ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ1A Review
The TUF Gaming VG27AQ1A is a long-running favorite for a reason: it delivers the 27-inch, 1440p, high-refresh IPS formula that suits most PC gamers at a price that leaves room in the budget for a better graphics card.
- BuyOnceRight Research Desk
- Updated
- 3 min read
ASUS
ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ1A 27" 1440p 170Hz Monitor
Best for: mainstream 1440p gaming
Sponsored link · price confirmed on Amazon
Specs, rankings & alternativesOn this page
Our verdict
The ASUS TUF VG27AQ1A remains a solid budget 1440p gaming monitor: 170Hz over DisplayPort, a good IPS panel and a properly adjustable stand at a modest price. Newer fast-IPS rivals have caught up, so it is best bought when its price undercuts them.
A popular 27-inch 1440p IPS gaming monitor with a 170Hz overclock and ELMB motion blur reduction.
Key specifications
From manufacturer documentation. Confirm current specs on the listing.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Panel | 27-inch IPS, 2560 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | Up to 170Hz (overclocked; 144Hz native) |
| Response time (ASUS spec) | 1ms MPRT |
| Sync | FreeSync Premium, NVIDIA G-Sync Compatible |
| Motion blur reduction | ELMB Sync |
| HDR | HDR10 support |
| Inputs | 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.2 |
| Stand | Height, tilt, swivel and pivot |
Strengths & limitations
Pros
- Sharp 1440p on a 27-inch IPS panel
- Up to 170Hz refresh
- ELMB reduces motion blur
- G-SYNC Compatible with a 3-year warranty
Cons
- HDR is entry-level
- Stand lacks swivel on some versions
- IPS glow in dark rooms
Who should buy it?
A good fit if you…
- PC gamers with mid-range graphics cards
- First high-refresh 1440p monitor buyers
- Players who want ELMB motion clarity with variable refresh
- Buyers who want a height-adjustable stand on a budget
Look elsewhere if you…
- Laptop users needing USB-C
- Players wanting OLED-level contrast
- HDR enthusiasts
- Esports players chasing 240Hz or higher
Why 1440p at 27 Inches Is the Sweet Spot
At 27 inches, 1440p gives noticeably sharper detail than 1080p while being far easier to drive at high frame rates than 4K. Mid-range graphics cards can push well past 100 frames per second in many games at this resolution, which is where a 144Hz to 170Hz monitor pays off.
The VG27AQ1A sits right in that middle ground, which is why it remains a common recommendation for a first serious gaming monitor.
Refresh Rate, Response and Motion
The panel runs at 144Hz natively and up to 170Hz with ASUS's overclock setting. Reaching 170Hz requires DisplayPort; the HDMI 2.0 inputs are limited to 144Hz at 1440p, which matters for consoles too, since current consoles top out at 120Hz anyway.
ASUS's ELMB Sync combines backlight strobing with variable refresh rate, which few monitors at this price allow. It can make fast motion clearer but lowers brightness, so many players use it selectively.
The 1ms figure is MPRT, a motion-clarity measure, not grey-to-grey pixel response. Independent reviews have found this IPS panel responsive for its class but not as quick as newer fast IPS or OLED panels.
Picture Quality
Color is vivid, with ASUS citing about 130% sRGB coverage, so games look saturated out of the box. That same wide gamut can make standard content look oversaturated unless you choose the sRGB mode.
HDR10 support is nominal. Without high peak brightness or local dimming, HDR content will not look dramatically different. Contrast is typical IPS, and some units show IPS glow in dark scenes, which owners commonly report on most panels in this class.
Build and Features
Unlike many budget gaming monitors, the stand adjusts for height and rotates to portrait. The monitor is VESA mountable. Built-in 2W speakers are there for emergencies, not for gaming audio.
There is no USB-C and no USB hub, which keeps the price down but makes it a poor fit for laptop docking. DisplayPort 1.2 is older but has enough bandwidth for 1440p at 170Hz.
Alternatives Worth Weighing
Newer fast-IPS monitors such as MSI's MAG 274QRF QD E2 offer higher refresh rates and quantum-dot color at similar prices, so compare current prices before deciding. If you want deeper blacks for dark games, a VA panel or an OLED monitor is the upgrade path, at a higher cost.
ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ1A 27" 1440p 170Hz Monitor
Check current price, availability and owner reviews.
Worth comparing
Frequently asked questions
How do I get 170Hz on the VG27AQ1A?
Connect with a DisplayPort cable and enable the overclock setting in the monitor menu, then select 170Hz in your graphics settings. HDMI is limited to 144Hz.
Is the VG27AQ1A good for PS5?
It accepts 1440p from the PS5 over HDMI and supports up to 120Hz in compatible games. The PS5 doesn't use the monitor's full 170Hz.
Does it have HDR?
It accepts HDR10 signals, but limited brightness and no local dimming mean HDR looks only slightly different from SDR.