- Overall
The AOC 24GU2 is an inexpensive 144Hz 1080p monitor that uses IPS technology instead of the usual TN module found on almost every Full HD variant available. Gamers have been wishing for IPS variants which used to be limited to 1440p and 4K due to its substantially better color reproduction and viewing angles. The AOC G24GU2 aims to be the responsive and vibrant gaming display solution the market demands, but what does its performance numbers look like?
AOC 24G2U Specifications
- Screen Size: 24 Inches
- Resolution:1920 x 1080 FHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Response Time: 4ms (1ms MPRT)
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 250cd/m²
- Speakers: Yes(2 x 2 Watts)
- Stand: Height -Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: HDMI 1.4 x 2, DisplayPort 1.2 x 1,USB 3.0 x 4, 3.5mm Jack
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 21.22” x 14.75” x 8.95”
- Weight: 9.37lbs
Design and Features
The AOC 24G2U doesn’t stray too far from the G1 series when it comes to aesthetics, although this model is flat, unlike the popular C24G1. The chassis is finished mostly in matte black, but there are a few polished and red accents in some discrete spots. The display area is bezel-free on three sides so gamers can enjoy the beautiful screen without any distractions.
The AOC 24G2U is also noticeably thinner than the brand’s older models like the G2460PF when viewed from the side. The shape of the stand makes it take extra depth on your desktop, but it isn’t as intrusive as some variants from Asus or Acer. The whole device doesn’t weigh a lot, but it doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy once assembled.
Build quality for the AOC 24G2U is, as expected, excellent like many of the brand’s offerings. The plastics used are lightweight, but they do not feel brittle or fragile. You also won’t see any manufacturing or cosmetic defects on the monitor thanks to its high quality. All of the seams are evenly matched, and there is no creaking sound coming from the stand’s mechanism.
The only thing we dislike about the AOC 24G2U’s design is its pressable buttons that control the OSD and its functions. Modern gaming monitors have already shifted to joystick implementations which are easier to use and less prone to mistakes. Some brands like LG even offer software-based controls that you can access with your mouse and keyboard, so buttons don’t make sense in this day and age.
Going with AOC is an excellent choice since most of their offerings almost always include fully-adjustable stands. The AOC 24G2U isn’t an exception since you can tilt, swivel, pivot, and adjust the height of the monitor. VESA adapters are also compatible, but we don’t think they are necessary unless you are planning on a triple head setup.
The AOC 24G2U is equipped with a decent amount of connectivity features for your everyday needs. There is a DisplayPort 1.2 connector for 144Hz operation, along with two HDMI 1.4 ports for 1080p devices such as gaming consoles. You also get four USB 3.0 slots and a pair of 3.5mm jacks for audio pass-through.
There is also a pair of 2-Watt speakers in the cabinet, but they cannot provide the oomph that’s necessary for its main purpose. You are better off with headsets instead if you want better clarity and detail.
Display and Performance
The AOC 24G2U sports a 24-inch IPS panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, and 4ms response time. A typical 1000:1 contrast ratio is also specified, along with a 250 cd/m2 backlight which is a bit dimmer than we expected. 144Hz IPS panels previously came in 1440p and 27-inch 1080p variants in previous years, but this model changes that, much to the delight of gamers.
Issues related to pixel density won’t give you any problems when using the AOC 24G2U. The resolution fits just right in the display size, so it looks clean less pixelated than a 27-inch variant. Scaling to upsize text and other small objects won’t be necessary as well since the screen isn’t too sharp for regular use.
The AOC 24G2U is capable of excellent color quality, starting with around 105% sRGB coverage or around 91% of the DCI-P3 gamut. Color accuracy is decent out of the box at DeltaE 2.61, but you can improve it to DE 1.25 with a colorimeter. The temperature of the monitor sits very close to 6500K, giving you a well-balanced image that isn’t too warm or cool.
Another fantastic characteristic of the AOC 24G2U is its contrast ratio which reached as much as 1520:1 at around 30%-40% brightness. Gamma is also easy to set to the ideal 2.2 since you only have to select the preset for it. We love the fact that you don’t have to calibrate the screen to get convincing blacks and a variety of colors that will make titles such as Apex Legends really pop.
The AOC 24G2U’s uniformity had a minor flaw due to some backlight leaks at the bottom corners. This gave a variance of around 11% which had slight effects on contrast uniformity and color quality on the adjacent quadrants. You will see a light haze or cloud when viewing black images, but it’s not disturbing while gaming.
The pixel response time on the AOC 24G2U’s IPS panel is within acceptable limits ,but it isn’t completely blur-free. Some fast-paced scenes will show a bit of ghosting, so you might want to use the Strong overdrive setting in the OSD. Doing so will introduce a bit of overshoot, but it wasn’t noticeable enough to distract our staff while testing the monitor.
The AOC 24G2U is a FreeSync gaming monitor, but it also works with G-Sync compatibility mode as long as you use the DisplayPort slot. This model isn’t certified nor tested by Nvidia, so users have to activate it manually via the OSD and Nvidia Control Panel. Input lag sits at 5ms, so you won’t feel any delays or “de-synced” instances while enjoying your favorite titles.
Thoughts on the AOC 24G2U
The AOC 24G2U is a fantastic gaming monitor if you consider its very palatable price and what it offers. The 144Hz IPS panel offers decent motion handling, but it excels in both contrast and color rendering. Games will look vibrant but well-balanced, giving you the best of both worlds which used to come at a hefty price.
Of course, the monitor isn’t perfect, but we think the flaws outlined above are too minor to make us dismiss this model as something you should think twice about. The AOC 24G2U offers excellent value, making it one of this year’s must-buys if you are looking to upgrade your battle station.
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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