The ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR Review – A real eSports gaming monitor?

1 - Introduction, Features and Specs 2 - Workmanship and Details 3 - How we measure: Equipment and Methods 4 - Pixel Response Times 5 - Variable Overdrive and Blur Reduction 6 - Display Latencies 7 - Color-Performance @ Default Settings 8 - Direct Comparison 9 - Color-Performance calibrated 10 - Summary and Conclusion

Whenever you think IPS panels have reached the end of their raison d’être, ASUS ROG comes along. They’re sending another monitor into the race to win the favor of eSports gamers. The ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR is a 1440p monitor with a Fast IPS panel and offers up to 300Hz refresh rate. What makes this IPS panel special is the use of IGZO (indium gallium zinc oxide) semiconductors, which is said to reduce power consumption by up to 33 percent. Conventional IPS panels still rely on silicon semiconductors. The use of IGZO semiconductors is also supposed to prevent the issue of flickering in terms of high-FPS jumps.

We all know this, because 300 FPS are never constant and are rather an average issue. In real life, the FPS can fluctuate enormously and thus cause flickering. In other words, those who believe that LCD technology is already at its end, and OLED is taking over the field virtually without a fight, could be mistaken. Let’s have a look…

The XG27AQMR comes in the familiar ROG packaging – in which the monitor arrives well protected. The monitor itself is enclosed in a styrofoam sleeve, which likes to leave crumbs around the room and end up overflowing the yellow bag. Not nice! On the subject of packaging, I had another nice conversation with Christian Wefers from ASUS ROG Germany. When I asked him if there will be any changes in the future, he sent me these links. Click here or also here!

At this point I have to say a few words to you. It’s not clear to me now if everyone understands how such a change works. The packaging of the monitors is designed for uniformity and ordered for large quantities in the long term. So a change of packaging has to be planned, tested and in the end also carefully introduced in the factory. It’s good to know that the manufacturers are taking a proactive approach to the issue. I think that should also be mentioned in a commendable way. Whether the issue of waste disposal or energy consumption is improved as a result, I can’t answer that for you. At least you have less waste separation!

Technical data

As always, the essentials are available in PDF form and if you want to have a look at the ASUS ROG homepage: Click here!

Unfortunately there is no KVM switch, no RGB lighting and once again there is only HDMI 2.0. You don’t need the RGB lighting. Not everyone needs a KVM switch either. But in 2023 – with a 300 Hz monitor only HDMI 2.0? Thus, there is only 144 Hz @1440p via HDMI and that is – from my point of view – no longer up-to-date. So, if you want to experience 300 Hz, you have to use the DisplayPort cable.

ASUS ROG did not want to reveal the panel manufacturer, and my measurements did not allow any conclusions. Therefore, I am not guessing around. The fact is, the panel comes with an RGB subpixel layout and thus text rendering is not an issue. Let’s take a closer look at the exterior of the XG27AQMR then. Next page…