Asus PG278QR Review
- Overall
Updated: The Asus PG278QR boasts a 1440p screen with an upgraded 165Hz refresh rate to create an advantage over its already excellent predecessor, the Asus PG278Q. We consider this as the segment’s sweet spot when it comes to performance and eye candy, coupled with its G-Sync functionality and reliable build quality. The Asus PG278QR is our gold standard for gaming monitors, so read on if you want to know why.
Asus PG278QR Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 1440p QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: Twisted Nematic (TN)
- Refresh Rate: 165hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 350 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes
- Stand: Height -Yes (4.72 inches)
- Stand: Tilt – Yes (-5°/+20°)
- Stand: Swivel – Yes (-60°/+60°)
- Stand: Pivot – Yes (0°/90°)
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI 1.4 x 1, USB 3.0 x 2, 3.5mm Audio Jack
- Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 24.41″ x 21.77″ x 9.37″
- Dimensions without Stand: 24.5″ x 14.29″ x 2.6″
- Weight: 15.43lbs
Design and Features
If you are familiar with the Asus PG278Q, one of the first 144hz 1440p Gsync monitors available, then the QR version offers no difference whatsoever from a physical standpoint aside from a few updates. This version comes in a matte graphite black finish which we honestly prefer over the lighter tone of the 2nd generation treatment found on products like the Asus PG258Q. This version looks cleaner plus there are only 6mm thick bezels to contend with so the view is mostly unobstructed and maximized.
The rear panel of the Asus PG278QR is more interesting since this is where you will find most of its functionalities. For starters, the angular slits of the air vents combined with the color give it the stealth fighter look while helping the components inside purge the heat. All of the OSD buttons including the power switch are found on the lower part of this side, accessible from the right side on the front.
The layout includes a joystick for navigation plus hotkeys for Asus’ GamePlus and GameVisual modes, making it convenient to surf through the menus. On the other hand, the Asus PG278QR’s limited layout is neatly hidden under the lower slits in down firing positions so wires can easily shoot through the cable management hole. Due to G-Sync’s enforced limitations, you only get DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 1.4, two USB 3.0 slots, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
The brand built this premium model like a tank, but they included a highly flexible stand that offers height, tilt, swivel, and pivot which is are smooth, but rigid enough to stay steady. The Asus PG278QR has a TN panel after all, so adjustments to avoid degradation on the screen are crucial. It’s hard to believe, but if in case you would prefer an aftermarket option, you can remove this mechanism to reveal VESA holes for mounting.
What we like about the Asus PG278QR is its emphasis on stealthy killer looks, a concept which the brand dismissed in favor the titanium gray and orangey robotic designs the current line now includes. The only aesthetic extra this model has is its LED ring which Asus calls Light In Motion. This part lights up in red when G-Sync is active or gently pulses in standby mode.
Display and Performance
The Asus PG278QR sports a 27-Inch TN panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and 1000:1 contrast ratio. The previous version only had 144Hz, and on this model, we did not encounter any issues when activating the minor overclock via the OSD. G-Sync has a range of 30Hz to 165Hz on this model, but it would be a challenge even for the GTX 1080Ti to reach this limit in some titles.
The TN panel used in the Asus PG278QR is one of the best we have seen thanks to its speed plus its 8-bit interface without dithering. sRGB coverage sits at 99% with some minor under coverage in greens, which can be expected from the panel tech. Accuracy is impressive at DeltaE 1.2 out of the box, but it can be perfected to DeltaE of .6 with the help of a colorimeter which is brilliant for gaming-grade TN panels.
The Asus PG278QR’s contrast is one of the best in its class as well, slipping between 880:1 to 920:1 depending on brightness, which exceeds its specification at 385cd/m2 at 100%. For comfortable use, we recommend staying at 20 to 30 on the slider which is safe and much more comfortable for extended use. Setting the Gamma isn’t an issue as well since the OSD carries a preset which includes 1.8, 2.2, and 2.5.
