AI-generatedASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS Review
XG27ACS
Marty’s take: A 180Hz Fast IPS with remarkably accurate color and USB-C – a budget 1440p monitor that nails the basics.
Marty Explains Tech is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Want more? LG UltraGear 27GS93QE on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab) · review
AI-generatedAt a glance
- 180 Hz Fast IPSSmooth 1440p gaming with fast response (RTINGS)
- 97% DCI-P3Vivid color that Tom's Hardware found accurate without calibration
- USB-C (DP Alt)One-cable video for laptops, with 7.5 W charging
- Full ergonomics120 mm height, swivel, tilt and pivot
Who it’s for
Perfect for
- First 1440p high-refresh monitor on a budget
- Mixed gaming and work with accurate SDR color
- Laptop users who connect over USB-C
- Portrait setups thanks to the pivot stand
Less ideal for
- Dark-room and HDR gaming – RTINGS found low contrast with gray blacks and no local dimming
- Competitive players who want 240 Hz or more
Everything you need to know
Design & Build
The XG27ACS has thin bezels and a stand with full ergonomics: ASUS lists 0–120 mm height, -5° to +20° tilt, ±45° swivel and ±90° pivot. Practical touches include a slot for your phone in the base and a 1/4-inch tripod thread on top for a webcam, both mentioned by Tom's Hardware. A Kensington lock and 100 × 100 mm VESA mount round it out.
Takeaway: Thoughtful, fully adjustable design at a budget price.
Picture Quality
This is a Fast IPS panel with a 1000:1 contrast ratio, 350 nits typical brightness and 97% DCI-P3 coverage (ASUS spec). Its standout is accuracy: Tom's Hardware found grayscale, gamma and gamut so close to perfect out of the box that calibration couldn't improve them. The limit is contrast – RTINGS notes that blacks look gray in a dark room and, without local dimming, HDR highlights don't pop. Tom's Hardware measured almost 4,600:1 in HDR mode, so HDR is fine for casual use rather than a showcase.
Takeaway: Excellent, accurate SDR color; choose Mini-LED or OLED for dark-room HDR.
Gaming Experience
180 Hz without overclocking, with a 1 ms GtG rating. RTINGS reports a fast response time and low input lag, with some inverse ghosting at lower refresh rates. It supports G-SYNC Compatible and FreeSync, and Tom's Hardware highlights that ELMB blur reduction can run together with adaptive sync – rare on gaming monitors.
Takeaway: Smooth, responsive 1440p gaming for casual and mid-level play. Check the current price on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Features & Connectivity
You get DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0 and USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode and 7.5 W power delivery, plus a headphone jack. USB-C makes it easy to plug in a laptop with one cable, though 7.5 W won't charge it under load. There are no USB-A ports or speakers.
Takeaway: Three inputs including USB-C cover a gaming PC plus a laptop.
Value for Money
Tom's Hardware sums it up as a monitor that performs well above its price class, mostly because of its color accuracy and video processing. Its weakness is HDR and dark-room contrast, which is exactly where the AOC Q27G3XMN shines.
Takeaway: A smart budget choice if you value accurate color and USB-C over HDR. See it on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Specs
| Screen size | 27 in |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 2560 × 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 180 Hz |
| Panel | Fast IPS |
| Response time (GtG) | 1 ms |
| Curved | No |
| HDR certification | HDR400 |
| Peak brightness | 400 nits |
| Adaptive sync | FreeSync, G-Sync Compatible |
| HDMI | 2.0 |
| DisplayPort | 1.4 |
| USB-C power delivery | 7.5 W |
| VESA mount | 100x100 |
Researched review: specs from the manufacturer, results from the independent tests below. We did not test this product ourselves. Updated Oct 17, 2026.
Sources
- ASUS ROG – ROG Strix XG27ACS, specifications
- Tom's Hardware – Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS QHD 180 Hz gaming monitor review (accessed Oct 17, 2026)
- RTINGS.com – ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS Review (accessed Oct 17, 2026)
In comparison
| 8.1 out of 10ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS | 8.2 out of 10AOC Q27G3XMN | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 27 in | 27 in |
| Resolution | 2560 × 1440 | 2560 × 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 180 Hz | 180 Hz |
| Panel | Fast IPS | VA |
| HDR certification | HDR400 | HDR1000 (better) |
| Check price on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab) | Check price on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab) |
Upgrade: LG UltraGear 27GS93QE
Ready for OLED? The LG adds per-pixel blacks and 240 Hz.
LG UltraGear 27GS93QE on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)What you need with it
DisplayPort cable Included
In the box, per ASUS.
FAQ
Does the USB-C port carry video?
Yes. ASUS lists USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode and 7.5 W power delivery – enough for video, not for charging a laptop under load.
Is the color accurate out of the box?
Tom's Hardware found grayscale, gamma and gamut so close to perfect that calibration could not improve them.
Is it good for HDR?
It is VESA DisplayHDR 400 certified. RTINGS rates HDR weakly because of low contrast and no local dimming, while Tom's Hardware measured almost 4,600:1 in HDR mode – fine for casual HDR, not a showcase.
Does it support G-SYNC?
ASUS lists G-SYNC Compatible and AMD FreeSync. Tom's Hardware notes that ELMB blur reduction can run together with adaptive sync.
Can I mount a webcam on it?
Yes. ASUS lists a 1/4-inch tripod socket, and Tom's Hardware mentions the threaded mount at the top of the stand plus a phone slot in the base.
Verdict: ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS
A 180Hz Fast IPS with remarkably accurate color and USB-C – a budget 1440p monitor that nails the basics.
Check price on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Want more? LG UltraGear 27GS93QE scores 8.7: A 240Hz OLED with a matte, low-reflection screen and full-speed HDMI 2.1 – easy OLED gaming on PC and console.
LG UltraGear 27GS93QE on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)