The AOC 24G4 is an entry-level 1080p gaming monitor that continues their standard 24G line, which we have beneficial for a while now. Not everybody can afford the most recent and best OLED expertise, so it is at all times helpful to discover choices on the reverse finish of the spectrum, which generally sees much more gross sales. Due to this fact, at present we’re testing the brand-new AOC 24G4, the successor to the 24G2SP and 24G2.
In some areas, this monitor is known as the 24G4X, with AOC informing us that the one distinction between the G4 and G4X fashions is the stand base. Whatever the model you select, it is a 24-inch 1080p IPS panel with a most 180Hz refresh fee and all the same old gaming options, corresponding to adaptive sync help and low enter lag. Moreover, there is a 27-inch mannequin obtainable, the 27G4, which is basically comparable.
Whereas we do not have a worth simply but, primarily based on pricing in Australia and Europe, the 24G4 ought to be obtainable for round $150, barely cheaper than earlier variations. The MSRP in Australia is $250, although promotional pricing has it at a really enticing $200 proper now. In the meantime, within the UK, you may count on to pay 150 kilos, and 190 euros in EU international locations.
Specs and Design
For a funds monitor, we expect the design of the 24G4 is appropriate. The supplies used are fairly commonplace, with matte plastic for probably the most half, and three of the bezels on the entrance are fairly slim, the exception being the chin, which is a bit thick. The rear is fundamental however, in our opinion, seems fairly good, and there is a purple ring across the stand connection that provides a visible spotlight. The stand is easy and would not occupy an excessive amount of desk house.
The place you may see the compromises in high quality to realize a low worth level is within the numerous seams across the design. When you look carefully, they don’t seem to be the tightest seams and generally is a bit uneven, however we do not assume this shall be noticeable more often than not. The panel is handled with an ordinary matte anti-glare coating, which is efficient at lowering reflections in brighter utilization environments.
The stand affords good ergonomic adjustability, and we consider we are actually past the stage the place lower-cost displays characteristic poor-quality mounted stands. The 24G4 has top, tilt, swivel, and pivot adjustment with a great vary in all areas, and its stability was fairly spectacular, although simpler to realize with a comparatively small and lightweight show panel.
Connectivity
Connectivity could be very fundamental right here, providing only one DisplayPort 1.4, one HDMI 2.0 port, and an audio jack. There aren’t any USB ports in any respect, eliminating hub or firmware replace performance. Nevertheless, each inputs help as much as the utmost 180Hz refresh fee, which is nice to have.
The OSD is a bit troublesome to navigate as AOC makes use of face buttons as a substitute of a directional toggle, making it considerably cumbersome to vary settings. This continues to be a problem with AOC’s most inexpensive 1080p displays. To be trustworthy, there aren’t many fascinating options within the OSD, only a typical vary of colour controls and some gaming-specific choices like crosshairs. It seems the identical as earlier AOC displays, suggesting there have been few enhancements on this space in comparison with prior fashions.
Response Time Efficiency
For movement efficiency, the 24G4 comes with 4 overdrive settings. The primary of which is Off, the default setting when utilizing the monitor for the primary time. This setting reveals native panel efficiency, which is not overly spectacular however shouldn’t be that unhealthy both, particularly in comparison with funds VA panels which undergo from vital darkish smearing. Being an IPS show, darkish smearing is a non-issue right here.
Weak overdrive improves efficiency barely to a 9.6ms common, although overshoot is just about zero. Medium efficiency is the candy spot for 180Hz gaming as velocity improves to five.9ms with solely a small hit to overshoot, bettering cumulative deviation to under 500. This efficiency is sort of good for a funds IPS, though nearer transitions are a bit slower than anticipated. The quickest mode, Sturdy, ends in vital overshoot, which could be very noticeable, so we would not advocate that mode in any respect.
