Compare ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS vs Dell S2725QC

USB-C accepts a video signal, but its 7.5W charging output is far too weak for laptop power or an easy one-cable workstation.

65W power delivery is enough for many lightweight laptops and eliminates a separate charger in routine use, though some power-hungry machines may need additional power.

There are no downstream USB-A ports, making the monitor disappointing as a peripheral hub or simplified docking station.

The practical hub and its retractable ports are major reasons to choose this model over the port-light S2725QS. It does not provide KVM switching.

The self-contained power supply avoids an external brick, but the sealed design is a drawback if power components ever need service.

A built-in power supply means no bulky external adapter, helping simplify cable routing behind a clean desk.

SDR material looks unusually accurate even with HDR mode active, minimizing the need to swap Windows display modes.

An appended Mac user report describes lost brightness controls and HDR access at some 120Hz scaled settings, with 60Hz or a utility used to work around the issue.

Motion is exceptionally clean for an affordable IPS monitor. ELMB can sharpen fast movement further but adds distracting tradeoffs.

This is the main gaming weakness. At speed, moving objects can smear or leave visible trails despite the welcome 120Hz refresh rate.

Fast pixel transitions, low latency, and 180Hz refresh suit quick multiplayer games particularly well. Extreme esports players may still want higher refresh rates.

Low input lag helps, but the 120Hz cap and pronounced moving-object trails make fast esports shooters a weaker fit than dedicated gaming screens.

Colorful adventures look impressive, but dark cinematic scenes suffer from gray blacks and modest HDR. Better-contrast rivals suit this style more.

Story-focused games can look colorful and detailed at 4K 120Hz, but limited HDR and gray blacks restrict cinematic depth.

The lack of onboard speakers is disappointing beside similarly equipped alternatives, especially for a simple all-in-one desk setup.

The two integrated speakers are unusually usable for a budget monitor, particularly for meetings and YouTube, although they cannot replace dedicated audio gear.

Several owners appreciate the solid finish, while others find the conventional plastic construction and chunky body clearly budget-minded.

A clean contemporary finish looks more expensive than its price, but plastic construction keeps the actual tactile experience short of higher-end models.

The 1440p image and variable refresh support make it appealing for responsive console play, but HDMI 2.0 and the absence of 4K limit the experience.

HDMI 2.1 supports 4K at up to 120Hz with modern consoles, with some Xbox signal-format quirks noted in testing.

Pixel response is exceptionally quick for this class, with balanced default settings that avoid large overshoot penalties.

Pixel transitions are adequate for everyday work and some games, but faster action exposes the panel's slower response and occasional trailing.

Dark scenes look noticeably gray rather than inky black. The limitations are particularly apparent beside VA, mini-LED, and OLED displays.

Blacks tend toward gray and lack OLED depth, especially in dark scenes and HDR, though some viewers find SDR movie blacks acceptable for the price.

The default overdrive setting produces very little ghosting or overshoot across refresh rates. Pushing overdrive too hard can introduce inverse trails.

Feedback is divided: one hands-on tester noticed no ghosting, but instrumented coverage and another gaming assessment describe persistent trails behind fast motion.

IPS viewing angles are broad enough to comfortably share the image, even if off-axis performance is not a class leader.

The IPS panel stays fairly consistent when viewed from the side, convenient for sharing a screen, though some colors change at extreme angles.

Energy use is typical and reasonably efficient for a 27-inch IPS LCD without costly local dimming.

Measured power consumption is favorably low for a 27-inch 4K 120Hz monitor, making it a fairly economical everyday display.

Some find the base compact and practical for smaller desks; others consider the deep, heavy stand a substantial space commitment.

The flat, modest stand base can hold small accessories, while useful built-in speakers help keep crowded desks free of extra hardware.

A 1440p, 180Hz IPS panel with adaptive sync fits mainstream PC graphics hardware well, delivering smooth games without the burden of 4K.

VRR, low input lag and a 120Hz ceiling provide a responsive gaming base. The IPS panel's comparatively slow transitions produce distracting blur in fast titles.

