Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS Gaming Monitor – Review

Gamers in the market for a gaming monitor at a reasonable price have a number of options to explore, one of which is the Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS, priced below $300.

Design

In terms of design, the Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS is not very different from other monitors in the ROG Strix series. Its build quality is solid, thanks to the sturdy plastic used in charcoal color. The design is also appealing, but nothing too over the top. The chin is of a modest-size on the bottom, while the other three sides boast slim bezels. The ROG logo is etched on the back subtly and there are a few other design flourishes in cyberpunk style.

There is no RGB LED lighting and the monitor is also on the thick side, which is understandable, given the price. It also uses an IPS LCD panel, but Asus has added an ergonomic adjustable stand. You can make adjustments to swivel, tilt and height and it can also be used in portrait orientation, as it pivots 90 degrees. The stand has a small trench, which functions as a smartphone stand. There is also a tripod mount available, which can come in handy if you want to use a webcam.

Connectivity and Features

The Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS has outdone its competition where connectivity is concerned. There is one HDMI 2.0, one DisplayPort 1.4, and a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alternate Mode. This means you have three video inputs at your disposal and they can be used with a gaming console, desktop PCs and laptops. But, bear in mind that the USB-C port is not for charging, but for video input only.

A joystick can be used for controlling the on-screen menu system of the monitor, or you can use Asus’ software named DisplayWidget to access it. Not only are the menus easily accessible, but also offer a solid range of image quality customization options.

Performance

You may not expect great image quality from the Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS when you check out its specs. The 27-inch monitor has a resolution of 2560 x 1440 and the IPS panel has the edge-lit backlight, while the refresh rate is 180Hz. There are no quantum dots, or mini-LEDs. Yet, the quality turns out to be quite decent for the price. The monitor manages to deliver great color accuracy, as the games look realistic, vibrant and colorful.

The brightness is also impressive and the matte coating on the screen prevents any glare. Considering it is an IPS display, the monitor manages to deliver decent contrast performance. You will not have any complaints about sharpness either. But, the biggest reason to buy the Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS is its motion performance. The use of Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) helps it make it up for the 180Hz refresh rate. This is used for backlight strobing and it makes a massive difference in motion clarity and fluidity.