ASUS ROG Strix XG259CM 24.5-inch 240Hz monitor: features and who it suits

The ASUS ROG Strix XG259CM is a 24.5-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) gaming monitor with a 240Hz refresh rate. It's aimed at fast, competitive games where smooth motion and quick response matter, and it adds a few desk-friendly extras such as a KVM switch and a USB-C hub.

What 240Hz and 1ms mean in practice

Refresh rate is how many times the screen updates each second. At 240Hz, the picture updates four times as often as on a standard 60Hz monitor, which typically makes fast movement look clearer and reduces the delay between your action and what you see. To benefit, your computer needs to produce a high frame rate, so a powerful graphics card helps.

ASUS rates the panel at a 1ms grey-to-grey response time using its Fast IPS technology. Response time describes how fast pixels change colour; lower values mean less smearing behind moving objects. IPS panels are known for wide viewing angles and consistent colour, and ASUS positions Fast IPS as combining that with quick response.

Motion and tear-free play

The monitor has ELMB SYNC (Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync), which ASUS says allows low motion blur together with variable refresh rate, so ghosting and tearing are reduced. The listing also describes it as G-Sync compatible, and the description mentions Adaptive Sync/FreeSync. Variable refresh rate matches the screen to your graphics card's frame rate to avoid tearing. Check which of these your graphics card supports. The listing also mentions HDR, though at this tier HDR is typically a basic implementation.

KVM switch and USB-C hub

A KVM switch lets one keyboard and mouse control two connected computers. ASUS says the monitor supports this, which suits someone with a gaming PC and a work laptop. The USB Type-C port carries video as a DisplayPort signal and works as a USB hub, with up to 15W of power delivery, so a single cable can connect a compatible laptop's display and peripherals. Note that 15W is modest, so it won't fully charge most laptops. There is also a USB 3.2 hub for wired accessories.

Ports and extras

• USB-C (DisplayPort signal, up to 15W power delivery)
• DisplayPort 1.2
• HDMI 2.0
• USB 3.2 hub

The listing adds a tripod socket for mounting a webcam and Aura RGB lighting. ASUS also lists Eye Care features, including blue-light filtering and flicker-free backlighting. Check the manual for how each option works.

Size and setup

The monitor weighs 13.5 lb (about 6.1 kg) and measures roughly 21.9 inches wide and 15.0 inches high with the stand (about 56 x 38 cm). A 24.5-inch screen is a popular size for competitive play because the whole screen stays within your field of view at normal desk distance. At 1080p on this size, text and images are reasonably sharp, though a higher-resolution panel would look finer.

Who it suits

It suits players of fast-paced games with a PC capable of high frame rates, and anyone who wants to share a monitor between two computers. People who mostly do photo editing or want a higher resolution may prefer a different type of screen.

What to check before you buy

• Graphics card: make sure it can drive high frame rates at 1080p and supports your sync option.
• Cables and ports: DisplayPort 1.2 or HDMI 2.0 must match your computer; the USB-C port needs a compatible device.
• Desk space: check the stand's footprint and height adjustment, or the VESA mounting in the manual.
• KVM setup: read how the KVM and USB connections should be wired.
• Included offers: the listed software offer had an end date, so don't count on it.

The short version

• 24.5-inch Full HD Fast IPS monitor with a 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms (GTG) response.
• ELMB SYNC, G-Sync compatible and Adaptive Sync support.
• KVM switch, USB-C with DisplayPort and up to 15W power delivery, and USB 3.2 hub.
• DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 2.0, tripod socket and Aura RGB lighting.
• 13.5 lb with stand.

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