ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM 24.5-Inch 280Hz Monitor: specs and who it suits

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM is a 24.5-inch gaming monitor that pairs a Full HD Fast IPS panel with a 280Hz refresh rate. It is aimed at fast competitive games, where smooth motion and quick response matter more than raw resolution. This particular listing is for a renewed unit, meaning pre-owned or refurbished. Here is what the specs mean.

What 280Hz means in practice

Refresh rate is how many times per second the screen redraws its image. A typical office monitor runs at 60Hz; the VG259QM goes up to 280Hz, and ASUS says it also supports 144Hz. Higher rates make fast motion look smoother and can reduce the feel of delay between your input and the screen. To benefit, your graphics card has to produce a matching number of frames per second, which usually means a capable PC and games that run at high frame rates.

Fast IPS and the 1ms response time

The panel is Fast IPS at 1920 x 1080. IPS panels typically offer wider viewing angles and more consistent colour than TN panels, while the "Fast" variant is designed to cut the sluggishness older IPS screens were known for. ASUS quotes a 1ms response time (grey-to-grey), which is a lab-style measure of how quickly a pixel changes shade. Real-world blur depends on the content and settings.

At 24.5 inches, Full HD gives a reasonably sharp image at normal desk distance and is easier for a graphics card to drive at very high frame rates than higher resolutions.

G-SYNC Compatible and ELMB SYNC

The monitor is certified G-SYNC Compatible, which enables variable refresh rate (VRR) by default. VRR lets the screen match the frame rate your graphics card is producing, reducing tearing and stutter. It works with supported graphics cards; check your card's driver notes.

ASUS also lists ELMB SYNC, its motion-blur reduction technology that can run together with G-SYNC Compatible. Blur-reduction modes of this kind typically work by strobing the backlight, and they can lower brightness a little.

HDR and colour

The monitor meets the DisplayHDR 400 certification. That is the entry level of VESA's HDR tiers, so expect a modest improvement in contrast with HDR content rather than the dramatic highlights of higher tiers. ASUS also describes a professional colour gamut.

Connections and size

The listing names DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI 2.0 inputs. High refresh rates generally need DisplayPort or a suitable HDMI connection, so check which port your PC uses. The item weighs 11.2 lb (about 5.1 kg).

Who it suits

It suits players of fast shooters and racing games who have a PC able to push high frame rates. It is less compelling for office-only use or for people who want a larger, sharper display.

What to check before you buy

• Your graphics card: can it produce well over 144 frames per second in the games you play?
• Cables and ports: use DisplayPort or an HDMI port and cable that support the refresh rate you want.
• Renewed condition: check what the seller says about condition, what is in the box and the return or warranty terms.
• Stand and mounting: confirm the desk space and whether you need a VESA arm.
• Features: blur reduction and VRR may not run at the same time on every setup; check the manual.

The short version

• A 24.5-inch Full HD Fast IPS gaming monitor with a 280Hz refresh rate.
• 1ms (GTG) response time, G-SYNC Compatible and ELMB SYNC.
• DisplayHDR 400 certified.
• DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI 2.0 inputs.
• This listing is for a renewed (pre-owned or refurbished) unit.

Bloiq is reader-supported. Some links may earn us a commission; it never affects what we write. How we make money.