For variable refresh fee avid gamers the Medium mode is fairly good when concentrating on the upper refresh fee vary. So something from 180Hz all the way down to about 144 or 120Hz, Medium is quicker and overshoot is not too noticeable. Nevertheless within the decrease refresh fee vary, so 100Hz, 60Hz and so forth, inverse ghosting does develop into problematic and so is now not the perfect mode for these refresh charges.
In case you are concerned with taking part in video games under 120 FPS, the Weak mode is the best selection. Whereas it is not particularly quick, delivering about an 8ms response time, there isn’t any noticeable inverse ghosting which goes to ship fewer artefacts whereas gaming.
This implies the 24G4 doesn’t characteristic a single overdrive mode expertise. At excessive refresh charges, Medium is greatest, and for low refresh charges, Weak is greatest. If I used to be going to make use of a single mode for all variable refresh gaming I might select Weak, though it’s a bit disappointing to overlook out on that efficiency close to 180Hz. Ideally this monitor would have variable overdrive or maybe the power to effective tune overdrive so customers might cut up the center between Weak and Medium.
With that stated, most funds 1080p displays don’t characteristic a single overdrive mode expertise. The 24G2SP and Gigabyte G24F 2 each did not have this performance, and neither did the unique 24G2 mannequin. So whereas it might be good to see efficiency enhance to the extent of getting a single overdrive mode expertise, its omission is not uncommon.
In comparison with different displays at their most refresh fee, the 24G4 performs nicely. This new variant is notably sooner than the 24G2SP, with a 30% discount in response occasions at a decrease stage of overshoot. It additionally has a barely larger refresh fee at 180Hz vs 165Hz, not a should have distinction however it’s actually good to see a small enhance right here. It additionally is available in barely sooner than the 24G2 2020 mannequin, and far sooner than the G24F 2 which had poorly tuned overdrive settings. I have not seen any displays on this worth and spec class that provide notably higher efficiency.
The draw back to the 24G4 is needing to cut back the overdrive setting to weak for adaptive sync gaming, which is seen on this common efficiency chart. The choices had been both an 8.6ms common with no overshoot, seen right here, or a 5.2ms common with a 31% inverse ghosting fee, a better stage of overshoot than most merchandise on this chart. As such it sits within the decrease a part of the chart, although it is higher tuned than the G24F 2 and affords a slower expertise than the 24G2SP however with much less overshoot. The 24G2 from 2020 nonetheless seems to be one of many higher tuned merchandise, together with the Pixio PX248 Prime Superior.
To see the place this steadiness of velocity and overshoot lies now we have cumulative deviation. The 24G4 performs nicely, outperforming the 24G2SP with a 27% higher consequence and likewise coming in larger up the chart than the G24F 2. It isn’t fairly as nicely tuned because the 24G2 2020 mannequin or a couple of of the Pixio merchandise I’ve examined, which was additionally seen within the earlier chart. The distinction right here is small although, the Prime Superior has 13% higher cumulative deviation on common.
At 120Hz there’s nothing overly particular in regards to the 24G4, I selected to make use of the Weak mode right here because it had much less seen inverse ghosting. At 60Hz although this monitor is extra a mid tier performer which is a fairly acceptable consequence and notably higher than the 24G2SP.
AOC do present backlight strobing with this show though it requires you to disable adaptive sync to get it working. There’s the power to manage strobe size, with a decrease MBR setting resulting in extra blur, and a better setting lowering brightness however growing readability. Nevertheless you will not see the characteristic working at 60Hz and total readability is fairly mediocre even on the highest setting, with noticeable strobe crosstalk. Given the restrictions and picture high quality in most conditions I would not use it.
Enter lag is nice with 0.8ms of processing delay and resulting from a better refresh fee there’s additionally a bit much less refresh lag than 144Hz displays. 180Hz is 25% sooner than 144Hz which in all probability is not sufficient to be noticeable for many avid gamers however once more it is a good to have characteristic and on this case larger is best. Normally the one option to considerably enhance responsiveness can be to maneuver to a 240Hz or larger monitor which naturally are rather more costly.