The wide color range makes games and images lively, though coverage is more conventional than high-end quantum-dot or OLED alternatives.

sRGB coverage is adequate for work and many creative activities, but wider P3 and Rec.2020 color reproduction trails premium displays.

Crosshairs, FPS indicators, shadow adjustment, color modes, and adjustable blur reduction offer useful gaming customization.

Several gaming presets and extensive color adjustments give casual players convenient starting points for different game styles.

The 2560×1440 resolution strikes a well-liked balance between crisp visuals and manageable GPU demands at 27 inches.

4K is one of the most consistently praised features, providing finely detailed images and legible text at a sensible desktop size.

A cutout in the adjustable stand provides a practical way to route cables and keep the desk tidier.

A rear cover and stand routing help hide cords, and single-cable laptop input further tidies up a workstation.

DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB-C video provide useful flexibility, but a single HDMI on some configurations and missing USB-A hub limit elaborate setups.

USB-C, two HDMI inputs and convenient downstream USB ports cover mainstream needs. Missing a normal DisplayPort jack, 3.5mm output, KVM and Thunderbolt limits more complex desks.

Very low processing delay makes controls feel immediate, including at lower fixed refresh rates.

Button and mouse response are consistently praised, with lag low enough to feel instantaneous even in games requiring fast reactions.

The 180Hz maximum makes gameplay fluid and responsive for the price, though enthusiasts seeking 240Hz or more may want another model.

The 120Hz refresh rate makes everyday scrolling and window movement noticeably smoother than 60Hz and adds useful casual-gaming headroom.

The overall experience earns strong praise as an affordable, capable gaming setup, especially from owners upgrading an older or 1080p display.

Owners expressing an overall verdict are enthusiastic about how much practical screen and connectivity the S2725QC delivers for the money.

Both major PC adaptive-sync ecosystems are supported, helping reduce tearing without demanding one graphics-card brand.

Support for common variable-refresh formats helps prevent tearing on supported PCs and consoles.

The matte finish usually keeps reflections manageable, but direct sun or strong daylight can still wash out the image.

The matte coating generally softens ambient reflections enough for indoor work, though windows behind the user and strong sunlight remain distracting.

QHD on a 27-inch panel renders game interfaces and everyday text clearly, though fine detail is below native 4K.

Text, browser content and fine details look impressively crisp, making a clear upgrade from lower-density office monitors.

Brightness and color uniformity are acceptable for games, but testers note some edge variation.

One tested sample showed excellent consistency with few visible backlight artifacts, while a separate owner reported greenish patches across two units.

Height, swivel, tilt, and portrait pivot are repeatedly praised for comfort and flexibility. A few find the maximum height a little short.

Height, tilt, swivel and pivot support accommodate different work styles, including portrait coding; a few users note that adjustments or the stand itself can wobble.

USB-C video input offers a convenient connection for supported laptops and mobile devices, though it is not a full laptop dock.

USB-C worked successfully with a Dell XPS laptop lacking HDMI, demonstrating a convenient connection path for modern USB-C computers.

The package is relatively bare, with little beyond the stand and basic cables to get started.

A supplied USB-C cable helps get started, but one account criticizes its very short length and the absence of bundled HDMI leads.

Standard 100×100 VESA support gives buyers the option to replace the supplied stand with an arm or wall mount.

Standard mounting allows a monitor arm to replace the stock stand, useful for anyone troubled by desk wobble.

HDMI is limited to version 2.0 and a lower refresh ceiling than DisplayPort, reducing flexibility for demanding console setups.

Two HDMI 2.1 inputs bring welcome 4K 120Hz connectivity for consoles and compatible graphics cards, extending this office monitor's usefulness into gaming.

Assembly is easy and factory tuning is strong enough to enjoy games immediately, without a lengthy calibration process.

The stand assembles quickly without tools, and the included USB-C connection makes first-time laptop hookup straightforward.

Its motion tuning, color accuracy, and ergonomic stand are excellent for the money, especially on sale. Less expensive rivals can be better for HDR or particular features.

