There are such a lot of nice gaming screens at the moment, with such a big selection of focus and options, that it may be exhausting to decide on the greatest gaming monitor. My suggestion is all the time to think about your wants/desires and choose the appropriate instrument for the job. With a big array of display screen sizes, shapes, resolutions, speeds and options, it’s secure to say that shows have develop 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 desires 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 accessible at the moment can beat a 360 Hz monitor, though all of them at the moment run at FHD (1080p) decision.
There are a selection of those premium panels accessible, 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 concerning the value when you’ve seen it in motion.
AOC Agon AG254FG Specs
| Panel Sort / Backlight | IPS / W-LED, edge array |
| Display screen Measurement / Facet Ratio | 24.5 inches / 16:9 |
| Max Decision and Refresh Charge | 1920×1080 @ 360 Hz |
| G-Sync Licensed | |
| FreeSync suitable | |
| 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 shifting picture is way decrease than a panel’s static decision. Pixel rely takes a again seat to refresh fee. The upper the speed, the better integrity a shifting image has. 240 Hz is superb and dominates the QHD style, however 360 Hz is one other degree fully.
The AG254FG employs a Quick IPS panel with FHD decision. The 360 Hz refresh fee 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 most recent 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 supplies you entry to the Nvidia Reflex Latency Analyzer. Utilizing a suitable mouse, you possibly can monitor precise management lag in real-time. Right here’s a extra in-depth take a look at Nvidia Reflex. The module additionally allows 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 mild because the black body insertion time will increase.
Picture-wise, the AG254FG is an sRGB show. Which means it won’t present prolonged colour 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 colour out of the field. I used to be capable of calibrate the AG254FG, however the adjustment is totally pointless. There’s loads of mild accessible 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 embrace crimson trim, sharp angles and particular graphics. In actual fact, the entrance bezel solely says “Agon;” AOC doesn’t seem anyplace. In case that emblem isn’t sufficient, a small projector on the stand shows the Agon emblem or the phrase Agon in your desktop. A little bit slider switches between the 2 photos, and you can also make it any colour 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 will be static or shifting. You’ll discover on the closeup photograph of the again contacts for the bottom’s projector. They keep their connections irrespective of the place you rotate the panel.
The stand is rock strong and the most effective 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 high of the upright is a deal with, additionally created from red-finished steel. On the left facet 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 embrace a 90-degree portrait mode, which I not often see from new screens. You additionally get 5.1 inches of peak vary, 30 levels swivel to both facet 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 high to accommodate a light-weight meter. It even has a slot on the left facet to permit the headphone hook to come back out. The hood snaps in place and will be simply eliminated if desired. Utilizing it retains the display screen utterly freed from reflections and enhances perceived distinction.
The enter panel gives two HDMI 2.0 ports and one DisplayPort 1.4. USB is model 3.2 and consists of 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 massive icons for its eight sub-menus. It pops up within the lower-right nook, however you possibly can transfer it anyplace on the display screen you want. To make it seem, press the joystick or the puck’s heart button.
The image modes are referred to as Sport Mode and there are seven decisions, 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 accessible. Additionally on this menu is Shadow Management to reinforce darkish element, Dial Level (aiming reticle), Overdrive (three ranges, Weak is greatest) 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 degree. It’s ticked off in nits starting from 40 to 450. It’s near the measured worth so if you need 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’ll 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 will be exhausting to see when it’s turned on. HDR Variable Backlight may 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 possibly can change the scale of the monitoring window in addition to its dimension, 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 fee to 240 Hz. A variable pulse width slider modifications the quantity of blur discount and light-weight output.
In Colour Setup, you possibly can choose from three colour temp choices plus a consumer mode. There may be additionally a 6-axis colour adjustment. When you depart the colour temp on heat, there is no such thing as a 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 various results and colours to select from. You’ll be able to tailor the consequences within the OSD or AOC’s G-Menu app. The projector is managed individually from the Additional menu.
The sign data display screen is extra full than most screens with decision, refresh fee, 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 Sport Mode turned off and the colour temp on Heat. A tiny acquire will be had with calibration, however visually, there is no such thing as a distinction. Gamma is a tick on the sunshine facet, 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 alerts change modes routinely and depart the image presets energetic. Sport Mode Off is your best option for HDR content material as properly.
| Image Mode | Sport 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 Person | Pink 50, Inexperienced 52, Blue 49 |
Gaming and Palms-on
The AG254FG is a specialised instrument for gaming. However though it’s narrowly centered, it really works superb for productiveness for those who don’t require excessive decision. The pixel density is 90ppi, so phrase processors and spreadsheets look superb. Small lettering isn’t jagged except you sit very near the display screen. No edge enhancement or anti-aliasing is obvious, which is an efficient 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 colour is a bonus right here as properly. The gamut is sRGB, however for any sort of work outdoors high-end photograph and video enhancing, that’s loads of colour.
HDR can be utilized in Home windows for many purposes. It didn’t improve or detract from issues like internet searching or e-mail, so you possibly can depart it turned on on a regular basis if you want. Some SDR video content material regarded 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 recreation like Doom Everlasting, I needed to play in SDR mode if I needed 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 colour was extra saturated. The sRGB gamut didn’t appear to be a limiting issue on this recreation.
In Name of Responsibility WWII although, I did see barely much less vivid colour in daytime scenes. On a sunny day, greens and reds weren’t fairly as daring as I’m used to seeing from vast 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 properly, however with occasional artifacts. They manifested as outlines that lagged behind objects contrasting with the background like lighting fixtures or dark-colored birds in opposition to a vivid sky. After attempting 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 it appears that evidently I make extra progress within the suite of video games I take advantage of for testing at any time when I overview 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 rapidly and after I press the mouse button to take the shot, it lands true extra of the time.