Energy consumption is superb, it is a very environment friendly monitor consuming simply 15 watts, although this is not notably higher than its opponents and finally ends up fairly just like earlier AOC merchandise. The Pixio PX248 Prime Superior which is usually sooner in response occasions, consumes 47 p.c extra energy, although in actual wattage numbers it is simply 7 watts extra.
Coloration Efficiency
Coloration Area: AOC 24G4 – D65-P3
Subsequent up is colour efficiency. The 24G4 is a large gamut monitor, which you do not at all times get on funds merchandise, with 93.4% DCI-P3 protection, a good consequence. In whole the show covers 75% of the Rec.2020 gamut which is fairly good amongst comparable gaming shows. Exterior of the most recent AOC merchandise, most different 1080p displays on this class featured sRGB-only gamuts so this continues to present the 24G4 a bonus.
Default Coloration Efficiency
Out of the field efficiency was fairly good for grayscale, AOC have largely nailed the gamma right here, and the colour temperature solely had a slight blue tint. This led to excellent deltaE efficiency, a dEITP under 5.0 is nice for gaming displays, particularly from the manufacturing unit. Saturation and ColorChecker efficiency is impacted by the huge gamut although, as there is not any sRGB clamp enabled by default, so there may be some oversaturation current.
In comparison with different comparable displays the 24G4 has glorious manufacturing unit grayscale efficiency, coming higher calibrated than the 24G2SP. ColorChecker efficiency is nice as nicely, particularly contemplating the huge gamut, though it is not considerably higher than many different merchandise.
sRGB Mode Coloration Efficiency
AOC do supply an sRGB mode, although like a whole lot of merchandise it locks many settings once you allow it, corresponding to white steadiness controls. Regardless of this the mode is an effective way to cut back oversaturation and get sRGB gamut emulation. Grayscale efficiency could be very sturdy, and the clamping performance could be very efficient, lowering saturation deltaEs to under 5, and ColorChecker to only a 3.16 ITP common. Actually pleased with the outcomes right here.
In comparison with different displays, sRGB mode efficiency is true there among the many greatest for grayscale, a notable step up from the 24G2SP and 24G2. ColorChecker efficiency is superb as nicely, delivering an expertise on par with excessive finish displays by way of manufacturing unit calibration on this mode. This appears to be an space that AOC have positioned a whole lot of concentrate on, the Q27G3XMN that I lately reviewed additionally had an awesome sRGB mode.
Calibrated Coloration Efficiency
Accuracy will be improved by a full calibration with Portrait Show’s Calman software program. I achieved sturdy outcomes for sRGB content material because the monitor already comes fairly nicely calibrated from the manufacturing unit. For P3 work we’re lacking the highest finish of the gamut so it is not the perfect suited product should you do want full protection of that gamut however for informal customers you’ll profit from the elevated gamut and better potential for saturation.
Most brightness is underwhelming, the 24G4 is barely able to 325 nits, admittedly larger than the 24G2 from 2020 however not a very spectacular consequence. Nonetheless I believe this stage of brightness shall be ample for many customers. Minimal brightness is nice at 44 nits.
We had been pleased with the 24G4’s native distinction ratio, which is spectacular for an IPS panel at 1,318:1. This efficiency is not all that totally different from another 1080p displays, such because the 24G2SP or G24F 2, however it’s reassuring to substantiate we aren’t encountering a sub-1,000 consequence just like the poorest IPS merchandise. Nevertheless, usually talking, distinction shouldn’t be very sturdy, as black ranges aren’t significantly deep on an IPS LCD; the distinction ratio is nicely under what you’d usually see from a VA panel, and there is not any native dimming performance to reinforce the distinction past what’s noticed right here.
Viewing angles are acceptable and fairly huge, although not on the stage of the highest-end IPS LCDs. Nonetheless, it affords a great expertise relative to comparable VA and particularly TN LCDs. Uniformity was common to mediocre on this panel, which could be very a lot an anticipated consequence on this worth class.
