ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACMG 27-inch 270Hz Gaming Monitor: specs and who it suits

The ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACMG is a 27-inch gaming monitor with a 2560 x 1440 (QHD) resolution and a refresh rate of up to 270Hz. It uses a Fast IPS panel and adds a USB-C input. Here is what each of those terms means in practice.

Resolution and size

At 27 inches, 1440p is a common middle ground between Full HD and 4K. It gives sharper detail than 1080p at this size, while asking less of the graphics card than 4K does. That matters in fast games, where a high frame rate is usually the goal.

What 270Hz means

Refresh rate is how many times per second the screen redraws. ASUS lists 270Hz (OC), meaning the top rate is reached by overclocking the panel in the monitor's settings. A standard 60Hz screen redraws 60 times a second, so higher rates typically make motion look smoother and reduce the delay between your input and what you see.

To benefit, your computer needs to produce high frame rates at 1440p. If a game runs at 100 frames per second, a faster screen will not add frames. The monitor is also listed as G-SYNC Compatible, which lets a compatible graphics card match the screen's refresh rate to its frame rate to limit tearing.

Response time and motion

ASUS rates the Fast IPS panel at 1ms (grey-to-grey). Response time describes how quickly a pixel changes colour, and slow transitions show as smearing behind moving objects. ASUS also includes Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync (ELMB SYNC), which it says works together with variable refresh rate to reduce ghosting and tearing.

Colour and HDR

The monitor covers 95% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut, a range wider than standard sRGB and used in cinema and many HDR sources. ASUS also lists HDR support. HDR results on monitors depend a lot on peak brightness and local dimming, which the listing does not specify.

Connections and software

The monitor has a USB Type-C port with DisplayPort Alt Mode, so a laptop or other compatible device can send video over a single cable. The listing also mentions DisplayWidget Center, ASUS software that changes monitor settings with a mouse instead of the on-screen buttons, ROG Gaming A.I. features and a tripod socket on the back.

The box contains a DisplayPort cable, power cord, ROG pouch, ROG sticker, warranty card and quick start guide. ASUS gives a three-year warranty.

Who it suits

It suits PC gamers who play fast competitive games and have a graphics card that can drive 1440p at high frame rates. It also works for general desktop use, thanks to the sharpness of the resolution and the USB-C input. Someone mainly after cinematic HDR or 4K might look at other display types.

What to check before you buy

• Graphics card: check that your card can reach high frame rates at 2560 x 1440 and has a suitable DisplayPort output.
• Overclock setting: the 270Hz figure is the overclocked rate, so look at the manual for how to enable it.
• USB-C: confirm your device supports video output over USB-C. The listing does not state charging wattage, so check the manual.
• Desk space: the listing gives about 24.2 x 8.6 inches of footprint, 20.1 inches of height and 14.3 lb.
• Mounting: check the stand adjustments and mounting options in the manual.

The short version

• 27-inch, 2560 x 1440 Fast IPS gaming monitor.
• 270Hz (OC) refresh rate, 1ms (GTG) response, ELMB SYNC and G-SYNC Compatible.
• 95% DCI-P3 colour gamut and HDR support.
• USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode, plus DisplayWidget Center software.
• Includes a DisplayPort cable and a three-year warranty.

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