ASUS ROG Swift PG259QN 360Hz Monitor review - A Spec or two

The ROG Swift PG259QN 360Hz

The initial wave of GPU launches is understandably dominated by anticipation for performance boosts at 4K display resolutions and beyond. Streamlined chipsets typically follow later, strategically driving up refresh rates across QHD, WQHD, and UWQHD. The rollout of the Ampere architecture follows that general trend, but NVIDIA has chosen to flip the early focus by reinvigorating the Full HD category with a 360 Hz refresh rate and latency analysis module that puts the entire rendering chain on display. Given the ROG ecosystem is thoroughly fleshed out with highly desirable monitors spanning everything from QHD through to 4K, adventures with a tricked-out Full HD panel seem justified. More so if we consider the brand’s foundation was forged by embracing performance niches. 360 Hz on a 24.5” IPS panel touting a 1ms grey-to-grey response time screams select eSports, and the latency module expands the target audience to encompass performance addicts who would like to know how certain tweaks affect the rendering pipeline.

Thus, ROG dishes out those specs over two variants: the ROG Swift PG259QN, and the ROG Swift PG259QNR.The former forgoes the NVIDIA Reflex Latency Analyzer module and the new ROG desk mount but retains all the other goodies. This is the model we test. Unlike other designs that employ an embedded fan to tame panel thermals, both the QN and QNR are passively cooled by a large heatsink that keeps temps under control even when the display is pumping out maximum brightness at 360 Hz. Both are also factory calibrated to deliver a dE < 1.5, bringing reference class color reproduction to games and other content.

The Panel: a refreshing change
The panel’s refresh rate and response time is ample to cast a sharp and vibrant image even during periods of intense action. Additional perks include HDR10 support, delivering up to 400 nits to illuminate scenes, and full-range G-Sync to help keep things smooth when frame rates dip. Of course, even though G-Sync will soak up display artifacts that are a corollary of performance troughs, to get the best overall experience, partnering equipment needs to be up to the task. In-house testing has shown that an RTX 2080 or better card, paired with a nimble 10th Gen Intel CPU are a good fit. With the right setup, eSports specialists with reptilian reflexes will find themselves scouring through their favorite high-speed titles to check whether the sharper motion visuals make a positive impact to their K/D ratios.
If GPU and CPU horsepower isn’t adequate for 360+ FPS, users can fall back to a 240 or 144 Hz operating point teamed with ULMB. The feature works by manipulating the backlight to reduce the perception of blur. There’s a slight impact to overall brightness, but the trade-off is generally preferable to visual anomalies during fast-paced scenes.

 
On the desk
The panel is housed in ROG casing designed to appear “frameless” at the top and sides, lending to seamless multi-screen setups. The legs of the tabletop stand are cast at a shallower angle than previous-gen ROG stands, leaving more room for peripherals and accessories. The stand offers tilt and height adjustments, facilitating correct viewing and seating positions for prolonged play.

Connectivity includes DP 1.4, HDMI 2.0, a couple of USB 3.0 ports ready for peripherals, and an earphone jack for conveniently tethering a set of cans. The ever-expanding Aura Sync ecosystem also welcomes the PG259QN. Running over the USB 3.0 input at the back of the monitor, it allows users to synchronize up to 12 different lighting effects across enabled peripherals and components. Enable it through the monitor’s OSD (System Setup -> Aura Sync) and click the Display icon in the Aura Sync software to get started.

 
Additional ROG Buffs
GamePlus 2 is a set of four on-screen tools. The Crosshair option allows you to choose from four different crosshairs overlaid in the center of the screen, allowing you to shoot from the hip more accurately when the game played doesn’t offer a marker. The Timer is a user-customizable, movable countdown timer, letting you keep track of time-based events. For performance-tuning, a histogram FPS counter is also included. Lastly, the Display Alignment overlay aids the process of aligning multi-monitor setups.
GameVisual is a set of color profile presets. Easily accessible through the press of a button, there are a total of eight presets to choose.

The modes are as follows:

• G-Sync Esports Mode: High-contrast mode, helping visibility in dark environments, making spotting enemies easier
• RTS/RPG mode: Enhanced sharpness and color clarity
• sRGB mode: Optimizes colors for editing and web use
• MOBA mode: Enhances the colors of in-game health bars and other critical notifications
• Racing mode: Optimizes colors for fast-moving games, sets gamma to 2.2 and color temperature to 6500K
• Cinema mode: Enhances contrast and increases color saturation, for more vivid videos
• Scenery mode: Increases brightness and contrast, tweaks color saturation to bring out green landscapes and blue seas
• User mode: Customize your own profile

The looks - RGB and LEDs

From an aesthetic appearance, this monitor just ticks all the right boxes for the true RoG gamer fanbase. 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 like a serious piece of kit. Of course, in the year 2021 everything is embedded with RGB lighting. On the backside, you'll spot a massive RoG logo, that is RGB lit and controllable with Aura SYNC, so you can match up the animations and colors with the rest of your (compatible) RGB eco-system.