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We've recently released Test Bench 2.0 for Monitors! Read our new VRR Flicker R&D Article and Pursuit Photo R&D Article to learn more.

ASUS VG279Q Monitor Review

Tested using Methodology v1.2
Review updated Apr 23, 2020 at 09:00 am
Latest change: Retest Apr 14, 2023 at 12:37 pm
ASUS VG279Q Picture
6.9
Mixed Usage
7.8
Office
7.2
Gaming
6.8
Media Consumption
7.4
Media Creation
3.1
HDR

The ASUS VG279Q is a good 27 inch, 144Hz monitor with an IPS panel. It has a simple design with outstanding ergonomics. It delivers a good picture quality, with extremely accurate colors and great peak brightness, but it's limited a bit by its 1080p resolution. Motion looks great thanks to the extremely fast response time, and it has a black frame insertion feature to help reduce any motion blur. It also supports FreeSync variable refresh rate technology to reduce tearing in games. Unfortunately, as is the case with most IPS monitors, it doesn't look good in a dark room due to its low contrast ratio, but it has wide viewing angles.

Our Verdict

6.9 Mixed Usage

The ASUS VG279Q is a good monitor for most uses. It has wide viewing angles, outstanding ergonomics, and great peak brightness. Motion looks outstanding thanks to the high refresh rate, fast response time, and flicker-free backlight. This TV delivers a good picture quality but doesn't look as good in a dark room. Unfortunately, the 1080p resolution may disappoint some people, but the 27 inch screen offers a good amount of screen space.

Pros
  • Fantastic motion handling.
  • Outstanding color accuracy out of the box.
  • Great gaming features, including FreeSync support.
Cons
  • Limited 1080p resolution.
  • Mediocre dark room performance.
7.8 Office

Great monitor for office use. The ASUS VG279Q has a great design with outstanding ergonomics, so you can place the monitor how you like. It has very wide viewing angles, which is great for sharing your work, and great peak brightness. Unfortunately, the 1080p resolution isn't ideal for multitasking, but it has good reflection handling and won't struggle with light in moderate-lit offices.

7.2 Gaming

The ASUS VG279Q is a great monitor for gaming. It has a fast refresh rate, supports FreeSync, and has a fantastic response time, so motion looks great with very little blur. It also has excellent low input lag in most modes, which is great for even the most competitive gamers. Unfortunately, the 1080p resolution doesn't deliver an immersive gaming experience.

6.8 Media Consumption

The ASUS VG279Q is okay for multimedia. It has an excellent response time, so fast-moving objects have a very short blur trail behind them. The image also remains accurate when viewed at an angle, which is great for watching with a few other people. Unfortunately, it doesn't look as good in a dark room, but it has outstanding out-of-box color accuracy, so you don't need to get it calibrated if you don't want to.

7.4 Media Creation

Good monitor for media creation. The ASUS VG279Q has excellent ergonomics and wide viewing angles, making it easy to share your work with a nearby colleague. It also has an excellent SDR color gamut, but it has limited coverage of the wider Adobe RGB color space, which isn't ideal for professional media creation. Unfortunately, the 1080p resolution can't deliver the same clear images that 1440p or 4k monitors can.

  • 6.9 Mixed Usage
  • 7.8 Office
  • 7.2 Gaming
  • 6.8 Media Consumption
  • 7.4 Media Creation
  • 3.1 HDR
  1. Updated Apr 14, 2023: Tested the monitor's compatibility with 1440p from PS5, but it doesn't work.
  2. Updated Jul 14, 2022: Updated to Test Bench 1.2, resulting in changes to the results and scores with the Response Time and Input Lag. Added tests for Console Compatibility and macOS compatibility and made minor changes to other tests, which you can see in our Changelog.
  3. Updated Jun 01, 2021: We indicated the second audio port as a Digital Optical Audio Out by mistake. It's an analog port to get audio when using the DVI connection.
  4. Updated Feb 17, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.1.
  5. Updated Mar 22, 2019: Review published.
  6. Updated Mar 20, 2019: Our testers have started testing this product.
  7. Updated Mar 20, 2019: Early access published.
  8. Updated Mar 18, 2019: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  9. Updated Feb 14, 2019: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

We tested the 27 inch VG279 version VG279Q, which is the only size available, but there are similar ASUS Gaming monitors, which are listed below.

