Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ
The Asus VG27 monitors have steady and healthy release dates each year because they have excellent performance and price. The brand enjoys a ton of sales for these models that belong under the TUF line. It just makes sense to keep making variants that are desirable to the masses, especially now that they have gone down in prices.
VG27AQ3A vs VG27AQ vs VG27AQL1A – Tale of the Tape
Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A
The VG27AQ3A, VG27AQ, and VG27AQL1A are technically derivatives of each other since each one is a refresh of the previous model. The VG27AQ started it all, and it received fantastic feedback and reviews for its excellent gaming performance and design. The VG27AQL1A and VG27AQ3A followed, respectively, hoping to gain traction on the path the original made.
The next big difference between the three was their price points, with the VG27AQ starting very close to $500. Each succeeding version came with at least a hundred bucks off, making each one offer better value per dollar spent. They were excellent deals because each one included upgrades even if they became cheaper.
The prominent upgrades mentioned for each variant are usually upgrades to the refresh rates. The VG27AQ started with 165Hz, the VG27AQL1A going to 170Hz, and finally the VG27AQ3A going to 180Hz. The refresh upgrades aren’t a lot, but we think of it as something to entice consumers into buying the new model with the hopes of better performance.
Another big aspect that gets upgraded every generation is the overall design of each model. The VG27AQL1A has noticeably thinner bezels, while the VG27AQ3A sports a three-sided bezel free design. The functionalities like the adjustable stand are constant for the first two, although the newer versions have smaller dimensions and less weight.
All of them sport fast IPS panels which have better pixel response times, color performance, and clarity. The results for the VG27AQ were even better than the PG279Q, which was a four-year old premium variant that came before the former. However, the VG27AQL1A had the best color accuracy in some tests, indicating that it got a more “premium” treatment from the factory.
Which is Better Between the Three?
Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ3A
The latest version, the Asus VG27AQ3A, is ideally the best because it is the latest variant. However, deciding which is the best depends on your priorities when buying a gaming monitor. Each one has a different advantage over the other, based on reviews.
For color accuracy, we’d pick the Asus VG27AQL1A since it had the best default and calibrated deltaE scores and two USB slots. The VG27AQ follows closely, but the former is the clear winner if we’re being objective about the scores we have. Note that deltaE results can vary due to the differences between each panel made.
The Asus VG27AQ3A is the clear winner if the best speed and lowest price is what you’re gunning for. It has the highest refresh rate and improved blur reduction, so it’s the most ideal for fast-paced games. It also has an improved design, but it loses the fully-adjustable stand.
Final Thoughts
But if forced to pick, we’d select the Asus VG27AQL1A above the other two. It is not the fastest, but it has better imaging and design versus the VG27AQ and VG27AQ3A. It’s the most accurate, it has USB slots and and ergonomic stand, plus its decently priced. It has been discounted heavily at the time of this article so that you can get it for $300 or so.
If the budget is limited, the VG27AQ3A will come into play with its sub-$250 price point. It’s not common to see a premium-brand 1440p monitor in that price range, although they have become considerably affordable in the last two years or so. You get the fastest refresh rate out of the lot, but you lose some features like the fully adjustable stand.
The VG27AQ, on the other hand, seems outdated compared to the VG27AQL1A and its advantages. However, it’s still a good buy if you can get it at a lower price, but that rarely happens. It’s five bucks cheaper at the time of this writing, so there is very little reason to choose it.
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 has the 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 and create reviews that accentuate the seldom-explained aspects of a PC monitor.
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