ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCS

The ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCS is a standout gaming monitor in ASUS’s Republic of Gamers series, offering a refined version of the XG27ACS with a similar panel and a few minor upgrades. This 27-inch IPS monitor features a 4K resolution and can be overclocked to a 160 Hz refresh rate. It boasts an incredibly fast response time and low input lag, ensuring a highly responsive gaming experience. The monitor supports Adaptive Sync variable refresh rate (VRR) to minimize screen tearing.

Despite its HDR10 support and wide color gamut, the monitor doesn’t get bright enough for HDR highlights to truly stand out. It’s best suited for moderately-lit rooms due to its good reflection handling, even though it doesn’t achieve the advertised brightness levels. Its mediocre contrast makes it less ideal for dark rooms. However, the monitor offers wide viewing angles, making it perfect for sharing content or co-op gaming.

Accessories

1. DisplayPort cable
2. Power cord
3. Quick start guide and ROG Sticker

Specifications

• 27-inch 3840 x 2160 4K HDR gaming monitor with ultrafast 160Hz refresh rate designed for professional gamers and immersive gameplay
• ASUS Fast IPS technology enables a 1ms response time (GTG) for sharp gaming visuals with high frame rates
• ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync (ELMB SYNC) technology enables ELMB together with variable refresh rate, eliminating ghosting and tearing for sharp gaming visuals with high frame rates.
• 95% DCI-P3 color gamut with ASUS advanced gray-scale tracking technology ensures smoother color gradation delivered and uniformity
• DisplayWidget Center enables easy monitor settings adjustments with a mouse
• USB Type-C with DP Alt mode, meaning that you can connect your device with clutter-free set-up

Display	Panel size (diagonal)	27″ widescreen
	Panel backlight / Type	Fast IPS technology
	Display surface	Anti-glare
	Color saturation	DCI-P3 95%
	True resolution	3840 x 2160
	Refresh rate	160 Hz
	Contrast ratio	1,000:1 (Typ.)
	Viewing angle (CR≧10)	178° (H) / 178° (V)
	Display colors	16.7 million
	Response time	1 ms (gray‑to‑gray)
	HDR support	Yes
	color-calibration	Yes, with E-report
	HDCP	Yes
Videofeatures	GamePlus	Yes
	Adaptive Sync	Yes, G-SYNC® compatible and FreeSync™
	ELMB Sync	Yes
Mechanical design	Tripod socket	Yes
	I/O	1 x HDMI® (v2.0), 1x DisplayPort ™(v1.4), 1 x USB Type-C®d(DP Alt mode), earphone jack
	Phone holder	Yes

The ROG Strix XG27UCS is a 27-inch gaming monitor featuring a Fast IPS panel, with a 160Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time. The maximum refresh rate is 160Hz when connected via DisplayPort or USB-C, and 144Hz when connected via HDMI. The monitor supports both AMD FreeSync adaptive sync and NVIDIA G-Sync technologies. It has a peak brightness of 450 nits and meets the VESA DisplayHDR 400 standard..

Additionally, the ROG Strix XG27uCS features an 10-bit panel that covers 130% of the sRGB and 95% of the DCI-P3 color spaces, ensuring vibrant and accurate color reproduction.

The ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCS lacks RGB backlighting on the logo at the back. Despite its relatively subdued design, it is still easily recognizable as a gaming monitor due to the signature pattern on the back and the prominent ROG logo on the stand.

ASUS has designed the OSD controls on the back of the monitor to alternate in direction, making the on-screen display user-friendly. This approach combines the sleek aesthetics of a joystick setup with the straightforwardness of button controls. If you prefer using software over onboard controls, the ASUS Display Widget is available to meet your needs.

All the connectors are positioned at the rear, beneath the stand mount, comprising DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.1, and USB Type-C with Power Delivery providing 15W of power. The USB Type-C port serves dual functionality, transmitting video signals and supporting charging for connected devices.

Installation is effortlessly straightforward, requiring no screwdriver.

The ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCS offers a feature called “Extreme Low Motion Blur” (ELMB) in its game settings, which enhances clarity in dynamic scenes by disabling the “through the frame” backlight. ELMB, available in five intensity levels, effectively eliminates image blurring in fast-moving scenes and reduces plumes behind objects. However, this feature comes with some trade-offs: it significantly lowers the maximum brightness and causes screen flickering.

It’s important to note that ELMB is not compatible with adaptive frequency technologies and can only be utilized at fixed refresh rates.

The monitor’s body is constructed from matte gray plastic, featuring minimal glossy accents on the back and a thin red ring with a measuring ruler around the stand.

The monitor’s stand offers extensive adjustability, including -5 to 20 degrees tilt, -45 to 45 degrees swivel, -90 to 90 degrees pivot, and a height adjustment range of 0 to 120mm.

It’s no surprise that 3840 X 2160 resolution is immensely popular, as it strikes a balance between providing ample creative space and delivering crisp visuals in games. However, it can feel somewhat restrictive when browsing or engaging in image editing tasks without wider screen. We still prefer our 34-inch monitor for multitasking applications.

In terms of resolution, the ASUS ROG XG27UCS offers the optimal balance of high image quality and usability, catering to a wide range of gamers. By employing a high-speed IPS panel with a 1ms GtG response time and a refresh rate of 160Hz, it maximizes the potential of your hardware. While achieving 160 FPS in demanding titles like the last of us 2 or Battlefield 2042 may be challenging for most setups, for games like Counter-Strike where high FPS is advantageous, attaining 160 FPS is more feasible.

Competitive gaming can greatly benefit from higher frame rates, and the XG27UCS ensures that every frame is delivered to your eyes with its 160Hz panel. In moments of FPS drops, G-Sync and FreeSync technologies step in to maintain smooth gameplay without tearing or ghosting.

 

Software: Display Widget Center

 

Windows: Dispaly mangement

To enable HDR, you’ll need to install the display ICC profile driver. However, there’s a drawback to activating HDR mode. Enabling HDR mode may disable several features, particularly gaming profiles, impacting your gaming experience.

Make sure set your montior refresh rate at 160 Hz.

OSD

If you prefer to manage your monitor settings via the on-screen display (OSD), the one on the ASUS ROG XG27UCS covers all the adjustments you might require.