ASUS ROG Strix XG259QNG 380Hz gaming monitor: features, specs and who it suits

The ASUS ROG Strix XG259QNG is a 24.5-inch Full HD gaming monitor built for esports, where fast, clear motion matters more than resolution. Its headline figures are a 380Hz refresh rate (with overclocking) and a 0.3ms minimum response time on a Fast IPS panel. Here is what those numbers mean.

What 380Hz means

Refresh rate is how many times per second the screen redraws, in hertz. A standard monitor runs at 60Hz, while 380Hz updates the image over six times as often. In practice, higher refresh rates make fast motion look smoother and cut the delay between what the game renders and what you see. ASUS lists 380Hz as "OC", meaning it is reached through an overclock setting, so check the manual on how to enable it. To benefit, your computer must produce a matching frame rate, which depends on the graphics card and the game.

Fast IPS and 0.3ms response

IPS panels are known for wide viewing angles and consistent colour. ASUS says its Fast IPS technology reaches a 0.3ms minimum response time, which is how quickly a pixel changes colour. Faster pixel changes mean less smearing behind moving objects. Response figures are usually quoted at the best case, grey to grey, so real-world results vary.

ELMB SYNC and motion clarity

ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) reduces blur in fast scenes, and ELMB SYNC lets it work together with variable refresh rate. According to ASUS, that combination removes ghosting and tearing. Variable refresh rate matches the monitor to the graphics card's output, which reduces tearing and stutter. The listing does not name the specific adaptive-sync standards, so check ASUS's full specifications.

Resolution and size

The panel is 24.5 inches with a 1920 x 1080 resolution. At this size, Full HD is sharp enough for many players, and it is easier for a graphics card to reach very high frame rates than at higher resolutions. It is also a common size for competitive play, since the whole screen stays within your field of view.

Software, lighting and AI features

DisplayWidget Center lets you open the on-screen menu and change monitor settings with a mouse instead of the buttons. Aura Sync provides ambient lighting on the back of the monitor that can match other compatible components and peripherals. ASUS also describes AI-powered ROG Gaming A.I features to enhance gameplay.

What's in the box

The listing names a DisplayPort cable, a power cord and adapter, a quick-release stand, a quick start guide, a ROG pouch, a ROG sticker and a warranty card. ASUS describes a three-year warranty; confirm its terms for your region.

What to check before you buy

• Your graphics card: a 380Hz monitor only helps if the computer can produce very high frame rates.
• Connections: the box includes a DisplayPort cable, so check your graphics card has a matching output.
• Resolution: Full HD at 24.5 inches suits esports; for sharper detail, look at higher-resolution monitors.
• Desk space: check the stand's footprint and height adjustment options in the manual.
• Overclock setting: make sure you know how to enable 380Hz.
• Colour work: a gaming panel is tuned for speed, so check the colour specs for creative work.

The short version

• A 24.5-inch 1920 x 1080 Fast IPS esports monitor, ASUS model XG259QNG.
• 380Hz (OC) refresh rate and a 0.3ms minimum response time.
• ELMB SYNC for motion clarity with variable refresh rate.
• DisplayWidget Center, Aura Sync lighting and ROG Gaming A.I features.
• Includes a DisplayPort cable and quick-release stand, with a three-year warranty.

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