There are various 27 and 32-inch QHD shows that run at 165 Hz, however 240 Hz is rapidly changing into extra widespread. I’ve discovered that screens of any decision working at that pace tackle a smoothness that transcends the pixel depend. Asus’ new ROG Swift PG279QM achieves these speeds at 1440p. It’s miles sooner than I coated its 165 Hz predecessor, the PG279Q, that I reviewed in 2016.
Although the Extremely HD monitor class garners all the eye nowadays, quick QHD panels are nonetheless those to beat for balanced efficiency. With fewer than half the pixels to maneuver round, they’re able to very excessive body charges and, consequently, increased movement decision. A static picture will probably be sharper on a UHD monitor, however a shifting picture will be extra detailed and lifelike when a QHD monitor is working over 200 Hz.
Asus PG279QM Specs
| Panel Sort / Backlight | IPS / W-LED, edge array |
| Display Measurement / Side Ratio | 27 inches / 16:9 |
| Max Decision & Refresh Fee | 2560×1440 @ 240 Hz |
| G-Sync: 1-240 Hz | |
| FreeSync appropriate | |
| Native Shade Depth & Gamut | 8-bit / Rec.2020 |
| HDR10, DisplayHDR 400 | |
| Response Time (GTG) | 2ms |
| Brightness (mfr) | 350 nits SDR |
| 470 nits HDR | |
| Distinction (mfr) | 1,000:1 |
| Audio system | 2x 2w or None |
| Video Inputs | 1x DisplayPort 1.4 |
| 3x HDMI 2.0 | |
| Audio | 3.5mm headphone output |
| USB 3.0 | 1x up, 2x down or None |
| Energy Consumption | 41w, brightness @ 200 nits |
| Panel Dimensions WxHxD w/base | 24.2 x 16.3-20.2 x 10 inches (615 x 414-513 x 254mm) |
| Panel Thickness | 3.5 inches (89mm) |
| Bezel Width | High/sides: 0.3 inch (7mm) |
| Backside: 0.8 inch (21mm) | |
| Weight | 17.9 kilos (8.1kg) |
| Guarantee | 3 years |
Asus begins with a Quick IPS panel sporting a claimed 2 ms response time, a 240 Hz native refresh fee and G-Sync Adaptive-Sync with certification from Nvidia. There isn’t a ULMB blur discount choice, which is uncommon, however truthfully, I see no motive to make use of it when body charges are that prime. You too can use the PG279QM with a FreeSync system, the place it operates between 48 and 240 Hz with Low Framerate Compensation (LFC). I used to be capable of confirm this throughout testing.
Nvidia Reflex Latency Analyzer, which screens management lag in real-time as you play video games, can be included. You’ll want an accepted mouse and video card to make use of it, but it surely’s a good way to observe efficiency you probably have the {hardware}. Right here’s a deeper dive into how that works.
Video high quality is given simply as a lot consideration with HDR10 and DisplayHDR 400 assist. The colour gamut is big too, with over 112% protection of DCI-P3 in line with my check outcomes. In actual fact, I time period the PG279QM a Rec.2020 monitor as a result of it tracks the hue targets of that gamut and its common error versus that spec is simply 2.03dE. That is one colourful monitor. And you may swap between sRGB and vast gamut robotically with sign kind. Solely a handful of screens have this functionality.
Along with the Reflex Analyzer, players have Asus’ normal suite of GamePlus instruments at their disposal. There’s a choice of reticles, countdown timers, a stopwatch, body fee indicator and show alignment marks. In case you shell out the money for a number of PG279QMs, it’s straightforward to line them up completely.
In fact, construct high quality is commensurate with the premium value. The PG279QM is rugged and made to final with a strong stand, flex-free chassis and enormous management buttons that supply a agency really feel. LED lighting will be discovered within the again with a big ROG brand that lights up in all colours of the rainbow. And with Aura Sync, the monitor can flash, breathe and dazzle together with the opposite Asus ROG elements in your PC.
