ASUS ROG Strix XG259QNG-W 24.5" White 2024

A 24.5-inch 1080p monitor with a blistering 380Hz refresh rate and fantastic motion clarity. It's not the prettiest display around, but for competitive FPS, it's one of the best on the market. At its real-world price near $198, it's a killer esports pick.

Pure motion performance is where this thing dominates. At 380Hz, the image stays crisp even during frantic flick shots, and ELMB Sync lets you combine variable refresh rate with backlight strobing for virtually zero blur. Input lag is imperceptible. The only downside is that raw speed doesn't make up for the inherently soft 1080p image on a 24.5-inch screen—text and fine details look a bit pixelated up close. Still, if frame rates are your religion, this panel preaches.

Next to the OLED heavyweights on our list, like the 27-inch MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED or the ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQDMG, the Asus looks like a one-trick pony. Those monitors deliver stunning 1440p visuals, real HDR, and 240Hz that's still extremely fast. Even the ultrawide Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 and the productivity-focused Dell UltraSharp U4025QW offer wildly different but richer experiences. The 380Hz Asus pulls ahead in raw competitive edge and motion clarity. It's a classic trade-off: image quality versus pure speed. If you don't play at a level where every millisecond counts, the OLEDs are a better all-rounder.

At the low end of the price spectrum ($198-ish), this monitor is an absolute steal for its speed. The price still jumps around like a caffeinated squirrel, with some listings hitting absurd heights, so shop carefully. For hardcore esports, it's worth every penny. For everyone else, you can get a nicer 1440p screen for similar money, so know what you're paying for.

The ASUS ROG Strix XG259QNG-W is a 24.5-inch 1080p monitor built for one thing: competitive speed. With a 380Hz overclocked refresh rate and a ridiculously fast 0.3ms response time, it's basically a cheat code for esports titles like CS2 or Valorant. The Fast IPS panel keeps colors decent and viewing angles wide, which is a nice bonus on a display that could've easily been a TN panel.

It's not trying to be a do-everything display, and that's okay. You get a full ergonomic stand, FreeSync Premium (with solid G-Sync compatibility), and even a pair of USB-C ports. It's a purpose-built speed machine, and it leans hard into that identity.

If you mostly play single-player story games or need a monitor for photo editing, turn away. This 1080p panel lacks the sharpness and contrast that make those experiences shine. A 27-inch 1440p 240Hz IPS or even a 27-inch OLED will give you a much richer image and a smoother desktop experience for just a bit more cash.

This is a specialist's tool. If you grind CS2, Valorant, or Overwatch daily and you're chasing every frame, the XG259QNG-W is a no-brainer, especially at its new sub-$200 floor. The 380Hz refresh rate and ELMB Sync create a competitive advantage you can actually feel. For casual gamers or media consumption, the low resolution and mediocre HDR will leave you wanting more.