The AOC AGON AG325QZN offers a large screen and high-end gaming performance at a more reasonable price. Trending 240Hz QHD monitors like the Asus PG27AQDM cost at least twice as much, but they use OLED panels instead of the VA type in this model. Let’s take a closer look if you should buy this to upgrade to 1440p gaming.
AOC AGON AG325QZN Specifications
- Screen Size: 32 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440p QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment (VA)
- Refresh Rate: 240Hz
- Response Time: 0.5ms MPRT
- Contrast Ratio: 3000:1
- Brightness: 400 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 2, HDMI 2.0 x 2, USB 3.2 x 4, 3.5mm x 1
- Dimensions With Stand(WxHxD): 28.1″ x 18.88″ x 10.87″
- Weight: 17.61 lbs
Design and Features
The AOC AGON AG325QZN looks more mature than the first few AGON monitors we wrote about, but it still has that distinct gaming vibe. The monitor has a matte black finish with discrete red accents, so it doesn’t look as aggressive as its predecessors. The display doesn’t have bezels on three sides, but you still get inner borders on it.
It’s larger than what most of us are used to, so considering how much desk space you have might be wise. The device is 28 inches wide and almost 11 inches deep, so it might not fit on a small desk if you have large peripherals. It’s not the heaviest 32-inch monitor around, but extra care will still be necessary for setting it up.
Its build quality doesn’t disappoint, even if it is at the lower price range of the AGON product line. The main housing is free from signs of weakness or cosmetic defects, and the monitor still feels like a premium variant when you hold it. The included stand is firm and stable, but there is some slight wobbling if you nudge it due to the screen’s size.
The AOC AGON AG325QZN has an OSD joystick at the back for easy access to its features. It’s located at the back near the right-hand side of the display, so you have to lean in a bit to reach it. A remote would be handy since the monitor is big enough for couch gaming, but it is not that necessary since it will surely raise the price tag.
The stand included with the AOC AGON AG325QZN offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for your convenience. It’s rare to see a lower-priced monitor with full ergonomics, so this is a big plus in our books. You can use VESA mounts, but it is only necessary for unique situations like when the user has multiple screens in his/her setup.
We also like that AOC did not skimp on the connectivity layout for this model. It includes two slots each for DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0, along with four USB 3.2 ports and a 3.5mm jack for your peripherals. It doesn’t have USB-C, which would have made it more flexible, but that’s acceptable this time around.
The AOC AGON AG325QZN doesn’t have speakers, but that’s okay since it is best enjoyed with a pair of headphones. Large and immersive monitors like this need focused and solid sound which are usually absent on built-in sets.
Display and Performance
The AOC AGON AG325QZN boasts a 32-inch VA panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 240Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms boosted response time. The backlight has a 400 cd/m2 output, while the contrast is listed at 3000:1, like most VA panels. This model is HDR 400-certified, but its lack of local dimming means it can offer limited performance in that regard.
It’s obviously not as sharp as the more common 27-inch variants, but that’s okay since it still has a higher pixel count. Games will still look crisp and detailed versus a 1080p monitor, and you will still need more GPU horsepower to push to 240FPS. Visibility and legibility, on the other hand, are excellent, so you won’t have to rely on scaling for browsing or work.
The AOC AGON AG325QZN covered 99% sRGB and 86% DCI-P3 for great color in games and movies. It is not completely accurate out of the box, with a deltaE average of 2.77, but using its sRGB mode will drop that score to 1.31. The downside is that your brightness will be stuck, but at least it is usable for content creation without calibration.
Using a colorimeter improved the AG325QZN’s score to 1.07, which is excellent for an affordable gaming variant. The downside is that you will need to buy the gadget to get similar results since copying settings or ICC profiles will not guarantee it. Each panel has varying characteristics, so no two are similar in color output.
Its backlight reached 449 cd/m2 in SDR and peaked at 488 cd/m2 when its HDR mode kicked in. That’s fantastic for regular use since it gives you a lot of room to adjust for day and nighttime use. Its contrast reached 3358:1 at 30% brightness for deep blacks, but it still is incapable of true HDR performance like the OLED monitors we mentioned.
Panel uniformity for the test sample suffered because of some light leaks on the top and bottom edges of the screen. They are noticeable in dark scenes but are less apparent against white or full-color backgrounds. Note that this can change between every unit made due to tolerances, so there are better ones out there.
The AOC AGON AG325QZN’s pixel response time isn’t the best unless you max out its overdrive. Doing so will remove most of the persistence in fast-paced and contrasting transitions without adding noticeable overshoot. That’s rare for a gaming monitor, but keeping the framerate above 200FPS also helped tremendously.
The AOC AGON AG325QZN is compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync, so you don’t have to worry about tearing or stuttering. This is essential for new monitor purchases, so you don’t have to change it if you switch to another GPU brand. Its input lag sits at 3ms at 240Hz, so it’s ideal for E-Sports games like Valorant or Warzone 2.
Thoughts on the AOC AGON AG325QZN
The AOC AGON AG325QZN is an excellent choice for gamers who want E-Sports-level performance on a large screen. It is not accurate out of the box, but it responds well to calibration like most of AOC’s releases. It’s also built well, but the best thing about it is its friendlier price point.
However, it’s far from perfect, just like every gaming monitor, from the budget to the high-end price brackets. Its HDR performance isn’t the best, and it lacks a few creature comforts that are necessary for modern computing. It is still a great buy, provided that it’s readily available in your region.
Pros:
- Great Colors and Contrast
- Midrange Pricing for 240Hz 1440p
- Fast and Responsive
- FreeSync/G-Sync Compatible
Cons:
- Poor HDR Output
- No USB-C
- 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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