ASUS TUF VG27AQ3A 27″ QHD HDR Fast IPS Gaming Monitor Review – 180Hz, 1ms (GTG)
ASUS TUF VG27AQ3A 27″ QHD HDR Fast IPS Gaming Monitor Review – 180Hz, 1ms (GTG)
Table of Contents:
Introduction
The ASUS TUF VG27AQ3A is a 27-inch QHD gaming monitor designed to deliver a competitive edge with its impressive 180Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and HDR10 support. I’ve spent considerable time testing this monitor in a variety of gaming scenarios to provide a comprehensive review that covers its strengths, weaknesses, and overall value proposition.
Key Features
The ASUS TUF VG27AQ3A boasts a rich set of features catering to serious gamers and multimedia enthusiasts alike. Here are some of its notable highlights:
- Fast IPS Panel: This panel technology offers a combination of vibrant colors, wide viewing angles, and rapid response times, making it ideal for fast-paced action games.
- 180Hz Refresh Rate: This blistering refresh rate provides incredibly smooth visuals, minimizing motion blur and enhancing the fluidity of gameplay. It’s a boon for competitive gamers who need every edge.
- 1ms Response Time (GTG): With a 1ms gray-to-gray response time, ghosting and smearing are virtually eliminated, resulting in crisp and clean visuals even in demanding games.
- HDR10 Support: The HDR10 compatibility adds a layer of realism to your gaming experience with enhanced contrast and color accuracy, making games come alive with vibrant details.
- Adaptive-Sync: The monitor supports Adaptive-Sync (FreeSync Premium and G-SYNC Compatible) technology, effectively eliminating screen tearing and stuttering, providing a fluid and immersive gaming experience.
- ELMB Sync: This feature allows you to combine Adaptive-Sync with the Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) feature for even smoother and clearer visuals, especially during fast-paced action sequences.
- GamePlus: This suite of in-built tools includes an on-screen timer, crosshair overlay, and display alignment, enhancing your gaming productivity and accuracy.
- GameVisual: Choose from various pre-set display modes like FPS, Racing, Cinema, and RTS to fine-tune your visuals for different gaming genres.
- Shadow Boost: This feature enhances visibility in dark areas of the game, revealing enemies and hidden details that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Performance
The ASUS TUF VG27AQ3A delivered a truly impressive gaming experience. The 180Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time worked in tandem to deliver smooth, responsive gameplay. In fast-paced action games, the monitor consistently displayed clear visuals with minimal motion blur, allowing me to react quickly and stay ahead of the competition.
The HDR10 support, while not groundbreaking, did enhance the visuals in certain games. The contrast was noticeably improved, revealing hidden details in shadows and enhancing the richness of colors. This added a layer of realism to the gaming experience.
The Adaptive-Sync technology proved to be a game changer. Screen tearing and stuttering were completely eliminated, resulting in a consistently smooth and fluid gameplay experience. Even during demanding sequences, the monitor remained responsive and consistent, providing a truly immersive experience.
I also appreciated the ELMB Sync feature, which effectively minimized motion blur even during fast-paced action sequences, enhancing clarity and detail. This feature was a valuable addition for competitive gaming, allowing me to track moving targets with greater accuracy.
Pros & Cons
Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of the ASUS TUF VG27AQ3A:
- Pros:
- High refresh rate (180Hz)
- Fast response time (1ms)
- HDR10 support
- Adaptive-Sync (FreeSync Premium and G-SYNC Compatible)
- ELMB Sync
- GamePlus features
- GameVisual modes
- Shadow Boost
- Solid build quality
- Cons:
- The stand could be more robust and adjustable.
- The built-in speakers are average at best.
Final Verdict
The ASUS TUF VG27AQ3A is a solid gaming monitor that offers a compelling combination of speed, clarity, and features. Its high refresh rate, fast response time, HDR10 support, and Adaptive-Sync technology make it a great choice for gamers who want a competitive edge and an immersive gaming experience.
While the stand could be more robust and adjustable, and the built-in speakers are merely adequate, the overall performance of this monitor makes it a worthwhile investment for serious gamers. If you’re looking for a high-performance gaming monitor that delivers a smooth and immersive experience, the ASUS TUF VG27AQ3A is a worthy contender.
Specifications
| Model | TUF Gaming VG27AQ3A |
|---|---|
| Display | |
| Panel Size (inch) | 27 |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Viewing Area (H x V) | 596.74 x 335.66 mm |
| Display Surface | Non-Glare |
| Backlight Type | LED |
| Panel Type | Fast IPS |
| Viewing Angle | 178°/178° (CR≧10, H/V) |
| Pixel Pitch | 0.233mm |
| Resolution | 2560×1440 |
| Color Space (sRGB) | 130% |
| Brightness (Typ.) | 250cd/㎡ |
| Contrast Ratio (Typ.) | 1000:1 |
| Display Colors | 16.7M |
| Response Time | 1ms(GTG) |
| Refresh Rate (Max) | 180Hz |
| HDR Support | HDR10 |
| Flicker-free | Yes |
| Video Feature | |
| Trace Free Technology | Yes |
| GameVisual | Yes |
| Color Temp. Selection | Yes (4 modes) |
| GamePlus | Yes |
| HDCP | Yes, 2.2 |
| Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) | Yes |
| ELMB Sync | Yes |
| VRR Technology | Yes (Adaptive-Sync) |
| GameFast Input technology | Yes |
| Shadow Boost | Yes |
| DisplayWidget | Yes, DisplayWidget Center |
| Low Blue Light | Yes |
| Audio Feature | |
| Speaker | Yes (2Wx2) |
| I/O Ports | |
| DisplayPort | 1x DisplayPort 1.4 (HBR2) |
| HDMI | 2x HDMI(v2.0) |
| Earphone Jack | Yes |
| Signal Frequency | |
| Digital Signal Frequency | HDMI: 30220KHz(H) / 48144Hz(V) |
| DP: 30263KHz(H) / 48180Hz(V) | |
| Power Consumption | |
| Power Consumption | <35W* |
| Power Saving Mode | <0.5W |
| Power Off Mode | <0.3W |
| Voltage | 100-240V, 50/60Hz |
| Mechanical Design | |
| Tilt | Yes (+20° ~ -5°) |
| Swivel | Yes (+20° ~ -20°) |
| VESA Wall Mounting | 100x100mm |
| Kensington Lock | Yes |
| Dimensions (Esti.) | |
| Phys. Dimension (W x H x D) | 61.50 x 45.50 x 21.40 cm (24.21″ x 17.91″ x 8.43″) |
| Phys. Dimension without Stand (W x H x D) | 61.50 x 36.70 x 5.40 cm (24.21″ x 14.45″ x 2.13″) |
| Box Dimension (W x H x D) | 68.60 x 47.50 x 16.00 cm (27.01″ x 18.70″ x 6.30″) |
| Weight (Esti.) | |
| Net Weight | 4.6 kg (10.14 lbs) |
| Net Weight without Stand | 3.6 kg (7.94 lbs) |
| Gross Weight | 7.2 kg (15.87 lbs) |
| Accessories | |
| Included | DisplayPort cable, HDMI cable, L-shaped Screwdriver, Power adapter, Power cord, Quick start guide, Warranty Card, Certificate, TÜV Flicker-free, TÜV Low Blue Light, VESA AdaptiveSync Display 180Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium, G-SYNC Compatible |
