Specifications
The second iteration of the original ROG Swift is finally here, promising IPS quality and 165 Hz refresh capability!
It's hard to believe that it has only been 14 months since the release of the first ASUS ROG Swift, the PG278Q, back in August of 2014. It seems like lifetimes have passed, with drama circling around other G-Sync panels, the first release of FreeSync screens, the second geneation of FreeSync panels that greatly improve overdrive. Now, we sit in the middle of the second full wave of G-Sync screens. A lot can happen in this field if you blink.
The PG278Q was easily the best G-Sync monitor on the market for quite a long time. It offered performance, features and quality that very few other monitors could match, and it did it all while including support for NVIDIA's G-Sync variable refresh rate technology. If you are new to VRR tech, and want to learn about G-Sync you can check out our original editorial or an in-depth interview with NVIDIA's Tom Petersen. In short: being able to have a variable refresh rate on a panel match the frame rate of the game prevents Vsync quirks like screen tearing and judder.
But a lot has changed since ASUS released the PG278Q including the release of other higher quality monitors from the likes of Acer, BenQ and others. ASUS showed off some new G-Sync ready displays at CES but that was way back in January of 2015 – more than 10 months ago! The PG279Q was the most interesting to us then and remains that way today. There are some impressive specifications on the table including a 27-in 2560×1440 screen built on IPS technology, to improve color reproduction and view angles, a 165Hz maximum refresh rate and the best build quality we have seen on a gaming monitor to date.
This time ASUS has a lot more competition to deal with but can the ROG Swift PG279Q real ignite ASUS as the best G-Sync monitor provider? What kind of experience do you get for a $799 monitor today?
The specifications on the ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q are impressive; let's ta
- Display
Panel Size: Wide Screen 27.0"(68.6cm) 16:9
Color Saturation : 100%(sRGB)
Panel Backlight / Type : In-Plane Switching
True Resolution : 2560×1440 *
Display Surface Non-glare
Pixel Pitch : 0.233mm
Brightness(Max) : 350 cd/㎡
Contrast Ratio (Max) : 1000:1
Viewing Angle (CR≧10) : 178°(H)/178°(V)
Response Time : 4ms (Gray to Gray)
Display Colors : 16.7M (real 8 bit)
Flicker free - Video Feature
Trace Free Technology : Yes
Color Temperature Selection : 4 Modes
GamePlus(modes) : Yes (Crosshair/Timer/FPS Counter)
Low Blue Light : Yes
HDCP support : Yes
GameVisual :6 Modes(Scenery/Racing/Cinema/RTS/RPG/FPS/sRGB Modes) - Audio Features
Stereo Speakers : 2W x 2 Stereo RMS
- Convenient Hotkey
GamePlus
5-way OSD Navigation Joystick
Turbo key - I/O Ports
Signal Input : HDMI , DisplayPort
Earphone jack : 3.5mm Mini-Jack
USB Port(s) : 3.0×2, 1 x upstream - Signal Frequency
Digital Signal Frequency : Display port 34~209KHz(H)/30~165Hz (V)
- Power Consumption
Power On: <90W*
Power Saving/Off:0.5W
Voltage: 100-240V, 50/60Hz - Mechanical Design
Chassis Colors : Black
Tilt : +20°~-5°
Swivel : Yes
Pivot : Yes
Height Adjustment : Yes
VESA Wall Mounting : 100x100mm
Super Narrow Bezel Design : Yes - Security
Kensington lock
- Dimensions
Phys. Dimension with Stand(WxHxD): 619.77×552.53×237.9 mm
Phys. Dimension without Stand(WxHxD): 619.77×362.96×65.98 mm(For VESA Wall Mount)
Box Dimension (WxHxD): 756x456x300 mm - Weight
Net Weight(Esti.): 7.0kg
Gross Weight(Esti.):10.6kg - Accessories
Power cord
Power adapter
DisplayPort cable
USB 3.0 cable
Quick start guide
HDMI cable
Support CD
Warranty Card - Regulation Approval
Energy Star®, BSMI, CB, CCC, CE, CEL level 1, ErP, FCC, J-MOSS, KCC, PSE, RoHS, UL/cUL, VCCI, WEEE, WHQL (Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7), RCM, TUV Flicker-free , eStandby, TUV Low Blue Light
- Note
1) Refresh Rate
DisplayPort: 2560×1440(up to 165Hz)
HDMI: 2560×1440(60Hz)
2) Signal Frequency
DisplayPort 34~209KHz(H)/30~165Hz(V)
HDMI: 30~140KHz(H)/24~60Hz(V)
I won't walk through every line here but some of the points are more important to the overall experience than others. The screen is an IPS 2560×1440 panel which results in outstanding view angles and color reproduction, even right out of the box when enabling the sRGB profile in the settings. The panel is a matte finish and doesn't reflect lights in the same way those typical glossy panels do – which is great for gamers but can affect color to some degree for professionals.
The 4ms response time is higher than we saw on the PG278Q with a TN panel, but is very typical of modern gaming IPS screens. In my opinion though the response time is well within the range necessary for even the most demanding gamer.
ASUS has again embedded a pair of speakers in the monitor but they aren't worth using really. Any self-respecting user that has a high quality gaming headset or speakers.
There are two inputs on the PG279Q, up from just one on the PG278Q. Only the DisplayPort input can support the extremely high 165Hz refresh rate as well as G-Sync. But thanks to a second generation of G-Sync module, the display can now accept an HDMI input at resolutions as high as 2560×1440 (60Hz) should you need it.
In The Box
Inside the box, ASUS has included the power adapter as well as a handful of cables to help you get setup.
The power adapter on the PG279Q is much larger than the one used on the previous ROG Swift. This is due to the move to an IPS screen as well as the incredible 165Hz refresh rate.
A DisplayPort cable, HDMI cable as well as a USB 3.0 cable to connect your PC to the integrated hub in the monitor.
I just bought the monitor. No
I just bought the monitor. No BLB, just ips glow, which is perfectly fine. But colors look overstaturated and white point looks off. Will a color calibrater fix the issue, like the xrite i1 display pro? Should I invest in that?
This monitor is still the
This monitor is still the best gaming option on the market? I’ve noticed some sites still have it ranked on top.
So, nice to see this review as well.
What is the minimum I can spend on a GPU to fully utilize this monitor? GTX 1060/RX480? Or do I need to go up to a 1070?
Noticed this site also lists
Noticed this site also lists it as a 165Hz monitor: http://pc4u.org/best-gaming-monitor/
certainly looks that way
certainly looks that way
I got this screen as of late
I got this screen as of late however I am having issues setting it up to even 144hz. I’ve seen a few locales still have it positioned to finish everything.
Yeah this guy has it and says
Yeah this guy has it and says it runs at 165Hz if you have at least a GTX 980, otherwise you’re stuck at 144Hz max..
I got this screen as of late
I got this screen as of late however I am having issues setting it up to even 144hz. I’ve seen a few locales still have it positioned to finish everything.
I am Looking a new good 144HZ monitor now. Would any body can siggest me a best one.