ASUS TUF Gaming VG279QM1A 27" Black 2023
The 280Hz refresh rate on this 27-inch IPS panel delivers ultra-smooth motion for competitive gaming, paired with a 1ms response time and FreeSync Premium to eliminate tearing and ghosting. Shadow Boost brightens dark scenes without overexposing highlights, and the bundle includes a fully adjustable dual-monitor desk mount for a flexible setup. This monitor suits esports players who prioritize high frame rates and tear-free visuals over color accuracy or portability.
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Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
280Hz is the only reason this monitor exists. Everything else about it is forgettable.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 280Hz refresh rate is stupid fast 97th
- 1ms response time with ELMB keeps motion crisp 90th
- FreeSync Premium eliminates tearing 84th
- Height adjustable stand included 83rd
Cons
- 1080p at 27 inches looks soft
- Only 300 nits brightness, not great for bright rooms
- Barely any connectivity, one HDMI and one DisplayPort
- 3/5 customer rating is a red flag
What owners think
The Word on the Street
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 2 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
The 280Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time put this monitor in the 90th percentile for performance, which is genuinely impressive. ELMB and FreeSync Premium work together to keep things sharp and tear-free. But here's the kicker: it's still a 1080p panel at 27 inches. That pixel density is rough for anything other than pure speed.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Size | 27" |
| Resolution | 1920x1080 (Full HD) |
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Curved | No |
| Screen Finish | matte |
Performance
| Refresh Rate | 280 Hz |
| Response Time | 1 |
| Adaptive Sync | FreeSync Premium |
Color & HDR
| Brightness | 300 nits |
| Color Gamut | 100% sRGB |
| Color Depth | 8-bit |
| HDR | HDR10 |
| HDR Support | HDR10 |
Connectivity
| HDMI Ports | 2 |
| DisplayPort | 1 |
| USB-C | 1 |
| Thunderbolt | No |
| Speakers | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | Yes |
Ergonomics
| Height Adjustable | No |
| Tilt | Yes |
| Swivel | No |
| Pivot | No |
| VESA Mount | 100x100 |
Features
| Webcam | No |
| Power | 21 |
| Weight | 5.1 kg / 11.2 lbs |
vs Competition
Stacked against the LG UltraGear 45GX950A-B or the Samsung Odyssey G60SD, the ASUS feels like a one-trick pony. Those monitors offer higher resolutions, better color, and more features, though they cost more. The MSI MPG 271QR QD-OLED X50 is a closer competitor in spirit, but it's a QD-OLED with vastly better image quality. If you're not a professional esports player, any of those are a better daily driver.
| Spec | ASUS TUF Gaming VG279QM1A 27" | LG UltraGear 45GX950A-B | Dell UltraSharp U4025QW | MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2 | Alienware AW-Series AW3425DW | Samsung Odyssey G60SD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 27 | 45 | 39.70000076293945 | 27 | 34 | 27 |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 5120 x 2160 | 5120 x 2160 | 2560 x 1440 | 3440 x 1440 | 2560 x 1440 |
| Panel Type | IPS | OLED | IPS | QD-OLED | QD-OLED | OLED |
| Refresh Rate | 280 | 330 | 120 | 240 | 240 | 360 |
| Response Time Ms | 1 | 0.029999999329447746 | 5 | 0.029999999329447746 | 0.029999999329447746 | 0.029999999329447746 |
| Adaptive Sync | FreeSync Premium | FreeSync Premium Pro | Adaptive-Sync | FreeSync Premium Pro | FreeSync Premium Pro | FreeSync Premium Pro |
| Hdr | HDR10 | DisplayHDR True Black 400 | DisplayHDR 600 | DisplayHDR True Black 400 | DisplayHDR 400 True Black | HDR10+ |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Color | Portability | Display | Feature | Ergonomic | Performance | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS TUF Gaming VG279QM1A 27" | 71 | 83.9 | 52.5 | 67.8 | 47.8 | 89.6 | 96.9 | 83.3 |
| LG UltraGear 45GX950A-B Compare | 99.4 | 76.6 | 99.7 | 95.8 | 90.8 | 99.4 | 96.9 | 94.7 |
| Dell UltraSharp U4025QW Compare | 98.2 | 76.6 | 98.7 | 95.8 | 90.8 | 56 | 99.3 | 98 |
| MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2 Compare | 99.1 | 57.8 | 77.4 | 84 | 90.8 | 98 | 81.4 | 99.3 |
| Alienware AW-Series AW3425DW Compare | 99 | 73.9 | 85.8 | 89.9 | 90.8 | 98 | 95.4 | 98 |
| Samsung Odyssey G60SD Compare | 90.4 | 40 | 77.4 | 67.8 | 90.8 | 99.5 | 87.7 | 94.7 |
Price
Value & Pricing
At $729 USD, this is a tough sell. You're paying a premium for the refresh rate, but you're getting a budget-tier display, mediocre color, and weak connectivity. For that money, you can find 1440p high-refresh options that do everything better except hit 280Hz.
Read more
Overview
The ASUS TUF Gaming VG279QM1A is a 27-inch 1080p panel that pushes 280Hz, and that's the whole story. If you're a competitive gamer who wants every last frame, this thing delivers. But the moment you look past the refresh rate, you'll notice the rest of the package is pretty bare bones.
Common Questions
Q: Is 1080p at 27 inches really that bad?
For gaming at high refresh rates, it's fine. For text, browsing, or anything else, it looks noticeably soft. If you sit close to the screen, you'll see the pixels.
Q: Does FreeSync Premium work with Nvidia GPUs?
Yes, most modern Nvidia cards support FreeSync over DisplayPort. You'll get tear-free gaming either way.
Q: Can I use this for console gaming?
You can, but consoles max out at 120Hz, so you're paying for 280Hz you'll never use. A 1440p 120Hz monitor would be a better fit.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for a monitor for work, content creation, or even casual gaming, this isn't it. Go grab a 1440p IPS panel with better color and connectivity instead. You'll thank yourself every time you open a spreadsheet.
Verdict
Buy this only if you're a competitive FPS player who needs 280Hz and doesn't care about anything else. For everyone else, spend your money on a 1440p 165Hz+ monitor and get a much better overall experience.
Usage Scores
- Overall71.6
- Gaming68.2
- Office62.2
- Creative63
- Portable15.1
- Professional67
- Entertainment59
