AOC G2460PQU 24-inch 144 Hz Gaming Monitor Review

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AOC G2460PQU, Unparalleled Speed and Responsiveness

Now that the results are in, we can revisit our 144 Hz gaming monitor comparison. AOC becomes the new champ in our screen draw and input lag tests. It also comes close to matching the VG248QE’s prodigious light output. The biggest concession AOC's G2460PQU makes is a lack of blur reduction functionality, which Asus and BenQ do offer.

Then again, I can't say I missed backlight strobing in any of our tests or when I played games on the G2460PQU. Enjoying fast-paced titles on a system with a 144 Hz monitor becomes more pleasurable regardless. And even productivity-oriented tasks benefit from an almost intoxicating smoothness as your cursor moves around on-screen. Blur reduction would certainly enhance this further but frankly, I don’t consider it a deal-breaker.

We believe this monitor should be considered for its class-leading speed and excellent brightness, contrast, and color accuracy. There were a few anomalies in the gamma results, but if you stick to our suggested Gamma 2 preset, you’ll be within a whisker of the desired 2.2. Contrast is a strong point of the TN-based screens we've tested recently, and this one is no exception. In fact, the overall ratio holds up to calibration better than a majority of displays, regardless of panel technology. If you choose not to calibrate, selecting the Standard mode and User color temp generates results that come pretty close to our standards.

Comparisons based on price are pretty much a wash, given the 144 Hz options available. Whichever brand you choose, anticipate spending around $275 for a 24-inch model or $500 for a 27-inch version. Personally, I’d go for three 24s in a panoramic setup.

So is the G2460PQU a harbinger of things to come? I suspect it is. As technology allows, expect manufacturers to increase refresh rates wherever they can. After all, there are benefits to be had that transcend gaming. As the lines get blurred between traditional broadcast and streamed delivery of video content, I believe some users will want the improved motion resolution that comes with frame interpolation. It's already common on HDTVs. But with more people turning to their computers to watch TV, the demand for that same functionality on computer monitors could increase as well.

The performance of graphics cards is only going to go up. The best boards blast past what it takes to deliver smooth performance at the most demanding quality settings, particularly at 1920x1080 and 2560x1440. Enthusiasts who prefer playing with v-sync enabled can only relieve the 60 Hz ceiling with a monitor like AOC's G2460PQU. We think it deserves to be on every gamers’ short list. For its best-in-class speed and responsiveness, we're giving it the Tom's Hardware Smart Buy award.

Just so you know what's coming, we have several unique displays in the lab. LG just sent us its latest 21:9 screen, the 34UM95. It breaks that aspect ratio's mold in that it’s 34 inches diagonal with 3440x1440 resolution. Also on the test bench is BenQ’s BL3200. It’s a jumbo 32-inch QHD display with a Vertical Alignment (VA) panel. It promises black levels and contrast equal to TN, but with the low power consumption and better viewing angles of IPS. Stay tuned!

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. 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.

  • PandaV4
    I have a AOC G2460P monitor myself, and a unpleasant surprise was that refresh rate of 144 Hz wasn't supported if using the DisplayPort connection. Does G2460PQU have the same limitations, or does it actually support 144 Hz over DisplayPort?
    Reply
  • PandaV4
    After some googling it seems that G2460PQU and G2460P is the same model. So beware if you want to use Displayport you wont be able to use the 144 Hz setting too! And this doesn't have any blur reduction either! It seems there is actually a new updated model to be released this month the AOC G2460PG. And it has nvidia g-sync support and blur reduction, and supports 144 over dIsplayport.
    TL;DR: G2460PQU = DO NOT BUY, G2460PG = BUY.
    Reply
  • ubercake
    Good review. Thanks.

    A typo:
    Bezel width: 0.6-1 inched / 15-25 mm
    Reply
  • ceberle
    13687399 said:
    I have a AOC G2460P monitor myself, and a unpleasant surprise was that refresh rate of 144 Hz wasn't supported if using the DisplayPort connection. Does G2460PQU have the same limitations, or does it actually support 144 Hz over DisplayPort?

    The PQU does accept 144 Hz over DisplayPort.

    -Christian-
    Reply
  • PandaV4
    13688062 said:
    13687399 said:
    I have a AOC G2460P monitor myself, and a unpleasant surprise was that refresh rate of 144 Hz wasn't supported if using the DisplayPort connection. Does G2460PQU have the same limitations, or does it actually support 144 Hz over DisplayPort?

    The PQU does accept 144 Hz over DisplayPort.

    -Christian-
    A bit of googling brought up this article - http://pcmonitors.info/reviews/aoc-g2460pqu which says: " The image provided by DisplayPort is very similar on this monitor and it should also support the maximum (144Hz) refresh rate. Unfortunately that was not the case during our testing" and "The PC resolutions below this should feature 1920 x 1080 with 100Hz, 120Hz and 144Hz selectable – but that isn’t the case.". It seems there are different revisions of this monitor with the same model number. So if you buy one of those than you are practically gambling about the 144 Hz support.
    Reply
  • npyrhone
    Will we ever see here a review of even one non-TN gaming monitor? The reduced color depth renders to image quality absolutely disgusting.

    I will be the first one to congratulate you when you publish the next review of a monitor with a non-TN panel working over 60Hz.
    Reply
  • rantoc
    Yet another low res 1080p panel - Yawn!
    Reply
  • 3Dns
    I have that model too and i buy it after a HP 23xi IPS LED Panel.
    I understand that.
    It doesnt worth 300€ for this model. All you need is 60hz and 24" Panel that you can take it with 120€. For me IPS Panels offer you way better colors so for me its better. Now if you want it for a GTX780 and above and you wanna play over 60FPS it may worth.
    But have in mind that a normal monitor cost ~120$ and this model cost double. You can spend that money in other hardware areas like better GPU for example.
    Reply
  • Adroid
    Sorry, but I won't ever buy another 1080p "gaming" display. 1920x1200 is vastly superior for "gaming" screens, and it's a shame the industry has veered away from it.

    I guess the thought process involves "and you can watch HD movies on it". Needless to say the 16:9 ratio is cheaper for manufacturers, and it's a great sales pitch. Well, give me a break. I got suckered into that line of thinking and I probably watched 2-3 movies on my "gaming" 23 inch monitor in 4-5 years.

    Let's keep the movies where they belong in the living room and re-focus "gaming" screens where they should have never left - in the 16:10 aspect ratio.
    Reply
  • alchemy69
    If a game isn't enjoyable at 60Hz it isn't going to be enjoyable at 144Hz. And if it is enjoyable at 144, it still will be at 60. I've had some of the greatest fun over the last 30 years playing on tiny monitors, at low resolution and probably less than 30fps. I don't need the industry telling me what I need to have fun just so they can move more product.
    Reply