The ASUS PG279Q is a great gaming monitor with a 1440p IPS panel. The picture quality is decent with great brightness and good reflection handling, so it looks great even in a dark room. Like most IPS monitors, it has a low native contrast ratio, so blacks appear gray in a dark room, but good viewing angles so the image remains accurate when viewed from up-close. It has an outstanding response time at the max refresh rate, the backlight is completely flicker-free, and it has outstanding low input lag.
Our Verdict
The ASUS PG279Q is a very good monitor for most uses. It's an outstanding gaming monitor with clear motion and low input lag. The high-resolution screen, wide viewing angles, and great ergonomics also make it a great office monitor. It doesn't support HDR or wide color gamuts, but it's still a good monitor for media creation or watching videos, but like most IPS monitors, it doesn't look as good in a dark room.
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Excellent motion handling.
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Low input lag.
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Remains accurate when viewed from up close.
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Blacks appear gray in a dark room.
The ASUS Swift PG279Q is a great monitor for office use. The great ergonomics allow you to easily position it in any way you like. This 27 inch monitor has a QHD resolution which displays enough detail for most office applications. At the same time, anyone who sits next to you will enjoy the same picture quality even while looking from the side, so you can demonstrate your work nicely.
The ASUS PG279Q is an excellent gaming monitor. It has an outstanding response time at the max refresh rate, as well as outstanding low input lag. It supports NVIDIA's G-SYNC variable refresh rate technology for a nearly tear-free gaming experience, and it has an optional black frame insertion feature.
The ASUS PG279 is a good monitor for multimedia usage. It has a relatively large screen size and good resolution so you can enjoy your multimedia content without sacrificing detail. At the same time, it's very easy to position it to your liking. Finally, the low input lag, the good viewing angles, and the excellent gray uniformity will make sure that even those watching from the side will see a nice image without shades or dirty screen effect that feels very responsive.
You will enjoy using this monitor for media creation. It has a relatively large size and its resolution is great for working on photos or videos. It's very responsive due to its low input lag, it has good viewing angles, and has excellent gray uniformity.
This monitor doesn't support HDR.
- 7.9 Mixed Usage
- 8.1 Office
- 8.6 Gaming
- 7.5 Multimedia
- 7.6 Media Creation
- 5.9 HDR Gaming
- Updated Feb 17, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.1.
- Updated Aug 03, 2018: Review published.
- Updated Aug 01, 2018: Early access published.
- Updated Jul 30, 2018: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Feb 06, 2018: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the 27" (PG279Q) which is the only size of this monitor available. There are other variants within the ASUS gaming range which differ in design, size, and refresh rate.
This monitor has been replaced by the PG279QZ, which is a minor revision. There's very little difference between them.
| Model | Size | Native Resolution | Refresh rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PG279Q | 27" | 1440p | 144Hz | G-SYNC support |
| PG279QZ | 27" | 1440p | 144Hz | G-SYNC support |
| VG248QE | 24" | 1080p | 144Hz | Lightboost support |
| VG245H | 24" | 1080p | 75Hz | FreeSync support |
| VG278Q | 27" | 1080p | 144Hz | FreeSync support |
| VG275Q | 25" | 1080p | 75Hz | FreeSync support |
Note: The ASUS Swift PG279Q we purchased was manufactured in March 2017.
Compared To Other Monitors
The ASUS PG279Q is great for gaming due to the G-SYNC variable refresh rate support, and it's one of the best gaming monitors we tested in 2018. See our recommendations for the best monitors.
The ASUS ROG PG279Q is better than the Acer Predator XB271HU Bmiprz. The ASUS has slightly better motion blur, which is great for gaming, and comes with marginally better out-of-the-box color accuracy that is great for office use. Also, if you plan to use it for media creation, the better black uniformity of the ASUS makes it a better choice.
The ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q and the ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQ are both excellent gaming monitors from ASUS's Republic of Gamers brand. One of the biggest differences is that the PG279Q has native G-SYNC support while the XG27AQ is simply G-SYNC compatible. That said, the XG27AQ has faster response times at max refresh and especially at 60Hz, resulting in exceptionally clear motion. While the PG279Q has a marginally higher contrast ratio, the XG27AQ experiences less backlight bleed resulting in more uniform blacks, which is good if you prefer to game in the dark. That said, black uniformity can vary between individual units. The XG27AQ also supports HDR while the PG279Q doesn't, although its HDR experience is a bit lackluster because it doesn't get very bright for HDR content.
The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q is better than the ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q. The XG279Q supports HDR, has a quicker response time, and its max refresh rate is slightly higher. However, the PG279Q has a much lower input lag at 60Hz, it has much better out-of-the-box color accuracy, and wider viewing angles.
The ASUS ROG Swift PG279QM is better than its predecessor, the ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q. The PG279QM has a much faster response time at 60Hz, and unlike the PG279Q, it supports HDR. The PG279QM also has slightly better text clarity. On the other hand, the PG279Q is a bit more versatile for gaming, as it has an optional backlight strobing feature, which can improve the appearance of motion.
The ASUS ROG PG279Q is very similar to the ASUS PG279QZ. The two monitors are nearly identical in design and have a very similar overall performance, except for brightness. The older PG279Q is brighter than the newer PG279QZ.
The ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q is slightly better than the ASUS VG279Q. The PG279Q supports G-SYNC and has a higher native resolution. The VG279Q supports FreeSync and has a stand with better ergonomics, to help you place it in a more comfortable position.
The ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q and the LG 27GL850-B/27GL83A-B have very similar overall performance, but they have some significant differences. The LG supports HDR, supports FreeSync, and has better gradient thanks to its 10-bit panel. The ASUS, on the other hand, has better ergonomics, supports G-SYNC, and has an optional black frame insertion feature to help improve the appearance of motion.
Although the two monitors have a different panel type, most people will agree that the ASUS ROG PG279QZ is much better than the Dell S2719DGF. The ASUS has much better viewing angles due to its IPS panel and supports G-SYNC, whereas the Dell supports FreeSync. The ASUS has much better black uniformity and incorporates a BFI feature that can make the image crisper.
The ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q and the MSI Optix MPG27CQ use different panel types, each with their strengths and weaknesses. The ASUS looks better in a brighter room, and it has much better viewing angles. The MSI looks better in a dark room, but only if you're sitting directly in front. For gaming, the better one depends a bit on your hardware. The ASUS works best when paired with an NVIDIA graphics card, whereas the MSI works best with an AMD card or Xbox One.
The ASUS ROG PG279Q is better than the ASUS ROG PG348Q. The PG279Q has better motion handling, with an even faster response time that produces almost no noticeable motion blur. The backlight on the PG279Q also has the option to introduce flicker to reduce persistence blur. While both monitors support NVIDIA's G-SYNC technology, the PG279Q has a higher native refresh rate of 144Hz that can easily be overclocked to 165Hz.
The ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q and the Dell Alienware AW2721D are both 27 inch, 1440p gaming monitors with native G-SYNC support. Although the Dell has a higher refresh rate and lower input lag, casual gamers might not notice the difference. The Dell supports HDR, whereas the ASUS doesn't, and it also has more USB ports.
The ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q is much better than the AOC AGON AG271QX. The PG279Q has much better viewing angles and an optional black frame insertion feature for even clearer motion. The AG271QX has better gradient handling, and there is almost no banding in areas of similar color.
The ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q is slightly better than the Razer Raptor 27 144Hz. The ASUS has much better ergonomics, motion handling, and color accuracy, but the Razer has a significantly better build quality and supports HDR. Also, the ASUS has a slightly higher contrast ratio, better black uniformity, and significantly better reflection handling.
The ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q and the Gigabyte AORUS FI27Q are very similar monitors in that they both have the same size, resolution, and refresh rate. The main difference is that the ASUS is a native G-SYNC monitor, while the Gigabyte supports FreeSync. The ASUS has a faster response time, but the Gigabyte has HDR support.
The ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q is a bit better than the Acer Predator XB273K Pbmiphzx. The ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q has better ergonomic adjustments so you can place it comfortably on your desk. Its viewing angles are slightly wider than the Acer's, which is good if you often share your screen. Finally, it has an optional black frame insertion feature to help make motion crisper. The Acer Predator XB273K Pbmiphzx, on the other hand, has full 4k resolution and supports HDR so you can enjoy the newest HDR games.
The ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q is marginally better than the BenQ EX2780Q. The ASUS has a slightly higher refresh rate, and its ergonomics are significantly better. Build quality is better on the ASUS, and it has a more accurate color reproduction out-of-the-box. On the other hand, the BenQ supports HDR, but it doesn't have a black frame insertion feature, which the ASUS has.
The ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q and the ViewSonic Elite XG270QG are two very similar monitors. Both have 1440p, 165Hz, IPS panels with native G-SYNC support. The ViewSonic has a better response time at 60Hz, better reflection handling, and a wider color gamut in SDR. The ASUS has much better out-of-the box color accuracy, better ergonomics, and a better contrast ratio.
The Gigabyte AORUS AD27QD and ASUS ROG PG279Q are very similar overall. The PG279Q has slightly better black uniformity and supports NVIDIA's G-SYNC variable refresh rate technology. The AD27QD supports HDR, has much better gradients, and supports AMD's FreeSync technology with both AMD cards and NVIDIA's new FreeSync compatible drivers, making it a slightly more versatile choice if you have a 10- or 20- series NVIDIA GPU.
The ASUS ROG PG279Q is significantly better than the LG 32GK850G-B. The ASUS has better viewing angles due to its IPS panel, and this is great if you plan to share your work with your colleagues. The ergonomics on the ASUS ROG PG279Q are better so you can place it comfortably without much effort. Finally, the ASUS ROG PG279Q has an optional black frame insertion feature that allows it to make the image look crisper by introducing flicker.
Unless you're looking for a more immersive gaming experience, the ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q is better than the Dell Alienware AW3418DW. The ASUS has a lower resolution screen, but a higher refresh rate, better ergonomics, and an optional black frame insertion feature. The AW3418DW, on the other hand, delivers a more immersive gaming experience, thanks to the 34" curve, 21:9 screen.
The ASUS ROG PG279Q is a significantly better monitor than the HP OMEN 27 in almost every use. The ASUS has an IPS panel and thus better viewing angles than the TN panel HP. Also, the ASUS has better uniformity and better contrast ratio, and this is great for many different uses.
The ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q is marginally better than the LG 27UK650-W. The ASUS has better ergonomics, supports G-SYNC, and has a lower input lag, which is great for demanding gamers. On the other hand, the LG is a 4k monitor with HDR support that also supports FreeSync to please gamers.
The ASUS ROG PG279Q is a bit better than the Dell U2718Q. The PG279Q has much better motion handling. The high refresh rate delivers a nearly perfect response time with almost no motion blur, as well as being flicker-free. The ASUS also has an optional black frame insertion feature that can help clear up motion and supports NVIDIA's G-SYNC technology. The Dell has a higher resolution 4k screen, and supports HDR, even though HDR doesn't add much due to the U2718Q's limited color volume and low peak brightness.
The Acer Predator X27 bmiphzx and ASUS ROG PG279Q offer very similar performance overall. The Acer X27 has a higher native resolution, at 4k, that allows you to see more details or multitask easier. The X27 supports HDR and has a wider color gamut. The ROG PG279Q has better motion handling, including an optional black frame insertion feature, and has less input lag for gaming.
The ASUS ROG PG279Q is a much better monitor than the Samsung C34F791/CF791. If you play a lot of games, the ASUS has significantly better input lag, slightly better motion blur and supports G-SYNC to smooth out tearing. Also, the ASUS has better viewing angles, which is great if you wish to use it at the office.
