The ASUS ROG Strix XG43UQ Xbox Edition is the 3rd large display featuring HDMI 2.1 that I’ve reviewed and as a Playstation 5 owner, the reason is obvious: I’m looking for a new-gen console for my personal use but also hope that its something that can fit in my desktop workflow particularly as my main monitor for our test bench. We’ve already checked out the AORUS FV43U and the Philips Momentum 559M1RYV and today we have the ROG STRIX XG43UQ.
This screen is pretty much the same panel as the FV43U: a 43″ 4K 144hz VA panel with edge-lit HDR but still manages to score that DisplayHDR 1000 rating. It is quite a feat but visually would still feel inferior to a FALD IPS or especially an OLED one. But still, is it worth ASUS’ asking price and what uses can you have with such a large monitor? Read on.
Features & Specifications
- 43-inch 4K (3840 x 2160) DSC gaming monitor with an ultra-fast 144Hz refresh rate
- Feature ELMB (1ms MPRT) and support FreeSync Premium Pro technology to eliminate screen tearing and choppy frame rates
- 4K at 120 Hz via HDMI 2.1 to make the most of the next gen consoles’ mind-blowing performance
- GameFast Input Technology minimizes input lag and provides much faster motion delivery from end devices to monitor
- High dynamic range (HDR) technology with DisplayHDR 1000 certification and 90% DCI-P3 professional color gamut ensures exceptional contrast and color performance
Closer Look – Design
The show off the sheer size of a 43″ screen, this table is an extra wide office desk and the monitor already takes up more than half of the length of surface and pretty much the entire width due to the dept of the stand. This is one of the biggest considerations you should keep in mind when getting a large monitor like this: it requires plenty of desk space.
There’s not a lot going on in front and most of the details we’ll need to talk about is at the back. First off is the ROG design language: molded panel lines and a molded ROG logo graces the back together with the overall angular styling of ROG.
In most ROG monitors, the logo will be illuminated but in this case, it is just a recessed logo and does not light up. We’ll discuss more about that in a bit as I shift your attention to the stand. Unlike TVs and other large monitor, the stand is attached in the middle area of the back and allows a bit of tilt.
This is in contrast with other screens that support the monitor on both sides and puts the screen on a lower elevation. Its not something you’d really care about but if you are insistent on using this on a desk, having that extra elevation allows you to cram some stuff just underneath the chin of the screen.
The lower left blends a panel that can be removed to reveal the primary input ports including a DisplayPort and a pair of HDMI 2.1 ports and a DC-in jack. Just above that on the side of the monitor is an array of input options as well as audio outputs together with a USB3.0 hub.
In the video, I mentioned this screen has 4x HDMI 2.1 ports and that is a mistake as this monitor has a pair of HDMI 2.1 and a pair of HDMI 2.0. As of right now, only the PS5 and Xbox One S|X support HDMI 2.1 so if you do plan to use all of those input for all current gen consoles, you won’t be missing out: 2 for the HDMI2.1 consoles, 1 for a Nintendo Switch, 1 for a cable box and the DisplayPort for your PC.
You can use HDMI2.1 to run a PC as well to get 4K 120hz but make sure that you’re PC is outputting HDMI 2.1 signals.
ASUS includes a remote with the XG43UQ Xbox Edition for controlling the OSD. Its minimally functional and you can do without it as the monitor shuts itself off during standby so you don’t need to power it off via remote as well. There is a detachable projector light that comes with this monitor that outputs an ROG logo on the surface. You can opt not to use it especially if you’re hanging this screen from a wall.
As mentioned, this is an edge-lit VA panel capable of running 3840 x 2160 at 144hz max. HDMI 2.1 is limited to [email protected] or [email protected] while DisplayPort can do higher. VA panels do manage good contrast ratio but given the backlighting option, blacks aren’t as good as IPS or OLEDs, but at this screen size, the price disparity will more than make you consider this screen.
Any high resolution content can make for this just from the sheer resolution of the visuals but in cases where there’s compression, its somewhat bothering to see the details get marred in the dark scenes. Unless your content is in the dark for very long, you will probably never notice but in such cases, especially in horror scenes, it may prove distracting.
User Experience & Conclusion
ASUS implements ELMB in the ROG Strix XG43UQ Xbox Edition and tries their best to really minimize the compromises in this monitor but the technology itself has its limitation. VA smearing is very evident and not even ASUS’ ROG technical prowess can solve this issue. Even the Philips 559M1 and FV43U, both VA panels, suffer from this and simply comes with the territory. This is something keep in mind if you want the best picture quality and as such, if you can’t live with that, then your option is to go OLED.
ASUS’ ELMB tries to resolve this and provide a more visually smooth image but if you’re running games that only do 60hz, your tolerance will really be tested. Ultimately, at this scale though and at 4K, you’ll really need pixel-pushing power and a PC would be the better experience if you got then system power to spare. The Xbox Series X has a larger library of games that do 120hz and the PS5 has a paltry number in comparison.
At the end the day, if you can overcome the size and distance restrictions of this monitor, it certainly works as either a daily work screen as well as an entertainment and gaming centerpiece. Its prime advantage against OLED would be its definitive lifespan with no possibility of burn-in eventually ruining your $2000 OLED screen. ASUS also has incredible monitor after-sales support.
So, if you’re asking yourself if you should get the XG43UQ Xbox Edition versus an LG C1, that would depend. As I said, I am after variety and as someone who have multiple OLED laptops already in lockdown due to burn-in, I really don’t want to abandon a 43″ screen just because of that.
That said, the ASUS ROG Strix XG43UQ Xbox Edition and its standard counterpart is a nice solution for a mixed-use scenario. Its definitely a niche product if you look at it at the perspective but as an HDMI2.1 monitor, it makes up for the limitations of the technology and works around it to bring a very pleasant experience.
ASUS backs the ROG Strix XG43UQ with a 3-year warranty. I give it my B2G Gold Award!
