The PG27UCDM is a 27-inch monitor that measures 21.6 by 24.03 by 8.61 inches (HWD) and weighs 16.8 pounds. It’s slightly smaller than the MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED and drastically lighter, too. The weight difference is likely thanks to the lighter tripod stand as opposed to the flat, hexagonal metal bases of other monitors like the Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED (AW2725Q). I prefer those flatter, wider bases, but I like the way Asus put the extra space to use: An RGB light at its center evokes an alien-abduction beam as it shines down onto the center of the tripod area from above.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

With a pixel density of 166 pixels per inch (ppi), the PG27UCDM compares favorably with the Asus ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG (111ppi). Even last year’s Asus ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM, a 4K 32-inch panel, has a lower density of 140ppi. Higher pixel density contributes to sharper images, clearer text, and enhanced detail.

Much of the PG27UCDM’s design language is similar to that of the aforementioned ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM. The same cyberpunk aesthetic that has defined countless Asus ROG products over recent years returns, including the Anime Matrix RGB lighting across the monitor cabinet’s back.

The port hub consists of two HDMI 2.1 inputs; a USB-C connector with support for 90 watts of power delivery and DisplayPort Alt Mode; two USB-A 3.2 ports; an upstream USB-B connector; a headphone jack; and a DisplayPort 2.1 input. The monitor has no internal speakers.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

DisplayPort 2.1 technology has finally broken through to mainstream gaming monitors this year, thanks in part to the latest crop of Nvidia GeForce RTX 50-series graphics cards that support it. DisplayPort 2.1 handles double the bandwidth of DisplayPort 1.4 (80Gbps versus 32.4Gbps). The additional bandwidth of DisplayPort 2.1 means you can maintain higher resolutions and refresh rates without the compression that comes with DisplayPort 1.4.

The port selection is everything we expect, but it isn’t particularly noteworthy, unlike the innovative Neo Proximity Sensor. The sensor detects when you step away from your screen, automatically transitioning to a black image to protect against panel burn-in. Upon your return, it instantly turns the monitor on without requiring you to press any buttons. In addition to the proximity sensor, the PG27UCDM has a Target Mode setting that dims the entire screen, except for a selected pinned window, which maintains its current brightness setting.

In testing, both features performed as advertised. The proximity sensor was especially useful for someone like me, who is constantly getting up from their desk. The sensor does a good job of ignoring people outside of its range, so the monitor won’t shut on and off if someone else is pacing back and forth behind you.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

The PG27UCDM leverages artificial intelligence with three distinct gameplay-enhancing modes: AI Visual, Dynamic Crosshair, and Dynamic Shadow Boost. The AI Visual mode is the simplest application, automatically adjusting settings to adapt to the action on screen. The Dynamic Shadow Boost acts similarly, adjusting dark areas in the scene. Probably the most useful to gamers is the Dynamic Crosshair, which automatically changes the crosshair to contrast with the environment. We’ve seen similar AI-infused features before—MSI’s MPG line of gaming monitors were some of the first to introduce them—and while some might find use for them, they’re mostly easy to ignore if you don’t.

You can tap into these settings by navigating the on-screen controls, tucked behind the sensor at the south side of the monitor’s screen, but navigating the on-screen display with a tiny control stick is never fun. You’ll want to download the Asus DisplayWidget Center, Asus’ free monitor-management utility. In this app, you can easily edit screen settings and presets, as well as control multiple screens and update the monitor’s firmware.

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