Display and Features
Users can enjoy all the variable refresh rate support they require on this device, with both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility on hand, as well as VRR compatibility for those annoying consoles. The ASUS ROG Strix XG43UQ includes VESA DisplayHDR 1000 certification for a peak brightness of full 1,000 nits. This Asus monstrosity is, without a doubt, an excellent choice to envy a whole new set of onlookers.
The display is VA and has a 1ms pixel response. It's all thanks to a VA panel with a 1ms pixel response that performs well. It not only indicates speed, but it also implies that this is one of the new breeds of quick VA displays. This is a fantastic concept if you're looking for something that's creative and will speak to your personality.
Unfortunately, it's also deeply flawed. The first problem is that the performance of HDR isn't acceptable. Despite the fact that it has a 1,000-nit backlight and an HDR1000 rating, it isn't a real HDR display. The ROG Strix XG43UQ's local dimming, which is only available in the name of the ASUS ROG Strix XG43UQ, is responsible for this.
Performance and Pitfalls
It doesn't appear that Asus is willing to disclose the number of zones since this is an edge-lit display, and the number won't be special—something in the region of eight to 16. In other words, it lacks a complete array of backlight, and dimming becomes pointless after a while. In mitigation, the VA panel has a 4,000:1 inherent contrast ratio. So, as far as non-genuine HDR displays are concerned, the dynamic range is actually quite good. However, it's disappointing to discover an HDR1000 display that doesn't include full-array dimming.
Naturally, the ASUS ROG Strix XG43UQ is a seriously punchy SDR monitor. It has a very bright display with vivid colours and high contrast. CyberPunk 2077 on maximum reheat is quite stunning. Aside from one egregious flaw, there are no major concerns. Pixel response time, however, is quite the issue on this device.
In the OSD menu, Asus offers five levels of user-adjustable pixel overdrive to select from. The issue is that by level three, there are obvious issues with overshoot and inverse ghosting. It's pretty bad at level 5. Although the overdrive is set at medium, this is only beneficial when a lot of aggressive blurring is acceptable. When you take away or lower the overdrive completely, however, performance deteriorates significantly. It's not even particularly good with the overdrive cranked up. In fact, there are VA monitors from five years ago that have a better response than this.
What Doesn't Fit The Bill And Why
As a last resort, you might try Asus ELMB or Extreme Low Motion Blur technology. However, rather than improving the situation, it just adds to the XG43UQ's image clarity. It's a pretty useless feature on this particular screen. Given the 1ms response spec, how can all of this be true? That's because that number is actually the MPRT, i.e. Moving Picture Response Time. Despite the fact that MPRT is a response test meant to provide a more real-world perception of panel performance, in practice, it is frequently very deceptive. It's certainly the case for the ASUS ROG Strix XG43UQ.
The ASUS ROG Strix XG43UQ employs a BGR subpixel layout rather than RGB. That doesn't matter much for games, though it does make a difference with movies and photos. Also, because of its inefficient subpixel design, it has an adverse effect on font rendering in Windows, which relies on noticeable pixel structure for ClearType font smoothing technology. It also implies that this screen is based on a TV panel rather than an HDTV one.
Conclusion
The ASUS ROG Strix XG43UQ, as you can see, is a gaming monitor with some excellent specs and features. Unfortunately, it has several serious flaws that render it unsuitable for most people. It's a shame because the static picture quality is wonderful in spite of the questionable HDR accreditation. The poor pixel response, on the other hand, is inexcusable on a gaming monitor of any price, much less one this costly.
Yay!
Incredible 1000 nit brightness
Impressive colours and contrast
4K plus 144Hz and HDMI 2.1
Nay!
Subpar pixel response
Edge-lit, unimpressive, local dimming
RGB pixels can be a problem
