Updated at: 15-06-2022 - By: Leo Hall

There are now many of better gaming displays out there than the ASUS ROG Swift, which was once the best gaming monitor on the market. Despite the fact that it is still good, it is no longer affordable.

Another Asus monitor, this one branded by Republic of Gamers, is up next. There’s no doubt that the avid gamer would enjoy its performance over looks when compared to the Designo Curved from our previous item.

At issue is an eye-catching 2K display called the ROG Swift PG278Q, which is supposed to provide the smoothest and most immersive gaming experience.

PROS

  • High-definition WQHD.
  • Exceptional gameplay.
  • Adjustable height.
  • Cool features for gamers.

CONS

  • There’s only room for one video input here.
  • Viewing angles aren’t great.
  • Greens that aren’t quite right.

Asus PG278Q Specifications

  • Screen Size: 27 Inches
  • Resolution: 1440p QHD
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Panel Technology: Twisted Nematic (TN)
  • Refresh Rate: 144Hz
  • Response Time: 1ms
  • Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
  • Brightness: 350 cd/m²
  • Built-in Speakers: No
  • Stand: Height -Yes (4.72 inches)
  • Stand: Tilt – Yes (-5°/+20°)
  • Stand: Swivel – Yes(-60°/+60°)
  • Stand: Pivot– Yes (0°/90°)
  • VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
  • Connectivity:DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI 1.4 x 1, USB 3.0 x 2, 3.5mm Audio Jack
  • Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 24.41″ x 21.77″ x 9.37″
  • Weight: 15.43lbs

ASUS ROG Swift PG278Q Review 2022 - Why It's Not Worth It

The Swift isn’t exactly inexpensive at $800. However, there is currently no competition for it. This new screen is packed with the latest and greatest technology. The TN panel it uses is the only item that looks out of place. From AU Optronics comes this brand-new for 2014 component. It has an 8-bit color depth and a white LED backlight.

G-Sync isn’t going to be explained in great detail here. In the preview that was previously linked, this was already covered in great detail. This is a novel technique that is able to match the refresh rate of the monitor to the actual frame rate of the input stream.

What’s the big deal? To address this question, we need to examine the origin of video signals. Frame rate is encoded into the video you see on your television, whether it’s a broadcast, streaming, or disc-based stream or program Depending on the components in your signal chain, the output device sends it out at either its native or modified rate. The point is that the rate does not vary at any time. As a result, the refresh rate is always in sync with the one of your display. At the start of each scan cycle, each frame is drawn from top to bottom.

While this is true in real life, the frame rate changes all the time in video games. Because each image is rendered rather than simply displayed, the draw time for each frame is unique. That’s irrelevant to your display, of course. Every frame is drawn from top to bottom 60 times per second (on average), regardless of when the video card sends that frame.

A refresh cycle is usually in progress when a frame arrives, and so the display only draws a portion of the frame. In the interim, a new frame appears with a slight change, the image appearing to tear horizontally. Even at 144 Hz, the artifact can still be seen, even if the refresh rate is increased.

With G-Sync, the monitor’s set refresh rate is no longer an issue, as the input and output refresh rates are fixed at the same rate. Presto! There will be no more screen tearing. Regardless of the frame rate, all you see is flawlessly smooth action with no artifacts at any given time.

Design

In keeping with the original ROG Swift design, the Asus PG278Q features a matte black finish with clean, angular lines and corners. Than us, this style is superior to ROG’s existing treatment, which features a lighter gunmetal finish and an intricately sculpted stand. A dual-stage design keeps the boundaries narrow and imperceptible, although the display area isn’t completely bezel-free.

Even though it has the same outward appearance as any other modern monitor, the Asus PG278Q has a more interesting backstory than the usual Asus fare. Back panel angular slits with air vents are found on the ROG badge on the back of the upright. The matte surface has a pleasant feel to it and does not readily accumulate dust and filth.

Build quality is exceptionally fantastic on the Asus PG278Q which shows zero physical defects right out of the box. With no gaps or burrs at the seams, the panels fit together perfectly. This model isn’t the heaviest we’ve tested, but it feels solid and should be able to stand by itself.

The OSD control arrangement on the Asus PG278Q is another feature that we appreciate. To navigate the OSD, you can use the included unidirectional joystick, and pressing any of the four buttons on the monitor will give you access to GamePlus features and filters. Since the layout is arranged to the side and accessible from the right corner, users shouldn’t have a hard time making adjustments to their display.

It’s possible to tilt, rotate, pivot, and adjust the height of the stand that comes standard with the Asus PG278Q. Square bases save space and have a RED ring around them that lights when G-Sync is turned on. This portion may be simply removed to show VESA holes for aftermarket mounting, which is another plus.

An FPGA controller is required for G-Sync monitors like the Asus PG278Q, which has a limited number of I/O ports. In terms of video inputs, the down-firing panel only has DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 1.4 as well as three USB 3.0 connectors for accessories. FreeSync variants often have more connectivity choices, although dedicated gaming PCs that simply need the DP slot don’t care.

The Asus PG278Q lacks built-in speakers, but this isn’t a deal breaker for the majority of people who will be using the monitor for its intended purpose. Because of their superior audio power and quality, gaming headphones are always preferable.

