble. The bottom bezel is a bit flexible, but this shouldn't be too much of an issue. Overall, it's well-made and there aren't any obvious problems with its structure.

Picture Quality
6.2
Picture Quality
Contrast
Native Contrast
1,119 : 1
Contrast With Local Dimming
1,070 : 1

Update 10/13/2020: We previously stated this monitor doesn't have a local dimming feature. We corrected the mistake and updated the review.

Like most IPS panels, the ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q has a low contrast ratio, so blacks appear closer to gray when viewed in the dark. Surprisingly, the local dimming feature actually decreases the contrast. It's higher than the advertised 1000:1 contrast, but contrast may vary between units.

1.0
Picture Quality
Local Dimming
Local Dimming
Yes
Backlight
Edge

Update 10/13/2020: We previously stated this monitor doesn't have a local dimming feature. We corrected the mistake and updated the review.

The ASUS XG279Q has a terrible edge-lit local dimming feature. There are few vertical zones and it doesn't improve the contrast. In SDR, the zone transitions and uniformity are bad, and the local dimming effect is lighter and harder to notice in HDR. The setting to control the feature is called Dynamic Dimming and it can't be used with the Black Frame Insertion feature. It automatically turns on in HDR.

8.1
Picture Quality
SDR Peak Brightness
SDR Real Scene
377 cd/m²
SDR Peak 2% Window
370 cd/m²
SDR Peak 10% Window
406 cd/m²
SDR Peak 25% Window
405 cd/m²
SDR Peak 50% Window
409 cd/m²
SDR Peak 100% Window
410 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 2% Window
356 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 10% Window
404 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 25% Window
404 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 50% Window
409 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 100% Window
410 cd/m²
SDR ABL
0.000

Update 10/13/2020: We previously stated this monitor doesn't have a local dimming feature. We retested SDR peak brightness with local dimming, but it didn't change the results.

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q has great peak brightness. It gets bright enough to combat glare, and its brightness remains very consistent across different content, which is great.

We measured peak brightness after calibration with Brightness set to max.

7.1
Picture Quality
HDR Peak Brightness
HDR Real Scene
452 cd/m²
HDR Peak 2% Window
486 cd/m²
HDR Peak 10% Window
512 cd/m²
HDR Peak 25% Window
512 cd/m²
HDR Peak 50% Window
514 cd/m²
HDR Peak 100% Window
515 cd/m²
HDR Sustained 2% Window
437 cd/m²
HDR Sustained 10% Window
505 cd/m²
HDR Sustained 25% Window
505 cd/m²
HDR Sustained 50% Window
512 cd/m²
HDR Sustained 100% Window
514 cd/m²
HDR ABL
0.010

The ASUS Strix XG279Q has decent peak brightness in HDR. It gets bright enough to meet the advertised DisplayHDR 400 standard. It makes some highlights pop in HDR, but it's more noticeable in dark rooms than bright ones. It's fairly consistent across different content, except small areas don't get as bright. We measured peak brightness in 'ASUS Gaming HDR' Picture Mode.

7.9
Picture Quality
Horizontal Viewing Angle
Color Washout From Left
35°
Color Washout From Right
34°
Color Shift From Left
51°
Color Shift From Right
51°
Brightness Loss From Left
40°
Brightness Loss From Right
39°
Black Level Raise From Left
70°
Black Level Raise From Right
70°
Gamma Shift From Left
56°
Gamma Shift From Right
55°

As expected from an IPS panel, the ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q has wide viewing angles. The image remains accurate when viewing from the side, which is good for co-op gaming.

6.7
Picture Quality
Vertical Viewing Angle
Color Washout From Below
28°
Color Washout From Above
28°
Color Shift From Below
33°
Color Shift From Above
35°
Brightness Loss From Below
32°
Brightness Loss From Above
31°
Black Level Raise From Below
70°
Black Level Raise From Above
70°
Gamma Shift From Below
30°
Gamma Shift From Above
29°

It has okay vertical viewing angles. For the most part, the image remains fairly accurate if you mount the monitor above eye-level, but you may notice a loss in color.

