Traditionally, if you had an AMD GPU, you'd buy a FreeSync monitor. The same with an NVIDIA GPU and G-Sync. Times have changed, and there are more displays now supporting both AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync, allowing you to save money in the process of buying a new gaming panel.
The AOC C27G2ZU is one of these monitors, rocking support for both synchronization technologies, allowing anyone to hook up their gaming PC and enjoy butter-smooth gameplay. On paper, this monitor has a lot going for it, especially for competitive gamers, like rapid-fast response times and a high refresh rate.
Still, it's aggressively priced and is positioned as one of the company's more affordable screens, so how does it fare? This review will run you through its design, specifications, performance, and whether this non-AGON monitor is worth your time.
Bottom line: AOC's C27G2ZU is a budget-friendly monitor with support for both AMD FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA G-Sync. It has all the right specifications, including a response time of just 1ms, refresh rate of 240Hz, and a resolution of 1080p, which many gamers continue to prefer.
For
- 240Hz refresh rate
- 1ms response time
- VESA mounting support
- AMD FreeSync & NVIDIA G-Sync
- Large 27-inch curved panel
Against
- Only 1080p
- Screen quality a little washed
What you'll love about the AOC C27G2ZU
There are still those who don't believe in anything above 30Hz being worth it for gaming. Still, the matter of the fact is this debate has seen the advancement of screen tech allow PC gamers to take to the skies with refresh rates. We're now seeing anywhere into the 300Hz range for monitors.
The AOC C27G2ZU is one of the company's latest affordable 1080p gaming displays with a refresh rate of 240Hz. This means, should your GPU allow it, games would be able to be displayed with up to 240 frames per second being fired to the monitor. This should result in some butter-smooth gameplay. It's what many professionals and gamers prefer — high refresh rates and quality at lower resolutions.
For competitive gaming, the AOC C27G2ZU has all the right specs where it matters most.
But the refresh rate isn't the only trick this monitor has up its arm. There's also the response time of just 1ms, thanks to it being a VA panel, and it's curved too. The support for both NVIDIA and AMD synchronization technologies is the icing on a truly beautiful specifications list cake.
But the specifications alone aren't enough for being one of the best computer monitors for you. If you actually care about how the display looks and how it can integrate into your existing setup, AOC has you covered with 100x100mm VESA mounting support and subtle gaming design.
Because this is the ZU version of the C27G2 monitor, the stand is height-adjustable, and we get four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports to hook up some peripherals. For display input, you have the choice of two HDMI 2.0 and a single DisplayPort 1.2. The included adjustable stand is a nice touch, so too is the gap in the middle of the stand for routing cables and keeping everything neat.
| Category | Spec |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (1080p) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
| Panel type | Curved VA |
| Refresh rate | 240Hz |
| Response time | 1ms |
| Synch tech | AMD FreeSync PremiumNVIDIA G-Sync |
| Ports | 1x DisplayPort2x HDMI1x VGA |
| VESA | 100 x 100mm |
Trying out the C27G2ZU, I connected the monitor to the test bench, which consisted of an Intel Core i7-10700K CPU, NVIDIA RTX 2060 SUPER GPU, 32GB of DDR4 RAM, using the GIGABYTE Z490 AORUS ULTRA motherboard.
In synthetic testing, I saw an sRGB score of 98%, which is perfectly fine for gaming, so too is the Adobe RGB rating of %. This display won't win any awards for color reproduction, but it will be able to keep up with the fast-paced action on-screen. Games like Path of Exile, Cities: Skylines, Player Unknown Battlegrounds, and The Witcher 3 looked amazing.
What impressed me most is the G-Sync implementation. It works flawlessly out of the box. Simply hook up your favorite DisplayPort cable to your NVIDIA GPU, and you're good to go. The NVIDIA driver successfully detected the FreeSync display and activated G-Sync for fullscreen apps and games. This is glorious for gamers who want to save a little.
What you'll dislike about the AOC C27G2ZU
If you want something more than 1080p, the AOC C27G2ZU simply isn't for you. That's really the main drawback I could come up with here. Because of its relatively affordable price, it's understandable why the design isn't as appealing as more pricey AOC models, likewise the screen quality.
It's not terrible. In fact, this is a gorgeous panel when you're playing games, but that's relative. If you sat this screen next to a more expensive display from AOC or a competitor, you'd notice a difference when playing the same game on both panels. You shouldn't expect HDR at this price segment, but the VA display does show some limitations compared to IPS. It's also a little dim.
So should you buy the AOC C27G2ZU?
Not everyone needs a 2K (1440p or 4K (2160p) monitor, so it's good to see Full HD (1080p) screens continue to be refreshed with more advanced panels. The AOC C27G2ZU is a killer gaming monitor with all the right specifications for even competitor gamers.
The AOC C27G2ZU is a rapid-fast gaming monitor with support for FreeSync and G-Sync.
The refresh rate of 240Hz allows you to crank all the settings way up high on the best graphics card. Response time of just 1ms will ensure you're always connecting shots and not aimlessly swinging swords in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord.
The additional bonus of being able to use this monitor with NVIDIA or AMD GPUs and turn on synchronization is a huge win for those seeking a bargain. No longer do you need to pay a premium for the luxury of G-Sync compatibility. Enjoy 1080p gaming? This monitor should be on your shortlist.
Great budget gaming monitor
Not everyone wants 4K. If you desire a monitor that will provide a high refresh rate and low response times, the AOC C27G2ZU is a great option. It even supports both AMD FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA G-Sync.
