AOC C27G2ZU evaluate: an ideal worth 240Hz gaming monitor

240Hz gaming screens are all the trend amongst aggressive esports circles in the meanwhile, however I’ve to confess that I’ve by no means felt creakier or extra decrepit enjoying games than I’ve with AOC’s C27G2ZU plonked on my desk. To be clear, I’m not casting shade on the monitor itself. This 27in, 1920×1080 gaming show has a completely top of the range curved VA panel, and its AMD Freesync Premium assist works fantastically with Nvidia and AMD graphics playing cards alike. It’s not one among Nvidia’s formally licensed G-Sync Compatible monitors (but), however it’s a incredible gaming monitor nonetheless. I’m, nevertheless, formally too outdated to maintain up with its blistering 240Hz refresh fee.

There’s been quite a lot of doubtful speak over current months about how 240Hz gaming screens are best gaming monitors you should buy as a result of they will make you higher at games, however having performed a number of rounds of Valorant on the C27C2ZU, I can verify that I’m nonetheless as horrible at it as I used to be on a traditional 60Hz monitor.

If something, I’m most likely worse at it as a result of enjoying with the body fee cranked as much as the complete 240fps (which may be very straightforward to do due to Valorant’s PC requirements being so gosh-darned low) is simply too rattling fast for my eyes to maintain up with what’s taking place. My response instances simply aren’t quick sufficient to benefit from that additional smoothness – which is very easy, I’d add, like virtually comically so (a torrent of sizzling butter doesn’t even start to explain it) – and I’d even go as far to say it typically made me really feel a bit of nauseous.

As I mentioned, this drawback isn’t distinctive to the AOC C27G2ZU, which is the primary of five new 240Hz monitors coming from AOC over the subsequent couple of months. It’s simply 240Hz screens normally, and personally I’m not likely certain there’s a lot profit to be gained by choosing this sort of larger refresh fee than, say, sticking with a 144Hz monitor comparable to AOC’s excellent 24G2U. You can, after all, select to restrict the C27G2ZU’s refresh fee to 144Hz or under utilizing Windows’ show settings in case you choose (with the intention of getting ‘room to grow’ at a later date in case you really feel as much as it), however there’s no getting away from the truth that 240Hz screens nonetheless value much more than 144Hz screens. 144Hz I can nearly cope with, however 240Hz is an excessive amount of.

Perhaps that’s simply the outdated curmudgeon in me talking, as 240Hz actually appears to be the brand new normal that monitor makers appear to be aiming for lately. As I mentioned, the C27G2ZU will quickly be joined by 4 different 240Hz screens within the AOC fold, and Dell have simply refreshed their line-up of Alienware 240Hz screens as properly with the AW2521HFL and AW2721HFL. Asus, then again, are trying even additional forward with their upcoming 360Hz gaming monitor, which was introduced again in January. The solely method is up, as they are saying.

Still, in case you’re decided that 240Hz is the proper refresh fee for you, then there’s nonetheless loads to love in regards to the AOC C27G2ZU. Its curved VA panel is one other first fee job from AOC, and my X-Rite DisplayPro i1 device confirmed it was displaying a formidable 99.0% of the sRGB color gamut straight out of the field. As a outcome, there was little or no must fiddle round with any of its settings in its onboard menu system to try to get a greater image (I did strive, however bought an equivalent sRGB outcome), and it means you possibly can just about use the C27G2ZU as is with out spending ages calibrating it if you first set it up.

Combine that with a beautiful excessive distinction ratio of 3147:1 and a low black degree of 0.08cd/m2 (the nearer to 0.00cd/m2, the higher), and the C27G2ZU ensures photos, games and different every day desktop apps all the time look their greatest. It’s not the brightest gaming monitor on the planet with its white degree peaking at simply 278cd/m2, however that’s nonetheless greater than sufficient for on a regular basis use, and I didn’t have any hassle seeing the display screen in shiny sunshine, both. All in all, it’s a great-looking panel.

Its AMD Freesync Premium assist is one other bonus, too. Whereas regular Freesync screens will robotically change your monitor’s refresh fee to the variety of frames being spewed out by your graphics card when you hit a sure threshold (usually round 48fps), a Freesync Premium monitor successfully removes that minimal body fee threshold due to AMD’s Low Frame fee Compensation tech. In quick, it means you’ll get that very same tremendous easy, tear-free gaming expertise at 30fps, 25fps, or no matter body fee your graphics card can address.

Plus, whereas it’s not one among Nvidia’s formally licensed G-Sync Compatible monitors simply but, I didn’t have any drawback utilizing an Nvidia graphics card to play games on it. While all Freesync screens are technically G-Sync suitable (with a small ‘c’), some screens are extra suitable than others, with the worst ones leading to blinking, pulsing and unusual colouration when paired with an Nvidia card. I didn’t see any of those defects throughout my testing, so I’m assured that Nvidia GPU house owners will have the ability to get simply nearly as good a gaming expertise as huge ‘C’ G-Sync Compatible monitor.

The AOC C27G2ZU comes with an ideal number of ports, too, together with two HDMI 2.Zero inputs and one DisplayPort 1.2 enter, plus 4 USB 3.2 (Gen 1) ports for all of your peripherals and a headphone output. The ZU a part of its mannequin quantity additionally means you get a height-adjustable stand, providing you with loads of flexibility to get a cushty viewing angle. The ZU is vital, you see, as AOC are additionally releasing a C27G2ZE mannequin very quickly, which has a hard and fast stand and doesn’t include the USB hub, so ensure you take note of that final letter of the monitor’s mannequin identify to ensure you don’t purchase the improper display screen.

The solely draw back is its 1920×1080 decision. I all the time urge monitor patrons to try to go for a 2560×1440 decision when shopping for a 27in monitor, as all the pieces simply seems that bit crisper and extra distinct. A 1920×1080 decision on a 27in display screen is fairly borderline in my books, and whereas it’s nearly doable for the odd bit of labor, letters and desktop icons can look a bit fuzzy and pixelated spherical the perimeters.

It’s not one thing I’d suggest in case you’re planning on utilizing this monitor for each work and play. However, in case you’re simply on the lookout for a pure, 1080p gaming display screen, then the impact is lots much less noticeable. Big vibrant games nonetheless look nice on a monitor of this measurement, and much more detailed games comparable to Total War stay completely playable. Text is mostly extra legible than it’s throughout common desktop duties as properly, and I used to be in a position to learn dialogue bins, UI textual content and different bits of onscreen data with out concern. In quick, I wasn’t without end questioning whether or not I wanted one other eye check whereas enjoying games on the C27G2ZU, which is greater than I can say for typing up lengthy phrase paperwork on it.

The neatest thing in regards to the AOC C27G2ZU, although, is the worth. While £300 (US pricing TBC) is under no circumstances pocket change for a 27in monitor, it’s fairly darn low cost if you examine it to different 240Hz shows. Even Dell’s smaller Alienware AW2521HFL nonetheless prices £330 at time of writing, whereas its 27in AW2721HFL sibling goes for £400. Samsung’s 27in CRG5 comes closest at £298, however you solely get a hard and fast stand with that one, plus a single USB port.

All in all, the C27G2ZU is fairly nice worth in comparison with the competitors, making this the 240Hz gaming monitor to purchase in case you’ve bought the eyes and the response instances to benefit from it. Otherwise, I believe you’d be completely completely happy sticking with my present best gaming monitor decide: AOC’s smaller, 144Hz gaming show, the AOC 24G2U, which might normally be had for as little as £180 / $180 when inventory ranges are again underneath management.