ASUS ROG Swift PG278Q Monitor: specifications, type of matrix, reviews

ASUS company has launched one of the most technologically advanced monitors - ROG Swift PG278Q. Its main feature is the support of innovative technology G-Sync, which allows to significantly improve the quality of the picture, especially in games. Apart from the marked option, the ROG Swift PG278Q monitor has a number of other notable characteristics that predetermine its highest competitiveness in the relevant market segment. What is their essence? What are the main technological advantages of this display from ASUS?

Characteristics

Consider the key characteristics of the monitor ASUS ROG Swift PG278Q. The device is equipped with a matrix type TFT TN + FIlm. The number of inches in the ASUS display is 27. PG278Q ROG Swift is a device capable of operating at a resolution of 2560 by 1440 pixels. The device can operate at a frequency of 144 Hz - this allows the device to output stereoscopic images, provided that special glasses are used. There is support for widescreen picture. The proportion of the image feed is 16 to 9. There is a USB hub. The total number of USB ports is 2, the interface version is 3.0. There are video inputs such as DisplayPort.

The ASUS ROG Swift PG278Q monitor belongs to the first devices in which NVIDIA's G-Sync technology is implemented. Let us study its specifics in more detail.

What is the essence of G-Sync technology?

There are a number of technological problems inherent in modern monitors. Among these are frame breaks, which are displayed as the offset of a portion of the picture horizontally. Another complication is the appearance of so-called friezes, which are failures during the change of frames and appear most often with vertical synchronization, the main technology that helps to eliminate the bursts of personnel. It turns out that the two noted problems are very difficult to solve simultaneously. However, G-Sync technology is one of the tools that allow it to be done. A little later we will look at the results of the monitor tests, characterizing the effectiveness of such a solution as G-Sync.

Now we can learn more about the specifics of the main hardware component of the display - the matrix.

Monitor Matrix

The device ASUS ROG Swift PG278Q has, as we noted, a matrix type TN. It was made by AU Optronics. Its main advantages are support for high resolution, brightness and contrast, high frame refresh rate. This matrix also has a sufficiently short response time - about 1 ms. The matrix of the considered display has rather large viewing angles - 170 and 160 degrees respectively horizontally and vertically. However, when assessing the corresponding parameter, specialists, as a rule, do not take into account distortion of color reproduction.

The ASUS ROG Swift PG278Q display matrix can display 16.7 million colors. At the same time, 8-bit encoding is used, which is not quite typical for the corresponding hardware components based on TN technology. Typically, the TN matrix functions when using 6-bit encoding. PPI display - 108.79, color coverage - 72% NTSC. There is a WLED backlight. The maximum brightness of the monitor is 350 cd / sq. M. The static contrast of the device is 1000 to 1, the dynamic ratio is 100 000 000 000 to 1. Horizontal scanning can operate at a frequency of up to 222 kHz.

So, we studied the main features of ASUS ROG Swift PG278Q, the characteristics of its matrix. Consider now other consumer aspects of the display.

Contents of delivery

Buying the monitor ASUS ROG Swift PG278Q, the user will find in the box:

- the actual device;

- A disk with a management;

- Power Supply;

- cables - to connect to power, as well as for ports.

Despite the fact that the device supports 3D, the corresponding glasses will have to be purchased separately. If necessary, it may also be necessary to purchase another additional emitter device that supports the NVIDIA 3D Vision standard.

Design and appearance

What does the ASUS ROG Swift PG278Q monitor look like? User feedback characterizes the device as stylish and modern in terms of its design concept.

The screen has rather thin frames - about 6 mm. The display matrix, therefore, is located virtually at the same level of the frame. This predetermines the emergence of the need to handle the device with care.

The monitor has a comfortable and quite stylish stand. Among its most noteworthy design elements is a red ring that glows in the dark - if the corresponding option is activated in the display settings. On the perimeter of the stand the monitor feet are spread out, and this gives the user the opportunity to lock the device on the table in a very stable position.

In the right lower part of the display there are several icons. The device controls are located on the back of the device. The corresponding area of the device has a very unusual design. Thus, the main ports are at an angle.

If necessary, you can use a triangular cutout, which is located in the display leg - it can be laid cables connected to the connectors of the device.

The device screen can be tilted about 20 degrees, and also raised to a height of 12 cm. The display can also rotate 60 degrees to the right and left.

Software control

Monitor ASUS 28 PG278Q ROG Swift has a very convenient software menu. In it, as users note, not too many settings, but in practice it does not require frequent access even to those that are represented in the structure of the corresponding menu. You can adjust the white balance, and the main colors - red, green, as well as blue. In the device menu, you can configure the Overdrive function, which determines the speed of the device. Among the most notable options of the monitor - ASUS GamePlus. Its use makes it possible to place additional elements, for example a timer, on top of the main picture displayed by the display.

Testing

Consider now the test results of the ASUS ROG Swift PG278Q display, conducted by IT specialists. Many modern experts prefer to use solutions like X-Rite as a tool for testing the capabilities of monitors. It can be used in conjunction with Agryll CMS. Both solutions work optimally in Windows 8. In the testing process, as experts say, it is not necessary to set the maximum screen frequency - you can limit 60 Hz.

Tests before calibration

So, what tests of the innovative display from ASUS show when the device is not calibrated, that is, its parameters have not been fine-tuned.

