AOC launches a 1440p curved 27-inch monitor for $279

(Image credit: AOC)

I'm not sure I agree with calling a curved panel "crazy immersive" (actually, I am sure I disagree), but I'll give AOC some marketing leeway on its 27-inch CQ27G1 gaming monitor. It's priced attractively at $279.99, and the company's new "Re-Spawned" monitor program is pretty rad.

The CQ27G1 is outfitted with a VA (vertical alignment) panel, which in terms of quality, generally sits between a lower-end TN (twisted nematic) and higher-end IPS (in-plane switching) screen.

In this case, the monitor serves up a 2560x1440 resolution and a decently-fast (or "screaming," in AOC's words) 144Hz refresh rate. It also boasts a 1ms response time that is of the MPRT (motion picture response time) variety and not the more commonly used GtG (gray-to-gray) metric. That likely suggests the actual native GtG response time is a touch higher, with the monitor employing backlight flicker to offer a perceived 1ms response time.

FreeSync support is part of the package too, though not FreeSync 2 HDR. That means HDR visuals are a no-go—at 250 nits, it doesn't have the brightness required for HDR (400 nits is the minimum VESA will even consider for its DisplayHDR certification, and 1,000 nits is where HDR really shines).

So here's a handy compilation of the specs, along with a few other details:

  • 27 inches (diagonal)
  • VA panel w/ WLED backlight
  • 2560x1440 resolution
  • 144Hz refresh rate
  • 1ms MPRT (motion picture response time)
  • FreeSync support
  • 250 nits brightness
  • 80,000,000:1 contrast ratio (dynamic)
  • 178 degrees viewing angles (horizontal and vertical)
  • DisplayPort 1.2 (x1) + HDM 2.0 (x2) + 3.5mm headphone output

(Image credit: AOC)

AOC's marketing hyperbole continues with the description of this being a three-sided "frameless design" with "ultra-narrow" bezels.  I'd say it trends closer to the latter than the former, based on a close-up of the render above, but you be the judge.

Overall, though, the specs look good for the money. And in regards to the warranty, it's backed for 3 years, with the allowance of a one-time accidental damage claim in the first year. It also includes a zero-deal pixel guarantee and an advanced replacement option.

We have not tested this monitor, but if you're intrigued enough to buy it, you can do so right now on Amazon.

Paul Lilly

Paul has been playing PC games and raking his knuckles on computer hardware since the Commodore 64. He does not have any tattoos, but thinks it would be cool to get one that reads LOAD"*",8,1. In his off time, he rides motorcycles and wrestles alligators (only one of those is true).

Latest in Gaming Monitors
Samsung 3D monitor
Samsung has a crack at ye olde glasses-free 3D monitor thing but its new cheaper 49-inch ultrawide OLED is far more interesting
Acer Predator Z57 dual-4K monitor
Acer Predator Z57 gaming monitor review
Sony RGB LED panel tech
Sony's fixing the wrong panel problems while showing off its new 'RGB LED' backlight tech with outrageous colours and brightness
Alienware 27 AW2725Q QD-OLED
Alienware 27 AW2725Q QD-OLED review
Asus's new ultrawide sucks as hard as it blows
Asus' new monitors purify 90% of airborne dust from your desktop and I've definitely seen some gnarly gaming setups that would benefit
Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM gaming monitor
Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM review
Latest in News
An Enshrouded player in a recreation of Erebor from The Lord of the Rings
Kings under the Mountain! 33 Enshrouded players spent 10,000 hours to recreate this iconic location from The Lord of the Rings
A mech awakens.
Mecha Break developer is considering unlocking all mechs following open beta feedback
Lara Croft Unified Art
Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics lays off 17 employees 'to better align our current business needs and the studio's future success'
A long bendy arm stealing money from people in a subway car
'You're a very long arm. You steal things. It's a comedy game,' explains developer of comedy game where you steal things with a very long arm
The heroes are attacked by monsters
Pillars of Eternity is getting turn-based combat to mark its 10th anniversary, and that means PC Gamer editors will soon be arguing about combat mechanics again
Image of Ronaldo from Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves trailer
It doesn't really make sense that soccer star Ronaldo is now a Fatal Fury character, but if you follow the money you can see how it happened