PC monitor and accessories brand AOC has announced the launch of its new umbrella brand – AGON by AOC – designed for casual gamers, competitive gamers and esports players.
First up, the AGON PRO monitor for the more hardcore esports fans and players.
The 24.5″ AGON PRO AG254FG (pictured) boasts a fast IPS panel with full HD resolution, 360Hz refresh rate, 1ms GtG response time and Nvidia G-Sync with Nvidia Reflex Latency Analyzer to minimise system latency.
The three-side frameless frontal design is designed to be minimal to reduce distractions, with a ‘shadow shield’ that increases visibility when the stage lights shine bright during tournaments. On the backside, the monitor features AGON Light FX RGB lighting, which provides 14 lighting modes and 10.000s of RGB light combinations that can be customised with the ‘G-Menu’ AOC software, plus an LED logo projection on the front.
With its IPS panel, the esports-grade monitor supports 110% sRGB coverage and wide viewing angles of 178°/178°. It has VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification, a four-port USB hub and 5W stereo speakers with DTS sound.
To adjust the monitor to their preferences, users can either use the included wired remote, the QuickSwitch, to flick between various settings, or use the AOC G-Menu software on their PCs. Additional gaming features include the Dialpoint (crosshair overlay) to help players improve their aim, Frame Counter to show frames per second information on any of the four corners, the AOC Shadow Control feature to lighten dark areas without affecting the rest of the screen and vice versa, the AOC Game Color setting to change saturation levels, and six gaming modes for different game genres (three of them being user customisable).
The 24.5″ AGON PRO AG254FG monitor will be available from September 2021 at an RRP of £699.99.
“The esports scene is a very tough environment, and the esports athletes and enthusiasts require the best gear they can possibly get. Through co-operating with legendary teams such as G2 Esports, we know what professionals want and with their needs in mind we brought AGON PRO to life,” said Stefan Sommer, head of global marketing at AOC.
Then there’s the 49″ curved AGON AG493UCX2 and AG493QCX monitors (pictured below) for competitive gamers, streamers and content creators.
The 49″ AG493UCX2 has a 165Hz refresh rate, and the 49″ AG493QCX has a 144Hz refresh rate. With their 32:9 aspect ratio, the AG493UCX2 virtually combines two 27″ QHD displays in one panel with DQHD (5120 x 1440) resolution and the AG493QCX does the same for two 27″ full HD displays with DFHD (3840 x 1080) resolution.
Both monitors employ VA panels and are by VESA Certified DisplayHDR 400 specification, and offer a Picture-by-Picture mode to connect a work laptop and a desktop simultaneously (to its 2x HDMI 2.0 or 2x DisplayPort 1.2 inputs) and display the content of both side by side. While the AG493UCX2 also offers USB-C input, both feature a built-in 3-port USB hub to connect peripherals. Both monitors also have two 5W speakers.
The AG493UCX2 has a 1 ms MPRT response time (4 ms GtG), and content creators or streamers can connect two PCs and control them with one set of peripherals via the on-board KVM switch, while the USB-C connection can transfer video and power/charge laptops with up to 65 W at the same time.
“The esports scene is a very tough environment, and the esports athletes and enthusiasts require the best gear they can possibly get. Through co-operating with legendary teams such as G2 Esports, we know what professionals want and with their needs in mind we brought AGON PRO to life.”
Stefan Sommer, AOC
With a similar 49″ VA panel, the AG493QCX’s 3840 x 1080 resolution runs with a response time of 4 ms GtG and 1 ms MPRT.
To make the OSD adjustments or select various games modes and gaming-specific features, users can either use the on-board buttons, the included remote control, or the AOC G-Menu software.
The 49″ AOC AGON AG493UCX2 and AG493QCX will be available from September 2021 at RRPs of £939.99 and £719.99 respectively.
Lastly, there’s the AOC AGON gaming G3 series models, including the CU34G3S (pictured below), a 3440×1440 pixels monitor with at 165Hz refresh rate.
The five new G3 displays range from 27″ to 32″ to 34″ diagonal, with all models featuring 1000R curvature, a 165Hz refresh rate as well as a three-side borderless design. AOC says the curved G3 series will ‘complement and improve upon but not replace’ the G2 series.
The G3 series employs a tighter 1000R curvature in all models, surrounding the user from the sides, compared to the subtler 1500R curvature in AOC’s G2 series. This aims to make for a VR experience at a desk but without the negative aspects of “disconnecting” completely from the real world.
All models of the G3 series are equipped with VA panels, offering a 165Hz refresh rate. Moreover, the Motion Blur Reduction setting reduces pixel response time to 1 ms (MPRT), and Adaptive-Sync support offers gamers smooth and tear-free visuals.
The new G-Menu software allows gamers to adjust their monitor settings without touching any buttons on their monitors, and the Low Blue Light mode and FlickerFree tech aims to help gamers maintain their eye-health. They also have wide viewing angles of 178°/178°.
Specifically suited for simulation and racing gamers, the AOC CU34G3S uses a 34″ VA panel with a 21:9 aspect ratio, an ultrawide WQHD (3440 x 1440) resolution combined with the 1000R curvature, plus 5W speakers. For FPS, action/RPG or any other genres, AOC also offers two 31.5″ and two 27″ G3 series monitors, both sizes come with Full HD and QHD resolution variants each.
The 31.5″ AOC CQ32G3SU and the 27″ CQ27G3SU are both equipped with a panel with QHD (2560 x 1440) resolution, with the more common 16:9 aspect ratio. The 31.5″ model comes with two 5W speakers, while the 27″ version comes with two 3W speakers.
Further monitors from the G3 series are the 31.5″ C32G3AE and the 27″ C27G3U, both offering full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution. Boasting a 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms MPRT, with tear-free gaming thanks to Adaptive-Sync technology, these models are the most affordable of the bunch. The larger 31.5″ C32G3AE comes with a basic stand with tilt support and two 5W speakers, while the 27″ C27G3U comes with an ergonomic, height adjustable stand and two 3W speakers.
The first model of the G3 series, the AOC CU34G3S, CQ32G3SU, C32G3AE, are now available at RRPs of £539.99, £329.99, £279.99 respectively, while the other models – the CQ27G3SU and C27G3U – will be available from September 2021 at RRPs of £319.99 and £257.99 respectively.
Further reading: What do sponsors look for in an esports team? Video interview with AOC UK sales director on their partnerships with G2, IEM, ESL and more
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Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
