Asus is well-known in the gaming monitor market, and the Taiwanese company’s latest ultrawide curved monitor, the ROG Strix XG35VQ, brings quite a number of interesting features. On top of its high 100Hz refresh rate, this gaming monitor also comes with AMD FreeSync technology and Asus’ signature Aura Sync lighting. But is it any good? Let’s find out.
What Is It?
The Asus ROG Strix XG35VQ is a curved (1800R), ultrawide gaming monitor. With a fast 100Hz refresh rate and a large 35-inch 3440 x 1440 VA panel, it is definitely designed to be a gamer’s monitor. To top it off, the XG35VQ also comes with Asus’ Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) technology, which promises “more fluid and responsive” gameplay by eliminating motion blur and smearing.
Naturally, the XG35VQ’s display is height-adjustable, and it can also be swiveled and titled. However, it cannot be rotated, which isn’t really an issue. This is, after all, a curved monitor – there’s no legitimate reason to want to rotate the display.
Is It Any Good?
Aimed primarily at gamers, the XG35VQ is – unsurprisingly – very enjoyable to game on. The curved nature of the monitor gives a heightened sense of immersion, and the 100Hz refresh rate lends to a very fluid and smooth gaming experience. While 60Hz monitors work fine for gaming, the improvement 100Hz refresh rate brings is quite a big leap.
Aside from that, you’re also getting a lot of screen real estate on the XG35VQ. The 21:9 aspect ratio allows for multiple windows to be displayed at the same time, and it’s a very noticeable change – for the better, of course – if you’re transitioning from a conventional 16:9 monitor.
As for the OSD, it’s intuitive to navigate around thanks to the joystick control and simple interface. While the joystick doesn’t feel particularly robust, it works as intended. Oh, there’s also the Aura Sync lighting for those of you who fancy RGB lighting on the back of your monitor.
The Bad Stuff. Tell Me.
If you’re transitioning from an IPS monitor, you’ll have to get used to the XG35VQ’s VA panel. Don’t get me wrong: the colours are still quite vivid and accurate on the XG35VQ, but its viewing angles…are not great. This isn’t too much of an issue when I’m gaming (where it’s not very noticeable), but the limited viewing angles is especially visible when I’m using it for productivity tasks.
Due to the curved nature of the XG35VQ, colours are washed out when you’re looking at the left or right side of the monitor. This, in turn, makes it pretty bothersome to use for anything other than gaming – the colour shifting is very noticeable.
And then we have Asus’ ELMB technology. It’s worth noting that the XG35VQ is one of few 1440p ultrawide gaming monitors with a blur reduction backlight feature, and while this feature works great – there’s definitely improved motion clarity in the TestUFO motion test – there are some visible ghosting and cross talk.
Should I Buy It?
Retailing at RM4,249, the Asus ROG Strix XG35VQ is not an affordable gaming monitor, but it’s par for the course for a curved, ultrawide gaming monitor like it. This is a 35-inch, 3440 x 1440 monitor with a fast 100Hz refresh rate, and it also comes with AMD FreeSync and Asus’ ELMB technology. As an added bonus, it’s quite a sleek-looking monitor too.
If the XG35VQ’s feature set is what you’re looking for in a gaming monitor, it’s certainly worth considering. Just keep in mind that it has rather limited viewing angles – if it’s something you can live with, you’ll be very happy with this gaming monitor.
Photography by Soh Li Jin and Leon Lam.
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