ASUS TUF Gaming VG277Q1A 27-inch 165Hz Monitor: specs and who it suits

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG277Q1A is a 27-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) gaming monitor with a 165Hz refresh rate. It targets players who want smooth motion on a large screen without needing the graphics power that higher resolutions demand.

Full HD at 27 inches

Full HD means 1920 x 1080 pixels. Stretched over 27 inches, the pixel density is lower than on smaller screens or higher resolutions, so fine text and detail look less sharp at close range. The benefit is that graphics cards can reach high frame rates more easily than at 1440p or 4K, which suits fast competitive games.

165Hz refresh rate

Refresh rate is how many times per second the screen updates. At 165Hz, motion typically looks much smoother than on a 60Hz display, as long as the game runs at a high frame rate. The listing notes that the monitor supports 144Hz as well, which some graphics setups and games prefer.

ELMB, 1ms and adaptive sync

ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) is a backlight strobing technique that ASUS says delivers a 1ms response time (MPRT) and cuts ghosting. MPRT measures perceived motion blur and isn't the same as grey-to-grey response time, so it's worth reading the figure that way. ASUS says ELMB works together with Adaptive-Sync.

FreeSync Premium is AMD's variable refresh rate technology, which stops screen tearing and choppy frame rates by matching the monitor to the graphics card. The listing says the monitor also supports Adaptive-Sync with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 10 series, GTX 16 series, RTX 20 series and newer cards, as well as AMD Radeon cards.

Shadow Boost

Shadow Boost brightens dark areas of a picture to reveal detail, without over-exposing bright areas, according to ASUS. In competitive games it can make dark corners easier to read. As with any picture setting, it changes how the image looks, so some people turn it off for films.

Connections and stand

There are HDMI and DisplayPort inputs. The stand is tilt-adjustable only, according to the listing, so there is no height or swivel adjustment. If you need that, consider a VESA mount arm, after checking the mounting pattern in the manual. The listing gives dimensions of about 24.2 inches wide and 17.8 inches high, and a weight of 9.9 lb (about 4.5 kg).

In the box

The box contains an HDMI cable, a DisplayPort cable, a power cord, a warranty card and a quick start guide.

Who it suits

It suits players with a mid-range graphics card who care more about frame rate than resolution, people building a first gaming setup, and anyone who wants a large screen for general use. It is less ideal for photo editing, where colour accuracy and resolution matter more.

What to check before you buy

• Resolution preference: decide if Full HD at 27 inches is sharp enough for your viewing distance.
• Graphics card: confirm that it supports adaptive sync and the refresh rate you want.
• Cable choice: DisplayPort is typically used for the highest refresh rates.
• Stand: only tilt adjustment is listed, so check your desk and eye level.
• Desk space: measure the width and depth.

The short version

• 27-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) gaming monitor at 165Hz, with 144Hz support.
• ELMB with 1ms MPRT and FreeSync Premium.
• Works with NVIDIA GeForce and AMD Radeon cards for adaptive sync.
• Shadow Boost, HDMI and DisplayPort inputs, tilt-adjustable stand.
• HDMI and DisplayPort cables included.

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