ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1R 23.8-inch 165Hz Monitor: features and specs

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1R is a 23.8-inch Full HD gaming monitor with an IPS panel and a 165Hz refresh rate. It is designed for fast-paced games where smooth motion and quick response matter, and it works as an everyday desk monitor too. This page explains what its main specifications mean.

Resolution and panel type

The screen is 23.8 inches across the diagonal, with a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080. At that size, Full HD is a common match: text and images look reasonably sharp at normal desk distance, and the graphics card has fewer pixels to draw, which helps frame rates.

The panel uses IPS technology. IPS panels typically offer wider viewing angles and more consistent colour from off-centre positions than VA or TN panels, which is useful if you sit slightly to the side or share the screen.

What 165Hz means

Refresh rate is how many times per second the screen redraws. The listing gives 165Hz, described as overclockable, with support for 144Hz. A higher number gives smoother motion in fast games, provided your computer can produce enough frames per second. A 60Hz screen shows at most 60 frames each second, so the step up is noticeable in shooters and racing games and when moving the mouse around the desktop.

Response time and motion blur

ASUS quotes a 1ms response time, measured as MPRT (moving picture response time). MPRT is a different measurement from grey-to-grey response and is typically used for motion-blur-reduction modes. The monitor uses ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB), which ASUS says works together with Adaptive-sync to reduce ghosting and tearing. Features like this usually involve trade-offs, such as reduced brightness, so it is worth reading the manual on how and when to enable it.

FreeSync Premium and variable refresh

FreeSync Premium is AMD's variable refresh rate standard. It lets the monitor match its refresh rate to the frame rate coming from the graphics card, which helps avoid tearing and stutter. ASUS says it is supported over both DisplayPort and HDMI. Compatibility with other graphics hardware varies, so check your own card's documentation.

Gaming extras

Shadow Boost brightens dark areas of the image so details are easier to see in shaded parts of a game map. GamePlus hotkeys are ASUS's in-game helpers, which the brand says add enhancements to the play experience. The monitor has a built-in speaker, which is handy for basic sound, though headphones or separate speakers usually sound fuller.

Connections and mounting

The listing names DisplayPort and HDMI inputs and VESA mounting. VESA compatibility means you can attach it to a monitor arm or wall mount using the standard hole pattern, which frees up desk space. The monitor measures about 21.2 inches wide and 16.0 inches high including its stand, and weighs 6.6 lb (about 3 kg).

Who it suits

It suits players who want smooth motion at Full HD, and anyone setting up a second or main desk screen who values a fast, wide-angle panel. People who do colour-critical work such as photo editing should look at monitors that publish colour accuracy figures, which this listing does not.

What to check before you buy

• Your computer's outputs: confirm it has DisplayPort or HDMI and can drive 165Hz at 1920 x 1080 over the cable you will use.
• Frame rates: a higher refresh rate only helps if your system produces enough frames.
• Desk space and stand: check the dimensions against your desk, or whether you want a VESA arm.
• Motion-blur mode: read the manual on ELMB and any limits when it is on.
• What's in the box: confirm which cables are included.

The short version

• 23.8-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS monitor.
• 165Hz refresh rate (overclockable), 144Hz supported.
• 1ms MPRT response with ELMB, and FreeSync Premium over DisplayPort and HDMI.
• Shadow Boost, GamePlus hotkeys and a built-in speaker.
• VESA mountable, 6.6 lb.

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