Model Size Resolution Refresh Rate Notes
VG279Q 27" 1080p 144Hz FreeSync, IPS
TUF VG27AQ 27" 1440p 165Hz FreeSync, IPS
VG245H 24" 1080p 75Hz FreeSync, TN
PG279QZ 27" 1440p 144Hz G-SYNC, IPS

If someone comes across a different type of panel or if their ASUS VG279Q doesn't correspond to our review, let us know and we will update the review. Note that some tests such as the gray uniformity may vary between individual units.

The VG279Q we reviewed was manufactured in November 2018, and you can see the label here.

Compared To Other Monitors

Left: BenQ ZOWIE XL2540. Middle: ASUS VG279Q. Right: ROG PG279Q.

The ASUS VG279Q is an excellent gaming monitor at a great price. It's better than most similarly priced monitors. See our recommendations for the best gaming monitors, the best monitors for Xbox One X, and the best gaming monitors for PS4.

ASUS VG279QM

The ASUS VG279QM is much better than the ASUS VG279Q. The VG279QM has a much higher max refresh rate and a much faster response time, resulting in much clearer motion, with little blur behind fast-moving objects. The VG279QM supports HDR, and it supports ASUS' ELMB-SYNC feature, so you can use black frame insertion and the variable refresh rate feature at the same time.

LG 27GL850-B/27GL83A-B

The LG 27GL850-B/27GL83A-B is slightly better than the ASUS VG279Q for most uses. The LG has a higher resolution screen, and it supports HDR. The VG279Q has much better ergonomics and an optional black frame insertion feature. The LG has better motion handling overall, with a faster response time that delivers extremely clear motion, with almost no blur behind fast-moving objects.

ASUS TUF VG27AQ

The ASUS TUF VG29AQ is better than the ASUS VG279Q. Though they both have an IPS panel, the TUF VG27AQ has a higher resolution, a slightly faster refresh rate due to its factory overclock, and has HDR support. On the other hand, the VG279Q has better ergonomics, can get brighter, and has better reflection handling. Unfortunately, its black uniformity is quite poor.

ASUS VG248QE

The ASUS VG279Q is much better than the ASUS VG248QE. The VG279Q has better ergonomics, and the image remains accurate when viewed at an angle. The VG279Q also has a larger screen, a faster refresh rate, and it supports FreeSync variable refresh rate technology.

LG 27GN650-B

The LG 27GN650-B and the ASUS VG279Q are very similar 1080p, 144Hz monitors. Even though the ASUS scores slightly higher for gaming, the LG has much better response times, resulting in clearer images in fast-moving scenes. The ASUS gets a lot brighter to combat glare, so it might be a better choice if you tend to game in a well-lit room. It also has better ergonomics than the LG, which makes it easier to place the screen in an ideal viewing position.

Dell S2721HGF

The Dell S2721HGF and the ASUS VG279Q have very similar gaming performance as they're both 1080p monitors with a 144Hz refresh rate, excellent response time, and low input lag. The main difference is that the Dell has a VA panel and is better suited for dark rooms, while the ASUS has an IPS panel with wider viewing angles. The ASUS is also a better choice for well-lit environments because it gets brighter, and it offers more ergonomic adjustments, including a wide swivel range and rotation to portrait mode. Also, if you want to use it for 60fps console gaming, the ASUS has a better response time at 60Hz.

