ASUS ROG Strix 27” Curved 1440P 180Hz 1ms FreeSync Gaming Monitor

First off, the most important thing anyone should know is that this monitor has a VA panel and not an IPS panel like Best Buy claims. If you go to the ASUS website, the model XG27WCS has a VA Panel. XG27ACS has the IPS panel. In addition, this model (XG27WCS) is not G-Sync compatible like Best Buy claims. XG27ACS is G-Sync compatible. Not that G-Sync really matters anymore but still it is an inaccuracy that Best Buy should correct. I spoke with several people from Best Buy who all claimed the XG27WCS has an IPS panel and claimed the website is correct. This is false, they are just reading off of their spec sheets which are mistaken and are probably just the spec sheets for the XG27ACS. Someone at Best Buy needs to correct this information before someone gets really mad and claims false advertising especially when so many Best Buy reps keep doubling down on the inaccuracy.

Now to the review. I was someone who actually wanted the VA panel monitor. After reaching out to Best Buy a handful of times and getting information that was factually incorrect, I just decided to go to the store and see for myself. This is the XG27WCS and the monitor is fantastic, the contrast ratio is amazing. The colors are incredible especially for a VA panel. The response time is great for a VA panel. ASUS really put some decent technology into this VA panel and it shows. This monitor really feels like something that was made in 2024 and for the price, I think it is hard to beat.

I am only taking away one star because of the inaccuracy on Best Buys website. If they correct that info then this is truly a 5/5 product.

Do you need a budget-friendly gaming monitor with a 2k resolution and high refresh rate? If that sounds enticing, I would certainly look into this model. While it may not be the brightest monitor or have the best HDR, this is a solid gaming monitor for those who have a budget in mind. This is my review of the ASUS – ROG Strix 27” Curved Gaming Monitor.

*TLDR at the bottom

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IN THE BOX/SETUP:
In the box, you get a monitor power cable, display port cable, ASUS small storage bag, some documentation, and stickers. There is no HDMI cable included which I thought was unusual considering most monitors have both cable types included. Regardless, the small storage bag that can be used for cables or miscellaneous item storage is a neat addition!

Setup is quick and easy, It’s simply all plug-and-play! Of course, you can set how the display appears, using the monitor’s built-in settings. On the monitor, there are 4 buttons, and a joystick to navigate the settings menu. Do note that you will need to provide your own HDMI cable if you plan to use this for console gaming.

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DISPLAY:
The gaming monitor has a 2k resolution, a refresh rate up to 180Hz, and a 1ms response time. These features are usually seen in higher-tier models but am glad to see these features get included in a budget-friendly monitor like this one. Of course, not everything is sunshine and roses. The monitor is not as vibrant as some other monitors. At peak brightness, the monitor is seemingly dimmer compared to other monitors. Viewing angles are also decent. This monitor is best used when you sit directly in front of it. Viewing the image from a different angle does “wash” away the image. This gaming monitor uses a VA panel which is the reason for the aforementioned items but that doesn’t take away from its performance and crisp quality.

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PERFORMANCE:
Performance-wise, the monitor performs well. I mostly tested the monitor in Destiny 2. I’m a quality over-performance person but I did want to max out the monitor’s refresh rate. I adjusted a couple of in-game settings and obtained the 180Hz refresh rate, which to the eye, gameplay appeared buttery smooth. I also did the opposite and maxed out the graphics and even with the maxed-out graphics, I was averaging about 125 FPS. I also love the deep colors that the monitor provides!

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CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, this is a solid gaming monitor that doesn’t break the bank. The 2k display and up to 180Hz refresh allow for buttery smooth gameplay with crisp quality. This gaming monitor is best placed in front since viewing the monitor from an angle does tend to “wash” away the image. The monitor is also not the brightest but if you don’t mind these two minor nuances, I recommend you give this one a shot!

Love it. Decent size, not to big not to small. Pixels and refresh rate are amazing!

The Asus XG27WCS is one of Asus’s latest offerings in the budget/mid-price range that offers 1440p resolution, very high refresh rate, HDR, curved design for optimal viewing, three input methods, and lots more. My experience using the monitor was overall very positive although the number of inputs on the product listing is incorrect.

Inputs:

1x HDMI 2.1 (Product Listing Says 2, which is not the case)
1x USB-C 3.2
1x DisplayPort 1.4
1x 3.5mm Headphone Jack

In the Box:

– Stand (Height, Tilt, Rotation + Threaded mount on top)
– Monitor
– Power Cable
– Display Port Cable
– Zipper Bag + Manuals

Setup:

Setup is very easy as with nearly every monitor. Just place the stand where you want it, and clip the monitor in. Cord management is as expected with a slot for everything to pass through. The top of the monitor stand has a threaded 1/4-20? Mount for accessories which is great for those that might stream or use a camera/light a lot. The base of the stand also has a phone slot which you can use horizontally for your other thin device. Also included is a zipper bag with the display port cable and a place to store other accessories.

Usage:

I first tried connecting the display via HDMI as this is what my previous monitor was using perfectly fine to achieve it’s 165hz refresh rate at 1440p. Unfortunately, I was unable to get anything more than 60hz out of this monitor using HDMI. No biggie, I switched to Display Port and everything immediately went to 1440p at 180hz. This monitor also has the option for USB-C input at maximum display settings.

The buttons on the back of the monitor to adjust settings and use some of the gaming features are easy to use compared to other monitors out there. I like the fact it has a little joystick for navigation.

