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Putting a large screen on your desktop can completely change the feel of interacting with your computer. For work tasks, there is a vast amount of real estate to use for multiple windows, documents, videos and graphics. Gaming is a different experience as well with the user’s peripheral vision filled both vertically and horizontally. Though an ultra-wide screen can provide some of this effect, it won’t have the height of a 43-incher.
The XG43UQ provides everything necessary for a solid gaming experience and functions well as a television replacement. Though we consider 144 Hz a starting point for gaming monitors, that is still the cap in the Ultra HD category. Our tests showed it to be on par with other UHD 144 Hz screens in both screen response and input lag. The only flaws here were the overdrive artifacts we observed. With slight reverse ghosting around moving objects, some environments showed a shimmering effect that distracted from exploration and slower movement. More intense action didn’t seem as greatly affected. The ELMB feature also displayed a few issues with phasing artifacts. We didn’t have occasion to use it during our hands-on time.
Image-wise, we had no complaints. The XG43UQ calibrated to a high standard and has some of the best gamma tracking we’ve seen of late. With excellent color accuracy and solid contrast, the picture was nothing but vivid and bright. The high-intensity backlight provided superb highlight detail in HDR content while shadows were deep with the true blacks a VA panel can deliver.
Thanks to its large size, the XG43UQ makes room for some excellent speakers. The two 10-watt units included here were clean and clear with plenty of distortion-free and room-filling volume. And the monitor’s styling is certainly unique. Asus has always been distinctive with its ROG monitors and this one is no exception. The addition of a white panel makes it particularly striking.
Hats off too to the XG43UQ’s support of 24p film cadence. While that is something found in even the cheapest televisions, most computer monitors, even those with Adaptive-Sync, don’t support it. Asus has paid attention to the details in making this screen a total entertainment solution.
The ROG Strix XG43UQ may be a bit pricier than a comparably sized TV but its gaming performance is definitely a reason to consider going with a jumbo monitor. Users looking for desktop domination should definitely check it out.
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