MSI Optix G272

The ASUS VG279Q is much better than the MSI Optix G272 for most users and is better for gaming. The ASUS has a much better stand, with a full range of height, tilt, and swivel adjustments, and it has better viewing angles. The ASUS is also brighter than the MSI but doesn't handle reflections quite as well. On the other hand, the MSI has a faster response time, resulting in clearer motion when gaming.

Samsung Odyssey G3 F27G35T

The ASUS VG279Q is a better gaming monitor than the Samsung Odyssey G3 F27G35T, but they have different panel types. They each have a 1080p resolution with a 144Hz refresh rate, but the ASUS has an IPS panel with wider viewing angles, and the Samsung has a VA panel with better contrast. Motion looks much smoother on the ASUS due to its quick response times. It's also a better choice for use in well-lit rooms because it gets brighter and has a bit better reflection handling.

ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM

Overall, the ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM is better than the ASUS VG279Q. The VG259QM has a much higher refresh rate, faster response time, and HDR support. However, the VG279Q has better viewing angles, out-of-the-box color accuracy, and gradient handling.

ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV

The ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV is better than the ASUS VG279Q for most uses; however, they aren't designed for the same purpose. The PA278QV is an office monitor that performs well enough for gaming, while the VG279Q is a gaming monitor first, but can be used in an office setting. The PA278QV has better ergonomics, a higher resolution, and it has a USB hub with four USB 3.0 ports. On the other hand, the VG279Q has better pre-calibration color accuracy, a wider SDR color gamut, and a 144Hz refresh rate that makes fast motion look a lot smoother.

LG 27GL650F-B

The ASUS VG279Q is slightly better than the LG 27GL650F-B. The ASUS has much better ergonomics, with a 180° swivel range and a wider tilt range, so it's easier to place it in an ideal viewing position. Unlike the 27GL650F-B, the ASUS VG279Q doesn't support HDR, but this doesn't add much to the LG anyway.

Dell S2719DGF

The ASUS VG279Q is a bit better than the Dell S2719DGF. The VG279Q has much better black uniformity, although it still isn't great, and the VG279Q has an optional black frame insertion feature. The S2719DGF has a higher resolution screen, which some people might prefer, and it has a faster response time.

ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q

The ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q is slightly better than the ASUS VG279Q. The PG279Q supports G-SYNC and has a higher native resolution. The VG279Q supports FreeSync and has a stand with better ergonomics, to help you place it in a more comfortable position.

Acer Nitro VG271UP Pbmiipx

The ASUS VG279Q is a bit better overall than the Acer Nitro VG271UP Pbmiipx, depending on your use. The VG279Q has much better ergonomics and better black uniformity, although the black uniformity varies between units. The VG271UP, on the other hand, has a higher native resolution, and it supports HDR, so it might be better for some people, especially if you plan on VESA mounting the monitor and ergonomics don't matter to you.

Gigabyte AORUS AD27QD

The Gigabyte AORUS AD27QD is slightly better than the ASUS VG279Q. The AD27QD supports HDR, although there isn't much benefit to this. The AD27QD also has a higher native resolution, delivering a more immersive, detailed gaming experience. The VG279Q, on the other hand, has much better ergonomics and slightly better black uniformity.

LG 27UK650-W

The ASUS VG279Q and LG 27UK650-W have very similar overall performance but are very different. The ASUS has a faster refresh rate and a lower input lag, which is better for gaming. Also, the ASUS has much better ergonomics to allow you to place it in a comfortable position with ease. The LG, on the other hand, has a higher resolution and supports HDR.

HP X24ih

The ASUS VG279Q and the HP X24ih are two great gaming monitors. The ASUS has a larger 27 inch screen, providing more space for multitasking, but the smaller screen on the HP allows for a higher pixel density since they each have a 1080p resolution. The ASUS has much better ergonomics as the stand offers swivel adjustments. In terms of gaming, they each have low input lag, but the HP has a quicker response time for smoother motion.

