For the ASUS VG278Q, there is no single magic RGB/brightness recipe that is correct for every unit. The most important gaming setup is to run the monitor at 1920×1080, 144Hz, enable Adaptive-Sync/G-SYNC Compatible if you use it, and tune Trace Free without creating overshoot.
The old version of this guide recommended fixed RGB values and claimed brightness or colour settings could reduce frame rate. Monitor picture controls do not change how many frames your GPU renders.
Recommended starting settings
| Setting | Starting point |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1920×1080 native |
| Refresh rate | 144Hz |
| GameVisual | Racing Mode or the mode you prefer |
| Brightness | Set for your room; start around 20–40 |
| Contrast | Leave near default unless clipping is visible |
| Color Temp | Normal as a neutral starting point |
| Trace Free | 60 as a sensible starting point |
| ASCR | Off for predictable image behaviour |
| Adaptive-Sync/FreeSync | On if using VRR |
| ELMB | Optional for fixed high-refresh motion clarity |
1. Make sure Windows is actually using 144Hz
The VG278Q is a 27-inch 1920×1080 TN monitor with a 144Hz maximum refresh rate.
In Windows 11:
- Open Settings → System → Display → Advanced display.
- Select the VG278Q.
- Choose 144Hz from the refresh-rate menu.
ASUS lists DisplayPort, HDMI and dual-link DVI inputs, but DisplayPort is the simplest choice for current PC gaming features.
See ASUS VG278Q specifications.
2. Enable Adaptive-Sync / G-SYNC Compatible if appropriate
ASUS supports Adaptive-Sync/FreeSync on the VG278Q, and the monitor is listed by NVIDIA as G-SYNC Compatible with a 40–144Hz VRR range over DisplayPort.
VRR helps eliminate tearing when the game’s frame rate moves within the supported range.
If you prefer fixed refresh with backlight strobing, ELMB is a separate option; do not assume every motion-blur-reduction mode works simultaneously with VRR.
3. Start with Racing Mode
ASUS provides seven GameVisual modes: Scenery, Racing, Cinema, RTS/RPG, FPS, sRGB and MOBA.
Racing Mode is a useful general gaming starting point because ASUS designs it around low-latency gaming behaviour. But it is not mandatory: use FPS mode if you prefer its shadow/contrast treatment, or sRGB for more restrained colour when editing/viewing graphics.
The manual notes that some controls are locked in particular GameVisual modes.
See the ASUS VG278Q user guide.
4. Trace Free: start at 60, then test
Trace Free is ASUS’s overdrive control. Higher settings push pixel transitions harder.
A setting around 60 is a sensible starting point and has historically measured well on this model. If you see dark/bright halos behind moving objects, reduce it. If normal ghost trails are obvious, try the next higher setting.
Do not automatically choose 100: excessive overdrive can create inverse ghosting.
Our monitor ghosting guide explains how to test this with TestUFO.
5. Brightness is about the room, not FPS
The previous article said high brightness could lower your frame rate. It cannot.
Set brightness for comfortable viewing:
- lower in a dark room;
- higher in daylight;
- avoid running unnecessarily bright if it causes eye fatigue.
A starting range around 20–40 can work indoors, but your room and individual panel matter more than somebody else’s number.
6. Do not copy another monitor’s exact RGB calibration
The old guide prescribed Red 95 / Green 94 / Blue 88 as though every VG278Q panel was identical.
Manufacturing variation means exact calibration settings do not transfer perfectly between units. Start with Normal Color Temp unless the image visibly needs correction.
If colour accuracy matters, use a hardware colorimeter to create an ICC profile for your monitor. Downloading a random ICC profile is not the same thing as calibrating your panel.
7. ASCR, VividPixel and Smart View
For a predictable PC image:
- ASCR: usually leave off; it dynamically alters contrast/backlight behaviour.
- VividPixel: leave low/off unless you specifically want extra edge enhancement.
- Smart View: generally unnecessary when you are sitting directly in front of the monitor.
These are image-processing preferences, not performance boosters.
ELMB: when should you use it?
ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur uses backlight strobing to improve perceived motion clarity. On the VG278 series, ASUS documents ELMB for high fixed refresh operation.
The trade-off is reduced brightness and the loss of some flexibility compared with VRR. Try both and choose based on the games you play.
Is the VG278Q still usable in 2026?
Yes. A 1080p 144Hz display remains perfectly usable for esports and general gaming, and ASUS still hosts product support/manuals for the VG278Q.
It is now an older TN monitor, though. A new buyer can find current IPS/OLED monitors with higher refresh rates, better viewing angles and stronger image quality, so the VG278Q makes most sense if you already own one or find it very cheaply.
For a wider refresh-rate discussion, see our 75Hz vs 144Hz vs 240Hz guide.
Quick answer
Run the VG278Q at 1920×1080/144Hz, enable VRR if you want tear-free variable refresh, start Trace Free around 60, leave ASCR off, and set brightness for your room. Do not copy fixed RGB values expecting universal calibration, and do not expect monitor colour settings to change game FPS.
