AOC AGON AG273QCG and AG273QCX Gaming Monitors Arrive
It was all the way back in August 2017 that these screens were originally announced, and expected to be released last year in 2018. In fact they are only now emerging for retail so we thought we would refresh your memories on them. The AOC AGON AG273QCG (NVIDIA G-sync) and AG273QCX (AMD FreeSync 2) are the latest models in AOC’s popular AGON gaming series, and part of their third generation.
AOC’s revamped and redesigned premium gaming monitor series is available starting from January 2019. Designed for hardcore gamers, the AGON 3 models carry on with features from the past AGON displays such as refresh rates of up to 165 Hz, a fast response time of 1 ms, and now includes latest technologies such as AMD FreeSync 2 HDR and a refreshed sleek design, which in case of the AG273QCG has contributed to becoming a “Red Dot Design Award 2018” winner. Thanks to very high refresh rates of 165 Hz (AG273QCG) and 144 Hz (AG273QCX), very fast response time and variable refresh rate technologies both monitors are suited for fast-paced games.
Interestingly one of the key promotional points back in Aug 2017 was the expected 0.5ms response time. That seems to have been abandoned here, in favour of a more common 1ms spec.
The 27” (68.6 cm) AG273QCG is equipped with a curved (1800R) TN Film panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, and supports NVIDIA G-sync and a higher refresh rate of 165 Hz along with a 1 ms G2G response time. In other specs there is a 1000:1 contrast ratio, 400 cd/m2 brightness, 178/178 viewing angles, 16.7m colour depth and standard sRGB colour gamut. 1x DisplayPort 1.2 and 1x HDMI 1.4 connections are offered.
The AG273QCX on the other hand is equipped with similarly curved (1800R) display but is based on a VA technology panel. It also has a 2560 x 1440 resolution and this model has a refresh rate of 144 Hz. There was some confusion back in Aug 2017 about the panel technology of this model, with the press release talking about VA tech, and then confirmation from AOC telling us it was actually TN Film. It looks like it has ended up as VA in the end. The X model supports the HDR standard VESA DisplayHDR 400, although as we’ve talked about many times before this doesn’t really offer any meaningful HDR performance. Local dimming for instance is not expected. To accompany HDR, it boasts AMD FreeSync 2 HDR to mitigate input lag caused by HDR’s tone mapping, and to force Low Framerate Compensation (LFC) as well as to get rid of tearing and stuttering. The VA panel’s 3000:1 static contrast ratio and 90% DCI-P3 gamut coverage (122% sRGB quoted) bring visuals to life with deep blacks and vibrant colours, while offering wide viewing angles of 178°/178°. A high responsiveness is guaranteed with the 1 ms response time, which is achieved by a strobe backlight technique. The underlying panel pixel response time is likely a 4ms G2G spec. 2x DisplayPort 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.0 and 1x VGA connections are provided.
Both monitors are now equipped with a 3-sides frameless panel, allowing for seamless multi-monitor setups. They are also highly ergonomic, offering 110 mm height adjustment as well as swivel and tilt options. Behind the panel, the AGON Game Lights, highly customizable with over 100.000 colours, bring the latest RGB craze to AGON! The AGON Game Lights can also be adjusted to change according to gameplay. The red, stylish angular stand of the AG273QCG and the silver stand of the AG273QCX sit firmly on the desk without taking up much desk space. The familiar retractable headset holder from past AGON monitors has been redesigned and doubled, providing one at either side. For easy setup and breakdown (tournaments, LAN parties etc.) the stand can be assembled with a one-click mechanism without any screws, and the carrying handle allows easy transportation. The AG273QCX’s (not included with G model) redesigned, sleek wired remote controller, AOC Game Pad also allows easy adjustment of various OSD settings. Both screens have 2x 2W DTS sound speakers.
AOC’s AG273QCX and AG273QCG are expected to be available soon in January 2019 with an MSRP of £629 and £719, respectively.
Source: AOC G model, AOC X model
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