The mixture of 4K clarity, 120Hz and single-cable USB-C charging earns consistent value praise, particularly near the sale prices mentioned in reviews.

The small USB-C power output cannot adequately power a laptop and offers little beyond light charging for smaller devices.

The accessible USB outputs add handy phone and accessory charging, but 15W downstream output is a convenience rather than a replacement for a powerful charger.

DisplayPort and USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode make the fastest refresh settings accessible from compatible PCs and laptops.

USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode replaces a conventional full-size DisplayPort socket, which may complicate connecting devices that rely on a standard DP cable.

A missing USB hub means it cannot serve as a KVM for sharing keyboard and mouse peripherals between computers.

There is no integrated KVM switch, so sharing one keyboard and other USB devices across computers requires manually changing connections or extra equipment.

IPS contrast leaves shadowy scenes looking gray and washed out. Brighter colorful games flatter this panel much more than dark cinematic material.

The IPS contrast is respectable for an office LCD yet far from OLED or strong VA blacks, which weakens dark-room immersion and HDR.

SDR brightness is punchy enough for ordinary indoor gaming and many brighter rooms. Turning on ELMB cuts that headroom substantially.

Brightness is ample for normal offices and indoor rooms but can feel low in direct sun or very bright spaces; HDR peaks are modest.

There is no local dimming hardware, so HDR cannot isolate bright highlights from dark backgrounds.

No effective local dimming is available to deepen blacks or give HDR highlights enough separation, limiting picture punch.

The joystick and clear menus give easy access to extensive color and gaming settings without excessive button hunting.

The rear joystick is intuitive for some, though another tester found its physical location annoying and preferred Mac software controls.

Sharp, colorful, well-calibrated SDR imagery is the major attraction. Weak blacks hold it back for dark or HDR-heavy material.

A clean, detailed, colorful SDR image satisfies most office and casual entertainment needs, but the picture loses impact in HDR and dark scenes.

Excellent sRGB factory tuning is a consistent standout, with impressive accuracy before calibration. Some default wide-gamut settings can oversaturate standard content.

The sRGB mode offers solid accuracy for routine tasks, sometimes impressively so, though white balance, gamma and the warm default tone can benefit from calibration.

FreeSync and G-Sync support help keep gameplay smooth across changing frame rates. Variable overdrive also keeps artifacts in check as refresh falls.

FreeSync and other VRR support help keep PC and console gaming free of obvious tearing, although variable refresh does not correct motion blur.

HDR400 can add a little color and brightness excitement, but poor blacks and no local dimming prevent convincing HDR highlights.

HDR10 input is supported, but low contrast, limited luminance and weak wide-gamut color leave HDR video and games noticeably flat compared with stronger HDR panels.

DisplayWidget gives convenient desktop control of the monitor, complementing the usable built-in menus.

Non-integer refresh selection on Apple Silicon may require a third-party display utility, adding a small setup complication.

The DisplayWidget utility provides functional software control, although its value depends on the connected PC and setup.

A Mac user found third-party BetterDisplay software useful for unlocking fractional refresh rates that were not offered automatically.

Excellent sRGB modes and ample tuning options make accurate colors achievable with little extra work; the calibrated preset restricts some controls.

Multiple color presets and manual adjustments are useful for fine-tuning a slightly warm image. More exacting SDR color work may still require hardware calibration.

The restrained front and slim bezels appeal to those who dislike aggressive gaming styling, although the bulky rear and foot divide opinion.

A slim-bezel white-and-silver look feels modern, quiet and neat on desks, though some wish the plastic parts had a more premium finish.

The plastic body and sturdy stand generally feel well assembled for the price, even if the materials do not rival expensive flagship monitors.

Attractive but mostly plastic materials divide opinion: some find the unit solid, while others report a cheap feel and a somewhat loose stand.

The 27-inch format feels just right for close desktop gaming and gives QHD content pleasing sharpness.