HUB Necessities Guidelines
The ultimate part of this assessment is the brand new HUB Necessities Guidelines 2.0. On this first half, we’re taking a look at how AOC advertises the monitor and whether or not that is correct. For probably the most half, AOC does a great job with its promoting, nonetheless, there are a couple of contentious features.
HDR shouldn’t be a key characteristic on their product web page, however help is listed. Nevertheless, past accepting HDR sign inputs, there is not any actual {hardware} right here to help HDR, corresponding to native dimming or something to reinforce the distinction, and brightness is low. DCI-P3 gamut protection can be decrease than marketed, and 1ms response occasions are deceptive.
The second a part of the guidelines seems at characteristic help and efficiency requirements throughout many key areas. As a funds monitor, there are numerous options and efficiency traits this product lacks, corresponding to sturdy HDR efficiency, elite backlight strobing, and even easier options like USB ports. However, AOC nails the fundamentals; we did not expertise any flickering or pixel inversion in our testing, all key options work collectively nicely, and enter lag is low.
Nonetheless the Finances Monitor King?
The AOC 24G4 is a fairly first rate entry-level 1080p gaming monitor that improves upon its predecessor in notable areas. There hasn’t been a ton of innovation within the sub-$200 house over the previous few years, however with every era, these displays appear to get barely higher and barely cheaper, which is certainly the case with the 24G4.
Relative to its predecessor, the 24G2SP, the brand new 24G4 mannequin delivers sooner and better-tuned response occasions at a better 180 Hz refresh fee. General movement efficiency is not something particular, and it nonetheless lacks a single overdrive mode expertise, however it’s a step above what AOC supplied earlier than and finally ends up delivering ok velocity for gaming. Enter lag is low, and we did not expertise flickering throughout our time utilizing it.
AOC retains one of many key strengths of prior merchandise in that the 24G4 remains to be a wide-gamut monitor with 93% protection of P3, and it enhances this with glorious manufacturing unit calibration and an awesome, useful sRGB mode. This creates a pleasant total bundle that delivers a robust steadiness of movement efficiency and colour high quality. It’s normal on this worth vary for a kind of features to be uncared for, however that does not look like the case right here.
Whereas there are some negatives to this monitor – the dearth of a directional OSD management, a fundamental set of inputs, mediocre brightness, and so on. – there’s nothing right here that is a whole dealbreaker. Take brightness and distinction, for instance; neither are particularly nice, however the outcomes are effective for on a regular basis avid gamers. Efficiency could possibly be higher tuned, however you are not getting extreme overshoot or darkish stage smearing.
At a worth level of round $150, we expect the 24G4 will proceed AOC’s place of getting the go-to funds 1080p gaming monitor. It is clearly higher than the marginally costlier 24G2SP, in our opinion, and likewise outperformed the G24F 2 that we checked out final 12 months.
You may go for one thing like a Pixio PX248 Prime Superior, which prices simply $120 today and affords higher response occasions, however you will not get the identical stage of colour accuracy, wide-gamut help, refresh fee, and even fundamental options like a height-adjustable stand.
With all that in thoughts, we expect the AOC 24G4 (additionally known as the “24G4X” in some areas) is straightforward to advocate, particularly if you will discover it for round $150. In Australia, it is an particularly whole lot at $200 proper now. The nearer it will get to $200, the much less enticing it turns into because it begins to encroach on the territory of 1440p displays. Pricing for AOC merchandise can fluctuate from month to month, but when they’ll preserve it close to $150, it’s going to be an awesome purchase for funds avid gamers.
Procuring Shortcuts:
- AOC 24G4 on Amazon
- Pixio PX248 Prime Superior on Amazon
- Gigabyte G24F 2 on Amazon
- Alienware AW3423DW 34″ QD-OLED on Amazon
- LG C2 42″ OLED TV on Amazon
- Corsair Xeneon Flex on Amazon
- Asus ROG Swift PG42UQ on Amazon