Meeting and Equipment
Asus takes loads of care when packaging any of its screens, particularly its premium ROG shows. The panel and upright are already one unit; solely the bottom wants attaching with its captive bolt. In case you’d fairly use your individual arm, the upright is detachable and divulges a 100mm VESA mount. The cables and exterior energy provide are in their very own field inside the carton. You get one every of DisplayPort, HDMI and USB. The latter is critical for the Reflex Analyzer operate. There’s additionally a snap-on cowl for the enter panel to maintain your cables tidy.
Product 360
The PG279QM’s entrance view is all display with a skinny 8 mm bezel across the high and sides and a 21 mm strip throughout the underside that includes the ROG brand in a shiny metallic end. The facility LED is barely seen on the decrease proper. You’ll discover the massive management buttons and OSD joystick round again. The bottom mimics the styling of all ROG screens in latest reminiscence with a twist, wide-set legs and copper coloured trim. You will not see the desktop LED projector right here, however there’s a big ROG brand on the again that lights up in a myriad of colours and results. It’s managed within the OSD and by Asus’ Aura Sync app.
Within the again, you may see the management buttons, joystick and lighting impact which will be turned off should you want. Molded-in strains remind me of spaceship hull plating and seem on half of the duvet. The opposite half, bisected with a cultured little bit of trim, is unadorned. You may see a small gap within the upright to cross cables by.
The facet profile exhibits a really rounded form with no try made at thinness. The panel is deeper than most, at round 3.5 inches. The stand is rock strong with full ergonomic options. A 100mm peak adjustment is accompanied by 5/20 levels tilt and 25 levels swivel to both facet. You too can rotate the panel 90 levels to portrait mode.
The enter panel features a single DisplayPort 1.4 that works as much as 240 Hz with HDR, G-Sync and 8-bit colour. Three HDMI 2.0 ports function as much as 144 Hz. There are three USB 3.0 ports, one upstream and two down. The crimson one is the place you plug within the mouse for the Nvidia Reflex Analyzer, which requires a USB connection to your PC. For audio, you may hearken to the two-watt built-in audio system or plug headphones into the three.5mm jack.
OSD Options
Urgent the PG279QM’s joystick brings up a full-featured OSD with eight sub-menus. Each conceivable gaming function and picture adjustment is included.
The G-Sync Processor will get its personal menu the place you may arrange the Reflex Analyzer. It has adjustable sensitivity, choices for the monitoring rectangle’s measurement and site and programmable presets.
Within the Gaming menu, you get a three-level overdrive, GamePlus play aids, six game-specific image modes and a Darkish Enhance function. It will increase black ranges to make shadow element clearer. The overdrive may be very efficient and can be utilized on its highest setting with out ghosting. For sure, movement decision at 240 frames per second is extraordinarily excessive. I believe that’s why Asus not noted ULMB or ELMB Sync. It’s merely not mandatory at body charges over 200 fps.
The Picture and Shade menus have many image choices to tailor the picture to your liking. You should use Variable Backlight in each SDR and HDR modes to extend distinction. It makes use of the sting array in a zone dimming configuration and works very effectively. I measured over 34,000:1 distinction in HDR mode. The final choice, Show SDR Enter, is an computerized colour gamut choice. Go away it on sRGB to see the right gamut in SDR mode. Set it to Vast to see the complete native gamut for all content material. That is one thing all prolonged colour screens ought to have, however few really do. The Shade menu has 9 colour temps, three gamma presets and gamma choices for YCbCr alerts. In case you use a PC enter which is normally RGB, they don’t have any impact.
Aura RGB refers back to the LED-lit ROG brand on the again. You may set colours and results to your liking. Turning on Aura Sync connects the impact to different ROG elements like energy provides, video playing cards and RAM modules. Utilizing Asus’ Aura Sync app, you may mild up your desktop like a 1970’s disco membership.
