Looking for a gaming monitor that offers great performance without draining your wallet? Enter the ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS, a 27-inch 1440p powerhouse designed to deliver a high-refresh-rate experience at an affordable price. Priced under AU$500, this monitor combines a 180Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and Adaptive Sync support, making it a compelling option for gamers who want smooth gameplay without compromising on quality.
Design and Features
The ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS is a 27-inch gaming monitor designed with affordability and performance in mind. Its design is typical of the ROG line, though it lacks the flashy RGB lighting found in higher-end models, focusing instead on practicality. The monitor has slim bezels on three sides and a slightly thicker chin at the bottom, giving it a modern look. The rear of the monitor features a typical gamer aesthetic with vents, textures, and a prominent ROG logo, though these are easy to overlook as they are on the back.
The stand is functional, with a small base that includes a cutout for phone storage—though larger phones may not fit. It offers a good range of ergonomic adjustments, including height, tilt, swivel, and pivot, making it easy to find a comfortable viewing position. The stand is sturdy, and the adjustment mechanisms work well, but the maximum height might be a bit short for some users. The monitor’s build quality is decent, with dark gray plastic covering most surfaces. It doesn’t feel particularly premium, which is expected at this price point.
Technical Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 inches
- Resolution: 2560×1440 (WQHD)
- Panel Type: IPS LCD
- Refresh Rate: 180Hz
- Response Time: 1ms (GTG)
- Adaptive Sync: AMD FreeSync Premium, G-Sync Compatible
- Brightness: 390 nits (typical)
- Contrast Ratio: 1,117:1
- Color Gamut: 96% DCI-P3
- Ports: 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x USB-C (DP-Alt mode)
Performance and User Experience
In terms of performance, the ASUS XG27ACS excels in providing a fast and responsive gaming experience. The inclusion of variable overdrive is a significant feature at this price point, allowing the monitor to adjust its overdrive settings based on the refresh rate to ensure optimal performance across the board. This results in a smooth gaming experience with minimal issues, even at lower refresh rates.
The monitor supports ASUS’s ELMB-Sync technology, which combines backlight strobing with adaptive sync. While this feature improves motion clarity at higher refresh rates, it doesn’t work as well at lower refresh rates and introduces some crosstalk and red fringing. Still, the overall response time performance without ELMB is strong enough that many users may not find the need to use it.
Color performance is solid, with the monitor covering 96% of the DCI-P3 color space, making it suitable for a range of content beyond just gaming. Factory calibration is impressive, especially in the sRGB mode, which offers excellent color accuracy right out of the box. This makes the monitor a good choice for content creators who need accurate colors for tasks like photo and video editing.
Integration and Configuration
Setting up the ASUS XG27ACS is straightforward, with the stand attaching easily and the on-screen display (OSD) being user-friendly. The OSD includes a wide range of gaming features, such as crosshairs, an FPS counter, timers, and shadow boosting, all of which are easy to access and adjust. The monitor also includes various color space modes, adjustable ELMB settings, and an overdrive slider with 21 options, allowing users to fine-tune their experience.
While the monitor’s connectivity options are decent, the lack of HDMI 2.1 and USB hub functionality might be a limitation for some users, especially those who want to connect multiple devices or use the monitor to extract the best out of a gaming console.
Value for Money
The ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS offers excellent value for money, especially for gamers looking for a fast 1440p monitor without breaking the bank. Priced at around AU$438, it delivers solid performance, particularly in response times and color accuracy, which are typically found in more expensive models. While it doesn’t offer true HDR capabilities or advanced features like a USB hub, its strengths in gaming performance and color accuracy make it a compelling option for those on a budget.
Compared to other monitors in its price range, the XG27ACS is better suited for fast-paced gaming. However, if HDR is a priority, you might need to look elsewhere. Overall, the ASUS XG27ACS stands out as a strong contender in the budget gaming monitor market, offering features and performance that punch well above its price point.
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