ASUS ROG Strix XG49VQ 49" Black 2020

The ASUS ROG Strix XG49VQ is a 49-inch super ultrawide gaming monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate, FreeSync 2, and strong color coverage. It's essentially two 1080p monitors fused into one curved display, which is great for gaming immersion and multitasking but less ideal for text-heavy work. At the lower end of its USD 662 to USD 899 price range, it's a solid value for ultrawide fans.

The XG49VQ runs at 3840 x 1080, which is essentially dual 1080p. That means pixel density isn't super high, around 93 PPI on a 49-inch panel. For gaming, that's actually a plus. You get the immersive ultrawide view without needing a monster GPU to push 4K or 1440p ultrawide frame rates. The 144Hz refresh rate and 4ms response time keep motion reasonably crisp, and FreeSync 2 helps eliminate tearing with AMD cards. Our database puts its overall performance at the 66th percentile, so it's solid but not a chart-topper compared to newer OLED and high-refresh IPS panels.

The VA panel delivers a 3000:1 static contrast ratio, which means deep blacks and good shadow detail in dark game scenes. Brightness hits 450 nits, and it supports DisplayHDR 400, though that's the entry-level HDR tier. Don't expect eye-searing highlights. Color coverage is strong at 90% DCI-P3 with 10-bit support for 1.07 billion colors, which lands it in the 97th percentile for color in our database. That's genuinely impressive for a gaming-focused VA panel. The 4ms response time is fine for most people, but competitive esports players who obsess over ghosting might notice some VA smearing in fast motion.

Compared to something like the Samsung Odyssey G60SD or the MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2, the XG49VQ is a different beast entirely. Those are 27-inch QD-OLED panels with much higher pixel density and true HDR, but they're also much smaller and more expensive per inch of screen. The XG49VQ wins on sheer horizontal real estate and productivity flexibility. If you're a gamer who also works with multiple windows, the 49-inch width is hard to beat.

The LG UltraGear 45GX950A-B is probably the closest philosophical competitor, another big ultrawide, but it runs a higher resolution and costs significantly more. The Dell UltraSharp U4025QW is aimed at professionals with its 5K2K resolution and better text clarity, but it's not a gaming monitor at heart. The Gigabyte MO27U2 SA is a 4K OLED that will look sharper and more vibrant in games, but again, you lose the ultrawide format. If you want the biggest screen for the least money, the XG49VQ still holds its own. If you want image quality above all else, look elsewhere.

Value depends entirely on where you buy it. The USD 662 to USD 899 spread across five US listings is significant, and the best deal we're seeing is on the lower end of that range. At USD 662, this is a compelling buy for someone who wants a super ultrawide without spending OLED money. At USD 899, it's a harder sell when you can find newer 1440p ultrawides or even some OLED panels creeping into that territory. For Canadian buyers, expect to pay between CAD 1,119 and CAD 1,170. The XG49VQ makes the most sense if you prioritize screen width and gaming immersion over pixel density and HDR performance.

The ASUS ROG Strix XG49VQ is a 49-inch super ultrawide gaming monitor that basically takes two 27-inch 1080p panels and stitches them together into one massive 32:9 curved display. It's aimed at gamers and multitaskers who want a ton of horizontal screen space without dealing with a dual-monitor bezel in the middle. The 1800R curve wraps around your field of view, and with a 144Hz refresh rate plus FreeSync 2 support, it's built to keep fast-paced games looking smooth.

Pricing is a bit all over the place right now. In the US, we're seeing listings from USD 662 up to USD 899 depending on the vendor, so it pays to shop around. That's a pretty wide spread for a monitor that's been on the market for a while. If you're hunting for a super ultrawide for gaming and productivity, the XG49VQ sits in an interesting spot, not the newest panel tech, but still a lot of screen for the money if you find a good deal.

People searching for this monitor usually want to know two things: is the 3840 x 1080 resolution sharp enough, and is it actually good for gaming? The short answer is yes for gaming, with some caveats for text-heavy work. We'll dig into both below.

Skip the XG49VQ if you do a lot of text-heavy work like coding, writing, or spreadsheet analysis. The 1080p vertical resolution just doesn't have the pixel density for crisp text, and you'd be better off with a 1440p or 4K ultrawide like the Dell UltraSharp U4025QW. Competitive esports players should also look elsewhere, the 4ms VA panel isn't as fast as a 240Hz IPS or OLED display. And if you want real HDR performance, this isn't it. DisplayHDR 400 is basically a sticker. Anyone who values image quality over screen width should consider a smaller OLED like the MSI MAG 271QPX or Gigabyte MO27U2 SA instead.

Should you buy the ASUS ROG Strix XG49VQ? If you want a giant curved ultrawide for gaming and multitasking and you can find it near the USD 662 mark, yes. It's a lot of screen for that price, and the 144Hz refresh rate plus FreeSync 2 make it a genuinely fun gaming display. The color performance is better than most people expect from a VA panel, and the connectivity options are excellent.

But if you're picky about text sharpness, do a lot of spreadsheet or document work, or you're sensitive to VA ghosting, this isn't the monitor for you. The 1080p vertical resolution is the biggest compromise here. For pure gaming image quality, a smaller 1440p or 4K OLED will look dramatically better. The XG49VQ is a specialist's monitor, great at immersion and screen width, mediocre at everything else.