We recommend using 2.2 for most scenarios but found that 2.5 sometimes help colors pop in vibrant or cartoony titles. We can say that this AU Optronics module probably maximized the potential of the panel tech due to these results. What the PG278QR offers is a color and contrast reproduction that is the closest you can get to IPS technology’s capabilities, without sacrificing the speed it provides.
TN panels are considered a thing of the past, but the advantage is that users avoid issues we usually find in IPS and TN panels. The Asus PG278QR we tested did not have backlight bleeding nor did we see interlacing or ghosting during testing, since the pixel transition was fast enough. For a 165Hz TN gaming monitor, these visual flaws will be the least of your concerns.
We tested games like Battlefield 1 and Overwatch on the Asus PG278QR with G-Sync activated. When paired with an equally beastly GTX 1080Ti, this gaming monitor’s visuals are buttery smooth despite the fluctuations in the frame rate. The proprietary tech might be expensive, but it’s difficult to go back to a 60Hz display without adaptive sync. Activation is flawless since Nvidia Control Panel instantly recognizes the device, but you might need to access the G-Sync submenu in the utility to make sure it is turned on.
If G-Sync isn’t your cup of tea, you can operate the Asus PG278QR just like any other E-Sports monitor with its other features. This model is still Nvidia 3D Vision compatible plus it carries its implementation of ULMB, so you can still enjoy blur-free gaming via backlight strobing. Some gamers prefer using ULMB over G-Sync because the latter has a 2% penalty, but either way, the Asus PG278QR works fantastically.
Finally, the Asus PG278QR can give some of the 1080p monitors E-Sports events use when it comes to responsiveness. This model clocks in at only 3.8ms which are next to nothing regarding delay, so even the most sensitive players won’t feel any sluggishness. Gaming on the Asus PG278QR is buttery smooth and at the same time receptive, and during our tests, we found that it’s our mechanical skills that got us fragged instead of the monitor’s capabilities.
Thoughts on the Asus PG278QR
The Asus PG278QR is the best G-Sync gaming monitor your money can buy today simply because its pros outweigh the cons. The imaging reproduction is the best we have seen on TN panels, so it’s easy to ignore known issues such as limited viewing angles and the lower vibrancy. The 165Hz refresh rate and G-Sync function flawlessly, and once tested, gaming without them is a huge bummer.
The timeless build quality and stealthy design are still one of our overall favorites, so even if this model already has some age to it, it will last you a few years. Newer versions from Asus and its competitors are virtually on our doorsteps, but the Asus PG278QR still retains its crown as 2017’s Overall Best Gaming Monitor for us here at Monitornerds. In recent times, this model offers the best performance per dollar value in the market, so we recommend it as a must buy if you are upgrading.
Editor’s Note: The Asus PG27VQ curved gaming monitor with a 165Hz refresh rate with G-Sync and Aura Sync is now available. However, we still prefer the PG278QR due to its lower price and flat screen which is ideal for competitive gaming.
Manolis says
I just bought this monitor 20 days ago for E599. I just wanted to thank you for the time you spend writing all those reviews and responding to all our comments. When i started searching for a new monitor (10 moths ago) i found your site from google search. You saved me a couple of times from bying products that were not meeeting my needs. I did not buy the AW2518H because you made me realise that i would need a GPU similar to the one i would need to run 1440p-144Hz in order to reach 1080p-240Hz. I did not buy the Y27g because you pointed out that the panel may cause several issues (although it was priced at E299). Thank you for all your precious advice. Sites like yours make the tech/gaming community a lot better.
Paolo Reva says
We’re glad you found the perfect gaming monitor, Manolis! Happy to be of service!
Gabriel says
Asus PG278QR or the Dell s2716dg?
The Asus is 110 dollars more expensive than the Dell in my country.
Dustin says
Good article, thank you. After extensive research decided to go with this monitor. How do us non-techies perfect the accuracy using a colorimeter of DeltaE .6?