The 27-inch 4K format balances crisp detail with manageable desk space, although some video editors would prefer a larger working canvas.

The stand is straightforward to assemble, and the joystick-controlled menus make everyday adjustments easy.

The conventional 16:9 screen is a comfortable fit for desktop and PC gaming, without the width or special layout of an ultrawide.

One test sample showed pleasingly even illumination without conspicuous edge bleed, a benefit for work and letterboxed films.

The IPS LCD avoids the burn-in worry associated with OLED screens, a reassuring advantage for static desktop elements.

One owner reports an initially delivered unit with a dead pixel, raising a quality-control concern rather than a general shipping pattern.

ELMB can make fast motion clearer, especially at high refresh rates. Brightness loss, double images, crosstalk, and red fringing leave opinions sharply divided.

Bright points fail to stand out convincingly against darker scenes, making highlights muted rather than dramatic.

There is no 3.5mm audio output, which is inconvenient for users who want to connect headphones or external speakers directly to the screen.

The enclosure stays comfortably cool to the touch in use, without drawing attention to heat buildup.

A unit owner noticed temporary image retention after prolonged static content, though the ghost image reportedly cleared after several minutes.

Unusually effective variable overdrive delivers a reliable one-setting experience. The highest slider levels can create unwanted inverse ghosting.

Unboxing gets favorable comments for neatly organized packaging and a straightforward presentation.

The fast IPS panel excels at responsiveness and viewing angles but cannot escape its native contrast limitations.

The slot in the base can neatly hold a phone for guides or calls, but large phones may not fit and some find it gimmicky.

The sharp canvas and respectable sRGB color make it comfortable for occasional photography and general creative tasks, though professional colorists may want wider coverage and tighter calibration.

Around 163 pixels per inch helps deliver exceptionally crisp text and detailed images on the 27-inch panel; it is not the 5K density of pricier Mac displays.

The screen itself is manageable to handle, but the heavy stand and wide foot can make rearranging a compact desk awkward.

Readable text and accurate colors make this more than a gaming-only screen, although it lacks advanced workstation connectivity.

A sealed internal power supply and guidance toward professional service make self-repair less appealing.

The matte coating contains moderate grain, a small clarity tradeoff for its anti-reflection properties.

Clear dialogue, useful loudness and even a little bass are better than many monitor speakers, although fine low-volume control and hi-fi depth are limited.

One Mac setup found the lowest keyboard-adjusted level surprisingly loud, requiring the software menu or monitor controls for finer quiet-volume adjustment.

The fully adjustable stand is convenient, but multiple units reportedly wobble or drift when touched, while another sample felt sturdy on the desk.

ELMB can introduce visible red fringing around moving elements even at high refresh rates.

This model lacks the Thunderbolt hub and high-power docking capabilities found in Dell's more expensive UltraSharp alternatives.

A threaded mount above the screen offers an unusually convenient place to position a webcam or other compatible camera gear.

The hidden pop-out USB-A and USB-C connectors make temporary accessories easy to plug in without reaching awkwardly behind the monitor.

Although non-integer refresh rates are accepted, one Apple Silicon workflow needed BetterDisplay to expose them, complicating exact video frame-rate matching.

Speaker volume adjustment is awkward for very quiet Mac listening: keyboard controls can jump from silence to an unexpectedly loud level.

Shadow Boost makes dark details easier to see, though pushing those shadows can spoil the atmosphere of some games.

The HDR label overpromises what the actual edge-lit hardware can deliver, despite otherwise capable motion specifications.

One evaluation finds the multi-source display modes useful for managing several inputs, although this feature is not independently confirmed across the other tests.

The matte surface, height adjustment and warmer viewing presets support comfortable extended sessions, especially when avoiding harsh reflections.

The image's gamma can look a little too bright before calibration, especially in lighter grays; fine adjustments may be needed for truly consistent tones.

The HDR tracking follows its intended curve reasonably well, but modest peak brightness prevents dynamic highlights.

One extended hands-on account describes the display as a dependable gaming companion, though broader lifespan claims remain premature.