Performance

The Asus PG278Q has a 27-inch TN panel with a natural refresh rate of 144Hz and a response time of 1ms with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. Typical of non-HDR gaming displays, it has a backlight of 350cd/m2 and a 1000:1 contrast ratio. Faster pixel reaction time is the main advantage of TN panels, which are noted for their low viewing angles and lack of vibrancy.

With its 1440p resolution, the Asus PG278Q’s 27-inch size is perfectly suited to its 1440p resolution. Although the text appears to be smaller, scaling is not necessary. Since midrange graphics cards can now run at 60 frames per second with reasonable graphics settings, this combination is GPU friendly as well.

Colorimeters like the DataColor Spyder Elite V provide the Asus PG278Q stunning results. A Delta E of 1.65 accurately reproduces 99 percent of the sRGB gamut, which is impressive given the screen’s lack of brightness. Since only modest adjustments are required to achieve a good picture on the screen, a gadget like the Spyder Elite is unnecessary.

The Asus PG278Q’s TN panel also does well in terms of brightness and gamma. In normal mode, the backlight reaches 399cd/m2 and the contrast is 970:1 by default. While calibrating the monitor’s brightness and color temperature to the appropriate levels will diminish its 900:1 contrast ratio, this is a modest price to pay to get the most out of its stunning display.

The Asus PG278Q’s OSD offers gamma settings of 1.8, 2.2, and 2.5, making it a cinch to adjust. However, some gamers may choose to keep it at 2.5 for a little extra depth. Of course, accuracy suffers as a result of the second option, but in some games, it adds a richer visual experience.

Clear differences between the two types of monitors may be found in their ability to reproduce vibrant colors and high levels of contrast. Although the AU Optronics module and Asus’ tuning resulted in something as close to IPS as feasible in terms of color fidelity, this device does not have IPS. You can only tell the difference between the PG279Q and another premium IPS model if you place them side by side.

Color consistency is not an issue with the Asus PG278Q because the screen’s colors do not deviate from the D65 standard by more than a DE 2.1 difference. The bottom row of the test unit’s backlight is significantly dimmer, but this had no significant impact on the screen’s overall quality. There is no impact on games or movies; nonetheless, all black screens will disclose the latter if they’re playing

The Asus PG278Q’s TN panel, which is faster than most in pixel transitions, so that motion handling isn’t an issue. The most important benefit of using a TN panel is that it provides gamers with the ability to play their favorite games without any blurring. However, in extreme cases, you can use the monitor’s ULMB feature, which needs a high brightness level and disables the picture adjustments as well as G-Sync on the device.

The Asus PG278Q features Nvidia’s G-Sync technology, which allows it to work seamlessly with powerful GTX and RTX graphics cards. At high settings, demanding games like The Division 2 and Anthem look stunning, but tearing and stuttering won’t be an issue because of frame drops when this technology is enabled. This ensures that you are never “out of sync” and that input lag is kept to a minimum (less than 4ms).

Asus ROG Swift PG278Q Review | PCMag

Features

Display

The monitor’s native 2K resolution allows it to display images with incredible clarity. However, there is more to come.

Nvidia’s G-Sync, an improved version of the standard V-sync, is also included. Although this monitor only has a refresh rate of “just” 144 Hz, it eliminates screen tearing without sacrificing FPS. This is all on top of a response time of just 1 millisecond. All of this results in a picture that is crystal clear and free of motion blur, making it perfect for fast-paced video games.

Asus’ EyeCare technology lowers eye strain by filtering out dangerous blue light and ensures flicker-free backlighting, which is a nice extra on top of the PG278Q’s already impressive specs sheet.

Connectivity

There are two inputs and two outputs on the PG278Q. While the DisplayPort 1.2 port is the primary way to connect it to your computer, there is also one USB 3.0 upstream port and two downstream ports.

With that stated, it’s clear that it was built for use with a desktop graphics card. As a result, while this level of connectivity will satisfy PC gamers, the absence of an HDMI connector spells disaster for console users.

Additional features

The screen may be adjusted to any angle.

VESA mounting on the wall

Downsides

Lack of 4K support

Connectivity is severely limited.

FAQS:

Is the ASUS ROG Swift pg278q worth it?

In the end. There are now many of better gaming displays out there than the ASUS ROG Swift, which was once the best gaming monitor on the market. But today, it’s not worth the price.

What is the difference between Rog swift and Rog Strix?

When it comes to gaming monitors, the ROG Swift and Strix models use NVIDIA’s G-Sync technology, while the ROG Swift and Strix models use AMD’s FreeSync.
Review: Asus ROG Swift PG278Q

Conclusion:

It’s still possible to get a great gaming monitor for a reasonable price, and that display is the Asus PG278Q. When it comes to output quality, this device’s TN panel is one of the best in the business to use. According to our tests, the screen appears to be less vivid than IPS or VA choices, although it appears to decrease the gap.

Although the price of G-Sync displays is prohibitive, it is still a worthwhile investment despite the availability of G-Sync-compliant FreeSync monitors. Once it’s connected to an Nvidia GPU, activating it is a piece of cake. For gamers who want a combination of speed, elegance, and visual detail, the PG278Q from Asus is an excellent choice.