There are such a lot of nice gaming screens at present, with such a wide selection of focus and options, that it may be laborious to decide on the finest gaming monitor. My suggestion is all the time to think about your wants/needs and choose the appropriate software for the job. With a big array of display screen sizes, shapes, resolutions, speeds and options, it’s secure to say that shows have change into extra specialised of their design intent.
Whereas most individuals take into account decision foremost, aggressive gaming has its personal set of necessities. If an esports participant needs each doable benefit, they’ll want a stout PC and a high-performance show. 144 Hz is now a place to begin. 240 Hz is quick, however 360 Hz is the present pinnacle (though even sooner shows are coming quickly). When movement decision is the principle focus, nothing out there at present can beat a 360 Hz monitor, regardless that all of them at present run at FHD (1080p) decision.
There are a selection of those premium panels out there, however right here we’ll be trying on the newest addition to AOC’s Agon Professional line, the AG254FG. It’s a 24.5-inch IPS panel with 360 Hz, Adaptive-Sync and HDR. Whereas it might be troublesome for some to wrap their minds round a 24.5-inch FHD panel that prices $750, you received’t care in regards to the value when you’ve seen it in motion.
AOC Agon AG254FG Specs
| Panel Sort / Backlight | IPS / W-LED, edge array |
| Display Dimension / Side Ratio | 24.5 inches / 16:9 |
| Max Decision and Refresh Price | 1920×1080 @ 360 Hz |
| G-Sync Licensed | |
| FreeSync appropriate | |
| Native Colour Depth and Gamut | 8-bit (6-bit+FRC) / sRGB |
| Response Time (GTG) | 1ms |
| Brightness (mfr) | 400 nits |
| Distinction (mfr) | 1,000:1 |
| Audio system | 2x 5w w/DTS |
| Video Inputs | 1x DisplayPort 1.4 |
| 2x HDMI 2.0 | |
| Audio | 2x 3.5mm headphone output |
| 1x microphone enter | |
| USB 3.2 | 1x up, 4x down |
| Energy Consumption | 26w, brightness @ 200 nits |
| Panel Dimensions WxHxD w/base | 21.7 x 15.5-20.6 x 12.1 inches (552 x 394-524 x 308mm) |
| Panel Thickness | 2.8 inches (72mm) |
| Bezel Width | High/sides: 0.2 inch (6mm) |
| Backside: 0.9 inch (23mm) | |
| Weight | 14 kilos (6.4kg) |
| Guarantee | 4 years |
The 2 issues that separate rank-and-file gaming screens from the high-end fashions are response and movement decision. The decision of a transferring picture is way decrease than a panel’s static decision. Pixel rely takes a again seat to refresh price. The upper the speed, the better integrity a transferring image has. 240 Hz is excellent and dominates the QHD style, however 360 Hz is one other stage solely.
The AG254FG employs a Quick IPS panel with FHD decision. The 360 Hz refresh price is achieved right here with out overclock. Adaptive-Sync comes with a certification from Nvidia for G-Sync and FreeSync operation from 48-360 Hz, as confirmed by my testing. Additionally included is the newest G-Sync module, which has DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.0 ports.
Within the OSD, you’ll discover a G-Sync Processor sub-menu which provides you entry to the Nvidia Reflex Latency Analyzer. Utilizing a appropriate mouse, you may monitor precise management lag in real-time. Right here’s a extra in-depth have a look at Nvidia Reflex. The module additionally permits ULMB, a blur-reducing backlight strobe at speeds as much as 240 Hz with variable pulse width. Put merely: much less blur means much less gentle because the black body insertion time will increase.
Picture-wise, the AG254FG is an sRGB show. Meaning it won’t present prolonged shade for HDR content material. HDR10 is supported, although with an efficient dynamic distinction characteristic that topped 11,000:1 in my exams. That makes it the top-performing HDR display screen of all of the 360 Hz shows I’ve examined. It additionally delivers super-accurate shade out of the field. I used to be capable of calibrate the AG254FG, however the adjustment is totally pointless. There’s loads of gentle out there with over 400 nits peak in SDR and HDR modes.
The characteristic listing rounds out with a slick lighting impact that features a desktop projector, lights on the again and an LED bar on the underside of the bezel. It’s all controllable from the OSD or AOC’s G-Menu desktop app with a myriad of results and colours. You additionally get an aiming level, body counter and the already-mentioned Reflex Latency Analyzer. The AG254FG is a premium gaming display screen, and nothing in need of one other 360 Hz monitor can do what it does. Let’s have a look.
