AOC U2879VF 28-inch Ultra HD FreeSync Monitor Review

A 28-inch TN screen is the cheapest way to put Ultra HD on the desktop. Today, we're looking at a new example from AOC: the U2879VF. It includes FreeSync for gaming enthusiasts and a factory calibration for the professional user.

By Christian Eberle
published

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OSD Setup And Calibration

AOC takes a unique approach to OSD design by placing everything in a long strip across the bottom of the screen. It's easy to measure test patterns that way, and the menus are right above the control buttons.

OSD Tour

The Luminance menu has everything you need to control light output, gamma and dynamic contrast. You also get seven image modes that correspond to different tasks. We recommend using the default Standard preset and making changes in the Color menu, which we'll talk about next.

Interestingly, the U2879VF includes uniformity compensation in the form of its own image preset. You can adjust all other picture parameters in that mode. We'll show you its effects on contrast and measured uniformity on pages four and seven.

Shadow Control is a low-end gamma adjustment that increases detail in dark content; it also raises the black level. Also here is the overdrive control. Its highest setting produces a little ghosting in moving test patterns and in fast-moving gameplay. We settled on the medium option as the best compromise.

The Color menu has five color temp presets plus a user mode. In our tests we found the best accuracy by using the sRGB setting. Not only does it return the best grayscale and gamma result, it offers the best possible color gamut and luminance quality. We'll explain our tests more thoroughly on pages five and six.

Picture Boost is a feature we've only seen on AOC monitors and they all have it. It creates a zone on the screen where the user can independently adjust brightness and contrast. The effect is a grayed-out frame around the picture. It can be used to highlight a specific part of the image.

The OSD Setup menu has adjustments for menu position though we can't imagine why one would want to move it from the bottom of the screen. You can also control its transparency and timeout. If you're wondering why FreeSync isn't working, the option to turn it on is here as well. It's off by default for some reason.

Ultra HD monitors are great for displaying images from multiple sources. The U2879VF supports two images in a PIP or PBP configuration.

The final menu is called Extras and has an input selector, off timer and signal information. This screen will let you know when the monitor is in FreeSync mode.

Calibration

It seems that every AOC display we test has a slightly different calibration routine. There are multiple image modes but the secret to unlocking the U2879VF's full potential is in the color temp presets. After selecting the Standard picture preset, we recommend choosing the sRGB option in the color menu. That gave us the best test results; better than when we attempted our own calibration. The only downside is that brightness is locked at 228cd/m2, which might be a bit much for darker workspaces. If you want full control of output, please try our RGB settings below.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
AOC U2879VF Calibration Settings
Brightness 200cd/m271
Brightness 120cd/m237
Brightness 100cd/m228
Brightness 80cd/m219
Brightness 50cd/m27
Picture ModeStandard
Gamma2
Contrast50
Color TempRed 50, Green 48, Blue 52
Christian Eberle
Christian Eberle
Contributing Editor

Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors.

21 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Urzu1000
    I've been using this monitor for month or so now, and I have to say, I'm very pleased with my purchase. I got it on sale though, so it was a bit cheaper.
    Reply
  • gaborbarla
    Please call me when these monitors are no longer only 60Hz. I still much prefer a 1440p monitor with 144Hz over 4k on 60Hz for gaming.
    Reply
  • Dynomite54
    Please call me when these monitors are no longer only 60Hz. I still much prefer a 1440p monitor with 144Hz over 4k on 60Hz for gaming.
    I can I agree with that for the people with better eye sight its blurry if its 60Hz but not if its 144Hz or 120Hz.
    Reply
  • sillynilly
    While I understand that 60 FPS may be the top for high end gaming rigs for this resolution - that is in some games, not all. I agree 2160 at 60Hz is, for me, a step back from 1440 at 120Hz+ since my rig can easily push higher FPS on many games I play regularly.
    Reply
  • masterofevil22
    I'm currently rocking 3 1440p monitors in Eyefinity and I love them for Gaming at 7680x1440p. They are 60hz panels, but I can OC'd them to 75hz. It's not easy getting 75fps at that res maxed out tho... 11.2 million pixels is no joke, but the FEEL of them wrapping around you is incredible & it's widely supported (hehe) by most games. I'd highly recommend anyone giving it a try. I've got some footage up on XBnPC if you all care to check it out.
    Reply
  • milk_inc
    While I understand that 60 FPS may be the top for high end gaming rigs for this resolution - that is in some games, not all. I agree 2160 at 60Hz is, for me, a step back from 1440 at 120Hz+ since my rig can easily push higher FPS on many games I play regularly.
    Well right now is not a video card that can be played at 100+fps on 4k with ultra settings, even the 1080 as good it's, not reach those frames on 4k of course and AAA games.
    The monitor is for the present 4k at 60hz even the prices it's good for the spec.
    The speed of hz and the resolution are two different things, of course you will get higher hz at lower resolution. In a near future it will be 4k with 120hz or 144hz, coz 4k will be standard for 5 years as 1080p and 1440 or qhd will just be a transitition as was 720p.
    Reply
  • photonboy
    *Freesync doesn't work well at 40 to 60Hz.

