The Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ3A offers revamped specs at an even more attractive price point when compared to the original VG27AQ. It still uses Fast IPS technology but is now overclockable to 180Hz for better motion clarity. Its halved price tag alone makes it worth the money, but let’s see if it can still match or even beat the original’s performance in our review.
Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ3A Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 180Hz
- Response Time: 1ms MPRT
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 250 cd/m²
- Speakers: Yes (2 x 2 Watts)
- Stand: Height -No
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: HDMI 2.0 x 2, DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 24.21” x 17.91” x 8.43”
- Weight: 10.14 lbs
Design and Features
The Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ3A didn’t change much when it comes to aesthetics, although there is a peculiar modification on it. The monitor has a matte black finish, but it doesn’t have RGB lighting like the ROG variants. The display has a bezel-free design, but it still has inner borders like most modern displays.
It has more modest proportions than the older models since it has a simpler stand. This means that it can fit on smaller desks, so having a complete range of peripherals won’t be an issue. The whole unit weighs a little over 10 pounds, so it’s very portable and easy to lug around with you to LAN parties or gaming events.
It may be a budget-oriented model, but it still has solid build quality, just like many of the brand’s popular products. The plastic panels are thick enough to prevent flexing and cracking, plus there were no cosmetic defects on any of its parts. The included stand is stable, but it can wobble when the monitor is touched with enough force due to the low center of gravity.
The Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ3A has an OSD joystick with hotkeys for easy access to its features and capabilities. It’s located at the back near the right edge of the screen, so it’s not difficult to access even while gaming. Some premium models have remotes and special software, but those are just creature comforts and likely unnecessary.
The included stand is perhaps the most unique aspect of this model, even if it is limited compared to what the original VG27AQ has. It offers tilt, but it also has swivel instead of height adjustments. You can mitigate this with a VESA mount, but that’s an added cost that might offset your savings.
Its connectivity layout has also been simplified to meet its targeted price point. You only get DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.0 slots, along with a pair of 2-watt speakers and a 3.5mm jack. That’s sufficient for gaming purposes, although headsets will be better for it when it comes to audio quality.
Display and Performance
The Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ3A sports a 27-inch Fast IPS panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 180Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time. The backlight has a 250 cd/m2 output, while the contrast is listed at 1000:1. This model doesn’t have HDR certification, but that’s acceptable since it’s a budget model.
1440p monitors are great for both gaming and productivity because of their balance between sharpness and visibility or legibility. It’s an upgrade compared to 1080p, but it’s not as demanding as 4K. It is easy to hit the maximum refresh rate with numerous GPUs, so it’s great for a midrange-budget build.
The Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ3A covers 100% sRGB and 93% DCI-P3 for decent saturation in both games and movies. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of 2.13, so it looks balanced compared to other displays with extended gamuts. Most users won’t need to calibrate the device before use since it’s already decent out of the box.
Actually, calibrating it reduced the dE average to 1.34, which is a considerable improvement over the stock output. However, the colorimeter use is more expensive, so it only becomes worth it if you will use the monitor to make money. But even then, a prosumer variant should be prioritized before the additional purchase.
Its backlight reached 261 cd/m2 at 100%, so it is not the brightest gaming monitor out there. Its contrast reached beyond the spec at 1055:1 at 50% brightness, but that doesn’t mean that it can produce deep blacks. That’s an expected weakness of IPS panels, although there are more expensive variants that have better results in this regard.
Panel uniformity for the test sample had some issues due to minor backlight leaks at the top edge of the screen. They become noticeable when the monitor displays dark images in an unlit room, so gaming at night can be annoying. However, this is caused only by tolerances, so it is possible to get a unit with better uniformity.
The Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ3A’s pixel response time is also excellent, thanks to its higher refresh rate. You don’t need a lot of overdrive for this monitor, so it’s very suitable for competitive gaming. It even has the brand’s ELMB feature, but it is not entirely necessary in most instances.
The Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ3A is compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync for tear and stutter-free gaming. Dual compatibility is a must for money-saving builds since you won’t have to re-buy a monitor if you switch to the other GPU brand. Its input lag sits at a little over 4ms at 180Hz, so it is snappy and suitable for E-Sports use.
Thoughts on the Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ3A
The Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ3A is an excellent budget model for those who want to upgrade their monitors to 1440p. It’s priced like a 1080p display, making it even more enticing, especially for those who know how much QHD monitors used to cost. It offers decent imaging performance and superb build quality, so it would be unfair to ask for more.
However, the VG27AQ and VG27AQL1A are still better overall performers than this newer variant. They also have more features but are not as expensive as their original suggested retail price points. It’s a great buy overall, but you will have to spend more for better features and connectivity.
Pros:
- Excellent Gaming Performance
- Very Affordable
- FreeSync and G-Sync
Cons:
- Limited Stand
- No Extra Ports
About the Author: 
Paolo has been a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations; he believes that every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.
Leave a Reply