Asus PG279QM Calibration Settings
Like all Asus screens, the PG279QM arrives in its Racing mode. All picture changes can be found for exact calibration. Preliminary measurements are near the mark, so calibration isn’t strictly mandatory. Nevertheless, with a number of tweaks, I achieved some spectacular outcomes and a slight enchancment in depth and saturation. All I needed to do was change the RGB values a bit. To make use of the right sRGB gamut for SDR and vast gamut for HDR, depart the Show SDR Enter choice set to sRGB. If you need the complete gamut for all content material, set it to Vast. Under are my really useful settings for SDR content material. HDR mode inherits colour temp settings from SDR mode and may be very correct as effectively.
| Image Mode | Racing |
| Brightness 200 nits | 50 |
| Brightness 120 nits | 25 |
| Brightness 100 nits | 18 |
| Brightness 80 nits | 12 |
| Brightness 50 nits | 4 (min. 42 nits) |
| Distinction | 50 |
| Gamma | 2.2 |
| Shade Temp Consumer | Purple 100, Inexperienced 96, Blue 92 |
Gaming and Palms-on
Whereas the PG279QM proved itself equally succesful as a productiveness or gaming monitor, its gaming prowess was totally addictive. As any automotive fanatic will inform you, “There’s no substitute for cubic inches.” A gamer will say, “There’s no substitute for Hertz.” Consoles could have achieved one thing with their 120 Hz refresh charges. And 144 Hz on an Extremely HD monitor is cool too. Nevertheless it’s not 240 Hz, not even shut. The PG279QM is the right option to show that pixel depend doesn’t matter as a lot as body fee. Enjoying Doom Everlasting at round 200 fps is an altogether totally different expertise. With such low enter lag and excessive movement decision, selecting off targets whereas whipping by the atmosphere is nearly baby’s play.
In fact, the HDR picture helps. The PG279QM’s zone dimming function coupled with large colour saturation makes each element and texture pop. Surfaces are tactile; you’ll simply need to attain out and contact the practical filth, steel and wooden textures. Oops, I believe I simply obtained a splinter…
And with right this moment’s crop of high-end video playing cards, QHD at 240 Hz is the head of pace and response. Sure, you may go 360 with an FHD monitor, but it surely’s a tad softer by comparability. QHD continues to be the picture high quality and body fee candy spot.
The PG279QM defines this style. Each recreation I performed on it delivered a heightened expertise. In fact, the HDR titles look higher, as they need to. Black ranges are deep and detailed, highlights are vibrant and specular, and colour is just gorgeous. It’s onerous to think about higher. And even with the smaller sRGB gamut utilized in Tomb Raider, the expertise was not diminished.
Video processing was with out fault: I performed with equal precision on G-Sync and FreeSync platforms. A GeForce RTX 3090 stored body charges over 200 fps, which made for completely easy movement with no blur or stutter. Enter lag was perceptibly non-existent. The overdrive works effectively on any setting when body charges are that prime. In case you play under 200 fps, the very best choice supplies blur-free operation with out ghosting.
For basic use, the PG279QM equally shines. It’s one of many few HDR screens that doesn’t distort colour on the Home windows desktop. I don’t suggest leaving HDR on on a regular basis should you plan to edit pictures or SDR video. However for phrase processing or spreadsheets, it provides a bit extra brightness with out changing into harsh or oversaturated. The one disadvantage is you may’t cut back brightness when working at the hours of darkness.
It was additionally good to have some management over the HDR picture. The image modes (Sport Visible) are all accessible, as are distinction and colour temperature. Most HDR screens lock out their picture choices and hope you’ll be OK with the ensuing image. Asus provides customers a selection and that may be a uncommon factor. And there’s the selectable colour gamut choice, one other uncommon function. SDR content material ought to present in sRGB, and it does by default. However should you’d fairly have the vast gamut on a regular basis, you may select to do this by deciding on Vast underneath Show SDR Enter within the Picture menu. Each vast gamut monitor ought to have this function.