Asus MG24UQ 24-inch IPS Ultra HD FreeSync Monitor Review

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Gamers seeking high pixel density may want to check out the Asus MG24UQ. It’s a 24-inch IPS panel with FreeSync, Ultra HD and a shockingly low price. We’re running it through our benchmark and gaming tests today.

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Brightness & Contrast

To read about our monitor tests in depth, please check out Display Testing Explained: How We Test Monitors and TVs.  Brightness and Contrast testing is covered on page two.

Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

FreeSync can be added to any DisplayPort 1.2-equipped monitor essentially without cost. This has given rise to several new Ultra HD model introductions in recent months. We now have a large group of high-res gaming monitors from which to choose. Today we’re including Acer’s XB271HK and XB321HK, Asus’ MG28UQ, ViewSonic’s XG2700-4K and AOC’s U2879VF in our comparison group. All offer adaptive sync and a 60Hz max refresh rate.

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The MG24UQ measures slightly under its claimed output level of 300cd/m2. The difference is a wash and doesn’t diminish its usefulness in the slightest. With such high pixel density, there is more than enough brightness for any game or productivity application one might use it for. If you need more light, the XB321HK offers a little extra punch.

Black levels are quite respectable at the backlight’s maximum setting. IPS offers good dynamic range, although it won’t match the blacks seen on a VA or OLED screen. Resulting contrast is decent at just over 1000:1. You can increase this a little by using ASCR but some detail will be crushed at the extremes of the brightness scale.

Uncalibrated – Minimum Backlight Level

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The minimum backlight level is a little lower than our preferred 50cd/m2. Just turn it up to 7 for that setting. Black levels and contrast remain consistent through the entire adjustment range. Contrast remains over 1000:1 and places it among the best of our Ultra HD gaming monitors.

After Calibration to 200cd/m2

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We lost a bit of contrast during calibration by reducing the Contrast slider. This was done to correct a slight blue error that we could barely see. You can also solve this minor issue by selecting the sRGB picture mode. Output is locked at 170cd/m2, but that’s a level that will work in most room environments. With our tweaks, dynamic range is only reduced by 8%.

ANSI Contrast Ratio

Most monitors post slightly lower ANSI numbers, and the MG24UQ is no exception. We’re still satisfied with its 832.3:1 result. The spoiler comes from a hotspot in the lower-right corner of the screen. Were that area more equal to the rest, the value would have been closer to 1000:1. Fortunately this did not hurt the uniformity results, which are quite excellent. So far, our benchmarks are showing the MG24UQ to be a high-quality panel.

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.