ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QR 24.5-inch 165Hz Monitor: specs and who it suits

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QR is a 24.5-inch Full HD monitor built around a fast 165Hz refresh rate. It is aimed at people who play fast-moving games on a desktop PC and want smooth motion without moving to a larger or higher-resolution panel. Here is what its main specs mean and what to confirm before choosing it.

What 165Hz and 1ms mean in practice

Refresh rate is how many times per second the screen redraws the image. A typical office monitor runs at 60Hz; the VG259QR is rated by ASUS at up to 165Hz and also supports 144Hz. In general, a higher refresh rate makes motion look smoother and can make fast camera pans easier to follow. To benefit, your graphics card has to produce enough frames per second to keep up, and the game needs to run that fast.

The 1ms figure is a response time measured as MPRT (moving picture response time). ASUS says its Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) technology reaches this and reduces ghosting. MPRT numbers describe perceived blur and are usually quoted differently from grey-to-grey response times, so it is best to compare like with like when looking at other monitors.

Full HD on a 24.5-inch panel

The resolution is 1920 x 1080 on a 24.5-inch screen. At this size, Full HD typically looks reasonably sharp at normal desk distance, and it is far easier for a mid-range graphics card to drive at high frame rates than 1440p or 4K. The trade-off is less desktop space and less fine detail than a higher-resolution screen of the same size.

Adaptive sync and G-SYNC Compatible

When a game's frame rate varies, a fixed-refresh screen can show tearing, where two frames appear at once. Variable refresh rate (VRR) lets the monitor match its refresh to the graphics card's output. ASUS describes this model as G-SYNC Compatible, with VRR enabled by default. In general, G-SYNC Compatible monitors work with supported NVIDIA graphics cards, and VRR over DisplayPort is also widely supported by other cards. Check your own card's documentation for the exact requirements.

Shadow Boost

Shadow Boost is an ASUS picture mode that brightens detail in dark areas of a scene. ASUS says it does this without over-exposing the bright parts. It is a setting you can switch on or off, depending on the game and your preference.

Stand and connections

The stand offers swivel, tilt, pivot and height adjustment, so the screen can be set to a comfortable eye level or turned to portrait orientation. This is useful on a shared desk or with a second screen.

For connections, the monitor has one DisplayPort 1.2 input and two HDMI (v1.4) inputs. As a rule, high refresh rates at 1080p are usually run over DisplayPort, and HDMI 1.4 can have limits at the highest refresh rates, so it is worth checking the manual for which input supports 165Hz.

The monitor measures about 22.2 inches wide, 14.1 inches deep and 8.3 inches high in the listing's package dimensions, and weighs 11.2 lb. The power supply accepts 100-240V, so it works on mains power in most regions with the right plug.

Who it suits

It suits PC gamers who care more about smooth motion than resolution, especially in fast shooters and racing games. It also works as a general desktop monitor for people who want a height-adjustable stand and several inputs.

What to check before you buy

• Graphics card: confirm it can output the frame rates you want at 1080p and has a DisplayPort connection.
• Cables: check which cable is included, and use DisplayPort for the highest refresh rate.
• Desk space: measure width and depth, and check the stand's height range against your seating position.
• Mounting: if you plan to use an arm or wall mount, check the VESA pattern in the manual.
• Console use: consoles may not output 165Hz, so check what your console supports.

The short version

• A 24.5-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) gaming monitor with a 165Hz refresh rate and 144Hz support.
• ASUS rates the response time at 1ms MPRT using Extreme Low Motion Blur.
• G-SYNC Compatible with variable refresh rate on by default.
• Swivel, tilt, pivot and height-adjustable stand.
• DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI v1.4 inputs; 100-240V power.

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