Meeting and Equipment
The AG2564FG ships in a considerable carton that could be a bit taller than anticipated. That’s to accommodate the inflexible shading hood packed in its personal field. The panel, upright and base don’t require instruments to assemble, however I discovered the captive bolt within the base to be too recessed for my fingers. The included Phillips-head screwdriver will make this step simpler. One other field homes the equipment, exterior energy provide, cables for USB, DisplayPort and HDMI, and a pair of stand clips to maintain the wiring tidy.
Product 360
AOC’s Agon gaming screens have their very own set of styling cues that embody crimson trim, sharp angles and particular graphics. In actual fact, the entrance bezel solely says “Agon;” AOC doesn’t seem wherever. In case that brand isn’t sufficient, a small projector on the stand shows the Agon brand or the phrase Agon in your desktop. Somewhat slider switches between the 2 pictures, and you can also make it any shade you need at three depth ranges. Extra lighting is present in a subtle bar throughout the underside fringe of the panel and on the again, the place you’ll see six bracket shapes. Mild results may be static or transferring. You’ll discover on the closeup photograph of the again contacts for the bottom’s projector. They preserve their connections regardless of the place you rotate the panel.
The stand is rock strong and among the finest I’ve seen from AOC. The bottom seems skinny from the entrance. However change your angle of view and also you’ll see it’s fairly stout. It’s strong steel, as is the crimson collar that wraps across the upright and helps the panel. That half is completed in a matte crimson that appears very high-end. On the prime of the upright is a deal with, additionally constructed from red-finished steel. On the left aspect is a tiny slide-out headphone hook. Across the again proper is the AG254FG’s tiny joystick. You can even plug in an included controller puck to navigate the OSD. Energy standing is indicated by a white LED on the entrance.
Ergonomics embody a 90-degree portrait mode, which I hardly ever see from new screens. You additionally get 5.1 inches of peak vary, 30 levels swivel to both aspect and 5/23 levels tilt. Motion really feel and high quality are befitting a monitor of this value and standing. The AG254FG is a premium piece of {hardware} in each respect.
The three-piece shading hood is a pro-quality piece, inflexible with a light-absorbing felt lining and a door on prime to accommodate a lightweight meter. It even has a slot on the left aspect to permit the headphone hook to come back out. The hood snaps in place and may be simply eliminated if desired. Utilizing it retains the display screen fully freed from reflections and enhances perceived distinction.
The enter panel affords two HDMI 2.0 ports and one DisplayPort 1.4. USB is model 3.2 and contains one upstream and 4 downstream connections. The yellow port is for charging and the inexperienced is for the particular mouse wanted for the Reflex Latency Analyzer. Audio is supported by two 3.5mm outputs and one microphone enter. The mini-USB port subsequent to the DC jack is for the OSD controller puck referred to as QuickSwitch.
OSD Options
The AG254FG’s OSD makes use of giant icons for its eight sub-menus. It pops up within the lower-right nook, however you may transfer it wherever on the display screen you want. To make it seem, press the joystick or the puck’s middle button.
The image modes are referred to as Recreation Mode and there are seven selections, plus Off. The latter is the default and best option as a result of it’s spot-on correct out of the field and leaves all picture controls out there. Additionally on this menu is Shadow Management to boost darkish element, Dial Level (aiming reticle), Overdrive (three ranges, Weak is finest) and a body counter. QuickSwitch LED prompts a crimson ring on the OSD controller puck.
Within the Luminance menu, you’ll discover Peak white (nits) which is one other time period for brightness or backlight stage. It’s ticked off in nits starting from 40 to 450. It’s near the measured worth so if you’d like 200 nits, a setting of 200 is about proper. My pattern was 192. You’ll be able to change the gamma by relative values. Default is 2.2 and you may go above or under that in 0.2 increments. Although there’s an choice for SDR colours sRGB, the AG254FG is an sRGB monitor, so this management has no impact on the colour gamut. The SDR Variable Backlight helps with distinction, however some shadow element may be laborious to see when it’s turned on. HDR Variable Backlight could be very efficient for HDR content material and creates a broad dynamic vary with no draw back.
The Nvidia Reflex Latency Analyzer has its personal sub-menu. As soon as activated, you may change the dimensions of the monitoring window in addition to its measurement, location and sensitivity. The management latency worth, in milliseconds, shows everytime you click on contained in the window. Additionally on this menu is ULMB. It really works after you flip off Adaptive-Sync in Home windows Management Panel and decrease the refresh price to 240 Hz. A variable pulse width slider modifications the quantity of blur discount and lightweight output.
