The AOC AGON AG246FK is one of the fastest gaming monitors made for serious E-Sports gaming. It has a 540Hz TN panel like the Asus ROG Swift Pro PG248QP, so it clearly sacrifices eye candy for true blur-free performance. It is not cheap like its competitors, so let’s check to see if it’s a viable investment for hardcore gamers.
AOC AGON AG246FK Specifications
- Screen Size: 24 Inches
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Full HD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: Twisted Nematic (TN)
- Refresh Rate: 540Hz
- Response Time: .3ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 350 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 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, USB 3.2 x 4, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 21.92” x 14.99” x 9.01”
- Weight: 11.02 lbs
Design and Features
The AOC AGON AG246FK looks more mature than its predecessors, so it looks way better, in our opinion. The monitor has a matte black chassis with metallic accents, so it somehow looks more like a professional variant. The screen has a bezel-free design, but it still has inner borders like most modern monitors.
This model is compact by today’s standards, so it shouldn’t take up too much space on your desk. The unit only needs 9.01 inches of depth and its base is thin and flat, so it should easily slip under your other peripherals. The whole thing weighs in at 11.02 pounds, so it should be portable enough to bring with you to E-Sports events or LAN parties.
The AOC AGON AG246FK is lightweight, but its build quality is still on par with that of its premium competitors. The plastic panels used are thick enough to prevent flexing or cracking, so it should last quite a while. The base is firm and steady, so the screen won’t sag or wobble while you are in the heat of battle.
The monitor has an OSD joystick at the back for easy access to its settings and features. It’s located near the right-hand side of the display, so it’s easily within reach even if you don’t see it. Older AGON monitors had remotes, but those are mostly unnecessary for daily use.
The included stand offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for your comfort and convenience. It also has a headset hanger that pops out of the chassis, allowing you to keep your battlstation neat and organized. You can use VESA mounts, but its mostly unnecessary since the device is ergonomic and doesn’t consume a lot of space.
The AOC AGON AG246FK’s connectivity layout includes DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.0 slots for video inputs. It also has four USB 3.2 slots, and a 3.5mm jack for headphones. Note that the 500Hz to 540Hz output is only accessible from the DP slot, while the HDMI connectors are limited to 240Hz.
The AOC AGON AG246FK also doesn’t have speakers, but that’s understandable since this is basically a competitive gaming monitor. Tuned headphones will be better for isolation and focus since they can drown out external noise and help you pinpoint your opponents via directional sound.
Display and Performance
The AOC AGON AG246FK sports a 24-inch TN panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, a 540Hz overclocked refresh rate, and a 0.3ms response time. The backlight has a 350 cd/m2 output and a 400 cd/m2 peak, while the contrast is listed at 1000:1. This model is HDR 400 certified, but we all know how limited that standard is when it comes to producing true HDR effects.
1080p monitors are still quite popular even if they do not offer the best possible image quality now. Its easier to get higher framerates with them, while visibility and legibility are fantastic and ideal for competitive games. E-sports games are still largely using 1080p as a standard format even if 1440p is being pushed to replace it, but we don’t think it will be phased out soon.
The AOC AGON AG246FK covers 99% sRGB and 87% DCI-P3, which is surprisingly vibrant for a TN panel. Its default accuracy has a deltaE average of 2.0, so it’s decently accurate and out of the box. Most TN panels have little to no DCI-P3 outputs, so this score is a huge leap in performance.
Calibrating it reduced dE average to 0.9, making it comparable with some prosumer monitors. The downside is that you will need a colorimeter, but those are only worth it for those who are into color-critical work. The improvement is also negligible for gaming, so we don’t recommend getting one if you’re only gaming.
Its backlight reached 367 cd/m2 at 100% brightness, while its contrast peaked at a surprising 1322:1 at 60% brightness. It’s not capable of deep blacks, but it has a certain advantage over some IPS models with lower ratios. It’s not capable of appreciable HDR performance, but that’s clearly less of a focus on this model.
The test sample’s panel uniformity was decent since it did not have major backlight leaks. However, there were some variances in the spread of the backlight, so the screen didn’t look even when a black or gray image was on display. Note that this can vary with every monitor made due to tolerances, so there are better units out there.
The AOC AGON AG246FK’s response time is its best characteristic since it is practically blur-free. The naturally high refresh rate, coupled with TN technology’s advantage in pixel transitions, makes it perfect for competitive gaming. You don’t need to set its overdrive to a high level since it barely affects the screen’s performance when it is running at its maximum.
The AOC AGON AG246FK is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync for stutter and tear-free gaming. VRR isn’t necessary if you have a meaty CPU and GPU to sustain the maximum framerate. Its input lag sits at 1ms, making it one of the fastest gaming displays in the market.
Thoughts on the AOC AGON AG246FK
The AOC AGON AG246FK is a fantastic gaming monitor for E-Sports fans who want the best gear. It’s a bit more affordable than its Asus counterpart, but it doesn’t have any deal-breaking disadvantages when the two are compared. It is designed like a true premium display, so you get the best deal on both fronts.
However, that same price is what may break the horse’s back for buyers. 1080p gaming monitors can typically be had for a lot less, and the money you have to spend can be invested towards a blur-free OLED as well. It’s a fantastic buy, but the price to get one of the absolute fastest is a steep hill for many.
Pros:
- Lightning Fast and Blur-Free
- Great Color and Contrast Performance
- Attractive and Functional Design
Cons:
- Expensive
- Limited Availability
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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