“Accuracy is impressive at DeltaE 1.2 out of the box, but it can be perfected to DeltaE of .6 with the help of a colorimeter which is brilliant for gaming-grade TN panels.”
Paolo Reva says
Hi Dustin! Select Racing Mode and try these settings out: Brightness 40-50, Contrast 50, Color Temp R=44, Green=44, Blue=100. Good luck!
Trying to Learn says
Hello,
I just recently got back into gaming after 7 years of not playing. I picked up an Xbox one X and was surprised to see that now with an update it runs 1440p in 120Hz. Upon looking for the best of the best monitors I’ve narrowed it down to the PG278Q and the PG278QR but it is to my best knowledge that the 278Q doesn’t have a HDMI connector and from searching Display Port to HDMI spliters don’t work. So I am left with the well respected PG278QR.
Before I go and drop $600+ I wanted to check to make sure that this would run and function on my Xbox One X flawlessly and I am not missing some small detail that would make me have to ship it back. Am I missing something or will this work as I think it will?
Thank you!
Paolo Reva says
Hello, Trying to Learn! Unfortunately, 120Hz isn’t possible on the PG278QR’s HDMI 1.4 that only has enough bandwidth for up to 73Hz operation. We recommend checking out monitors that are equipped with HDMI 2.0 like the Samsung C32HG70. Good luck!
Manos says
Hello ,I want to know if take the same criticals for movies and photos as the gaming thank you
Paolo Reva says
Hello, Manos! the Asus PG278QR is also an excellent monitor if you want to view photos and movies since it can produce superior vibrancy and accuracy versus other TN-based gaming monitors. However, if you wish to edit or create content, you should check out the Asus PG279Q which is the IPS variant of this monitor that has an even better color performance. Cheers!
Carter W. says
I know I’m coming in late to this article but… The PG278QR is now listed on Newegg for approx. $599 w/promo-code and I’m interested. I was waiting for the Asus PG27VQ but it looks like a Black Friday/early to mid December release and the price, I’m guessing will not be cheap.
In any event, two areas of concern with the PG278QR:
1. I’ve read that the screen-coating gives a “screen-door” appearance when reading text/webpages
2. As with most if not all TN panels, this monitor has in some cases, exaggerated clouding and banding issues
Any credence to either of these?
Thanks in advance!
Paolo Reva says
Hello, Carter! We’ve seen some chatter that the PG27VQ will drop next month, although it’s difficult to accurately predict unless Asus itself says that it will start shipping that model at a particular date. As for your questions, no, the screen coating doesn’t give off an effect like that at least, on my part. As for the second issue, its a case to case basis. I use a PG278QR myself and have noticed banding only in a few instances where images and video were of a lower resolution and quality. But for games at 1440p, I don’t have these issues whatsoever. The panel tech’s limitation is to blame for all of this, but in my personal opinion, I’d rather deal with some banding in uncommon circumstances outside of gaming than deal with backlight bleeding and uniformity issues on IPS panels. Good luck!
Jake says
Hello! I have just read this Review for this Asus Monitor and I am so pleased by the fact that it has more connectivity than the PG278Q. However, I do have some questions about the specs about this particular Monitor. If I was to build a PC, would it be best to put in a AMD CPU Chip or a Intel CPU chip (along with a 1070 or a 1080 Graphics Card) with this Monitor? And I do not have a personal favorite gaming genre but would I need a Monitor that can drive fast paced games (shooter games, adventure games etc,) as well as not so fast games like playing a card game online for example? To cut it short, do I still need a fast Monitor for any kind of games? And lastly, does this Monitor have two or three of the same HDMI ports or are they different?
Jake says
Oh, and sorry for not stating this first, would I also need a IPS panel or a TN panel? I personally don’t really have a preference to what kind of monitor panel I like, but it would be nice if I was to have a IPS panel but this one caught my attention because of the connectivity it provides. Is there a IPS Monitor with the similar connectivity specs but can run with my PC building Specs? Thanks!
