The AOC 24G4 continues the tradition of great performance and pricing set by the best-selling AOC 24G2. It comes with a few upgrades, such as a 180Hz refresh rate and a considerably lower $150 price tag at launch versus the 24G2’s $250. That’s a steep drop, so let us check and see if there are downgrades that may affect its budget-king title.
AOC 24G4 Specifications
- Screen Size: 24 Inches
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Full HD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 180Hz
- Response Time: 1ms MPRT
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 300 cd/m2
- Built-in Speakers: None
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 1, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 21.26” x 15.05” x 9.43”
- Weight: 8.73 lbs
Design and Features
The AOC 24G4’s aesthetic now looks more mature and premium compared to the 24G2. The monitor still has a matte black finish with red accents, but it is toned down and less polarizing for non-gamers. The display is bezel-free on three sides, but you will still see inner borders when its in use.
It’s not a big monitor, but it’s certainly dimensionally more significant than the Gigabyte G24F 2. They are identical widthwise, but AOC’s offering needs more depth from your desk due to its larger stand. However, it’s still lightweight at 8.73 pounds, so moving it around or bringing it with you to gaming events is still very doable.
AOC’s budget models have never failed us since many of them are durable and reliable. The plastics used are thick and sturdy, so they won’t flex or crack that easily. It is free from cosmetic defects and wobbling as well, so you’ll feel like you got more than your money’s worth after the purchase.
One downgrade with it is its use of OSD buttons instead an easy to use joystick. The keys are under the bottom bezel on the right side edge so they are easy to access. However, it’s still prone to mistakes since you can’t see them, and it takes multiple presses to get to a specific unit.
One of the bonuses here is the AOC 24G4’s stand, which offers a full range of ergonomics. Other models in the same price range have to make do with something lesser, so this is a boost for owner comfort and satisfaction. You can also use VESA mounts, but they only become necessary in select instances.
The AOC 24G4’s connectivity layout is limited to what it needs for basic operation. It only has a slot each for DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 2.0, along with a 3.5mm jack for headphones. That’s all you will need for typical setups, so we think it should be fine for most users.
It also doesn’t have speakers, but that’s understandable due to its budget-oriented nature. It is better used with headsets for immersion and focus anyway, plus budget models often have weak and distorted built-ins.
Display and Performance
The AOC 24G4 sports a 24-inch IPS panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, a 180Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms MPRT response time. The backlight has a 300 cd/m2 output while the contrast is listed at 1000:1. This model doesn’t list sophisticated features like HDR, but that’s understandable for a budget model.
1080p monitors are popular because they are cheap, easy to run, and play nice with your eyes. The maximum refresh rates are mostly doable for most systems, and it is very comfortable to use for document processing or any type of productivity.
The AOC 24G4 covers 100% sRGB and 93% of the DCI-P3 color space for excellent colors in games and movies. It’s not as accurate as its predecessor, with its 2.77 dE average, but that’s still acceptable for gamers. Its intended audience won’t need to calibrate it since its already decent out of the box.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 0.81, making it comparable with some prosumer monitors in the market. The problem is that you will need a colorimeter, which can potentially cost twice as much to achieve similar results. We recommend going with a better-tuned monitor instead of buying a gadget that costs twice as much if color fidelity is a priority.
The AOC 24G4’s backlight reached 304 cd/m2 at 100%, so it is bright enough to fight glare in a room with lots of windows. Its contrast peaked at 1045:1 at 40% brightness, indicating that it isn’t capable of deeper blacks like the newer yet more expensive IPS Black panels.
Panel uniformity for the test sample had minor issues on the top edge of the screen, but they are not a big deal in most cases. They show up as clouding in darker scenes, but lighter backgrounds are free from these. Note that this can vary with every 24G4 made, so there are worse and better units out there.
The AOC 24G4’s pixel response time is decent, but it needs a bit of overdrive to optimize your visual experience. Setting the overdrive to its Medium setting helped even if it added minuscule levels of overshoot. Using the max setting doesn’t help since it increases reverse ghosting too much.
The AOC 24G4 is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync for tear- and stutter-free gaming. Dual compatibility is essential if you like using VRR since it guarantees that you have functionality even if you switch to the other GPU brand. Its input lag sits at 4ms at 180Hz, making it comparable with the best 144H+ monitors out there.
Thoughts on the AOC 24G4
The AOC 24G4 is an excellent choice for budget gamers who want better overall performance and value. Its IPS panel offers great imaging performance for the money, so you aren’t losing out on good visual and gaming experiences by saving money. It’s built quite well, so it’s far from what most would expect from an affordable product.
It is not perfect, but most of the issues are present to help lower the monitor’s MSRP. Its lack of creature comforts is frowned upon at this point, but it’s understandable for us if you consider how much you are paying for it. It’s an excellent buy overall, and only a few alternatives can be better for the same amount of money.
Pros:
- Great Colors (Calibrated)
- Very AffordableSolid for a Budget Monitor
- Fast and Responsive
- Fully Adjustable Stand
Cons:
- Limited Features
- Default Accuracy Could be Better
About the Author: 
Paolo has been a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations; he believes that 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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