Asus ROG Swift PG27AQN Review

When shopping for computer tech, speed seems to be the deciding factor over everything else. Manufacturers have taken the cue and are now producing components that can run faster and process more data than what came before. We now have smartphones that can store much information and perform incrementally better than even computers that cost an arm and a leg.  

Gamers demand the fastest speeds than anyone else. That’s more reason we’re seeing absurdly expensive devices with speedy hardware, and that includes the monitor. We’ve reviewed some of the fastest and best gaming monitors, and the 144Hz refresh rate has stood the test of time.

Today, we’re reviewing another breathtaking tech, the 360Hz Asus ROG Swift PG27AQN. Yes, you read it right, it’s 360Hz and unlike its predecessor with the same refresh rate but a 1920 x 1080 resolution, this newest display maxes out at 2560 x 1440 resolution. With a QHD resolution and a high refresh rate, this year’s version of our favorite Asus ROG Swift gaming monitor is truly remarkable.

Design and Features

Being a competitive gameplay monitor, the PG27AQN looks the part – from the thin bezels surrounding the display to the sturdy stand that plants the screen onto your desk. Like the Asus PG259QN from last year, the Swift PG27AQN features very thin bezels (just 6mm), meaning you can install two or three of these side by side and you won’t have much division between images. The bottom bezel is 18mm wide and features a ROG logo in a polished metal finish.

In all its glory, the styling is distinctly Asus, with a smooth curve around the back with molded lines to break an otherwise plain look. On the rear, there’s a much larger logo that lights up in different colors – Asus calls it Aura RGB and can be controlled via the monitor’s on-screen display. You can set the light to breathe or flash and change color. If you activate Aura Sync and have compatible ROG hardware, you can seamlessly sync the RGB effects.

Also in the back, there’s a control joystick, plus a control button that is often found at the bottom on most monitors. The button at the bottom controls power, while the stick controls all functions hassle-free. Two of these directions are shortcuts that can be programmed by the user.

The V-shaped stand is solid enough to withstand rigorous gaming sessions. It offers 4.7 inches of height adjustment, 25-degree swivel, 5/20 degrees tilt, and portrait mode. If you prefer mounting your monitor, you can remove the upright stand to reveal a 100mm VESA lug pattern.

Inputs on the Swift PG27AQN are sparse, with just one each of DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0. Other I/O ports include a 3.5mm audio output and USB 3.0 ports – one upstream and two down. HDMI runs up to 240Hz only; you’ll need DisplayPort to run at 360Hz and to use Nvidia G-Sync. HDR works over either interface.

Image Quality

For most gamers, the 1440p resolution pushed on a 27-inch IPS panel is almost as good as that of a 4K UHD at this screen size. However, since 1440p is much less demanding to drive, it’s possible to maintain a higher frame rate with this monitor. And thanks to the pixel density of 108.79PPI (pixels per inch), you get plenty of screen estate with clear details and text, without having to use any scaling.

Asus equipped the Swift PG27AQN with an IPS panel, which means viewing angles are excellent. It doesn’t suffer from light bleed and IPS glow is significantly minimized than on curved ultrawide monitors. The IPS panel has a wide 98% DCI-P3 color gamut, which is equivalent to around 135% sRGB gamut size, resulting in a very consistent, uniform, and clean image. There’s also an sRGB mode under the ‘Display Color Space’ option in the OSD menu that tones the gamut down to 100% sRGB in case you want more accurate colors for SDR content.

As expected of all IPS displays, the static contrast ratio is just 1,000:1 and there’s some IPS glow (but very minimal), so blacks won’t appear quite as deep as that of VA panels with ~3,000:1 contrast ratio, but VA monitors tend to have narrow viewing angles and this 1440p 360Hz form factor is only available as an IPS variant after all. The PG27AQN has a specified SDR peak brightness of 400 nits, but it can reach up to 500 nits, so it does a good job mitigating glare in particularly well-lit rooms.

Performance

The first thing you notice with the ROG Swift PG27AQN is how easy it is to install. Without any adjustments, Windows recognizes its 360Hz capability and sets the rate accordingly with G-Sync engaged. AMD FreeSync is the same story, even if this isn’t AMD-Certified as a FreeSync monitor.

