ROG SWIFT PG278Q
Forged for Gaming Perfection: The World's First WQHD G-SYNC Monitor With Rapid 144Hz Refresh Rate And 1ms Response Time
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Crisp 27-inch, 2560 x 1440 visuals combined with fast 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, made smooth by NVIDIA® G-SYNC™ technology
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Exclusive GamePlus onscreen timer/crosshair, 60-120-144Hz refresh rate turbo key and intuitive 5-way OSD navigation joystick
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Complete ergonomic tilt, swivel, pivot and height adjustment with VESA mount capability for optimal placement
The World's First WQHD G-SYNC™ Gaming Monitor
The ROG SWIFT PG278Q represents the pinnacle of gaming displays, seamlessly combining the latest technologies and design touches that gamers demand.
This 27-inch WQHD 2560 x 1440 gaming monitor packs in nearly every feature a gamer could ask for. An incredible 144Hz refresh rate and a rapid response time of 1ms eliminate lag and motion blur, while an exclusive Turbo key allows you to select refresh rates of 60Hz, 120Hz or 144Hz with just one press. The ROG SWIFT contains integrated NVIDIA® G-SYNC™ technology to synchronize the display's refresh rate to the GPU. This technology eliminates screen tearing, while minimizing display stutter and input lag to give you the smoothest, fastest and most breathtaking gaming visuals imaginable. Connectivity is simple, yet robust, with a single DisplayPort 1.2 port to enable NVIDIA® G-SYNC™ and dual USB 3.0 ports for convenience.
ASUS-exclusive GamePlus Technology enhances your gaming experience further by providing you with crosshair overlays for FPS games and multiple in-game timers for RTS/MOBA games.
The ROG Swift has a super-narrow 6mm bezel that begs this monitor to be used in multi-display gaming set-ups. With VESA wall mount capability and an ergonomic stand designed with full tilt, swivel, pivot and height adjustments, the ROG SWIFT is ready for long gaming sessions in comfort
Great Graphics for that In-Game Advantage
The 27-Inch WQHD Display that Offers Greater Detail and More Onscreen Real Estate
The ROG SWIFT PG278Q represents the next generation in gaming displays. This WQHD 2560 x 1440 monitor delivers four times the resolution of 720p, with 109 pixels per inch or 109 RGB matrices per inch. This gives you the benefits of greater image detail and up to 77% more onscreen desktop space than standard Full HD (1920 x 1080) displays. These minor details add up to give you a major in-game advantage.
Conventional 27-Inch 1920 x 1080 Monitor
Shows less detail and spacing with less room for work bars on the side.
Images are relatively blurrier.
ROG SWIFT PG278Q 27-Inch 2560 x 1440 Monitor
See more detail and spacing with more room for working bars on the side.
Images are much more crisp and detailed.
Enjoy a Smooth, Stutter-Free
Gaming Experience
Incredible 144Hz Refresh Rate
Unlock the highest frame rates available, decimate lag and say goodbye to motion blur to gain the upper hand in first person shooters, racers, real-time strategy and sports titles. With twice the frame rate of standard LCDs, the ROG SWIFT PG278Q Gaming Monitor encourages you to never blink again.
Fast Frame Rates
The ROG SWIFT PG278Q Gaming Monitor delivers refresh rates of up to 144Hz to deliver the smoothest possible gameplay, even in graphically-intensive fast-paced action sequences.
Minimal Motion Blur
The ROG SWIFT PG278Q Gaming Monitor minimizes motion blur to display more natural movement, making it ideal for first person shooters or real-time strategy games.
Incredible 1ms Rapid Response Time
Response time and ultra-smooth gameplay are the hallmarks of a true gaming monitor. With a 1ms rapid response time – the fastest available – the ROG SWIFT PG278Q Gaming Monitor eliminates smearing, tearing and motion blur, allowing you to quickly react to your game
Gain a Competitive Edge with
NVIDIA® G-SYNC™ Technology
NVIDIA® G-SYNC™ display technology delivers the smoothest, fastest and most breathtaking gaming imaginable. G-SYNC™ synchronizes the ROG SWIFT's refresh rate to the GPU in your GeForce GTX-powered PC, eliminating screen tearing and minimizing display stutter and input lag. Scenes appear instantly, while objects look sharper and more vibrant. Gameplay is fluid and responsive too, ensuring a serious competitive edge.
The ASUS Display R&D team works closely with NVIDIA to ensure that everything runs smoothly on ASUS G-SYNC™ monitors. The ROG SWIFT PG278Q gaming monitor with built-in G-SYNC™ delivers super smooth and stunning visuals.
Note: G-SYNC features require an NVIDIA® GeForce GTX650Ti BOOST GPU or higher.