The display itself has a nice picture with lots of customization depending on your use case or person preference. I really like the amount of presents available in the menu’s which allows easy switching between gaming and casual use. During my use I found no issues with gameplay or causal browsing. It’s snappy with just about as little lag as one could ask for. 1440p at 27” offers a good PPI of 108 which is the equivalent of a 1080p monitor of 20” is size. I find 27” is a great size for most use cases as 32” can be a little overwhelming only a couple feet from your face while smaller can be tough to feel immersed.

Pros:

– DisplayPort cable included
– Good colors, brightness, resolution
– 180hz refresh rate capable
– Stand features/quality
– HDMI, DP, USB-C inputs

Cons:

– HDMI limited to 60hz?

Overall:

I would certainly recommend this monitor to anyone looking for a somewhat inexpensive, curved, QHD gaming monitor. With tons of gaming features and a quality stand, it feels like a quality monitor. Despite my issues with HDMI, I find the number of inputs above average for the price with some monitors limiting you to two input methods so having three is great to see for a monitor of this price.

The ASUS 27” curved monitor is excellent for flight simulation. I’ve used it with both Microsoft Flight Simulator and X-Plane 11, and it renders scenery without any jutter or motion blur, even when flying high speed and low altitude through the mountains weaving through tight valleys. Color performance is also excellent with lifelike images and beautiful depth.

The monitor arrived securely packaged with all required cables (power and display port) and a helpful quick start guide. Attaching the stand to the base was just a matter snapping it in and installing a captive thumb screw. The monitor then attaches to the stand by clicking in a round socket. The monitor can be removed by releasing a single button.

Once up and running, exploring the menus which allow many different modes specific to the activity you are performing. For flight sim, I like scenery mode. Race mode also looked great. There’s a cinema mode, and several others as well. I was very happy with performance right out of the box , but also enjoyed experimenting with the various modes and settings.

I really like this monitor and find it excellent for my use. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to a friend.

I love that I can adjust the height and I love the settings for the graphics.

Solid 180Hz on DP, ever so slight sense of ghosting.

The Asus ROG Strix curved 1440p is the perfect entry level for not only 2K resolution gaming, but curved as well.

The days of 1080P are coming to an end and it’s long over due. I have been using 2K resolution since 2018 and this new line up by Asus is a great place for gamers to make the upgrade to their gaming.

The stand is a great size for desk space, a lot of curved monitors have a wide foot to counter the weight and physics of a curved monitor, but Asus went old school with a heavy foot that doesn’t make you give up desk space. Asus includes a Display Port cable in the box which is essential to experience the 180Hz (frames per second). Don’t be fooled by HDMI, if you use your existing cable, this will limit your performance to 60hz.

Also, make sure upon set up that you check your monitor settings on your computer and on the monitor itself. The biggest mistake most people make is plugging a gaming monitor into their system and not realizing they are still playing at a 59/60hz setting.

Overall, I am impressed with this monitor as an entry level to curved and 2k gaming. The colors are pleasing, the performance is acceptable and it’s definitely enjoyable to play on.

I finally decided to upgrade from my old 2018 qhd monitor to an actual gaming monitor. I have a smaller gaming set up and 27 inches is the largest I can fit on my desk setup. This came along and fit the bill I was looking for. Fast refresh rate, qhd, curved screen, and a price point that doesn’t drain my wallet. The hook up went reasonably well. The slots are recessed a bit and my old fingers did struggle a bit getting the hdmi and the power cord in coming from the bottom blindly. My old monitor was straight on in the middle through a hole in the stand. I did like that. The adjustability on this stand crazy good with tilt top to bottom or rotate side to side, and adjustable height for each person to put it directly in front of your face for best viewing angle. I have an old curved TV and my experience with it made me want that for gaming. So far, I have tried several setting for the hdr and colors and also modified some of the brightness settings to get it to the tones I’m used to. Games from the Forza series, Fortnite, and Beam NG are my most played games and all look just crisper detail and no lag or stutter that I can tell. I did occasionally have that on my old one. Colors pop, and the black depth/contrast is really good. It is certainly better than my old monitor, and I feel it was worth the upgrade. I see no reason not to give it 5 stars and do reccomend it.

I decided I wanted to get myself a proper gaming set up, so per usual, I started with trying to find an ASUS monitor. This one has exceeded all expectations!

Features
The ROG Strix is a curved gaming monitor that boasts a maximum resolution of 2560×1440 for a spectacular picture all-around. My model is 27″ and includes FreeSync Premium synchronization, a 180Hz refresh rate, and a 1 millisecond pixel response time to make the visual aspect of gaming a breeze.

Pros
The refresh rate is lightning fast with a much better response time than any other monitors I have tried! FreeSync Premium synchronization is a feature I haven’t experienced before, but it helps the syncing of a visual display to a game’s frame rate and makes it seamlessly combine for a smooth visual experience. As always, a curved monitor helps give a better perspective of how our eyes naturally see things and therefore makes gameplay much more immersive. Pixel response is also very fast, to the point where I am seeing no delay.

Cons
I wish there were more HDMI ports. It only includes two, but I can use as many as I can get. I love being able to have one seamless set-up for whatever I need and by preparing a gaming set-up, I’m able to do just that. I can easily get an external accessory to correct it, of course.

Conclusion
I’d definitely recommend this monitor! It’s a bit high tech for simply browsing the internet, but if you game or watch a movie with it once, you’ll be hooked.