ASUS ROG Swift PG279QZ

The ASUS PG279QZ and ASUS VG279Q are very similar overall, each with their strengths and weaknesses. The PG279QZ supports G-SYNC and has a higher native resolution. The VG279Q supports FreeSync, which is more universally supported, and the stand has better ergonomics.

Acer Nitro RG241Y Pbiipx

The ASUS VG279Q is better than the Acer Nitro RG241Y Pbiipx for most uses. The ASUS has a bigger screen, significantly better ergonomics, and higher peak brightness. It also has wider viewing angles and better accuracy out of the box. However, the Acer has a slightly higher refresh rate of 165Hz, better gradient handling, and faster response time. 

MSI Optix MAG273R

The ASUS VG279Q is slightly better overall than the MSI Optix MAG273R. The ASUS has better horizontal viewing angles and much better ergonomics, so it might be easier to place it in an ideal viewing position. On the other hand, the MSI supports HDR and has better gradient handling, although the former doesn't add much, as it can't get very bright in HDR.

ASUS VG245H

The ASUS VG279Q is much better than the ASUS VG245H. The VG279Q has a larger screen, much higher refresh rate, and much better viewing angles. The VG279Q also has better gray uniformity, can get much brighter, and has an optional black frame insertion feature.

ViewSonic XG2402

The ASUS VG279Q is much better than the ViewSonic XG2402. The VG279Q has better ergonomics, much better viewing angles, better gray uniformity, and an optional Black Frame Insertion feature. The VG279Q also has a larger screen, but the same 1080p resolution as the XG2402.

Samsung T55

The ASUS VG279Q is much better than the Samsung T55, but they're very different monitors. The ASUS has a 144Hz refresh rate that results in much quicker response time, and it also has a lower input lag. This monitor has wider viewing angles, much better ergonomics, it gets brighter, and it has more accurate colors. However, the Samsung has a bigger screen and it produces deeper blacks because it has a VA panel.

ASUS TUF VG27VQ

The ASUS VG279Q is a much better monitor than the ASUS TUF VG27VQ. Both have a 1080p resolution but the VG27VQ uses a VA panel, while the VG279Q uses an IPS panel, so the viewing angles are much better on it. The VG279Q has better SDR peak brightness and reflection handling, so it performs better in bright rooms. On the other hand, the VG27VQ has a higher max refresh rate and slightly better input lag for gaming.

MSI Optix G27C4

The ASUS VG279Q is significantly better than the MSI Optix G27C4 in most uses. The IPS panel on the VG279Q provides much better viewing angles, has much better color accuracy, and it can get brighter to combat glare. The VG279Q's ergonomics are also much better, but on the other hand, the G27C4 has a higher contrast ratio due to its VA panel, and it has a slightly higher refresh rate of 165Hz.

Pixio PX7 Prime

The Pixio PX7 Prime and the ASUS VG279Q are very similar overall, but the ASUS is better for gaming. The PX7 Prime has a higher native resolution and a higher refresh rate, and it supports HDR, but this doesn't add much. The ASUS VG279Q, on the other hand, has better ergonomics, a slightly faster response time, and an optional black frame insertion feature.

Samsung CHG70

The Samsung CHG70 and ASUS VG279Q use different panel technologies, each with their advantages and disadvantages. The CHG70 looks best in a dark room, it supports HDR, and has a higher native resolution. The VG279Q, on the other hand, has better ergonomics and the IPS panel delivers wide viewing angles, but it doesn't look as good in a dark room.

HP OMEN X 27

The ASUS VG279Q is better than the HP OMEN X 27. The VG279Q has much better ergonomics, better viewing angles, and an optional black frame insertion feature. The OMEN X has a higher refresh rate and a higher native resolution, and it supports HDR, although this doesn't add much.

