TN / Esports#3 in our TN / Esports rankingsBest for strobing with VRR

ASUS ROG Strix Ace XG248QSG review

A 24-inch 1080p TN that overclocks to 610Hz, with ELMB Sync strobing that can run alongside VRR.

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Quick verdict

The XG248QSG is the TN pick for players who want very high refresh rates and blur reduction without giving up variable refresh rate. Tom's Hardware found ELMB Sync paired strobing with Adaptive-Sync without a brightness penalty in that mode, while the separate ELMB 2 setting offers five pulse widths that trade brightness for clarity (about 40% dimmer at maximum). TFTCentral lists it among its top esports monitors.

It shares every TN limitation: 1080p on 24 inches, narrow viewing angles, and a picture that is only good for competitive games. Tom's Hardware's own conclusion was that most players would get better overall value from a 1440p OLED.

24″ · 1080p · 600Hz (610Hz overclock) · TN (Super TN) · ELMB Sync, ELMB 2

Buy it if

  • You play competitive shooters at 500+ fps.
  • You want strobing without giving up VRR.
  • You like a solid stand with full adjustment.

Skip it if

  • You rarely exceed 360 fps; a cheaper 360Hz to 400Hz monitor gives nearly the same result.
  • You want one screen for all games; Tom's Hardware suggests a QHD OLED for overall value.
  • You need USB ports.

Key specifications

Specifications for ASUS ROG Strix Ace XG248QSG
Exact modelXG248QSG
Size / aspect24″ / 16:9
Resolution1920×1080
Refresh rate600Hz (610Hz overclock)
Dual modeNo
Panel familyTN
Panel subtypeSuper TN
Subpixel layoutRGB stripe (LCD)
CoatingMatte anti-glare
CurvatureFlat
BacklightEdge-lit LED with ELMB strobing; zone dimming mentioned by Tom's Hardware
Motion technologyELMB Sync: backlight strobing that can run with Adaptive-Sync; ELMB 2 with five pulse-width levels
Adaptive sync / VRRFreeSync and G-SYNC Compatible
HDRVESA DisplayHDR 400
DisplayPort1x DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC (needed for 610Hz)
HDMI2x HDMI 2.1
USB-CNone
USB portsNone
KVM switchNo
AudioHeadphone jack
StandTilt 5° to 35°, 45° swivel, about 6.3 in height, portrait pivot; quarter-inch accessory thread
VESA mountUnknown
WarrantyUnknown (not verified for the US)

Specifications are manufacturer-stated unless marked as measured. “Unknown” means we could not verify the value, not that it is zero or absent.

Advantages and drawbacks

Advantages

  • 600Hz native, 610Hz overclocked.
  • ELMB Sync strobing works with Adaptive-Sync, per Tom's Hardware.
  • About 450 nits SDR and accurate color for a TN.
  • Sturdy stand with full adjustment.

Drawbacks

  • Needs very high frame rates to benefit.
  • TN viewing angles; 1080p resolution.
  • No USB ports; ELMB 2 at maximum cuts brightness by about 40%.

What independent testing reports

MetricReported resultConditionsSource
SDR brightnessAbout 450 nitsPeak SDRTom's Hardware, October 25, 2025
Brightness drop at maximum ELMBAbout 40%Strongest ELMB pulse setting versus offTom's Hardware, October 25, 2025

These are third-party results, not our tests. Different outlets use different methods, so compare numbers only within the same source.

Motion, response, and latency

ELMB Sync strobes the backlight while Adaptive-Sync is active, which most DyAc and ULMB implementations cannot do. Tom's Hardware reported no brightness penalty in ELMB Sync, while the stronger ELMB 2 pulse settings reduce blur further but dim the image by about 40% at maximum and showed occasional tearing. At 610Hz each frame lasts about 1.6 ms on a sample-and-hold display. Tom's Hardware reached around 525 fps in Doom Eternal with a top-tier GPU, which shows how demanding full use of this refresh rate is.

Image quality and HDR

Tom's Hardware measured about 450 nits in SDR and found color accurate for a TN, with a wider-than-usual gamut. It is still a TN panel with limited viewing angles, and DisplayHDR 400 is not meaningful HDR.

Connectivity, PC, and console notes

DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC for 610Hz, two HDMI 2.1 ports, and a headphone jack. There are no USB ports.

Warranty and ownership

As an LCD, no burn-in concern. US warranty terms not verified.

Warranty: Unknown (not verified for the US)

Alternatives worth comparing

Questions buyers ask

Does 610Hz require a special cable?

Use DisplayPort 1.4 or newer; Tom's Hardware notes DSC is used to reach 610Hz.

Final recommendation

Choose the XG248QSG if you want strobing and VRR together at the highest refresh rate. If you do not need VRR while strobing, ZOWIE's DyAc 2 models are the alternative; if you want a better all-round picture, look at a 1440p OLED.

Sources

First published . Last substantive update .