The ASUS ROG PG279Q is significantly better than the ASUS VG245H. The ROG has a larger, higher-resolution screen, and faster refresh rate. The ROG also has better gray uniformity and wider viewing angles. Motion looks better on the PG279Q due to the faster response time and the optional Black Frame Insertion feature. The stand on the VG245H is slightly better, as the ergonomic adjustments have a slightly wider range.
The ASUS ROG PG279Q is a significantly better monitor than the Dell S2716DG regardless of the use. The IPS panel of the ASUS has better viewing angles, so when viewed from up close the image remains more accurate. The uniformity is also marginally better on the ASUS, and this is good for a variety of uses.
The ASUS ROG PG279Q is much better than the Dell U2717D. The ASUS performs much better in gaming, as it has a lower input lag, a much faster refresh rate, supports G-SYNC VRR, and has less motion blur. Finally, the ASUS offers the option to introduce flicker to make the image crisper.
If you want a monitor for office use, then the ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q is a better choice due to its wider viewing angles. On the other hand, if you're playing a lot of HDR games, the Samsung CHG70 should be your choice as it supports HDR and will offer a decent HDR gaming experience. If plain gaming is your thing, then both monitors are excellent. They also perform very similarly in other uses without one being significantly better than the other.
The ASUS ROG PG279Q is much better than the Dell U2715H. The ASUS ROG PG279Q has a faster refresh rate and G-SYNC support which can remove tearing in video games. The ASUS also has lower input lag which makes it very responsive to your actions and supports BFI to make the image crisper in fast-moving content.
The ASUS ROG PG279Q is much better than the BenQ ZOWIE XL2540. The PG279Q has a higher native resolution and larger IPS screen that has much better viewing angles. While both support VRR, the ASUS uses NVIDIA's G-SYNC technology whereas the BenQ uses AMD's FreeSync technology, so it's important to match the monitor with whichever graphics card you have to be able to get the most out of either monitor.
The ASUS ROG PG279Q is much better than the MSI Optix G27C. The PG279Q uses an IPS panel, which has much wider viewing angles and has a higher native resolution. It's much easier to place in an optimal viewing position thanks to the better ergonomics. Motion looks better on the PG279Q, as there is much less motion blur, thanks to the faster response time.
Test Results
The ASUS PG279Q has a simple design that fits well in any decor. The stand is simple, but supports the display well and has great ergonomics.
The ASUS PG279Q's stand is plain and supports the monitor well, although it'll wobble slightly if knocked. The base of the monitor can also light up with red LEDs, as seen here.
This monitor has great ergonomics, making it easy to place in an ideal viewing position. Unfortunately, although it can rotate to portrait orientation, it can only do so on one side, which might be an issue for some setups.
The back of the monitor is plain, with a simple design and no RGB bias lighting. There's a space within the stand that can be used for cable management.
The borders are thin on three sides, but there's a gap between the bezels and the actual screen.
This monitor is a bit thicker than most similar models we've tested, so it takes up a bit more space when not VESA mounted.
The build quality of this monitor is good. It's mostly plastic but feels very solid. After a few years of use in the office, the A on the ASUS logo on the front of the monitor has gone missing, as you can see here.
Decent contrast ratio, but blacks appear gray in a dark room. Although it's a bit better than most IPS or TN monitors, it's still not as good as monitors with VA panels, like the AOC CQ27G1.
This monitor doesn't have a local dimming feature. The above video is provided for reference only.
Great peak brightness in SDR. This monitor should have no issues overcoming glare in a bright room. This monitor is quite a bit brighter than its replacement, the ASUS ROG Swift PG279QZ.
This monitor doesn't support HDR. If you want a similar monitor that does, then check out the ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q.
Like most monitors with IPS panels, this monitor has great horizontal viewing angles. This is great if you often share your screen with someone else, or if you like to sit close to the monitor, as the image remains accurate at the sides.