ASUS MX279HS

The ASUS VG279Q is much better than the ASUS MX279HS. The VG279G has a much faster refresh rate and faster response time, so motion looks a lot crisper and smoother. The VG279G is much better for gaming, as it supports FreeSync and it can get much brighter, so it's also suitable for brighter rooms.

Acer Nitro VG271 Pbmiipx

The ASUS VG279Q is better than the Acer Nitro VG271 Pbmiipx. The ASUS has a much better stand, with a full range of ergonomic adjustments, and it has slightly better black uniformity, but this varies between units. Unlike the VG271, the VG279Q doesn't support HDR, but this doesn't add much on the Acer anyway.

+ Show more

Video

Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
Curved
No
Curve Radius
Not Curved

The ASUS VG279Q has a simple design, very similar to the ASUS VG245H. It's mainly black with some red on the stand and base.

Design
Accelerated Longevity Test
Uniformity Pictures N/A
7.5
Design
Build Quality

Good build quality. The design has a few nice design features, including rubber covers for the VESA screws.

9.8
Design
Ergonomics
Height Adjustment
5.1" (13.0 cm)
Tilt Range
-30° to 5°
Rotate Portrait/Landscape
Yes, Both Ways
Swivel Range
-90° to 90°
Wall Mount
VESA 100x100

Outstanding ergonomics, similar to the ASUS TUF VG27AQ and much better than the MSI Optix G272. The stand allows for a very wide swivel range, and it can be rotated into portrait mode either clockwise or counterclockwise, which is great if you need to place your inputs on a certain side. The back of the monitor has a simple design etched into it. There's no quick release on the stand, but it can be VESA-mounted. Cable management is handled by a hole in the stand arm.

Design
Stand
Base Width
10.8" (27.4 cm)
Base Depth
8.3" (21.1 cm)
Thickness (With Display)
6.5" (16.5 cm)
Weight (With Display)
12.1 lbs (5.5 kg)

The stand is very simple, but supports the monitor well and doesn't take up too much space. The monitor wobbles a bit when nudged, but this isn't too distracting.

Design
Display
Size
27"
Housing Width
24.4" (61.9 cm)
Housing Height
14.2" (36.1 cm)
Thickness (Without Stand)
2.0" (5.1 cm)
Weight (Without Stand)
7.3 lbs (3.3 kg)
Borders Size (Bezels)
0.4" (1.0 cm)
Design
Controls

There's a joystick and four buttons on the back of the monitor to control the on-screen display.

Design
In The Box
Power Supply
Internal

  • Manual
  • Audio patch cable
  • DVI cable
  • HDMI cable
  • DisplayPort cable
  • Compact power adapter (Not Shown)

Picture Quality
6.4
Picture Quality
Contrast
Native Contrast
1,248 : 1
Contrast With Local Dimming
N/A

The contrast ratio isn't bad for an IPS panel. Although VA panel monitors have better contrast ratios, it's still one of the better ones we've seen on an IPS, similar to the ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q.

0
Picture Quality
Local Dimming
Local Dimming
No
Backlight
Edge

The VG279Q doesn't support local dimming. The above video is for reference only.

8.3
Picture Quality
SDR Brightness
Real Scene
414 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
431 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
431 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
431 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
431 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
430 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
430 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
431 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
430 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
430 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
430 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
0.000
Minimum Brightness
50 cd/m²

Great SDR peak brightness. It can combat glare in most rooms, and there's essentially no variation in brightness with varied content, which is great. It's quite brighter than the ASUS VG245H.

0
Picture Quality
HDR Brightness
VESA DisplayHDR Certification
No Certification
Real Scene
N/A
Peak 2% Window
N/A
Peak 10% Window
N/A
Peak 25% Window
N/A
Peak 50% Window
N/A
Peak 100% Window
N/A
Sustained 2% Window
N/A
Sustained 10% Window
N/A
Sustained 25% Window
N/A
Sustained 50% Window
N/A
Sustained 100% Window
N/A
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
N/A

The VG279Q doesn't support HDR.