No matter what you want to do with the PG27AQN, it’s a brilliant monitor. You can use it for spreadsheets and documents, watching videos, and playing games, still it excels in everything. Its color and contrast are at par with the best IPS screens we’ve reviewed. While it lacks an extended color gamut, specifically DCI-P3, that’s still not a detriment since sRGB when executed accurately provides lots of saturation and clarity for photo editing and graphics-oriented tasks.

With variable light turned on, variable backlight looks great in SDR, and Asus has engineered a practical dynamic contrast feature that makes the picture bright and sharp without sacrificing detail or toning down color. HDR mode should be reserved for gaming and properly encoded video since it doesn’t make sense engaging HDR to watch SDR clips from YouTube; it won’t look any better. However, if you select a premium stream, HDR mode will enhance it.

Gaming is the main reason you’re buying the ROG Swift PG27AQN, and it doesn’t disappoint. In most instances, frame rates will stay in the 240-260 fps range. You’ll need some powerful hardware to run at 360Hz – but we’re glad that Nvidia’s RTX 4070/4080/4090 and all their variants are available in the market now, so you never have to worry about a powerful PC to run your top-tier gaming investment.

With a gaming PC like the SkyTech Pro Eclipse that features an intel Core i9-13900K processor and Nvidia RTX 4090 (24GB) GPU, hitting top fps with a near 360Hz refresh rate is very likely. In fact, even the more affordable CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme GXiVR8080A34 with its Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti GPU will run modern games on the PG27AQN fluently. However, if you’re not a competitive gamer, this monitor isn’t for you. The shift from 144Hz to 360Hz requires a keen eye since the insanely high refresh rate is meant to reduce latency so that you can see the enemy before he can see you.

For the most part, modern games like Tomb Raider greatly benefit from the variable backlight. It adds some extra pop and helps shadow detail stand out as well, while still rendering deep blacks appropriately. On the other hand, Call of Duty: WWII looks great in HDR mode with well-rendered dark areas and a meaningful boost from highlights. This effect makes textures stand out and boosts the 3D look greatly.

Nvidia Reflex Latency Analyzer

The monitor’s impeccable gaming performance is partly due to the high refresh rate, but another factor is the Nvidia Reflex Latency Analyzer that’s present on the ROG Swift PG27AQN. As mentioned, gaming is about addressing latency, and this technology addresses it appropriately. Nvidia Reflex Latency Analyzer is an extension of the G-Sync module that lets you measure the time from click to display, which when paired with the right hardware, can numerically show you the benefits of a faster display.

You use this technology by connecting the monitor to your PC with DisplayPort and the USB hub, and then plug in a compatible mouse into the monitor’s red USB port. This allows the monitor to detect your clicks, then through the monitor’s OSD, you enable Reflex Analyzer, which brings up a detection rectangle that you can place on your gun’s trigger, nozzle, or any part of it that responds first, so the monitor can detect when your click translates to on-screen visible changes.

Bottom Line

For most gamers, an ordinary 144Hz monitor is fine. There are lots of inexpensive, high-performing panels like the Asus TUF Gaming VG279QM that offer everything needed for a satisfying gaming experience. But for pro gamers who need the absolute best in terms of fast response and perfect motion rendering, the need for a higher refresh rate can’t be underrated. And while the argument that the largest leap is perceived from the gap between 60 and 120Hz and greater, there are still gains to be had from 144Hz to 360Hz.

The Asus ROG Swift PG27AQN bridges that gap and is currently one of the few 360Hz, 1440p monitors available in the market. The question is: Are you willing to spend around $1000 on a 1440p monitor? You get HDR, and the PG27AQN does an incredible job with it, but you don’t get extended color, VA-level contrast, or high pixel density. How important are these things to you?

On paper, that might dissuade some buyers, but in real gaming, you’ll quickly forget the monitor’s higher price, lower resolution, or lack of DCI-P3 coverage.

Should you buy the Asus ROG Swift PG27AQN?

Yes, if you’re looking for the ultimate gaming performance piece of kit, the Asus ROG Swift PG27AQN is it. Right now, it’s among the few 360Hz monitors available with 1440p resolution, and it’s no doubt that this is among the best gaming monitor we’ve reviewed to date.

Last update on 2024-05-17 at 19:14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API