Pros & Cons
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- Incredibly low input lag
- Excellent color range and contrast
- High-quality build; pleasing aesthetic
- Plenty of image-improving features
- Dolby Vision support
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- Some gamers might not like the tripod stand
- No built-in speakers
- Expensive
Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM Specs
| Adaptive Sync | AMD FreeSync Premium, Nvidia G-Sync Compatible |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 21.6 by 24.03 by 8.61 inches |
| Height-Adjustable Stand? | |
| Landscape/Portrait Pivot | |
| Native Resolution | 3840 by 2160 |
| Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner) | 27 |
| Pixel Refresh Rate | 240 |
| Rated Contrast Ratio | 1,500,000:1 |
| Rated Screen Luminance | 250 |
| Screen Technology | QD-OLED |
| Swiveling Stand? | |
| Tilting Stand? | |
| USB Ports (Excluding Upstream) | 3 |
| VESA DisplayHDR Level | HDR10 |
| Video Inputs | DisplayPort |
| Video Inputs | HDMI (2) |
| Warranty (Parts/Labor) | 3 |
| Weight | 16.8 |
The Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM ($1,199) is a monitor equipped with all of the state-of-the-art features that make PC gaming so fun: a 4K screen, a 240Hz peak refresh rate, and DisplayPort 2.1 technology to sync up with the latest GPUs. It's got other noteworthy perks, too, like a QD-OLED screen that delivers exceptionally vivid color range and high brightness. Add low input lag to the equation, and the PG27UCDM proves to be a supremely capable high-end gaming monitor and an Editors' Choice winner. It replaces the HP Omen Transcend 32 OLED as our top pick in this category, though the Omen could be a better choice if you want a larger screen.
Design and Specs: Alien Abduction Alert!
The PG27UCDM is a 27-inch monitor that measures 21.6 by 24.03 by 8.61 inches (HWD) and weighs 16.8 pounds. It’s slightly smaller than the MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED and drastically lighter, too. The weight difference is likely thanks to the lighter tripod stand as opposed to the flat, hexagonal metal bases of other monitors like the Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED (AW2725Q). I prefer those flatter, wider bases, but I like the way Asus put the extra space to use: An RGB light at its center evokes an alien-abduction beam as it shines down onto the center of the tripod area from above.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)With a pixel density of 166 pixels per inch (ppi), the PG27UCDM compares favorably with the Asus ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG (111ppi). Even last year's Asus ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM, a 4K 32-inch panel, has a lower density of 140ppi. Higher pixel density contributes to sharper images, clearer text, and enhanced detail.
Much of the PG27UCDM’s design language is similar to that of the aforementioned ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM. The same cyberpunk aesthetic that has defined countless Asus ROG products over recent years returns, including the Anime Matrix RGB lighting across the monitor cabinet’s back.
The port hub consists of two HDMI 2.1 inputs; a USB-C connector with support for 90 watts of power delivery and DisplayPort Alt Mode; two USB-A 3.2 ports; an upstream USB-B connector; a headphone jack; and a DisplayPort 2.1 input. The monitor has no internal speakers.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)DisplayPort 2.1 technology has finally broken through to mainstream gaming monitors this year, thanks in part to the latest crop of Nvidia GeForce RTX 50-series graphics cards that support it. DisplayPort 2.1 handles double the bandwidth of DisplayPort 1.4 (80Gbps versus 32.4Gbps). The additional bandwidth of DisplayPort 2.1 means you can maintain higher resolutions and refresh rates without the compression that comes with DisplayPort 1.4.
The port selection is everything we expect, but it isn't particularly noteworthy, unlike the innovative Neo Proximity Sensor. The sensor detects when you step away from your screen, automatically transitioning to a black image to protect against panel burn-in. Upon your return, it instantly turns the monitor on without requiring you to press any buttons. In addition to the proximity sensor, the PG27UCDM has a Target Mode setting that dims the entire screen, except for a selected pinned window, which maintains its current brightness setting.
In testing, both features performed as advertised. The proximity sensor was especially useful for someone like me, who is constantly getting up from their desk. The sensor does a good job of ignoring people outside of its range, so the monitor won't shut on and off if someone else is pacing back and forth behind you.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)The PG27UCDM leverages artificial intelligence with three distinct gameplay-enhancing modes: AI Visual, Dynamic Crosshair, and Dynamic Shadow Boost. The AI Visual mode is the simplest application, automatically adjusting settings to adapt to the action on screen. The Dynamic Shadow Boost acts similarly, adjusting dark areas in the scene. Probably the most useful to gamers is the Dynamic Crosshair, which automatically changes the crosshair to contrast with the environment. We’ve seen similar AI-infused features before—MSI's MPG line of gaming monitors were some of the first to introduce them—and while some might find use for them, they’re mostly easy to ignore if you don't.
