When it involves 24in AMD FreeSync gaming monitors with excessive 144Hz refresh charges, there are few that do it higher than AOC’s G2460PF. An oldie however a goodie, this £209 / $190 height-adjustable gaming show has lengthy been the best gaming monitor to purchase on this specific class, however at present a brand new contender has stepped as much as the plate within the type of the Viewsonic Elite XG240R.
Like the AOC, the Elite XG240R has a height-adjustable stand that may tilt, swivel and rotate, nevertheless it additionally has a extra trendy number of ports, together with two USB3s, and an equally good 1920×1080 TN panel. Oh, and it’s additionally obtained RGB lighting around the again that may sync up with different system-wide RGB gear from Cooler Master and Thermaltake, in the event you’re into that form of factor – all of which is arguably fairly tempting for simply another £70 / $70 over the AOC. Has the G2460PF lastly met its match? Let’s discover out.
Starting with the TN panel itself, I have to admit I used to be a bit skeptical concerning the Elite XG240R once I first turned it on. Not solely was the display screen overly inexperienced in its default FPS gaming mode, however my X-Rite i1 DisplayPro calibrator additionally solely returned an sRGB protection rating of 85.8%. In common TN panel phrases, that’s pretty common, however in comparison with the 95.2% protection provided by the AOC’s TN panel straight out of the field, it’s fairly poor present.
Unleash the rainbow with the XG240R’s customisable RGB lights.
Fortunately, I used to be in a position to bump that as much as an much more spectacular 95.8% as soon as I’d converted to its Realistic Colour Focus profile and tweaked the XG240R’s Full Colour Control color temperature setting by reining within the monitor’s inexperienced worth a bit. That’s fairly darn nice for this sort of panel. Normally, I’d solely anticipate IPS screens to be hitting this type of accuracy stage outdoors of Nvidia’s rigorously-tested TN-based G-Sync screens, so it’s nice to see that Viewsonic have gone with a top quality panel right here, even when its does require a little bit of fiddling to get it wanting its finest.
In addition to wealthy and vibrant colors, the Elite XG240R additionally had a really commendable black stage of 0.35cd/m2 (the nearer to 0.00cd/m2, the higher), and a very good distinction ratio of 1026:1. Combined, this meant darkish scenes had been stuffed with element whereas nonetheless providing first rate, inky shadow areas. Add in a peak brightness of round 366cd/m2, and also you’ve additionally obtained loads of leeway to discover a snug setting no what lighting situation you occur to search out your self in.
Viewsonic’s onboard menu is fairly simple to become familiar with as effectively – which is greater than could be mentioned of AOC’s present interface – and also you get all kinds of choices to assist effective tune its image even additional. This features a 22-level black stabilization characteristic, which may make black areas on display screen seem darker or lighter, color saturation, six totally different gamma ranges and a blue mild filter along with the standard brightness, distinction and sharpness settings.
For an AMD FreeSync display screen, I’d say it additionally does a rattling good Nvidia G-Sync impression. While it’s not technically one in every of Nvidia’s formally sanctioned G-Sync Compatible screens (but – they’re nonetheless within the technique of including extra to their at present extremely selective record), I didn’t see any indicators of blanking or pulsing or any of the opposite defects I’ve seen happen on FreeSync screens that undoubtedly aren’t appropriate with Nvidia’s G-Sync-enabling driver, and I reckon it could be an equally good purchase for Nvidia and AMD graphics card house owners alike.
Just avoid the XG240R’s numerous gaming modes if you wish to keep the monitor’s color accuracy, although, as every part from its so-called ‘Speed Focused’ FPS, MOBA and Battle Royale modes to its Console-based Speed and Colour profiles booted all these hard-won color settings out the window. They additionally lock off a swathe of different choices, too, together with its color temperature settings and the black stabilization choice to call just some.
Indeed, the one factor the Elite XG240R is basically missing is one thing to assist preserve its cables good and tidy. Even the AOC G2460PF had slightly plastic clip on the underside of the stand, however these eyeing up the Viewsonic should make do with letting them dangle the place they lie. It’s not the top of the world, all informed, nevertheless it appears an odd oversight given its wealth of options elsewhere.
Still, there’s undoubtedly loads to love concerning the £281 / $260 Viewsonic Elite XG240R, and I feel it’s an important purchase for these on the lookout for one thing slightly extra upmarket than the AOC. Personally I’d nonetheless err on the aspect of the AOC as the final word 24in FreeSync monitor in our best gaming monitor rankings, if solely resulting from its cheaper price and out of the field brilliance, however in the event you’d moderately have two USB3 ports as an alternative of 4 USB2s, plus a second HDMI enter as an alternative of DVI and VGA choices, then by all means go for the Viewsonic.
I’d even be glad recommending the Viewsonic to these after a sure-fire Nvidia G-Sync expertise, though admittedly I can’t say for sure whether or not the G2460PF is healthier or worse on this entrance in the mean time as I haven’t been in a position to get it again in for extra testing. I’ll replace this evaluation (and the AOC’s) as soon as I do, however for now, I feel the AOC nonetheless has greater than sufficient going for it with a purpose to maintain onto its bestest finest crown. The Viewsonic, in the meantime, comes extremely recommended as a worthy various.
