ASUS ROG Strix XG259QNS 380Hz Gaming Monitor: specs and who it suits

The ASUS ROG Strix XG259QNS is a 24.5-inch (25-inch class) Full HD gaming monitor built around one idea: a very fast screen for competitive play. Its headline figures are a 380Hz refresh rate and a 0.3ms response time. This page explains what those numbers mean, what the monitor needs from your PC, and who is likely to notice the difference.

What 380Hz means in practice

Refresh rate is how many times per second the screen redraws. A standard office monitor runs at 60Hz, and many gaming screens at 144Hz or 165Hz. ASUS rates this panel at 380Hz (OC), meaning it reaches that speed with overclocking enabled in the on-screen menu. Higher refresh rates typically make fast motion look smoother and reduce the delay between what your PC renders and what you see.

The catch is that the screen can only show frames your PC produces. To use 380Hz you need a graphics card and processor that can deliver several hundred frames per second, which in practice means lighter, competitive titles at moderate settings. In heavier games the monitor will still work, it simply won't reach its ceiling.

Fast IPS and the 0.3ms response time

The panel is ASUS's Fast IPS type. IPS panels are generally known for wide viewing angles and good colour consistency, and "fast" refers to quicker pixel transitions than older IPS designs. ASUS lists a minimum response time of 0.3ms. Response-time figures are usually measured under specific conditions, typically grey-to-grey, so treat them as a best case rather than an everyday average.

Motion blur and tearing

Two technologies work on the picture itself:

• FreeSync Premium is AMD's adaptive-sync standard. The monitor adjusts its refresh rate to match your graphics card's output, which prevents the torn-looking frames you can get when the two are out of step. Many NVIDIA cards can also use adaptive sync, but check your card's documentation.
• ELMB Sync (Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync) is ASUS's motion-blur reduction, and the brand says it works together with variable refresh rate so you get low blur without tearing or ghosting. Blur-reduction modes of this kind usually trade some brightness for clarity.

Controls and desk features

DisplayWidget Center is ASUS software that lets you open the on-screen menu and change settings with a mouse instead of the buttons on the monitor. The stand is described as ergonomic. Two small extras come from the listing: a socket in the base to hold a mobile phone upright in front of you, and a ¼-inch tripod socket on the stand for mounting a camera or a small additional display, which suits streaming setups. ASUS includes a three-year warranty.

Resolution and size

At 1920 x 1080 on a 24.5-inch panel, pixels are dense enough for sharp play, and the Full HD resolution is also what makes very high frame rates achievable. Many esports players prefer this size because the whole screen can be taken in without moving the eyes much. If you mainly want detailed, cinematic visuals or lots of desktop space, a larger or higher-resolution screen is a different kind of product.

Who it suits

It suits players of fast competitive games who already have a PC capable of high frame rates and who care about responsiveness. It is less relevant for casual gaming, console play at 60 or 120 frames per second, or general office use, where the extra refresh rate would go unused.

What to check before you buy

• Your PC: confirm your graphics card can output enough frames to benefit from 380Hz, and that it has a suitable DisplayPort or HDMI output. Check the connection guidance in the manual, as high refresh rates often need DisplayPort.
• Adaptive sync: confirm your graphics card supports FreeSync or adaptive sync.
• Desk space: check the stand's footprint and height against your desk.
• Mounting: if you plan to use a monitor arm, check the VESA pattern in the specifications.
• What's in the box: cables and accessories vary, so confirm the contents.

The short version

• A 24.5-inch Full HD Fast IPS esports monitor.
• 380Hz (OC) refresh rate and 0.3ms (min.) response time, as rated by ASUS.
• FreeSync Premium and ELMB Sync for smooth motion with less blur.
• DisplayWidget Center, a phone socket in the base and a ¼-inch tripod socket on the stand.
• Three-year warranty; most useful with a PC that delivers very high frame rates.

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