Specialists found that the maximum brightness of the monitor is about 404 cd / sq. M, which is even more than the value declared by the brand-manufacturer. This indicator is quite optimal for monitors with 3D support - in the corresponding mode, the picture is usually fed with a significantly reduced brightness. The static contrast of the display is within the same parameters as stated by the manufacturer. The brightness of the monitor's black field is about 040 cd / sq. M, and experts estimate this indicator as quite decent. Thus, the marked characteristics of the display are quite at the level of IPS-models, in spite of the fact that the ASUS ROG Swift PG278Q device type is TN.

The color gamut of the monitor is quite high, about 107.1% for sRGB. The white point is located in the D65 area. Concerning the testing of color rendition - in games the corresponding characteristic of the monitor is evaluated by specialists as very competitive. Regarding the use of the monitor in the graphics application, the experts have comments.

The fact is that when processing photos in professional editors, as experts believe, there can be difficulties due to a slight oversaturation of colors. However, this feature can and should not be considered as a drawback, because it is tested as a game monitor. ASUS ROG Swift PG278Q has a decent color temperature indicator - about 6000 K. This is slightly below the norm, that is, when viewing light colors you can notice some warm colors.

Testing the color curves showed that the red tones displayed by the display are very close to the standard, blue and green - slightly deviate from the norm. The gamma of the gray color is displayed well. The accuracy of the color rendering of the monitor by Delta E is 2.08 units, the limit is 7.07. Similar results specialists characterize as sufficiently suited for gaming displays. Specifically for the monitor in question, they can be considered quite decent, too, since on ASUS ROG Swift PG278Q the type of matrix, as we have defined above, is TN.

Tests after calibration

It will be useful to consider the results of testing the device after calibration. As experts note, after it, as a rule, the brightness of white is significantly reduced. However, when testing the monitor from ASUS, its decrease was about 3%. The statistical contrast decreased, thus, to 970 to 1, the brightness of the black field did not change. These indicators can be characterized as quite competitive.

The position of the red, green and blue color curves of the monitor after the calibration as a whole does not change. The display of sulfur has improved. The color temperature increases slightly. Color coverage after calibration of the monitor does not change. However, the procedure under consideration allows to significantly optimize the color accuracy of the device. Thus, the average indicator for Delta E decreased to 0.36 units, the limiting value was 1.26 units. The specialists estimate these characteristics very high - especially considering that the ASUS ROG Swift PG278Q monitor is equipped with a 27-inch TN-type matrix.

Tests of G-Sync

We will now study the results of testing innovative technology, which is implemented in the display. Most clearly, the results of its involvement can be seen in games in which the frames are displayed at a speed of about 40-60 FPS, as well as the refresh rate of the 60 Hz screen . The fact is that it is with this combination of display modes that the largest number of "friezes" is formed, if the mode of breaking the gaps is activated. In turn, if you increase the refresh rate of the display to 144 Hz, then the frequency of discontinuities is minimal, so the technology of counteraction is not necessary.

G-Sync: performance in games

Testing G-Sync capabilities can be done in games such as Assassin's Creed: Black Flag. As shown by the tests carried out by IT specialists, without the included anti-rupture and G-Sync modes, the corresponding drawbacks of the picture are very noticeable on the screen - practically with any movement in the game. As soon as the anti-rupture mode was activated - V-Sync, then there were "friezes". In turn, after the inclusion of G-Sync, they disappeared, and the gameplay became noticeably more comfortable. Thus, the tests showed high efficiency of the technology in question.

Significance of high frequency

It's worth noting that the ASUS ROG Swift PG278Q's display quality can be significantly improved without activating V-Sync and G-Sync technologies - simply increasing the refresh rate to 144 Hz. With the appropriate mode of the monitor, the number of discontinuities is significantly reduced. In turn, if the V-Sync is turned on at a high frequency, "friezes" appear. Which, in turn, disappear as soon as the G-Sync technology is activated. The most noticeable improvement in the picture with all the options supported by the display, as experts say, is achieved with an increase in the frame rate in the game, for example, to the level of 60 FPS. True, loading the game in the required mode may require the presence of a high-performance video card in the computer.

The Importance of Networked "Iron"

It can be noted that in network games, the speed of the display is largely predetermined by the quality of the network infrastructure. First of all, this is, of course, bandwidth. Also, the quality of the network equipment is important. With a high ping, the picture may, one way or another, hang - no matter how productive the display and other hardware components of the PC.

Reviews about the monitor

We will study what ASUS ROG Swift PG278Q users say. Reviews of monitor owners can be classified into those that:

- reflect the opinion on the quality of the display color;

- are concerned with evaluating the use of the G-Sync option and other capabilities of the device, for example, playing a picture at a frequency of 144 Hz;

- reflect the opinions of users about certain functions of the device, for example, about displaying a picture in 3D format.

The quality of color rendering users, even without having at hand the necessary equipment and programs for measuring it, are assessed very highly. Many express surprise at the fact that a relatively outdated TN-type matrix, which is installed in the display, can provide a similar level of color reproduction. Regarding the unique options of the ASUS ROG Swift PG278Q - 144HZ monitor, G-Sync, the owners of the device note their highest utility and efficiency. Regarding the display of images in the 3D-mode, opinions are also quite positive. The main thing, as users note, is to pick up comfortable 3D glasses, as well as a high-quality multimedia file designed for playback in the appropriate format.