The Asus ProArt PA278CFRV continues Asus’s tradition of offering strong color performance at an affordable price, making it an appealing option for budget-conscious content creators. This review dives into its features, performance, and overall value.
Specifications and Design
The PA278CFRV boasts a 27-inch IPS panel with a 2560×1440 resolution and a 100Hz refresh rate, a welcome upgrade over the standard 60Hz found in many productivity monitors. Key specifications include:
- Display Size: 27-inch, 16:9 aspect ratio
- Resolution: 2560×1440
- Panel Type: IPS
- Refresh Rate: Up to 100Hz
- Adaptive Sync: VESA MediaSync
- HDR: VESA DisplayHDR 400 Certified
- Ports: 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x DisplayPort 1.4-out, 1x USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode and 96W Power Delivery, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 downstream, 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 downstream, 3.5mm audio out
- VESA Mount: 100x100mm
The design is understated yet functional, with a charcoal plastic chassis and a silver stand offering height, tilt, swivel, and pivot adjustments. The stand’s small footprint maximizes desk space, and a VESA mount is available for alternative mounting solutions.
asus proart pa278cfrv
Connectivity and On-Screen Display
The PA278CFRV excels in connectivity. The inclusion of a 96W Power Delivery USB-C port is a standout feature, allowing for simultaneous charging and video output for compatible laptops. A DisplayPort-out port enables daisy-chaining multiple monitors, further enhancing productivity.
Navigating the on-screen display is intuitive, thanks to a joystick and button combination. Numerous customization options are available, including gamma, color saturation, color temperature, and preset modes for sRGB, DCI-P3, and AdobeRGB. Asus’s DisplayWidget software offers additional control for Windows and Mac users.
asus proart pa278cfrv 3
SDR Image Quality
SDR image quality is where the PA278CFRV truly shines. While brightness peaks at a decent 360 nits, which is sufficient for most indoor environments, contrast falls short at 1040:1. This can result in a slight gray cast in dark scenes.
Color gamut coverage is impressive, hitting 97% of DCI-P3 and 87% of AdobeRGB. Color accuracy is good, though not class-leading. The monitor excels in gamma and color temperature accuracy out of the box.
asus proart pa278cfrv brightness
asus proart pa278cfrv contrast
asus proart pa278cfrv color gamut
asus proart pa278cfrv color accuracy
HDR Performance and Motion Handling
While VESA DisplayHDR 400 certified, the PA278CFRV’s HDR performance is underwhelming due to its limited contrast and peak brightness. The 100Hz refresh rate and VESA MediaSync, providing compatibility with both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync, are beneficial for smoother motion, but dedicated gamers may prefer higher refresh rate options.
Conclusion
The Asus ProArt PA278CFRV offers a compelling blend of color accuracy, connectivity, and features for a budget-friendly price. While contrast and HDR performance could be better, it remains a strong contender for content creators seeking a cost-effective display solution.