In Colour Setup, you may choose from three shade temp choices plus a person mode. There’s additionally a 6-axis shade adjustment. If you happen to go away the colour temp on heat, there isn’t any want for calibration. The AG254FG is pro-level proper out of the field.
LightFX refers back to the LEDs on the again of the panel and the bezel’s backside edge. There are lots of results and colours to select from. You’ll be able to tailor the results within the OSD or AOC’s G-Menu app. The projector is managed individually from the Further menu.
The sign information display screen is extra full than most screens with decision, refresh price, Adaptive-Sync sort, sign bit-depth, dynamic vary, EOTF customary and overdrive and analyzer standing.
AOC Agon AG254FG Calibration Settings
The AG254FG sports activities pro-level accuracy proper out of the field with Recreation Mode turned off and the colour temp on Heat. A tiny achieve may be had with calibration, however visually, there isn’t any distinction. Gamma is a tick on the sunshine aspect, however the changes are too coarse to get it proper on 2.2. I discovered I most well-liked the default setting when enjoying video games. Colour is sRGB for each SDR and HDR content material and can be spot-on. HDR indicators change modes mechanically and go away the image presets energetic. Recreation Mode Off is the only option for HDR content material as effectively.
| Image Mode | Recreation Mode Off |
| Brightness 200 nits | 192 |
| Brightness 120 nits | 117 |
| Brightness 100 nits | 98 |
| Brightness 80 nits | 80 |
| Brightness 50 nits | 52 (min. 37 nits) |
| Distinction | 50 |
| Gamma | Default |
| Colour Temp Consumer | Crimson 50, Inexperienced 52, Blue 49 |
Gaming and Palms-on
The AG254FG is a specialised software for gaming. However regardless that it’s narrowly centered, it really works high quality for productiveness for those who don’t require excessive decision. The pixel density is 90ppi, so phrase processors and spreadsheets look high quality. Small lettering isn’t jagged except you sit very near the display screen. No edge enhancement or anti-aliasing is clear, which is an effective factor. These options don’t actually make the picture sharper. What does assistance is distinction, one thing this monitor has loads of. Although it isn’t within the realm of a VA panel, it has extra seen and measured dynamic vary than most IPS screens. Correct shade is a bonus right here as effectively. The gamut is sRGB, however for any sort of work outdoors high-end photograph and video enhancing, that’s loads of shade.
HDR can be utilized in Home windows for many purposes. It didn’t improve or detract from issues like internet looking or e-mail, so you may go away it turned on on a regular basis if you want. Some SDR video content material appeared a bit harsh with HDR engaged. That’s to be anticipated when the luminance curve is altered from the unique content material spec.
Gaming is what the AG254FG is designed for, and there, I’ve no complaints. 360 Hz is an order of magnitude higher than slower refresh charges. 240 Hz comes shut, however I may see a visible enchancment when body charges have been sustained above 300fps. To do that in a resource-demanding sport like Doom Everlasting, I needed to play in SDR mode if I wished to activate max element. With the additional load of HDR processing, I noticed round 240fps, which continues to be wonderful as a result of the management response was instantaneous. Finally, I most well-liked to play with HDR as a result of it did look higher. Distinction was deeper because of the monitor’s dynamic mode and shade was extra saturated. The sRGB gamut didn’t appear to be a limiting issue on this sport.
In Name of Responsibility WWII although, I did see barely much less shiny shade in daytime scenes. On a sunny day, greens and reds weren’t fairly as daring as I’m used to seeing from extensive gamut shows. This didn’t spoil the expertise as a result of I reveled within the AG254FG’s lightning-fast reflexes. For this and all video games, I set the overdrive to Weak. Quicker settings trigger an excessive amount of ghosting. I additionally tried ULMB and located it labored effectively, however with occasional artifacts. They manifested as outlines that lagged behind objects contrasting with the background like lighting fixtures or dark-colored birds towards a shiny sky. After making an attempt this for some time, I went again to G-Sync.
It’s hypothesis to say {that a} 360 Hz monitor makes me a greater gamer. However plainly I make extra progress within the suite of video games I take advantage of for testing each time I evaluation one. Sharp movement decision makes precision motion and aiming a lot simpler. I don’t overshoot the mark as usually when the motion is actually intense. I can focus weapon sights on the goal extra shortly and after I press the mouse button to take the shot, it lands true extra of the time.