8.6
Picture Quality
Horizontal Viewing Angle
Color Washout From Left
48°
Color Washout From Right
47°
Color Shift From Left
59°
Color Shift From Right
59°
Brightness Loss From Left
49°
Brightness Loss From Right
49°
Black Level Raise From Left
70°
Black Level Raise From Right
70°
Gamma Shift From Left
57°
Gamma Shift From Right
58°

Excellent horizontal viewing angle, which is typical for an IPS panel. This is great for when you need to share your screen with others.

7.2
Picture Quality
Vertical Viewing Angle
Color Washout From Below
31°
Color Washout From Above
36°
Color Shift From Below
39°
Color Shift From Above
48°
Brightness Loss From Below
35°
Brightness Loss From Above
40°
Black Level Raise From Below
70°
Black Level Raise From Above
70°
Gamma Shift From Below
32°
Gamma Shift From Above
37°

Decent vertical viewing angle. You'll lose some image accuracy if you mount it below or above eye level.

8.0
Picture Quality
Gray Uniformity
50% Std. Dev.
2.226%
50% DSE
0.153%

Excellent gray uniformity on the VG279Q. Some darker bands can be seen through the screen, but this isn't very noticeable with most content. In near-black scenes, the monitor has nearly perfect uniformity.

5.8
Picture Quality
Black Uniformity
Native Std. Dev.
2.166%
Std. Dev. w/ L.D.
N/A

Disappointing black uniformity. There's visible clouding throughout. This is especially noticeable when watching dark content in a dark room.

8.2
Picture Quality
Color Accuracy (Pre-Calibration)
Picture Mode
Racing Mode
sRGB Gamut Area xy
110.8%
White Balance dE (Avg.)
1.21
Color Temperature (Avg.)
6,731 K
Gamma (Avg.)
2.23
Color dE (Avg.)
1.94
Contrast Setting
80
RGB Settings
100-100-100
Gamma Setting
No Gamma Setting
Brightness Setting
63
Measured Brightness
306 cd/m²
Brightness Locked
No

Outstanding out-of-box color accuracy. Most colors are accurate, but the color temperature is a bit colder than the 6500K target, so some colors have a bluish tint to them. The gamma follows the target almost perfectly, although some dark scenes appear darker.

9.8
Picture Quality
Color Accuracy (Post-Calibration)
Picture Mode
Racing Mode
sRGB Gamut Area xy
99.9%
White Balance dE (Avg.)
0.52
Color Temperature (Avg.)
6,489 K
Gamma (Avg.)
2.18
Color dE (Avg.)
0.29
Contrast Setting
80
RGB Settings
100-100-99
Gamma Setting
No Gamma Setting
Brightness Setting
12
Measured Brightness
103 cd/m²
ICC Profile
Download

After calibration, the VG279Q has superb accuracy. The color temperature is much closer to the 6500K target, and most people won't notice any color inaccuracies.

9.1
Picture Quality
SDR Color Gamut
sRGB Coverage xy
98.6%
sRGB Picture Mode
Racing
Adobe RGB Coverage xy
76.6%
Adobe RGB Picture Mode
Racing

Amazing SDR color gamut. The VG279Q covers nearly all of the sRGB color space used in most content. The coverage of the Adobe RGB color space used in photo editing is a bit limited, which might disappoint some professionals.

9.4
Picture Quality
SDR Color Volume
sRGB In ICtCp
96.8%
sRGB Picture Mode
Racing
Adobe RGB In ICtCp
81.4%
Adobe RGB Picture Mode
Racing

Excellent SDR color volume. The monitor can't produce dark colors due to the low contrast ratio.

0
Picture Quality
HDR Color Gamut
Wide Color Gamut
N/A
DCI-P3 Coverage xy
N/A
DCI-P3 Picture Mode
No HDR
Rec. 2020 Coverage xy
N/A
Rec. 2020 Picture Mode
No HDR

The monitor doesn't support HDR.