8.5
Picture Quality
Gray Uniformity
50% Std. Dev.
4.544%
50% DSE
0.090%
5% Std. Dev.
0.617%
5% DSE
0.042%

It has excellent gray uniformity. The screen is uniform in the center with no dirty screen effect, but the edges are a bit darker. The uniformity is much better in near-dark scenes. Note that gray uniformity may vary between units.

4.1
Picture Quality
Black Uniformity
Native Std. Dev.
2.828%
Std. Dev. w/ L.D.
11.088%

Update 10/13/2020: We previously stated this monitor doesn't have a local dimming feature. We corrected the mistake and updated the review.

Our unit of the ASUS XG279Q has bad black uniformity, but this may vary between units. There's noticeable clouding throughout and backlight bleed along the edges. The entire screen looks blue-ish/gray. With local dimming enabled, the edges of the screen are darker but there's a lot more blooming around the center cross because of the large, vertical zones, resulting in worse uniformity.

8.1
Picture Quality
Pre Calibration
Picture Mode
sRGB
Luminance
386 cd/m²
Luminance Settings
50
Contrast Setting
80
RGB Controls
100-100-100
Gamma Setting
2.2
Color Temperature
6,294 K
White Balance dE
2.76
Color dE
2.22
Gamma
2.19

It has great out-of-the-box accuracy. Most colors are only slightly inaccurate, and the color temperature is on the warm side, giving the image a red/yellow tint. White balance is a bit off, and gamma follows the target curve fairly well, except dark scenes are slightly too dark and brighter scenes are a bit too bright. Color accuracy may vary between units.

9.8
Picture Quality
Post Calibration
Picture Mode
Racing Mode
Luminance
101 cd/m²
Luminance Settings
10
Contrast Setting
80
RGB Controls
85-90-100
Gamma Setting
2.2
Color Temperature
6,457 K
White Balance dE
0.40
Color dE
0.29
Gamma
2.18

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q has remarkable color accuracy after calibration. Any remaining inaccuracies can't be spotted without the aid of a colorimeter. Gamma follows the target curve better than before calibration, but really bright and really dark scenes are still a bit too bright.

You can download our ICC profile calibration here. This is provided for reference only and shouldn't be used, as the calibration values vary per individual unit even for the same model, due to manufacturing tolerances.

9.0
Picture Quality
SDR Color Gamut
sRGB xy
100.0%
Adobe RGB xy
79.6%
sRGB Picture Mode
Racing
Adobe RGB Picture Mode
Racing

Update 10/13/2020: We previously stated this monitor doesn't have a local dimming feature. We retested SDR color gamut with local dimming, but it didn't change the results.

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q has an outstanding SDR color gamut. It has perfect coverage of the commonly-used sRGB color space and good coverage of the wider Adobe RGB color space used in photo editing.

9.5
Picture Quality
SDR Color Volume
sRGB In ICtCp
99.8%
Adobe RGB In ICtCp
88.8%
sRGB Picture Mode
Racing
Adobe RGB Picture Mode
Racing

Update 10/13/2020: We previously stated this monitor doesn't have a local dimming feature. We retested SDR color volume with local dimming, but it didn't change the results.

Exceptional color volume. The ASUS XG279Q displays a wide range of colors at different luminance levels, but it has trouble displaying dark, saturated colors well due to the low contrast ratio.

7.6
Picture Quality
HDR Color Gamut
Wide Color Gamut
Yes
DCI P3 xy
82.9%
Rec. 2020 xy
67.9%
DCI P3 Picture Mode
Asus Gaming HDR
Rec. 2020 Picture Mode
Asus Gaming HDR

The ASUS XG279Q's HDR color gamut is good. It has great coverage of the DCI P3 color space used in most HDR content, but just okay coverage of the wider Rec. 2020 color space.

Note: The DCI P3 coverage is much lower than the advertised 95% coverage. This is normal and is due to the way we measure DCI P3. We measure DCI P3 by sending a Rec. 2020 signal, but unlike most reviewers, we limit the colors we're sending to the DCI P3 primaries. This results in a lower, but arguably more accurate measurement.