You can tap into these settings by navigating the on-screen controls, tucked behind the sensor at the south side of the monitor's screen, but navigating the on-screen display with a tiny control stick is never fun. You’ll want to download the Asus DisplayWidget Center, Asus’ free monitor-management utility. In this app, you can easily edit screen settings and presets, as well as control multiple screens and update the monitor’s firmware.
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Performance Testing: Excellent Color, Low Input Lag
To determine how the PG27UCDM's performance compares with its competitors, we put it through a series of benchmark tests using Calman monitor calibration software, a Murideo Six-G signal generator, and a Klein K-10A colorimeter. We also ran the monitor through a gauntlet of games to measure input lag and judge its real-world performance.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)In our first test, we benchmarked the brightness with the monitor's default gaming profile over an SDR signal. Under these conditions, we saw an average brightness of 412 nits, well above recently reviewed OLED monitors like the HP Omen Transcend 32 OLED (264 nits) and Alienware AW2725Q (275 nits). Asus lists a maximum brightness of 450 nits in SDR, though it also advertises a rating of 250 nits at a 100% window size (which means the display is showing a full-screen, all-white image). We test OLED monitor SDR brightness at a 10% window size unless otherwise noted.
Moving to HDR, we measured 394 nits of sustained brightness, which is in line with the monitor's VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification. Dolby Vision, which uses HDR to optimize the image quality—so long as the content supports it—can drastically improve visuals in supported games and movies, and is also a useful feature for content creators and those who work in color-specific programs.
As we’ve mentioned in previous reviews, OLED monitors don’t have to get very bright because they can maintain contrast at lower brightness levels, so the picture will always look vibrant in low-light settings, even if the measured brightness number seems low. In comparison, IPS panels can often reach 500 nits or more, but the lower contrast ratios of IPS panels can lead to blacks appearing washed out, affecting the perceived brightness.
(Credit: Portrait Displays)Color gamut performance is up next. In our tests, the PG27UCDM spanned 94.3% of the Adobe RGB color gamut (see the chart above), 100% of the sRGB gamut (see the chart below), and 98.6% of the DCI-P3 gamut. These are excellent numbers, and it was great to see an OLED monitor nail 100% on the sRGB in default settings. Typically, our testing finds that OLED monitors show greater than 100% sRGB, and the monitor is capable of going even higher, as Asus lists a maximum sRGB rating of 145%. Coverage above 100% does exhibit improved color grading and color vibrancy, though it can potentially oversaturate the content you're viewing.
(Credit: Portrait Displays)The display is rated at a peak contrast ratio of 1,500,000:1. Contrast ratio indicates the difference in luminance between the brightest white and the darkest black that a monitor can produce. A ratio this high is common for OLED panels, but it's not all that meaningful when compared with the far lower contrast ratios you get with other panel technologies. IPS panels usually have contrast ratios of 1,000:1 to 3,000:1. Astronomically high contrast ratios signify an OLED display's ability to produce perfectly deep blacks alongside bright whites, resulting in improved image quality in both light and dark scenes. That said, you shouldn't expect the 500x-to-1,500x apparent improvement in visual contrast from OLED panels that the numbers would suggest.
Gaming and Media Performance
With great color range, the PG27UCDM looks good, but how does it play? To measure the monitor’s input lag, we deployed the Leo Bodnar 4K Input Lag Tester; we also played a handful of games from our library to check for any noticeable blemishes.
We recorded an excellent 2.5 milliseconds (ms) of input lag at 1080p/240Hz using the Bodnar device. At 1080p/120Hz, we recorded 4.7ms of input lag, and 9ms at 1440p/120Hz. Finally, we recorded 14.5ms of input lag at 4K/60Hz and 14.7ms at 1080p/60Hz.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)We consider input lag of 16ms or less to be more than playable, at least for casual play at 60Hz. You’ll achieve this at every resolution/refresh-rate combo we tested. And 2.5ms of input lag is an excellent result at 1080p/240Hz, matching dedicated esports panels like the LG 27 UltraGear OLED (27GX790A). However, the HP Omen Transcend 32 is still slightly faster, recording 2.3ms at the same resolution. By comparison, the MSI MPG 272URX stumbles in this regard, clocking 6ms of input lag at the same resolution and refresh rate.
The PG27UCDM supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and is G-Sync Compatible. I was really impressed with the visuals on display during our ad-hoc testing. Benchmark staples like Cyberpunk 2077 and Returnal looked fantastic, and new releases like Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered looked exceptional on the monitor. Our usual 4K videos also showcased rich reds and deep, inky blacks that looked amazing in different lighting situations. There wasn’t any glare to speak of, either; it looked great no matter the situation.