0
Picture Quality
HDR Color Volume
DCI-P3 In ICtCp
N/A
DCI-P3 Picture Mode
No HDR
Rec. 2020 In ICtCp
N/A
Rec. 2020 Picture Mode
No HDR

This monitor doesn't support HDR.

7.5
Picture Quality
Reflections
Screen Finish
Matte
Total Reflections
5.2%
Indirect Reflections
2.9%
Calculated Direct Reflections
2.4%

The VG279Q has good reflection handling, similar to the ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q. It's good enough for most rooms, but the reflections might be distracting in a room with direct sunlight.

7.0
Picture Quality
Text Clarity
Pixel Type
IPS
Subpixel Layout
RGB

Decent text clarity. The diagonal lines on the letters R and N are easier to read when enabling ClearType (top photo).

8.7
Picture Quality
Gradient
Color Depth
8 Bit

Excellent gradient performance, similar to the PG279QZ. There's some banding in the darker shades, which is normal for an 8-bit monitor.

Motion
8.3
Motion
Refresh Rate
Native Refresh Rate
144 Hz
Max Refresh Rate
144 Hz
Max Refresh Rate Over DP
144 Hz
Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI
144 Hz
Max Refresh Rate Over DP @ 10-bit
N/A
Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI @ 10-Bit
N/A
Motion
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
FreeSync
Yes
G-SYNC
Compatible (Tested)
VRR Maximum
144 Hz
VRR Minimum
< 20 Hz
VRR Supported Connectors
DisplayPort, HDMI
Variable Refresh Rate
Yes

The ASUS VG279Q has an outstanding 144Hz refresh rate. It supports FreeSync over HDMI and DisplayPort, and it works with NVIDIA's Adaptive Sync drivers, but only over DisplayPort. We tested this with our NVIDIA GTX 1060 6GB and had no issues. If you want a monitor with an even higher refresh rate, the Acer Nitro XV273X is a good option.

7.2
Motion
Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate
Recommended Overdrive Setting
80
Rise / Fall Time
4.9 ms
Total Response Time
13.0 ms
Overshoot Error
7.6%
Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time
6.9 ms
Worst 3 Total Response Time
20.5 ms
Worst 3 Overshoot Error
37.2%

Overdrive SettingResponse Time ChartResponse Time TablesMotion Blur Photo
0ChartTablePhoto
20ChartTablePhoto
40ChartTablePhoto
60ChartTablePhoto
80ChartTablePhoto
100ChartTablePhoto

Fantastic response time at its max refresh rate. The recommended Overdrive setting, which is called Trace Free is '80' as there's just a bit of overshoot.

If you want a monitor with better response time, take a look at the ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM or the MSI Optix G272.

7.2
Motion
Response Time @ 120Hz
Recommended Overdrive Setting
60
Rise / Fall Time
5.9 ms
Total Response Time
13.6 ms
Overshoot Error
2.4%
Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time
7.8 ms
Worst 3 Total Response Time
22.0 ms
Worst 3 Overshoot Error
20.3%

Overdrive SettingResponse Time ChartResponse Time TablesMotion Blur Photo
0ChartTablePhoto
20ChartTablePhoto
40ChartTablePhoto
60ChartTablePhoto
80ChartTablePhoto
100ChartTablePhoto

6.3
Motion
Response Time @ 60Hz
Recommended Overdrive Setting
20
Rise / Fall Time
7.9 ms
Total Response Time
17 ms
Overshoot Error
2.1%
Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time
10.3 ms
Worst 3 Total Response Time
28.0 ms
Worst 3 Overshoot Error
10.4%

Overdrive SettingResponse Time ChartResponse Time TablesMotion Blur Photo
0ChartTablePhoto
20ChartTablePhoto
40ChartTablePhoto
60ChartTablePhoto
80ChartTablePhoto
100ChartTablePhoto

The VG279Q has a good response time at 60Hz. Unlike at its max refresh rate, the best Overdrive (Trace Free) setting is '20.' Although there's still motion blur at this setting, the higher settings have significantly more overshoot and produce artifacts. If you want a monitor with a much quicker response time at 60Hz, then look into the HP X24ih or the MSI Optix G272.

