The AOC C24G1A is an affordable 24-inch gaming monitor that is ideal for gamers looking for a responsive gaming panel without sacrificing image quality. As with the Samsung CFG70 we reviewed in early 2018, this panel uses Vertical Alignment (VA) technology to deliver class-leading performance – a high contrast ratio, good image quality, and short response time – but with some limitations.
The case has a black and red profile, with a beautiful gamer aesthetic – something that most gamers will appreciate, as they are buying something for play, and it needs to look good.
AOC C24G1A Specs
- Monitor Class: Gaming, Business
- Screen Size: 23.6-inch
- Screen Curvature: 1500R
- Resolution: 1920×1080 (Full HD)
- Panel Type: VA
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz
- Response Time (GtG): 4ms (GtG)
- Response Time (MBR): 1ms (MPRT)
- Adaptive-Sync: FreeSync (48-165Hz)
- Ports: DisplayPort 1.2, 2x HDMI 2.0, VGA
Design
Our AOC C24G1A review unit features a 1500R curvature, as well as a three-sided borderless design that looks great on a desk, particularly the thin bezels. It looks similar to the larger 27-inch AOC C27G1 monitor and occupies nearly the same amount of desk space.
It is supported by a sturdy triangular stand that raises the display by 130mm and allows for tilt and swivel adjustments of -4° to 21.5° and 34°, respectively. Additionally, it features 100 x 100mm VESA mounting holes for mounting on a stand or wall.
The monitor’s control buttons are located on the lower-right edge. They allow you to adjust the panel’s response time, select a color profile, and enable AOC’s Bright Frame Feature, which lets you manually adjust the panel’s brightness and contrast ratio, among other settings.
The display’s ports include a VGA port, a DisplayPort 1.2 port, and two HDMI 1.4 ports. It doesn’t have a USB hub and speakers, but you can plug in your headphones through the 3.5mm jack if you want your audio through the monitor.
Image Quality
The monitor features a curved Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) VA panel with an impressive contrast ratio of 3,848:1 and a 1ms refresh rate. The AOC C24G1A achieves near-perfect accuracy in sRGB mode, covering 95.8 % of the sRGB gamut.
On this front, the AOC is comparable to the AOC U2790VQ, which covers 99.6 percent of the sRGB color gamut. However, both panels appear washed out compared to class-leading IPS panels such as the Acer XF270HUA, but for the price, they’re still a good deal.
There are a few distinctions between the AOC and Samsung monitors. While the C24G1A achieves a perfect contrast ratio, the AOC achieves a contrast ratio of around 2,501:1, which is still a good value compared to IPS panels that struggle to achieve half that figure.
Gaming Performance
You’re purchasing a gaming monitor, and its performance is somewhat inconsistent. If you’re a professional gamer, you’ll want to set the monitor’s response time to Boost mode. However, this will reduce the visuals, forcing you to squint to pick out finer details. Instead, we recommend setting the response time to Strong, which will be slightly sluggish during intense gaming.
Modern Triple-A titles such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive will load slowly, but this is the same experience you get with the Samsung CFG70, which means that both monitors are unsuitable for competitive gaming except on the fastest setting, and the AOC isn’t the best option for the majority of pro-gamers.
On the plus side, regardless of the overdrive setting, there are no signs of inverse ghosting or a significant impact on input lag. The AOC C24G1A’s 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time ensure buttery-smooth gaming, and the monitor incorporates AMD’s FreeSync Premium technology, which provides tear-free play on a gaming PC, especially those with compatible AMD graphics cards.
If you’re firing the signals from an Nvidia graphics card, you’ll need to enable V-Sync to avoid tearing. However, I will not sacrifice the panel’s responsiveness for a better visual experience, as V-Sync introduces significant input lag. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to run the monitor at 144Hz in Full HD.
Bottom Line
The AOC C24G1A is an excellent gaming monitor that offers a lot: a fast 144Hz panel, a 1ms refresh rate, a high contrast ratio, perfect color reproduction, and a bezel-free design. However, its peak brightness is not the brightest on the market, especially the Samsung CFG70, which has better response time performance. Nonetheless, for the price, this is the ideal midrange gaming monitor.
While the AOC’s VA technology produces stunning contrasts that outperform competitors, those impressive figures are impacted by inferior color accuracy, temperature, and uniformity. Additionally, this screen lacks speakers and USB ports.
The Samsung CFG70 offers superior color accuracy at a comparable price, making it the better overall choice. While the ViewSonic XG2402 is not curved, it is a better all-around gaming monitor, while the AOC X24P1 is a better all-around monitor.
That said, if you’re not going to play intense games at the highest settings, the AOC C24G1A is an excellent choice. However, if image quality is a must-have in your list, the ViewSonic XG2402 is an excellent alternative gaming monitor to consider.
AOC C24G1A 24" Curved Frameless Gaming Monitor, FHD 1920x1080, 1500R, VA, 1ms MPRT, 165Hz (144Hz supported), FreeSync Premium, Height adjustable Black
6 used from $163.05
