ASUS TUF Gaming VG279QL1A 27-inch 165Hz Monitor: features and specs

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG279QL1A is a 27-inch Full HD monitor built around a fast 165Hz refresh rate and an IPS panel. It is aimed at PC gamers who want smooth motion and good viewing angles from a single screen, and it also works as a general-purpose desktop display. Here is what its main specs mean in everyday use.

What 165Hz and 1080p mean together

The panel has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) and refreshes up to 165 times per second; ASUS says it also supports 144Hz. A higher refresh rate means the image updates more often, which typically makes fast movement look smoother and cursor and camera motion feel more responsive than on a standard 60Hz screen. To benefit, your graphics card needs to produce frames that quickly, so it helps most in games where your PC can sustain high frame rates.

At 27 inches, a 1080p image has fewer pixels per inch than a smaller screen of the same resolution would. Many people find this fine for games at normal desk distance, while text can look a little less sharp than on higher-resolution panels.

Cutting blur and tearing

ASUS lists two technologies for smoother gameplay. Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) is an ASUS-exclusive mode that the company rates at a 1ms MPRT (moving picture response time), aimed at reducing ghosting behind fast-moving objects. FreeSync Premium is an adaptive-sync technology: the monitor adjusts its refresh rate to match the frames your graphics card is producing, which reduces screen tearing and stutter.

ASUS says the monitor works with Adaptive-Sync on NVIDIA GeForce GTX 10, GTX 16 and RTX 20 series cards and newer, as well as with FreeSync on AMD Radeon cards. On monitors of this type, motion-blur reduction modes often can't run at the same time as adaptive sync, so check the manual to see how ASUS handles that.

IPS panel and HDR

IPS panels typically offer wider viewing angles and more consistent colour than TN or VA panels, which is useful if you sit off-centre or share the screen. The monitor meets the DisplayHDR 400 certification, the entry level of VESA's HDR tiers. In general, DisplayHDR 400 means the screen accepts HDR signals and reaches a modest peak brightness, so HDR content will look different from standard content but will not match the contrast of brighter, locally dimmed HDR displays.

Ports and what's in the box

Connectivity is two HDMI 2.0 ports and one DisplayPort 1.2. The box contains an HDMI cable, a DisplayPort cable, a power cord and power adapter, a warranty card and a quick start guide. A promotional three-month Adobe Creative Cloud subscription is also mentioned, but its stated validity dates have passed, so don't count on it.

Who it suits

It suits players who want a step up in smoothness from a 60Hz display without moving to a higher resolution, people building or upgrading a mid-range gaming PC, and anyone who wants a second screen with decent viewing angles. It is less suited to work that needs very high pixel density, such as detailed photo editing.

What to check before you buy

• Your graphics card: confirm it can output 165Hz at 1080p and supports adaptive sync over the port you plan to use.
• Cables: use the supplied DisplayPort or HDMI cable, and check which port gives you the full refresh rate.
• Desk space: the packaged dimensions are given as about 21.0 x 24.2 x 8.4 inches, so measure the stand's footprint and your desk depth.
• Resolution: decide whether 1080p at 27 inches looks sharp enough for you.
• Promotions: check that any bundled offer is still valid.

The short version

• A 27-inch, 1920 x 1080 IPS gaming monitor with a 165Hz refresh rate (144Hz supported).
• ELMB motion-blur reduction with a 1ms MPRT figure, and FreeSync Premium adaptive sync.
• DisplayHDR 400 certified.
• Two HDMI 2.0 ports and one DisplayPort 1.2, with HDMI and DisplayPort cables included.

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