7.9
Picture Quality
HDR Color Volume
DCI-P3 In ICtCp
88.4%
Rec. 2020 In ICtCp
68.9%
DCI P3 Picture Mode
Asus Gaming HDR
Rec. 2020 Picture Mode
Asus Gaming HDR

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q has a good HDR color volume. It can display a wide range of colors due to its wide color gamut; however, it can't display dark colors well because it has a low contrast ratio.

10
Picture Quality
Image Retention
IR After 0 Min Recovery
0.00%
IR After 2 Min Recovery
0.00%
IR After 4 Min Recovery
0.00%
IR After 6 Min Recovery
0.00%
IR After 8 Min Recovery
0.00%
IR After 10 Min Recovery
0.00%

There are no signs of temporary image retention, but this may vary between units.

9.8
Picture Quality
Gradient
Color Depth
10 Bit

The ASUS ROG XG279Q has incredible gradient handling. You shouldn't notice any signs of banding with most content.

9.2
Picture Quality
Color Bleed
Pixel Row Error
0.001%
Pixel Column Error
0.162%

There are some signs of vertical color bleed, but you shouldn't notice it with most content.

8.0
Picture Quality
Reflections
Screen Finish
Matte
Total Reflections
4.8%
Indirect Reflections
3.5%
Calculated Direct Reflections
1.3%

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q has great reflection handling. It performs really well in moderately-lit environments, but the reflections may become too distracting if there's direct sunlight on it.

7.5
Picture Quality
Text Clarity
Pixel Type
IPS
Sub-Pixel Layout
RGB

The ASUS XG279Q has good text clarity. It can be improved by enabling ClearType (top photo). This helps the appearance of diagonal and curved lines, as seen on the letters R, N, G, and S.

Motion
9.4
Motion
Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate
Best Overdrive Setting
Level 2
Rise / Fall Time
3.4 ms
Total Response Time
7.2 ms
Overshoot Error
4.6%
Dark Rise / Fall Time
4.3 ms
Dark Total Response Time
8.4 ms
Dark Overshoot Error
2.0%

Overdrive Setting Response Time Chart Response Time Tables Motion Blur Photo
Level 0 Chart Table Photo
Level 1 Chart Table Photo
Level 2 Chart Table Photo
Level 3 Chart Table Photo
Level 4 Chart Table Photo
Level 5 Chart Table Photo

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q has a remarkable response time at its max refresh rate. Motion looks exceptionally clear with the overdrive setting set to 'Level 2'. There's a bit of overshoot in darker transitions, but it's less than the 'Level 1' and 'Level 3' settings. If overshoot bothers you, 'Level 0' has no overshoot but the response time is slower.

9.4
Motion
Response Time @ 60Hz
Best Overdrive Setting
Level 0
Rise / Fall Time
4.4 ms
Total Response Time
8.3 ms
Overshoot Error
0%
Dark Rise / Fall Time
4.6 ms
Dark Total Response Time
8.1 ms
Dark Overshoot Error
0.0%

Overdrive Setting Response Time Chart Response Time Tables Motion Blur Photo
Level-0 Chart Table Photo
Level 1 Chart Table Photo
Level 2 Chart Table Photo
Level 3 Chart Table Photo
Level 4 Chart Table Photo
Level 5 Chart Table Photo

The ASUS XG279Q's response time at 60Hz is incredible. Unlike at its max refresh rate, the recommended overdrive setting is 'Level 0', so you may have to change the overdrive setting if the frame rate of your game drops. There's too much overshoot in the higher settings, resulting in ghosting behind fast-moving objects.