    You need 2.5X minimum ratio for asynchronous mode (i.e. 30 Hz to 75Hz) or you have no support below 40Hz.

    With the range being so low you are popping in and out of the smoother asynchronous mode any time you go above or below this. If it's setup for VSYNC ON you'll go from smooth gameplay to STUTTERING below 40FPS (or screen tear if setup for VSYNC OFF).

    Same goes for above 60FPS (though I think you can force a Global cap but you have to experiment with that and it may have to be a bit below 60FPS).

    *If you have a 30Hz to 144Hz it's far better. Not only is it hard to go over 144FPS, but for demanding games (or sudden drops even if good FPS) you CAN stay in asynchronous mode.

    The REASON is that AMD has no module like GSYNC does. So if you drop to 29FPS then the drivers tell the GPU to send each frame 2X so the monitor gets 58FPS. You still see it as 29FPS but a SMOOTH 29FPS because you stay in asynchronous mode so the monitor draws each frame as it gets it.

    There is a small DELAY in doing this so you can't get by with just 2X the range. So again, for the 40Hz to 60Hz range if you drop to 39FPS it doesn't work.

    **IMO they shouldn't even sell Freesync monitors like this. If you don't understand what's going on you're going to have an inconsistent experience with many games being smoother then stutter or tear constantly.
    Reply
  • sillynilly
    17989601 said:
    While I understand that 60 FPS may be the top for high end gaming rigs for this resolution - that is in some games, not all. I agree 2160 at 60Hz is, for me, a step back from 1440 at 120Hz+ since my rig can easily push higher FPS on many games I play regularly.
    Well right now is not a video card that can be played at 100+fps on 4k with ultra settings, even the 1080 as good it's, not reach those frames on 4k of course and AAA games.
    The monitor is for the present 4k at 60hz even the prices it's good for the spec.
    The speed of hz and the resolution are two different things, of course you will get higher hz at lower resolution. In a near future it will be 4k with 120hz or 144hz, coz 4k will be standard for 5 years as 1080p and 1440 or qhd will just be a transitition as was 720p.

    Umm, ya? That's the underlying point of my entire post! To expand, I am not willing to spend money on a monitor that is "for now" ok, when I find the 1440 experience (on IPS panels) so good. Since I run 27 now, why go a minor increase for a 4K panel that won't look as good while gaming, i.e. low frame rates? And to get even more specific - I am team green so I wouldn't buy an FS monitor in the first place! :lol:

    Reply
  • Shankovich
    TN panel.........
    Reply
  • Gurg
    I have an earlier version AOC U2870VQE 28" 4K LED Monitor I bought for roughly the same price.. I really like it. This was an upgrade from another brand 1440 monitor that was returned under warranty for too many dead pixels. This AOC has no bad pixels. Mostly play Total War games with 2x980sli. For reference my everyday overclocked Firestrike Ultra graphics score is around 6650 with max of around 7000. I generally play at high settings rather than ultra because I like to speed battles up 2 or 4 times speed during slower action periods to move them along quicker.
    Reply