Asus VG27VQ Review – TUF Gaming 165Hz Gaming Monitor – Recommended

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The Asus VG27VQ is a premium gaming monitor for PC builders who want an immersive screen for entry-level to midrange setups. It’s an older model, but its specifications are still valid for today’s gaming ecosystem. Let’s take a closer look to know if it can still do well in 2023 against highly-evolved alternatives.

Design and Features

• Screen Size: 27 Inches
• Resolution:1920 x 1080 FHD
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
• Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment (VA)
• Refresh Rate: 165Hz
• Response Time: 1ms MPRT
• Contrast Ratio: 3000:1 (Static)
• Brightness: 400 cd/m²
• Speakers: Yes (2 x 2 Watts)
• Stand: Height – Yes
• Stand: Tilt – Yes
• Stand: Swivel – Yes
• Stand: Pivot – No
• VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
• Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 1, DVI-D x 1, 3.5mm Jack x 1
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 23.97” x 15.24” x 8.3”
• Weight: 13.23 lbs

Design and Features

Unlike the ROG models, the Asus VG27VQ is a TUF Gaming monitor, so it follows the series simple design. The monitor has a matte black finish that looks timeless, plus it is easy to clean and maintain. The display isn’t entirely bezel-free, but it’s still minimal by today’s standards.

It is larger than your usual E-Sports monitor, but Asus has improved this model’s space consumption. It only requires 8.3 inches of depth from your desk, but keep in mind that it’s still 2 feet wide. The whole device only weighs 13.23 pounds, so it’s light enough to be transported to tourneys or gaming events.

It may be an older model now, but it still has better build quality than many variants at the same or even higher price points. The plastics used are tough and sturdy, plus there were no cosmetic defects on their parts. The stand is firm and stable so that the screen won’t sag or shake in the middle of a session.

The Asus VG27VQ has an OSD joystick along with hotkeys for its OSD and unique features. The layout is at the back, but it’s easily within reach, so you don’t have to flip the monitor or lean in too much. Premium models go as far as including remotes, but those aren’t as necessary when you’ve dialed in your preferred settings.

The stand for this monitor offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments for your convenience. You can’t pivot the monitor, but that’s okay since it was not meant to be a portrait display on the side. It is also compatible with VESA mounts, but those only become necessary for multimonitor setups most of the time.

One aspect of the Asus VG27VQ that took some penalties to help lower its price is the connectivity layout. You get a single slot each for DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 2.0, and a DVI-D connector for your older systems. It doesn’t have valuables extras like USB, so the only other connector you’ll find is for headphones.

It does have speakers, but they only have 2 watts of power like most of the brand’s built-in sets in its entire range. They sound tinny and are incapable of bass, so they are ill-matched for the monitor’s purpose. However, most users will probably prefer headsets anyway since they are better for immersion and focus.

Display and Performance

The Asus VG27VQ sports a curved VA panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms MPRT response time. The backlight has a 400 cd/m2 maximum, while the contrast is listed at 3000:1, like most VA monitors. This model doesn’t list HDR certification, but that’s okay since the HDR 400 standard that fits it doesn’t do much for imaging improvement.

27-inch 1080p monitors aren’t as popular as their smaller siblings, but they are better for an immersive experience. Their pixel density isn’t as tight, but visibility and legibility are fantastic, especially if you don’t have excellent eyesight. 1080p is still selling like hotcakes now simply because it is easier and cheaper to build a system that can maximize them.

The Asus VG27VQ renders 99% of the sRGB gamut and 76% of the DCI-P3 color space, so it isn’t the best in this regard. However, its default accuracy is fantastic since the deltaE average is only at 1.55. most users can enjoy it right away using the Racing mode preset since it has the most balanced output of all the screen modes.

Calibrating the Asus VG27VQ isn’t worth it since the dE average only improved to 1.21. That’s too little to justify a colorimeter purchase, so we can only recommend using it if you already have one. Asus has far better monitors that prioritize accuracy, like the Asus ProArt PA278CV, and you will be better off with those.

Its panel’s backlight did not reach the specified max since it topped out at 351 cd/m2 when pushed to 100%. However, its contrast ratio is superb at 3887:1 at 60% brightness, indicating that its capable of deep blacks and convincing dark scenes. It’s one of the main reasons why many still consider VA monitors, even if they have slower pixel response times.

Panel uniformity for the Asus VG27VQ test sample could be better, especially for a monitor at this price. There were backlight leaks on the top and bottom edge of the screen, potentially ruining dark scenes which look great on this monitor. Thankfully, this can vary between every unit made due to manufacturing tolerances, so there are better panels out there.

Another weakness of VA monitors is the slower pixel response time which often results in blurring or ghosting. This model has an excellent trace-free setting which drastically reduces this, although setting it too high induces overshoot. It can’t perfectly eliminate the trails and persistence, but it’s certainly better balanced than other implementations.

The Asus VG27VQ is compatible  with both FreeSync and G-sync, just like the other TUF Gaming monitors. Both brands have compelling card options for a monitor like this, so its wise to be compatible with both. Input lag sits at 4ms at 165Hz, so it’s snappy and responsive enough for competitive play.

Thoughts on the Asus VG27VQ

The Asus VG27VQ is a great gaming monitor based on its imaging performance and build quality. It doesn’t have the flashy aesthetics of its ROG siblings, but it is robust and reliable compared to some of its competitors. It is still prone to smearing in fast-paced scenes, but Asus’ Trace Free technology is a bit better than the standard overdrive feature you can get.

The biggest hindrance right now for the VG27VQ is its polarizing price in a market where you can get the same specs for cheap. Sure, it’s built well and can give excellent performance, but $300 gets you faster refresh rates or a higher resolution at 165Hz. It’s a great pick, but its retail pricing did not age well in a fast-paced display product segment.

Pros:

• Smooth
• Excellent buil Quality
• Great Default Accuracy
• FreeSync and G-Sync Compatible

Cons:

• Pricey for 1080p 165Hz
• Prone to Blurring

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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.