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To read about our monitor tests in-depth, please check out Display Testing Explained: How We Test PC Monitors. We cover brightness and contrast testing on page two.
Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level
The C32G2ZE is unique in its size, resolution and panel type. For comparisons, we’ve rounded up other 240 Hz monitors in the 25 and 27-inch format. The group includes the Aorus FI25F, Monoprice Dark Matter 27 (#40778), Pixio PX279 Prime, BenQ XL2546K and Gigabyte G27F.
The C32G2ZE cranks out an impressive light level for such a large screen. It’s rated at 300 nits, but our sample easily exceeded that with over 389 nits. That’s extremely bright when there is so much screen area.
Interestingly, we could only dial the backlight down to 137 nits. That’s far too bright for gaming in a dark room. You’ll want to have some ambient light to balance the image. Otherwise, fatigue may set in after a few hours of gaming.
As the only VA panel here, the AOC easily wins the black level and contrast contest. In fact, it has one of the largest contrast ratios we’ve recorded for any monitor. It out-distances nearly every VA monitor we’ve tested. That goes a long way toward offsetting that low pixel density.
After Calibration to 200 nits
Calibration helped us pick up a few more contrast points with an impressive 4,184.3:1 score. It doesn’t get much better than that. Add in the C32G2ZE’s nicely saturated color gamut and you have a winning image.
ANSI contrast drops slightly below the static score, but 3,910.6 is still higher than nearly all the monitors we’ve tested. Only the latest crop of 43-inch screens, like the Asus PG43QU, Acer’s CG437K and the Aorus FV43U, can compete at this level.
Current page: Brightness and Contrast
Prev Page Features and Specifications Next Page Grayscale, Gamma and ColorChristian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.
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