Decent vertical viewing angles of the ASUS PG279Q. You can look at the monitor from small angles from below or above without noticing image deterioration. This is also good if you sit close to the monitor, as the edges don't lose accuracy.
Excellent gray uniformity. There's very little dirty screen effect, and although there are some darker spots along the edges, there's very little vignetting. In near-dark scenes, the uniformity is even better.
This monitor has disappointing black uniformity. There's noticeable clouding throughout the screen, and some backlight bleed from the corners.
Excellent out-of-the-box color accuracy for the ASUS PG279Q. A few colors might have noticeable inaccuracies, but other than that, the only issue is that gamma doesn't quite track the sRGB target curve, so most scenes are a bit too bright.
After calibration, the ASUS PG279Q has nearly perfect accuracy. Any remaining inaccuracies aren't noticeable.
You can download our ICC profile calibration here. This is provided for reference only and shouldn't be used, as the calibration values vary per individual unit even for the same model, due to manufacturing tolerances.
The ASUS PG279 has an excellent color gamut. The coverage of the sRGB color space is outstanding.
Excellent color volume. Due to the low contrast ratio, it can't display dark shades very well.
This monitor doesn't support HDR.
This monitor doesn't support HDR.
There are no signs of temporary image retention on this monitor.
There's a bit more banding than most 8-bit monitors we've tested, but it's still very good overall.
There's a small amount of vertical color bleed, but this shouldn't cause any issues.
The reflection handling of the PG279Q monitor is good. The monitor diffuses reflections across the screen, which helps to reduce their intensity. It should be fine for most rooms, but reflections may be distracting in a very bright room.
Text is clear and sharp, but it's recommended to enable ClearType for the best results.
| Overdrive Setting | Response Time Chart | Response Time Tables | Motion Blur Photo |
| Off | Chart | Tables | Photo |
| Normal | Chart | Tables | Photo |
| Extreme | Chart | Tables | Photo |
The response time of the PG279Q is outstanding. This results in a very small blur trail following moving objects, which is great for fast-paced video games. The Normal overdrive setting is the most balanced and provides the best response time with just a bit of overshoot. The Extreme option is a bit faster, but it adds some terrible overshoot, so we don't recommend it.
| Overdrive Setting | Response Time Chart | Response Time Tables | Motion Blur Photo |
| Off | Chart | Tables | Photo |
| Normal | Chart | Tables | Photo |
| Extreme | Chart | Tables | Photo |
The 60Hz response time, which is especially important for console gamers, is great. There's a bit more overshoot with the 'Normal' setting than at the max refresh rate, but it's still decent. The recommended response time setting is the same as at the max refresh rate, so you don't have to worry about adjusting settings when switching inputs.
Like the majority of monitors, the ASUS PG279Q has a flicker-free backlight, which is great.
The ASUS Swift PG279Q can add optional flicker that matches the input rate using NVIDIA's ULMB feature. This makes motion look clearer, but also reduces the perceived brightness of the screen since the backlight is turned off during the majority of its duty cycle. The monitor also has a Pulse Width option to change the pulse width of the flicker, which makes motion even clearer but greatly reduces the brightness of the screen.
The ASUS PG279Q has an excellent native refresh rate, which can be overclocked directly from the OSD.
Excellent low input lag. The 60Hz input lag is a bit higher than usual, but still excellent for console gamers.
The ASUS PG279Q has a very good QHD native resolution and a fairly large 27" size, which are great for almost any use.
The Asus PG279Q has the same gaming features found on the other ASUS ROG monitors like the VG245H. The GamePlus menu, which can be quickly accessed by pressing the second-highest button, offers three features:
- Crosshair
- FPS counter
- Timer
To disable the OSD features, press the X button on the monitor to access the menu, then press it a second time to disable these OSD features.
The monitor also comes equipped with two internal speakers.
If you want a similar monitor, but with more extra features, the Gigabyte Aorus FI27Q is a good option.
The on-screen display is very intuitive, easy to navigate, and well-organized.