Without G-SYNC™

With G-SYNC™

NVIDIA®Ultra Low Motion Blur Technology
Conventional 60Hz monitors show extensive motion blur which detracts from your gaming experience. The ROG SWIFT PG278Q Gaming Monitor with NVIDIA® Ultra Low Motion Blur technology* reduces the effects of motion blur by delivering crisp edges in fast-paced gaming environments for perceivable differences in natural movement.
*Users can turn on the Ultra Low Motion Blur function from the OSD setting. This works with titles that do not support the NVIDIA® G-SYNC™ technology. Ultra Low Motion Blur technology works only at 85Hz, 100Hz and 120Hz.
NVIDIA® 3D Vision™ Ready
The ROG SWIFT PG278Q is compatible with the NVIDIA® 3D Vision™ 1 and 2 kits* to support up to three WQHD displays for immersive multi-display 3D gaming experience. ROG SWIFT provides the finest 3D gaming and content viewing experience and thanks to the ever-growing library of over 700 3D Vision™ ready game titles, as well as 3D Blu-ray movies and YouTube 3D Playback support. See everything in a new dimension with the ROG SWIFT.
Gamer-Centric Features
ASUS-Exclusive Five-Way OSD Navigation Key
The intuitive five-way navigation key allows you to select OSD settings with just a flick. Switching menu settings have never been so easy.
ASUS-Exclusive Refresh Rate Turbo Key
The ROG SWIFT features a dedicated hotkey to toggle refresh rate on-the-fly without needing to access the graphic driver control panel. Quickly select from 60, 120, or 144Hz refresh rates and go back to gaming.
Keeping It Cool with a Smart Air Vent Design
The ROG SWIFT PG278Q Gaming Monitor is designed for marathon gaming sessions. Its smart air vent design aids heat dissipation to keep things cool for extended periods of time.
Awesome LED Light-in-Motion Effects
The ROG SWIFT PG278Q Gaming Monitor comes with a mysterious and intricately-patterned base that can illuminate with an LED Light-in-Motion feature.
Improved In-Game Accuracy
ASUS-Exclusive GamePlus Technology
The ROG SWIFT PG278Q Gaming Monitor features the ASUS GamePlus hotkey with crosshair overlay and timer functions. Select from four different crosshairs to suit your gaming environment, and keep track of spawn and build times with the on-screen timer that can be positioned anywhere along the left-hand edge of the display.
Advanced Connectivity with Smart Cable Management
The ROG SWIFT PG278Q Gaming Monitor includes DisplayPort 1.2 for native WQHD output and dual USB 3.0 ports for convenient pass through connectivity. A cable management design feature found on the back of the monitor allows you to organize and hide your cables to keep your gaming area tidy.
Say Hello to Extraordinary Comfort
The ROG SWIFT PG278Q Gaming Monitor is specially designed for long marathon gaming sessions. Its slim profile and super-narrow 6mm bezel makes it perfect for almost seamless multi-display setups. The ROG SWIFT also has an ergonomically-designed stand with tilt, swivel, pivot and height adjustment so you can always find that ideal viewing position. It can also be VESA wall-mounted.


Pros: The ROG Swift has been hyped by Asus, Nvidia and gamers for months since it was announced at CES in January of this year, and after a few bumps and delays in the road, it has finally arrived in all its glory. For those who are unaware of the key benefits of this monitor, and why it costs so much, here's a quick summary of the benefits over the existing 1080p 120+Hz "Gaming" monitors: +2560x1440 WQHD resolution. That's nearly 2x as many pixels in the same area as a 1080p panel, meaning much finer, detailed graphics and less visible pixelation. +First 2560x1440 G-Sync display. Asus had the first G-Sync capable monitor but it was limited to 1080p and a smaller 24" display. The Swift raises the ceiling for those who demand a higher resolution. G-Sync itself is an amazing feature and has to be seen to be believed, and I do believe this will be the main selling point of this panel. +ULMB. Builds on Nvidia's LightBoost backlight pulsing technology, that is made available outside of 3D Vision modes. This is a good alternative to G-Sync in fast-paced games where you can maintain high FPS at or above your set refresh rate. +First 2560x1440 3D Vision display. Another big jump for 3D Vision gamers stuck at 1080p since 2010. +First true 120/144Hz 2560 Gaming panel. There have been overclocked Korean IPS panels claiming this in the past, but if you look at image retention and blurring issues on those panels compared to true TN-based gaming monitors, you will see this is really no contest. As such, don't expect to see any "official" IPS 120+Hz gaming panels anytime soon. +Bezel size. Asus claims the bezel is 6mm, which is technically true, but the distance from edge to first pixel is closer to 10mm due to a black framing edge inside the bezel. This is still a huge improvement over previous models which had bezels closer to the 15-20mm range and the end result is just stunning especially with 3 monitors in surround configuration (PCPer had a preview). +No Bezel Glare. The bezel is almost flush to the actual panel screen, and with the inset black frame, this means there isn't a distracting glare around the screen edge like on some previous models like the VG278H. +8-bit TN panel. Most TN panels are 6-bit + dithering, leading to lower color gamuts, less color accuracy and more visible gradients. The Swift is a true 8-bit panel that results in much better color reproduction as numerous reviews have verified. +Anti-Glare matte finish. To some this is a negative, but in lighted situations, this means no glare on the monitor which is great. +VESA mounting and portrait pivot. VESA mounts are great for multi-monitor configurations, and the portrait pivot is actually a rare feature for a 3D capable monitor. +Fast response, great OSD navigation. The monitor turns on and off nearly instantly and is MUCH faster coming from wake than the VG278H. The OSD has a great little joystick that makes navigation fast and easy.
