The Acer RG241Y is an attractive gaming monitor if you care less about fancy features and more about speed and responsiveness. It’s a revamped version of their ultra-budget 1080p gaming monitor with a cleaner design, IPS panel technology, and a boosted 165Hz refresh rate. Let’s check if it can offer the same imaging and responsive performance we’ve come to expect from the modern IPS gaming monitors we’ve reviewed recently.
Acer RG241Y Specifications
- Screen Size: 24 Inches
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Full HD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz
- Response Time: 1ms VRB
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 250 cd/m2
- Built-in Speakers: No
- Stand: Height – No
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2a x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 21.22” x 16.47” x 7.1”
- Weight: 9.74 lbs
Design and Features
The Acer RG241Y sports a clean and simple design that resembles earlier models like the VG240Y, but they made the new model slimmer and sleeker this time around. The monitor has a matte black finish which we think is timeless and very easy to maintain. The display is bezel-free on three sides, but you will still see panel borders which are minimal by today’s standards.
The Acer RG241Y is indeed slimmer than its predecessors with a very discrete bulge at the rear. It looks like a smaller version of modern OLED TVs from the side which is not only attractive but will also enable flush mounting in specific situations. The product doesn’t take up a lot of space, so those with limited spaces such as dorms won’t struggle with placement.
Build quality for the Acer RG241Y is decent considering how affordable it is and for the fact that it is mostly made of plastic. The plastic panels are smooth, but they aren’t thick enough so they can flex if you aren’t careful. However, the worst part of the monitor is its stand which doesn’t fully support the display so might see some wobbling or it might slightly tilt down on its own.
But on a positive note, the Acer RG241Y already includes an OSD joystick which you won’t usually find in this price range. The gadget is within easy reach even if it’s located at the rear, so users won’t have to struggle with adjusting a setting even in the heat of battle. Most monitors in this price range still have pesky OSD buttons, so this is a huge plus for the product.
You also can’t expect a lot of connectivity options on the Acer RG241Y since those extras were understandably shaved off to help with the pricing. There are no add-ons like USB ports, but you get a DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI 2.0 ports for your PC and up to two consoles. But take note that it’s already a lot for a budget monitor since some don’t provide extra HDMI slots that can handle the full refresh rate.
The worst part of the Acer RG241Y is its flimsy stand which wobbles and is unable to keep the screen’s tilt angle. It also doesn’t offer any adjustment, so replacing it with a VESA mount even if it looks good is necessary. However, the added cost of one, if you don’t have it already, will put you in range of a better-equipped alternative like the AOC 24G2.
Display and Performance
The Acer RG241Y boasts a 24-inch IPS panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, a 165Hz max refresh rate, and a 1ms VRB response time. The backlight is rated at 250 cd/m2, while the contrast ratio is specified at 1000:1 like most IPS panels. There are no special features like HDR, but you have to remember that it’s applaudable that this uses IPS, unlike its predecessors which only offered TN panels.
The 1080p and 24-inch formula has existed for ages at this point, but it’s still widely viewed as the universal standard for anything related to PC. Games are easy to run with most GPUs so it’s rather easy to maximize the screen’s refresh rate. Productivity-related tasks are also easy on the eyes, but you don’t get a lot of space to work with if you use monitors like this model.
The Acer RG241Y covers 97% of the sRGB gamut which isn’t the best, but plenty decent for gaming. The default accuracy is also within an acceptable range since the deltaE average is only at 2.97, so color errors aren’t as noticeable unless you work with prosumer monitors. The screen has a slightly bluish tint, so it needs to be tweaked at least to balance out the screen’s appearance.
Most will be able to get away with tweaking the RGB settings, but calibration can get you a better accuracy average of 1.31. Using a colorimeter can set this monitor right for editing tasks, but that’s a bit limited compared to what other models can offer post-calibration. Take note that this aspect varies between every unit since panels aren’t made equal.
The Acer RG241Y can get decently bright and reach as much as 290 cd/m2 at 100% backlight. Its contrast at 60% brightness reached as much as 1250:1, giving it better black luminance and saturation levels for an IPS panel. However, it’s still not comparable to VA or OLED panels, so dark scenes can still look a bit washed out especially at night.
Panel uniformity for the Acer RG241Y sample could use some improvements since the light leaks at the edges can become noticeable in some scenes. It’s not as disturbing in full-color, but games with nighttime scenes like Call of Duty won’t look as good. But the good news is there are better specimens out there, so you might be able to get one with better panel quality.
One of the strengths of the Acer RG241Y is its pixel response time at 165HJz which makes it less prone to blurring and ghosting. Setting its overdrive to Extreme also works great in reducing the minimal persistence further without inducing overshoot. The monitor is great for competitive gaming in titles like CSGO or Valorant where speed matters more than eye candy.
The Acer RG241Y is a FreeSync monitor, but it doesn’t completely work with Nvidia’s G-Sync Compatible mode. Most wouldn’t need VRR for 1080p gaming anyway, but it’s a fact that many will consider to be a deal-breaker. Input lag sits at 4ms, so there is no need to worry about delays during heated battles online.
Thoughts on the Acer RG241Y
The Acer RG241Y is a great choice if you don’t want to spend a fortune but want to enjoy a high refresh rate. The monitor offers decent imaging quality despite a few limitations, but its responsiveness and agility in displaying fast-paced images make it worthy of consideration. It’s a FreeSync monitor, but only AMD GPU users can enjoy VRR since G-Sync doesn’t function flawlessly if you try to force-activate it.
Buying the Acer RG241Y means you get to enjoy fast-paced gaming at a very low price, but you lose out on great build quality and functionality. The stand included with the product needs some improvements and it needs extra care when handling since the housing is quite thin. It’s a fantastic option since it only goes for around $180, but spending a bit more might be a better option for many who wouldn’t want to live with the cons mentioned above.
Pros:
- Very Low Price for a 165Hz Monitor
- Great Post-Calibration Results
- Decent Brightness and Contrast
- Excellent Pixel Response Time
Cons:
- Limited Connectivity Features
- G-Sync Compatible Mode Impossible
- Wobbly, Tilt Only Stand
About the Author:
Paolo is a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since his junior high years. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations and he believes that it’s every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.
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