Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM 4K 240 Hz QD-OLED gaming monitor review: High-end in every way

27-inch 4K QD-OLED gaming monitor with 240 Hz, Adaptive-Sync, HDR10, and wide gamut color.

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Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM
Editor's Choice
(Image: © Tom's Hardware)

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Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

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Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Not all OLEDs have variable brightness available for SDR content, but the PG27UCDM does. I measured a 25% window and got 445 nits for the win. This isn’t a big deal because in practice, 250 nits is plenty for an indoor setting. And for productivity, constant brightness is easier on the eyes. However, variable brightness is great for gaming, video, and HDR. We’ll talk more about that on page five.

After Calibration to 200 nits

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Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Calibration doesn’t change either black levels or contrast; they remain unmeasurable. For SDR content viewing and testing, I left the PG27UCDM on constant brightness for consistent measurements and for more comfortable productivity. I appreciated the ability to set separate brightness values for each mode, meaning I didn’t have to readjust when switching back and forth. Variable brightness is great for movies and video content in SDR or HDR modes. The ANSI test is also unmeasurable whether constant brightness is on or off.

Test Takeaway: The PG27UCDM has the same peak brightness, infinite black levels, and high contrast as its OLED competitors. It adds a variable brightness option for SDR, which sets it apart from some screens like the HP Omen 32 OLED and Aorus FO32U2P. Ultimately, any level over 250 nits is enough for indoor environments.

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Christian Eberle
Christian Eberle
Contributing Editor

Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.