Cons: Despite the fact the Swift has a slew of positives making it a beast of a gaming monitor, there are a number of issues, bugs and unresolved problems that make me lukewarm on the monitor overall. -Price. This is at least 1 egg off, because for $800, I would expect the monitor to not have so many problems in general from both quality control and bugs. So, if price is weighing heavily on your decision and you can't be happy with something that isn't perfect for this much money, turn away now and wait for the Swift 2 or a new revision. -Fine, grainy desktop image. Only really noticeable on the desktop, but the image is grainier than I expected. This is a problem that is pretty common with AG matte coatings, but it was significantly worst than my VG278H which was unexpected. Out of the box colors were OK but backlight was too bright. -LCD Inversion artifacts in 3D Vision and some G-Sync modes. Hard to explain, but it almost looks like thinner lines as if the screen was interlaced. Google for more info. -Backlight bleed. There was a lot of bleed at the bottom of the screen at the default brightness (too bright) but turning it down has reduced it. There was also a very visible half-oval, moire pattern on the right side of the screen that was VERY disconcerting when I first got the panel, but it has since subsided and is only really visible on power on. If you are OCD about things like this, be warned, it might be a wart you can't live with. No guarantee you get a panel with this issue, but it could be better or worst. -High reliance on Nvidia drivers. G-Sync is a killer feature when it works, but it is a feature that is highly reliant on Nvidia driver support. Currently, there are numerous reports of problems for specific games and Asus' replies are to wait for an updated driver from Nvidia. While Nvidia is typically great about driver support for their products, this is just 1 more thing that you can run into when sitting down to game. -SLI problems. As an addition to the driver issues seen above, users are seeing more problems with SLI as they add another layer of potential driver failure. I've been a happy user of SLI for years now, but the problems I've experienced with G-Sync and 3D Vision using this panel have me leaning strongly towards a single fast GPU again for my next upgrade. Issues range from: less fluid G-Sync experience, crashing, out-of-range errors, no image, hard lock no image (requiring power cycle). For me at least, reverting to just single-GPU fixed most of the problems (Diablo 3 SLI, 3D Vision), while some titles worked fine with SLI and 3D Vision (Borderlands 2, BF4). Again, it is all very hit or miss right now and since the monitor just released, it is hard to get info. Asus basically points to Nvidia driver for support and Nvidia (ManuelG) is proactive in trying to track down bugs, but it does take some time. But, this all comes with living on the bleeding edge of tech!
Overall Review: So, even though I have a ton of negatives and wanted to write more for both pros/cons (like limited inputs), but I ran out of room. I just wanted to give a thorough and honest review of this product. It is an absolute beast of a monitor and it is still an upgrade over my previous VG278H, so in that respect I am happy with the monitor and will keep it. There are a number of issues I am not happy about however, as noted, and there are still a number of question marks going forward. I have a feeling Asus did not fully QA this product before launching it, and given Asus' track record of fixing many of their 1st run problems (VG278H oval backlight), I have a feeling they will improve this monitor in the future and release an updated version. I just wonder if they will offer to upgrade these 1st run panels as well or allow them to be updated via firmware improvement. There are a number of features and controls missing from the OSD for example, like a Sharpness control that I think could fix many of the complaints people are having. So, there it is, if you absolutely must have the latest and greatest and can't wait any longer, buying the Swift is for you. If you are fretting over a $800 purchase and usually don't spend this much on gaming hardware, or you know you won't be happy with anything short of perfection from both a build and driver perspective, you should probably hold off on pulling the trigger. I am somewhere inbetween so I am willing to overlook the problems I have experienced because ultimately, the gaming experience with this Swift and G-Sync is truly breathtaking to behold. It is so good, that I'm actually not fretting too much over 3D Vision not working properly in SLI in the 1 game I'm really playing right now (Diablo 3). Hope this helps you make your buying decision!