10
Motion
Image Flicker
Flicker-Free Yes
PWM Dimming Frequency
0 Hz

Update 02/1/2022: A user pointed out that the monitor appears to use pulse width modulation to dim the screen when playing HDR content. We tested it and found that the screen flickers at 240Hz whenever it's receiving an HDR signal with the white point set to less than 500 cd/m², even if the content itself is in SDR. This occurs when Windows HDR is enabled, as Windows sets the white point to a low level. This isn't an issue when playing games, as long as you set the white point in the game to anything above 500 cd/m². The flicker varies between local dimming zones, which can be very distracting. For example, if you're watching a video in HDR on one side of the screen and browsing the web on the other, the side of the screen playing the video will be flicker-free, whereas the other side will flicker at 240Hz.

The backlight is completely flicker-free when displaying SDR content, which helps reduce eye strain. Unfortunately, it flickers at 240Hz when playing some content in HDR, which can be distracting.

6.1
Motion
Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
Yes
BFI Maximum Frequency
165 Hz
BFI Minimum Frequency
120 Hz

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q has an optional Black Frame Insertion feature to reduce motion blur. It's called ELMB Sync, and it works with VRR enabled, which most monitors can't do. However, with VRR and ELMB Sync enabled, you can't adjust the overdrive setting.

9.2
Motion
Refresh Rate
Variable Refresh Rate
Adaptive Sync
Native
144 Hz
Max Refresh Rate
170 Hz
Variable Refresh Rate
Yes
FreeSync
Compatible (Tested)
G-SYNC
Compatible (NVIDIA Certified)
VRR Maximum
170 Hz
VRR Minimum
< 20 Hz
VRR Supported Connectors DisplayPort, HDMI

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q has a native 144Hz refresh rate that can be overclocked to 170Hz over a DisplayPort connection. G-SYNC only works over a DisplayPort connection, and over HDMI, the max refresh rate is 144Hz.

Inputs
9.2
Inputs
Input Lag
Native Resolution
3.5 ms
Native Resolution @ 60Hz
31.8 ms
Variable Refresh Rate
4.8 ms
Variable Refresh Rate @ 60Hz
32.1 ms
10 Bit HDR
32.0 ms
Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
7.7 ms

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q has an incredibly low input lag at its max refresh rate of 170Hz. Similar to the ASUS VG279QM, the input lag significantly increases at 60Hz. The refresh rate is limited to 60Hz in HDR over an HDMI connection, which is why it has a high input lag. BFI input lag was measured at 165Hz.

8.3
Inputs
Resolution And Size
Native Resolution 2560 x 1440
Aspect Ratio 16:9
Megapixels 3.7 MP
Pixel Density
109 PPI
Screen Diagonal 27.0"
Screen Area 310 in²

The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q has a great size, allowing you to open multiple windows at once. The high resolution helps deliver clear and crisp images.

Inputs
Inputs
Inputs
Total Inputs
DisplayPort 1 (DP 1.2)
Mini DisplayPort No
HDMI 2 (HDMI 2.0)
DVI No
VGA No
DisplayPort Out No
USB 2 (USB 3.0)
USB C No
Analog Audio Out 3.5mm 1
Microphone In 3.5mm No
Digital Optical Audio Out No
Analog Audio Out RCA No
Power Supply External Brick

Update 03/22/2021: We incorrectly listed that there was only one USB input, when there are two. The review has been updated.

Features
Features
Additional Features
RGB Illumination
Controllable
Speakers
Yes
HDR10 Yes
Multiple Input Display
No

The ASUS XG279Q has a ton of extra features:

  • Lighting: You can set the bias lighting on the back panel and stand to different preset colors and modes. If you download the Aura Sync Utility software, you can synchronize its lighting effects with other Aura-compatible devices.
  • Shadow Boost: Makes objects in dark areas more visible.
  • GameVisual: Seven pre-set picture modes.
  • GamePlus: Includes virtual crosshairs, FPS counter, and display alignment.
  • Ultra-Low Blue Light Technology: Removes blue light to help reduce eye strain.

Features
On-Screen Display (OSD)
Features
Controls

There are four buttons and a joystick on the back panel to control the on-screen display.

Features
In The Box

  • Power cable, adapter, and cord
  • DisplayPort cable
  • HDMI cable
  • USB 3.0 Type-B upstream cable
  • 3x acrylic LED light covers for lighting on stand
  • User manual
  • Calibration report