AOC this month formally introduced its G1-series of curved gaming displays, which offer premium features like 144 Hz FreeSync support at affordable prices. The new monitors start at $230 for a 24-inch model and top out at $400 for a 31.5-inch version, making these among the cheapest high refresh rate FreeSync monitors on the market.

AOC’s G1 family will initially consist of four models: a 24-inch display, a 27-inch display, and two 32-inch displays. All four are based on 16:9 aspect ratio curved VA-type panels, and all of which similar specifications such as 250-nits peak brightness, a 3000:1 contrast ratio, 1 ms MPRT response times, and a 144 Hz refresh rate. The C24G1, C27G1, and C32G1 all run at a Full-HD (1920x1080) resolution, while the CQ32G1 goes one step further with WQHD (2560x1440).

The key selling points for all of AOC’s G1 monitors are their ultra-low motion picture response time (keep in mind that MPRT response time is a different thing than GtG response time usually mentioned by display makers though), AMD’s FreeSync dynamic refresh rate technology, as well as a 144 Hz maximum refresh rate. AOC has yet to disclose the FreeSync ranges of the displays and whether they're wide enough to support AMD’s Low Frame Rate (LFC) capability; however it would be rather odd to see a 144Hz display that couldn't meet the relaively modest 2x range requirement. Meanwhile, the company’s previous-gen entry-level gaming monitors, which launched last year, supported LFC and had a very decent FreeSync range from 30 to 144 Hz.

Meanwhile in order to bring in these gaming features to entry-level monitors, AOC did have to make some tradeoffs. In particular, they're using panels with relatively modest brightness ranges and pixel densities. For hardcore gamers after a fast monitor this isn't likely to be an issue, however someone with a more mixed gaming/productivity workload may find it's balanced towards the former and not the latter.

When it comes to connectivity, all of AOC's G1 displays have three display inputs – a DisplayPort and two HDMI headers (to connect a PC and two game consoles) – as well as a 3.5-mm headphone jack, essentially keeping the number of connectors at a minimum. The manufacturer decided not to equip its G1 monitors with speakers or a USB hub since neither will be truly appreciated by the target audience.

Specifications of AOC's G1 Series Gaming Displays
  C24G1 C27G1 C32G1 CQ32G1
Panel 24" VA 27" VA 31.5" VA 31.5" VA
Native Resolution 1920 × 1080 2560 × 1440
Maximum Refresh Rate 144 Hz
Dynamic Refresh Tech AMD FreeSync (LFC is not confirmed)
Range 30 - 144 Hz (?)
Brightness 250 cd/m² ?
Contrast 3000:1 ?
Viewing Angles 178°/178° horizontal/vertical
Response Time 1 ms MPRT
Pixel Pitch 0.27156 mm² 0.3114 mm² 0.3637 mm² 0.2724 mm²
Pixel Density 90 PPI 81 PPI 70 PPI 93 PPI
Curvature 1500R 1800R
Color Gamut Support sRGB
Inputs 1 × DisplayPort 1.2
2 × HDMI 1.4
1 × D-Sub
?
USB Hub - - - -
Audio 3.5 mm Headphone Output ?
Proprietary Enhancements AOC Flicker Free
Power Consumption Idle 0.5 W ?
Operating 20 W 23 W 50 W ?
Stand Adjustments Tilt -4 ~ +21.5° -5 ~ +21.5° ?
Swivel -34 ~ +34° - ?
Height 130 mm - - ?
Pivot - - ?
VESA Mounts 100 × 100 mm
Launch Timeframe Q4 2018 September 2018 Q4 2018 Q4 2018
Additional Information Link Link Link -
MSRP $230 $280 $300 $400

AOC’s 27-inch C27G1 is available now for $280 from Amazon and Newegg. The other monitors are expected to hit the market in the fourth quarter, presumably in time for holiday season. The C24G1 will carry an MSRP of $230, whereas the larger C32G1 and CQ32G1 will be priced at $300 and $400, respectively.

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  • Lord of the Bored - Sunday, September 16, 2018 - link

    I almost don't get the point of MONITORS anymore. VR headsets you can read in are right around the corner.
  • PeachNCream - Friday, September 14, 2018 - link

    It seems odd to put a curve on a 24" 1080p panel. There isn't much to the left or right of your head-on field of view that makes it beneficial. On wider and larger panels, it makes more sense.
  • TheJian - Friday, September 14, 2018 - link

    You lost me at 16:9.
  • GreenReaper - Friday, September 14, 2018 - link

    Will the higher-resolution model be able to get away with HDMI 1.4? Not only is only able to do 144Hz WQHD at 4:2:0, it only comes with the earlier version of HDCP as well - limited to Full HD? Still, this is what their IPS version did, so maybe they're just going to tell people to use DP for that.
    https://www.anandtech.com/show/13095/aoc-launches-...

    Also odd that the 27" is 23W while the 31.5" of the same resolution is 50W, purportedly at the same brightness. I could see it if it had an integrated hub and the other didn't, but otherwise...
  • DanNeely - Friday, September 14, 2018 - link

    That big a jump makes me wonder if the 31.5" is using an old CFL backlight instead of LEDs to save cost. Based on area I'd expect to be about 33% higher. At that point it's 31W expected vs 50W actual which isn't completely out of line for the spread in backlight techs.

    OTOH the brightness level for both of 250cd/m^2 is listed as 'typical' not peak on AOC's site, if the bigger one has a higher peak and the power numbers are maximum not typical levels that could also explain it.
  • spe1491 - Friday, September 14, 2018 - link

    Needs an ultrawide model, then I'd be very interested.
  • laychi - Monday, January 21, 2019 - link

    Is the 1ms response time works when freesync on?

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