ASUS ROG SWIFT PG43UQ review - Tested

ASUS ROG SWIFT PG43UQ 144 Hz / G-SYNC / HDR / DCS
ROG Monitor Addresses Chroma Subsampling

It has been a while since we've tested an HDR1000 screen from ASUS in Ultra HD, 144 Hz not having any Chroma subsampling issues and in a rather big size. Yep, the 43" beast is in da house, the ASUS ROG SWIFT PG43UQ. We will take a look at Ultra HD slash HDR gaming in on this 43" screen. So that means a native 3840x2160 pixel monitor with VA based panel that can handle 144Hz combined with GSYNC compatible and FreeSync modes. A big label on that box of this monitor is DCS, there are no chroma subsampling issues (Display Stream Compression) is supported. DSC makes it possible to transfer 4K, HDR at 144Hz over a single DisplayPort 1.4 connection, monitors without DSC running 4K at 4:4:4 HDR can only reach 98Hz, we'll talk about that a bit more on the next page though. First lets bullet up some of the key features this monitor offers.

• 43-inch 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS gaming monitor with 144Hz refresh rate
• Display Stream Compression Technology for transporting ultra-high definition video streams across a single interface at high speed with no perceptible loss of visual quality.
• ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur technology, which achieves 1ms MPRT to eliminate smearing and motion blur, and makes objects in motion look sharper.
• High dynamic range (HDR) technology with DisplayHDR 1000 certification, 90% DCI-P3 professional colour gamut.
• Certified as G-SYNC Compatible, delivering a seamless, tear-free gaming experience by enabling VRR (variable refresh rate) by default.

This screen series has been delayed and delayed, but finally, we can take a peek at it. HUGE Ultra HD screens, capable of a proper HDR1000 level peak brightness in combination with G-Sync/FreeSync. Yes, the trend for monitors has been HDR, (also local dimming is gaining more popularity) and Ultra HD. HDR, however, has been a confusing topic to talk about with some monitors that have been tagged as 'HDR compatible' offering laughable low amounts of nits in the 300~350 cd/m2 range. Nvidia has been all over these screens thanks to their certifications, even mandating ASUS what and when to release it in an effort to continue developing and tweaking the panels up-to a level they can work with, and certify it.  Example: GSYNC Ultimate certified displays reaching a required peak level of 1000 nits, however, with prices easily doubled for that amount of nits. True dat, very few people can actually buy the new fast panel formats (HDR/Ultra HD) goodness. The display is completed with an advertised typical 4000:1 contrast, a response time of 1 millisecond (1ms MPRT / 4ms GtG), 90% DCI-P3 color space, 125% sRGB, and has a DisplayHDR 1000 / HDR10+ / AMD FreeSync HDR certificate thanks to its ability to reach a maximum brightness of 1000 nits.

I'll immediately jump into my journalistic operating mode though, 43-inches for Ultra HD is BIG, perhaps even too big as a monitor. Do not underestimate this screen sitting on your desk. For standard desktop usage, we even feel 43 ”screen really isn't even suitable. A screen of this size is mainly intended for people that sit back on a couch and combine say PC and console. Overall at 24 inches up to 32 inches, I feel panels at 2560x1440 or 3440x1440 are far better suited for the job, at a much lower price and a lesser need of graphics horsepower.

The ASUS ROG SWIFT PG43UQ is a monitor that is currently priced at € 1500,- This 43-inch beast can drive its panel at 144Hz. ROG Swift PG43UQ offers four video inputs in the form of 2x DisplayPort 1.4 + 2x HDMI 2.0, we have 2x USB 3.0 ports, headphone jack, GamePlus technology (add crosshead, clock, FPS counter, etc.), GameVisual with 8 pre-configured modes for various screen modes (shooters, races, MOBA, cinema, etc.), shadow reinforcement to improve the visibility of the enemy in the dark, a pair of stereo speakers of 10W power each, compatible with VESA 100 x 100 mm brackets, only the inclination of the panel can be adjusted, and display a ROG logo on the table, color configurable withy SYNC software. 

Perhaps the ASUS ROG SWIFT PG43UQ is not the best monitor on a desk due to its size.