ASUS TUF Gaming VG279QM 27-inch 280Hz Monitor: specs and who it suits

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG279QM is a 27-inch gaming monitor with a Full HD (1920 x 1080) Fast IPS panel and a refresh rate of up to 280Hz. It is designed for fast games, where smooth motion and low blur matter more than a very high pixel count.

What 280Hz means

Refresh rate is the number of times per second the screen redraws the image. A standard office monitor runs at 60Hz, while 280Hz gives more than four times as many updates. ASUS notes that 280Hz is reached by overclocking, which means you typically switch it on in the monitor's menu and graphics settings rather than getting it by default. To benefit, your computer must produce high frame rates, which is a matter of the graphics card, the game and its settings.

Fast IPS and 1ms response

IPS panels are known for wide viewing angles and consistent colour. "Fast IPS" is ASUS's wording for IPS technology tuned for quick pixel changes, and the company rates the response time at 1ms (grey to grey). Response time describes how quickly a pixel changes colour, and slow transitions show up as smearing behind moving objects. Manufacturers measure it under favourable conditions, so treat it as a headline figure rather than an everyday figure.

Adaptive sync and ELMB Sync

The monitor is certified G-SYNC Compatible, with variable refresh rate (VRR) on by default. VRR lets the monitor match its refresh to the frame rate coming from the graphics card, which prevents screen tearing and reduces stutter. ASUS also lists Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync (ELMB SYNC), which it says allows motion blur reduction and adaptive sync to run together. Blur-reduction modes of this kind typically strobe the backlight, which can lower brightness, so check the manual on which modes can be combined.

HDR and colour

The monitor meets the DisplayHDR 400 certification. That is the entry level of VESA's HDR scheme, and it generally means a modest step up in peak brightness over a standard display. It is not the same as the dramatic contrast of high-end HDR screens, so expect a mild change rather than a transformation.

Resolution at 27 inches

At 27 inches, 1920 x 1080 has a lower pixel density than 1440p panels of the same size, so fine text and detail look less sharp at close range. The trade-off is that Full HD is easier for a graphics card to drive at very high frame rates, which suits competitive games.

Ports and size

The ports are one DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI 2.0. Check that your graphics card supports the refresh rate over the connection you plan to use, since cable and port versions affect the maximum. The monitor weighs 12.3 lb and measures about 24.4 inches wide and 14.8 inches high including the stand.

Who it suits

It suits players of fast-paced games such as shooters and racers, with a computer that can deliver high frame rates, and anyone who prefers a large Full HD screen to a higher resolution.

What to check before you buy

• Graphics card: confirm it can output 1080p at high refresh rates and supports adaptive sync.
• Cables: use a DisplayPort or HDMI cable rated for the refresh rate.
• Desk space: check the width and the height of the stand.
• Resolution: decide whether 1080p at 27 inches is sharp enough for you.
• Settings: read the manual for turning on overclocking and ELMB SYNC.

The short version

• A 27-inch Full HD Fast IPS gaming monitor.
• 280Hz refresh rate (overclocked) and 1ms (GTG) response, as ASUS rates it.
• G-SYNC Compatible with VRR, plus ELMB SYNC.
• DisplayHDR 400; one DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI 2.0 inputs.
• About 12.3 lb.

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