Asus’ gaming monitors are some of the most popular in the market, but they’re also considered to be a tad expensive compared to the competition. However, there’s no denying that the Taiwanese company can produce some really impressive gaming monitors, and the Asus ROG Swift PG258Q is a testament to that.
If you’re in the market for a gaming monitor with a high refresh rate and sleek design, the PG258Q is worth a consideration or two.
What Is It?
The Asus ROG Swift PG258Q is a 24.5-inch 1080p gaming monitor, and the highlight feature of this monitor is its very high 240Hz refresh rate. Thanks to the high refresh rate and 1080p resolution, the PG258Q is ideal for esports or for any gamer that values high refresh rate above all else. Naturally, the PG258Q supports Nvidia’s G-Sync as well.
Like many high-end gaming monitors in recent times, the PG258Q has quite a thorough list of connectivity options. These include a DisplayPort, one HDMI 1.4 port, two USB 3.0 ports, as well as a headphone jack. The monitor can also be pivoted, swiveled, and tilted; it is height-adjustable too, of course.
Is It Any Good?
Absolutely. Truth be told, I was content with 60Hz monitors, but that all changed when I started using the PG258Q. For one, the difference in refresh rate is immediately noticeable: everything looks smoother, and playing first-person shooter games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive on it is simply bliss.
I’ve played CS:GO in 4K resolution before, and while it was very enjoyable, playing the game at 240Hz – even on Full HD – is on a completely different scale. While I am by no means a professional player, I do play in competitive mode occasionally – the 240Hz refresh rate (which translates to higher frame rate) definitely helps with my reaction time (at least, that’s what I think).
G-Sync is also featured on the Asus Swift ROG PG258Q, which brings with it a slew of benefits. Screen tearing is a thing of the past, and there is minimal stuttering and input lag compared to non-G-Sync monitors. Aside from that, the PG258Q’s on-screen display (OSD) is also intuitive to use, thanks to the joystick control and simple to understand interface.
Oh, there’s also a rather cool ROG illumination at the bottom of the PG258Q’s uniquely-designed stand. While it doesn’t exactly add any functionality to the monitor, it’s a neat little aesthetic touch. If you’re not a fan on it, the illumination can always be disabled from the OSD.
The Bad Stuff. Tell Me.
To achieve the high 240Hz refresh rate, the Asus ROG Swift PG258Q is fitted with a TN panel. Naturally, the inherent disadvantages of the display technology are present here. These include limited viewing angles and noticeable colour shifting. Together, these two limitations can get especially bothersome when I’m using the monitor for anything other than gaming.
Another slight issue worth pointing out is the brightness setting of the monitor. Out of the box, the PG258Q is very bright, so the first thing I did was to lower the brightness. Unfortunately, at the lowest brightness setting, the PG258Q is still…pretty bright. If you plan to use the monitor with little to no ambient light, keep this in mind.
Should I Buy It?
If you’re an avid FPS gamer who’s looking for a monitor with the highest possible refresh rate – and you have a system that can push that many frames – the Asus ROG Swift PG258Q is a great option. It is fast, well-designed, and has features gamers will appreciate like G-Sync.
However, as the PG258Q has a TN panel, its viewing angles and colours are not quite as good as an IPS monitor. On top of that, it’s not exactly an affordable monitor: the PG258Q goes for RM2,979, which is on the higher side of things.
But perspective is important here: the Asus ROG Swift PG258Q is designed for gamers who want the absolute highest refresh rate, and in this regard, the PG258Q will not disappoint.
If you’re keen to get your hands on the Swift PG258Q, it can be purchased at Viewnet, Ideal Tech, and Topmaid Computer in KL. Etech Computer Accessories in Penang also has the monitor for sale.
