With the PG27AQWP-G Edition 20, ASUS offers a monitor that matches its anniversary collection down to the details. We particularly liked the translucent back, but FPS fans also get a compelling feature: 540 Hz at QHD. We unboxed it, set it up and used it in CS2 and Battlefield 6. Here is what stood out.
Conditions for our hands-on
ASUS France loaned us this unit for the test. It was connected to the complete Edition 20 PC with the ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090 Edition 20, running at 2,560 × 1,440 pixels and 540 Hz. We kept it in SDR mode.
This is an unboxing with usage impressions. We used no colorimeter and did not measure brightness, colour accuracy or response time. Our assessment draws in part on experience with the ASUS PG27AQDM and PG27UCDM.
A typical ASUS monitor unboxing
Packaging and accessories follow the brand’s usual approach. Despite what an anniversary edition might suggest, we found nothing unusual here. The presentation did not deliver the same special unboxing experience as the collection’s keyboard or mouse.
Setup is very simple. The stand assembles without tools using a hand-tightened screw, and height adjustments are easy. Our setup still leaves enough room for keyboard and mouse. Unless you sit almost against the screen, its footprint should not be the main concern.
The translucent back makes the difference
The gold accents were not the first thing we noticed. Our favourite part is at the back: the translucent shell reveals some of the internals and gives the monitor real character. ASUS also lists 24-carat gold-plated details for this edition [1].
Honestly, once it faces a wall, you will hardly ever see the back. It is mostly an aesthetic pleasure, but a great one! We think the design is a real success and the most immediately distinctive feature of this anniversary version.
What the panel offers
ASUS uses a fourth-generation Tandem WOLED panel in the 27-inch class, with a visible diagonal of 26.5 inches. Its glossy surface is called TrueBlack Glossy. Dual mode reaches 540 Hz at QHD or 720 Hz at HD [1][2]. Our impressions cover only QHD at 540 Hz.
Connectivity includes DisplayPort 2.1a UHBR20 and HDMI 2.1 ports. ASUS also states G-SYNC compatibility and FreeSync Premium Pro certification [1].
Excellent image quality and noticeably smoother motion
Coming from the PG27AQDM and PG27UCDM, the image quality feels familiar. SDR rendering in CS2 and Battlefield 6 looked excellent. We noticed no dramatic change here, nor any visual flaw that bothered us during games.
The refresh rate attracts more attention. It would be hard to claim we can identify exactly 540 Hz by eye, but we did feel smoother motion compared with 240 Hz. This is a gaming impression, without instrumented comparison or frame-rate logging.
A glossy surface that needs careful placement
Reflections would be our main concern before choosing this monitor. We preferred gaming in a dark room. A window behind you or ceiling lighting reflected in the panel can quickly become distracting.
That does not mean it can only be used in darkness, but screen placement and light sources matter a lot. Keep this in mind if your desk is in a very bright room.
Comprehensive menus and a persistent reminder
The menus offer many settings, which we appreciate. Anyone new to this type of monitor may need a little time to find their way around.
We experienced no annoying behaviour during use, with one small exception: the pixel-cleaning reminder felt a little too frequent.
ASUS specifications accessed on 25 September 2026.
Key takeaways
The PG27AQWP-G Edition 20’s design is our favourite feature. The translucent back is superb, even if it spends most of its time out of view. We also really liked the image, and moving from 240 to 540 Hz brought smoother motion that we could feel in games.
At around €1,300 during our test, this monitor is a substantial purchase. You pay for a special edition, but also for gaming at 540 Hz in QHD or 720 Hz in HD.
We mainly see it appealing to committed competitive FPS players or ROG fans completing an Edition 20 setup. Most players could already be very happy with a less expensive ASUS OLED. Its design and refresh rate tempt us, but the price is hard to forget.