Paolo Reva says
Hi there, Jake! It wouldn’t matter if you match and AMD or an Intel Processor to a 1070 or 1080, just so long as you don’t pick the lower tier models like the dual cores because it can bottleneck the GTX 1070 or 1080 in some situations.
As for the monitor question, that depends on your expectations. Gaming on a regular 60Hz monitor casually is still enjoyable, but great monitors like the Asus PG278QR helps to avoid some of the flaws like blurring, stuttering, or ghosting which are often present on slower monitors. Input lag is also an issue because some models have noticeable delays between your control input and the picture on the screen. The Asus PG278QR virtually eliminates all of these problems.
Bottomline is if you choose an upgrade like this model, it’s an excellent, but expensive choice. But once you see for yourself the benefits the gaming community went bonkers for when it became available in 144Hz monitors, it’s going to be difficult to go back to a conventional device.
As for IPS vs TN, it really depends on you. Would you sacrifice a bit of color vibrancy for speed and go with TN, or are eye-popping color and a wider viewing angle at the expense of slower pixel transitions for IPS panels your thing? It really depends. For me, I’d rather go with high-quality TN panels like the one in the PG278QR because I hate ghosting and interlacing when I play FPS games. Good luck!
Erik says
Would this monitor or the ips model be better for gaming. its 1ms vs 4ms input lag. Can you tell the difference between the input lag? Thank you.
Paolo Reva says
Hi, Erik! The 1ms and 4ms specs are the pixel response time, not input lag. Both are excellent for gaming, but the characteristics of the PG278QR make it better for competitive shooters because of the faster pixel response time. IPS panels are prone to ghosting at times, but the AU Optronics module on the PG279Q is one of the best out there. Unless you are extra-sensitive, these image flaws will be minuscule. As for actual input lag or responsiveness, both are basically the same.
Erik Gustafson says
So I should go for the 8qr for hardcore gaming right? People notice the difference in pixel response time?
Paolo Reva says
If by hardcore gaming you mean competitive sessions, then yes the PG278QR is a better choice. TNs are far more popular than IPS models in big events because of the faster pixel response, but to be honest, not a lot really notice the difference. The PG279Q will have better colors and viewing angles, although I can’t say I can complain about the PG278QR’s vibrancy because that’s what I use at home, and its perfect so far. Bottomline is, performance is almost exactly the same, and you’d have to be extra sensitive to notice the slower transitions in the IPS variant.
Kurian Thampy says
I’m an ardent 3D Vision supporter because it is still the best 3D implementation to date. The sharpness and frame rate of a 3D Vision monitor is still unmatched by any theatre or TV. The PG278QR is a welcome upgrade to the PG278Q. The added HDMI port and built-in scaler in the upgraded G-SYNC module mean you can now use the same monitor for a console or AVR, while still enjoying 3D movies, games, 144 Hz, and G-SYNC on a PC.
Paolo Reva says
Hi, Kurian! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. We agree that the edges and details on monitors are way better than what TVs offer. The PG278QR is a great update to our Overall top choice, the PG278Q, so as soon as the PG278QR gains more ground, it might eventually replace its predecessor as our top choice.
Garry says
The big change for me is that this version is Nvidia 3D Vision Compatible… Also your “buy now from Amazon” link leads to the older non-3D non-165Hz version. The Q not the QR.
Paolo Reva says
Hi, Garry! Thank you for reading our review of the PG278QR. Interestingly, this newer model only supports 3D Vision if you have the kit from Nvidia, just like its older brother, the PG278Q. Both of these products do not have 3D emitters built into their innards, so you might have to fork out an extra amount to enjoy 3D eye-candy. Also, this model is not yet widely available except for some retailers in the EU. If it becomes available in your territory, the link will lead to the PG278QR.
Kie says
You can update your link now
Eli Nolan says
Thanks Kie!
John says
Hz, not hz