Motion
Backlight Strobing (BFI)
Backlight Strobing (BFI)
Yes
Maximum Frequency
120 Hz
Minimum Frequency
85 Hz
Longest Pulse Width Brightness
213 cd/m²
Shortest Pulse Width Brightness
213 cd/m²
Pulse Width Control
No
Pulse Phase Control
No
Pulse Amplitude Control
Yes
VRR At The Same Time
No

The backlight strobing feature is called ELMB and can be enabled through the on-screen display. It noticeably dims the image and it can't be used at the same time as FreeSync, which are both normal.

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

This monitor is flicker-free, which helps reduce eye strain.

Inputs
8.7
Inputs
Input Lag
Native Resolution @ Max Hz
4.3 ms
Native Resolution @ 120Hz
4.9 ms
Native Resolution @ 60Hz
9.4 ms
Backlight Strobing (BFI)
15.5 ms

Outstanding low input lag across most modes. The input lag is significantly higher with the BFI feature enabled, which might disappoint some more competitive gamers.

6.5
Inputs
Resolution And Size
Native Resolution
1920 x 1080
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Megapixels
2.1 MP
Pixel Density
82 PPI
Measured Screen Diagonal
27.0"
Screen Area
310 in²

The 27 inch screen is a great size, but some people might find the 1080p resolution too low. If the low resolution bothers you, the PG279QZ offers a similar gaming performance, but with a 1440p resolution.

3.0
Inputs
PS5 Compatibility
4k @ 120Hz
No
4k @ 60Hz
No
1440p @ 120Hz
No
1440p @ 60Hz
No
1080p @ 120Hz
Yes
1080p @ 60Hz
Yes
HDR
No
VRR
No
5.0
Inputs
Xbox Series X|S Compatibility
4k @ 120Hz
No
4k @ 60Hz
No
1440p @ 120Hz
No
1440p @ 60Hz
Yes
1080p @ 120Hz
Yes
1080p @ 60Hz
Yes
HDR
No
VRR
Yes
Inputs
Inputs Photos
Inputs
Video And Audio Ports
DisplayPort
1 (DP 1.2)
Mini DisplayPort
No
HDMI
1 (HDMI 1.4)
HDMI 2.1 Rated Speed
No HDMI 2.1
DVI
1 (DVI-D, dual link)
VGA
No
Daisy Chaining
No
3.5mm Audio Out
1
HDR10
No
3.5mm Audio In
1
3.5mm Microphone In
No

There's a 3.5 mm analog audio out port with adjustable volume, and an audio-in port for the DVI connector.

Inputs
USB
USB-A Ports
0
USB-A Rated Speed
No USB-A Ports
USB-B Upstream Port
No
USB-C Ports
0
USB-C Upstream
No USB-C Ports
USB-C Rated Speed
No USB-C Ports
USB-C Power Delivery
No USB-C Ports
USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode
No USB-C Ports
Thunderbolt
No
Inputs
macOS Compatibility

Unfortunately, there are a few minor issues when using this monitor with a MacBook. The variable refresh rate feature doesn't work on the desktop, defaulting to a 144Hz fixed refresh rate instead. However, it works well in-game. It doesn't always recover from sleep mode either, as windows sometimes don't return to their original position.

Features
Features
Additional Features
Speakers
Yes
RGB Illumination
No
Multiple Input Display
No
KVM Switch
No

The VG279Q has a few additional features, which can be accessed through the 'GamePlus' menu.

Features
On-Screen Display (OSD)