ASUS TUF Gaming VG249QM1A 23.8-inch 270Hz monitor: specs and who it suits

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG249QM1A is a 23.8-inch Full HD gaming monitor built for fast-paced games. It combines an IPS panel with a 270Hz refresh rate (reached with overclocking), a 1ms response time and adaptive sync support. Here is what each of those terms means and who a monitor like this suits.

What 270Hz (OC) means

Refresh rate is how many times per second the screen redraws the image. A standard office monitor runs at 60Hz; 270Hz is more than four times that. In fast games, a higher refresh rate typically gives smoother motion and a more current picture, but only if your graphics card can produce enough frames per second to match.

The "(OC)" in the listing means the top speed is an overclocked setting, usually switched on in the monitor's on-screen menu. The monitor's standard rate will be lower than 270Hz.

A fast IPS panel at 23.8 inches

ASUS describes the display as a 23.8-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) fast IPS panel. IPS panels are known for wide viewing angles and consistent colour from side to side, and "fast IPS" refers to the quicker-response versions used in gaming monitors. At 23.8 inches, Full HD gives a pixel density that most people find sharp at normal desk distance, and it is easier for a graphics card to drive at very high frame rates than a higher resolution.

1ms response and ELMB

Response time is how quickly a pixel changes colour. ASUS rates this monitor at 1ms (grey to grey, or GTG). Slow transitions can leave trails behind moving objects, which gamers call ghosting. ASUS adds that its Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) technology is designed to reduce blur and ghosting for sharper moving images.

FreeSync Premium and G-Sync compatible

When a graphics card produces frames at a changing rate, a fixed-rate screen can show tearing, a visible horizontal split in the image. Variable refresh rate (VRR) lets the monitor match the card's output. This monitor supports FreeSync Premium and is listed as G-Sync compatible, so it is designed to work with both AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards, with VRR on by default. You may need to enable the setting in your graphics driver.

Size and weight

The listing gives dimensions of about 7.0 x 21.3 x 15.4 inches (roughly 18 x 54 x 39 cm) with the stand, and a weight of 9.3 lb (about 4.2 kg). Check the manufacturer's page for stand adjustments and wall-mount options.

Who it suits

It suits competitive and fast-action players who want a high refresh rate on a compact screen, and desks where a 24-inch size works better than a larger panel. Someone who mostly watches films or works on documents may not need a refresh rate this high.

What to check before you buy

• Your graphics card: make sure it can send frames near 270Hz at 1920 x 1080 in the games you play.
• Connections: the listing does not name the ports, so check the manufacturer's specifications against your PC or console.
• Overclock setting: confirm how to enable the 270Hz mode and what cable it needs.
• Stand and mounting: check height adjustment and VESA support if you plan to use an arm.
• Desk space: the monitor is about 21 inches wide.
• What's in the box: confirm cables and accessories.

The short version

• A 23.8-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) fast IPS gaming monitor.
• 270Hz (OC) refresh rate and 1ms GTG response time with ELMB.
• FreeSync Premium and G-Sync compatible, with variable refresh rate on by default.
• Suited to fast-paced gaming on a compact desk setup.

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