- Overall
The Asus VG278Q is one of the most attractive high-refresh monitors this year due to its palatable price, specifications, and its guaranteed G-Sync compatibility. Its IPS sibling, the VG279Q posted great results which can compete with higher-tiered offerings at a very low price. Let’s find out if the TN-equipped Asus VG278Q offers a similar bang for the buck experience with a competitive edge.
Asus VG278Q Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution:1920 x 1080 FHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: Twisted Nematic(TN)
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Response Time:1ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 400 cd/m²
- Speakers: Yes
- Stand: Height -Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: HDMI 1.4 x 1, DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, DVI-DL x 1, 3.5mm Jack
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 24.4” x 14.8” x 8.3”
- Weight: 12.35 lbs
Design and Features
It’s difficult to tell the Asus VG278Q apart from its IPS counterpart since both share the exact same design and aesthetic. The device is finished with the brand’s familiar, yet satisfying matte black with a subtle texture that feels nice. The screen isn’t bezel-free, but there are thin panel borders which are unobtrusive when gaming or working.
What of the consistent things we love about Asus monitors like the VG278Q is the fantastic build quality which is guaranteed even on their lower tier models. The casing’s seams and edges are clean cut, so you won’t notice any uneven gaps or sharp burrs. The cabinet itself feels very sturdy and it doesn’t create creaking sounds when you try to adjust the viewing angle.
It’s also a huge plus that the Asus VG278Q uses the usual OSD control layout you’d find on their ROG Swift offerings. There is a multidirectional joystick at the rear along with four hotkeys for your convenience, so manipulating the settings should be easy as peas. A remote would be a nice touch for gamer-centric variants, but it isn’t that necessary for daily use.
The Asus VG278Q is engineered similarly to established products like the Asus PG278QR, so you can expect to enjoy a very flexible stand. The mechanism allows users to tilt, swivel, pivot, and adjust the monitor’s height, so the TN’s narrower viewing angles should not be a concern. You can also swap out this part with a VESA mount as long as it has a 100 x 100 mount.
Asus modernized its ROG and Strix gaming monitor designs, but we always find ourselves preferring this classic build over the helix stand with cyber patterns treatment. This implementation practically consumes less space, plus the product won’t look conspicuous in a more professional environment. You don’t get ROG logos or lighting with this model, but that matters less compared to the actual performance it can provide.
The Asus VG278Q is G-Sync compatible, but it does so via a software level, unlike the PG278QR which has a full G-Sync module inside. This also means that you don’t get the connectivity restrictions imposed by the proprietary FPGA controller. You will find a DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 1.4, and DVI-DL slot at the rear along with dual 3.5mm jacks for audio input and output.
There are no USB slots for peripherals, but there is a pair of 2-Watt speakers for basic audio appreciation. Frankly, we prefer the former since the built-ins won’t get much use compared to gaming headphones or 2.1 speakers.
Display and Performance
The Asus VG278Q sports a 27-inch TN panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, and 1ms response time. A typical 1000:1 contrast ratio is also listed, along with an extra-punch 400 cd/m2 backlight. This model puts emphasis on agility more than anything else, so in a way, the VG279Q will look better with its advantage in vibrancy.
One of the immediately noticeable characteristics of the Asus VG278Q is its lower pixel density which we know is an issue for many users. The loose pixel pitch softens images, creating jagged or grainy objects and edges. However, we know some E-Sports fanatics who prefer this type since it makes smaller objects at a distance like a peeking head more visible.
The Asus VG278Q may have a few disadvantages over its IPS counterpart, but its no slouch when it comes to color accuracy. The TN module is able to produce 100% of the sRGB gamut with a DeltaE of only 1.5 which tells us that you can use the display for editing purposes as well. This result is fantastic for a TN panel since many struggle with accuracy due to poorer color temps.
The contrast ratio for the Asus VG278Q at around 30% brightness falls around an average of 900:1 which isn’t the highest we’ve recorded outside VA variants, but good enough for a TN screen. The blacks will appear slightly grayish in dark rooms, but that’s a small price to pay for the extra boost in pixel response. It’s also worth noting that the backlight only goes up to 375 cd/m2, but even that is too bright for extended use.
The only thing perplexing about the Asus VG278Q is it is lacking gamma controls for refined imaging adjustments. Most of the presets look like they are closer to 2.3, but the sRGB mode sits at the ideal 2.2. The bad news is that some of these presets lock out some aspects of the OSD, so you are stuck with Asus’ default calibration for that given filter.
nel uniformity, on the other hand, isn’t an issue for the Asus VG278Q since its evenly lit due to a maximum brightness variance of only 6%. There are no leaks, so you won’t see clouding or uneven colors on some spots of the display. Each quadrant fell in line with a variance of only Delta E 1.4, so you won’t notice any discrepancies in games or movies.
One of the strengths of the Asus VG278Q is its quicker pixel response time brought about by TN technology’s capabilities. Blurs are already minimal by default, but the product includes an overdrive setting called Trace Free and ELMB. We recommend using the 50% level with ELMB turned on for the best results in fast-paced titles.
The Asus VG278Q is a FreeSync monitor with a functional range of 40Hz to 144Hz, but it is also one of the first twelve to work with Nvidia’s G-Sync compatibility feature. Input lag averages at 11ms, so there are no delays or “de-synced” instances in games where speed and timing are crucial.
Thoughts on the Asus VG278Q
The Asus VG278Q is a fantastic gaming monitor due to its fantastic image quality and responsiveness in high-intensity shooters like CSGO and Battlefield V. The TN module has its widely known disadvantages, but its performance is comparable to the IPS display on the VG279Q. Of course, you will see differences when you set them side by side, but that matters less if you aren’t doing any photo or video editing.
We wish the Asus VG278Q had a more intuitive OSD so meticulous users could maximize the image quality of the display. The lack of gamma locks is a huge hit to the display’s flexibility when it comes to manual calibration, making users live with compromises along the way. But overall, this G-Sync compatible gaming monitor is a great buy if you want a fast and larger screen for competitive or fast-paced gaming.
Jani Kumlander says
So this or asus vg279q? Responce time and input lag is the main thing that im looking for
Paolo Reva says
Hi, Jani! Input lag is comparable on both, but the Asus VG278Q is faster in pixel response time since it is a TN-based monitor.