ASUS has announced a new 27-inch gaming monitor that boasts refresh rates up to 144Hz with support for AMD FreeSync technology. The MG278Q uses a TN panel with a WQHD resolution of 2560 x 1440 and supports its highest 144Hz refresh rates over a DisplayPort connection. It is due to become available in the UK later this month and in the USA in September.
The WQHD pixel resolution across a 27-inch diagonal is a specification sweet spot for a growing number of gamers who want a noticeable step up from 1080p gaming without pulverising the piggy bank. As ASUS says, monitors like this new MG278Q offer about 77 per cent more onscreen desktop area than similarly-sized standard Full HD panel.
|
Panel |
27-inch (68.5cm) diagonal; 16:9 widescreen WLED |
|
Resolution |
2560 x 1440 at up to 144Hz (DP1.2 and HDMI-1) |
|
Pixel pitch |
0.233mm (109PPI) |
|
Colours (max) |
16.7 million colors |
|
Viewing angles |
170°(H) / 160°(V) |
|
Contrast ratio |
100,000,000:1 ASUS Smart Contrast Ratio |
|
Brightness (max) |
350cd/m² |
|
Response time |
1ms (gray-to-gray) |
|
Refresh rate |
up to 144Hz |
|
ASUS-exclusive technologies |
ASUS GameVisual |
|
Input/output |
DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI-1, HDMI-2, Dual-link DVI, Earphone jack |
|
Audio |
2 x 2W (RMS) speakers |
|
Design / stand |
Quick-release stand. 0~150 mm height adjustment, +60° ~ -60° swivel, +20° ~ -5° tilt, 90° (clockwise) pivot. |
|
Size |
625 x 563 x 233mm (with stand) |
|
Weight |
Net 7.65kg, Gross 11.5kg |
As you can see from the above spec table, ASUS has most key gaming spec desires covered. The panel refreshes at up to 144Hz, dynamically adjusted via FreeSync, and you get a 1ms grey-to-grey response time to help minimise any motion blur, ghosting, smearing and so on. Beyond these common specs ASUS has implemented Ultra-Low Blue Light and Flicker-Free technologies to reduce any eye fatigue during lengthy gaming sessions. Additionally you can benefit from exclusive GamePlus and GameVisual technologies providing enhanced crosshairs, timers, fps counters and a host of image equaliser settings.
Plenty of connectivity options, including a USB 3.0 hub, plus an adjustable stand and VESA mounting options round off the specs nicely. The ASUS MG278Q will be available in Asia, Europe this month and North America in early September. Launch pricing is expected to be upwards of US$500 / £400.
Here at HEXUS we reviewed the Asus MG278Q a couple of weeks ago and concluded that it provided a very smooth, clear gaming experience but were slightly disappointed with the bezels, TN viewing angles and the supported lower bounds of FreeSync. If you prefer, the similar ASUS MG279Q with an IPS panel and a 4ms response time is already for sale in the UK at £468.
Intel to support VESA Adaptive-Sync displays
While we are on the topic of FreeSync, at an IDF Q&A earlier this week, Intel confirmed that it plans to support the VESA Adaptive-Sync standard. FreeSync is simply AMD's brand name for adaptive synchronization technology. The TechReport says that Adaptive-Sync graphics feature support for Intel hardware is likely to arrive in the generation of products following Skylake.
