Features and technology
ROG Strix XG27UQ
The ROG Strix XG27UQ is the among the first monitors to run 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) content at a 144Hz refresh rate, providing gamers with detailed ultra-high definition visuals at smooth frame rates. The panel is IPS (AHVA), delivering a typical contrast ratio of 1000:1, and comes coated with a matte, non-glare surface. Built around a 27” LED AHVA panel utilizing Display Stream Compression (DSC), allowing for a maximum refresh rate of 144Hz at a 4K (3840x2160) resolution over a single DisplayPort cable. This solution allows full compatibility with variable refresh rate technologies as well as HDR capabilities without perceptible loss of image quality or added processing times. It sports G-Sync Compatible as well as Adaptive-Sync (FreeSync) badges, allowing for dynamic synchronization in the 48-144Hz range. The panel makes use of 1.07b colour depth, based on 8-bit + FRC. That also means that the HDR rating is pretty meaningless. Colour reproduction should be good, rated at 90% of the DCI-P3 (125% of sRGB) colour space, while allowing for peak brightness levels of just 400cd/m2. With support for cinema-standard DCI-P3 colour gamut, you retrieve a 25% wider colour range than sRGB, resulting in more realistic colour reproduction. From an aesthetic appearance, this monitor ticks all the right boxes for any true PC gamer. The design is lovely to look at from a visual perspective, mostly due to its size but also due to its ROG styling. It's a sturdy product as well, and it sits on your desktop or game room.
Quad HD or Ultra HD?
Some will not be too pleased about this paragraph I expect. Still, it is my vision - the crisp details that 4K resolutions offer is not debatable, at 24 up-to 30 inches, you can and probably should, however, question the validity of that choice given the screen size and pixel density you're looking at. Why?, the number of pixels (almost 8.3 million pixels) for Ultra HD comes with certain disadvantages as not all software can scale very well. On all displays smaller than 32 inches, and even at 32 inches, at least 125% scaling is often mandatory with Ultra HD. While DPI scaling works well, there are still a lot of applications that run into problems being displayed too small. There is another disadvantage with Ultra HD, and that's game performance, or better yet, the raw GPU horsepower required to keep that framerate at 144 Hz/FPS. For the ROG StrixXG27UQ is a 4K screen at 27", and that means, the pixel density is minimal. Ultra HD comes with consequences, 8 million pixels that need to be refreshed at preferably your refresh rate of 144 times per second on this screen. To date, few graphics cards can deal with that and, as such, it requires deep pocket investments to be made. With a choice of Ultra HD gaming, a large amount of graphics computing power is mandatory. The bottom line here is that Ultra HD gaming is an expensive hobby. Up-to that 30- or 32-inch range, the more logical and affordable solution is to go with something like a Quad HD panel at 2560x1440 or 3440x1440. Passing 32-inches we can recommend an Ultra HD screen.
HDR rating on the ROG Strix XG27UQ
For this monitor, it's a sticker on the box and nothing more as a rated HDR400 means very little. For HDR to make a difference, your screen needs to be able to push at least 600 nits. My advice, go to a store, watch HDR and let yourself be convinced. It's more and dynamic colors, retina soaring whites. You'll notice it in-game with fires, car headlights, the sun or moon. It is just awesome to watch, however for some also can be a bit too much as a 1000 nits, trust me it a lot on the eyes and completely different experience compared to SDR gaming. So HDR400 is pretty pointless, HDR600 is good, and HDR1000 or higher requires sunglasses :)
