ASUS ROG Strix XG259QN 380Hz Gaming Monitor: features and specs

The ASUS ROG Strix XG259QN is a 24.5-inch gaming monitor designed for fast competitive games. Its headline figures are a 380Hz refresh rate (with overclocking) and a response time of 0.3 ms at minimum, on a Full HD Fast IPS panel. Here is what those numbers mean.

What 380Hz means in practice

Refresh rate is how many times per second the screen redraws. A typical office monitor does 60 times; this one is listed at up to 380 when overclocked, which ASUS marks as "OC". Higher refresh rates make fast motion look smoother and reduce the delay between what your computer renders and what you see. The benefit only appears if your graphics card can produce frames that quickly, which in practice means running less demanding esports titles at Full HD.

Resolution and size

The panel is 24.5 inches (viewable) with 1920 x 1080 resolution. This is a common pairing for esports because the lower pixel count is easier for a graphics card to drive at very high frame rates, and the compact size lets you see the whole screen without moving your head.

Fast IPS and 0.3ms

IPS panels are known for good colour and wide viewing angles, but have traditionally been slower than other types. ASUS says its Fast IPS technology reaches a response time of 0.3 ms at minimum. Response time is how quickly a pixel changes colour; the lower it is, the less smearing trails behind moving objects. Manufacturers usually quote the best case, so real transitions can be slower.

Motion blur and sync

ELMB Sync is ASUS's technology for combining Extreme Low Motion Blur with variable refresh rate. ASUS says this removes ghosting and tearing together. FreeSync Premium is AMD's variable refresh rate standard, which lets the monitor match the graphics card's frame rate for a smoother picture. It generally works with compatible graphics cards from other brands too, but check your card's support.

HDR

The monitor meets DisplayHDR 400, the entry level of the VESA HDR certification. ASUS says it delivers stronger contrast and colour performance than a standard display. At this level, expect a modest improvement rather than the dramatic highlights of higher HDR tiers.

Aspect ratio control

For competitive play, ASUS describes aspect ratio control, which can shrink the image to 4:3 at 1280 x 960 or 1024 x 768 at full refresh rate, giving a focused "tunnel vision" effect.

Connections and warranty

The listing mentions DisplayPort, HDMI and a USB hub, plus a three-year warranty. Item dimensions are about 21.9 x 9.2 x 15.0 inches (56 x 23 x 38 cm), weight 13 lb (5.9 kg).

What to check before you buy

• Graphics card: confirm it can push high frame rates and has the right output.
• Cable: 380Hz usually needs DisplayPort; check which cable is in the box.
• Desk space: check the stand's footprint and height.
• Use: if you mostly edit photos or watch films, a higher-resolution panel may suit you better.
• Settings: overclocked refresh rates typically need to be enabled in the monitor menu.

The short version

• 24.5-inch Full HD Fast IPS panel.
• 380Hz (OC) refresh rate and 0.3 ms response time at minimum.
• FreeSync Premium and ELMB Sync.
• DisplayHDR 400 certification.
• DisplayPort, HDMI, USB hub and three-year warranty.

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