HomeMacityGames and Consoles The well-known Taiwanese display brand returns with a new line of monitors dedicated to the gaming sector, among these the AOC C32G3AE model is certainly the most interesting and engaging.
We tried it for a few weeks, connected to the Mac but also to our Playstation, to understand what its best destination is: although the quality of the product is clear, there is some shadow that is worth underlining to proceed with the purchase in more reasoned way.
- 1 Two pieces
- 2 Panel
- 3 On the track
- 4 Considerations
- 5 Pros:
- 6 Cons:
- 7 Price:
Two pieces
The display comes in a generously sized box, and it couldn’t be otherwise for a major product with a width of 80cm. Assembly is simple, the base slips into the underside of the monitor and everything is ready in a matter of minutes.
The surface of the monitor is made of porous plastic, with red decorations accompanying some key points, such as the rear cooling grille and the lower front edge.
Nice that AOC has also made the back of the display fascinating, a trend that we like because more and more monitors are at the center of the design of the rooms, between the bedroom, the living room or, for the lucky ones, a playroom.
Also nice on the back: the AOC C32G3AE has a fascinating look on the B side too The total weight, with support, is 6.89 kg, which makes it easily transportable from one place to another even without help, even if the size is not easy to manage when you are alone.
The OSD controls are placed in the lower left part of the monitor and, were it not for the engraved icons (but always black) they would not be traceable.
The connectors are instead placed in the back, hidden by a fold of plastic: these are two HDMI connectors (1.4) and one Display Port (1.2), in addition to the power socket a little further on (internal power supply).
In addition to the foot, well made, stable and with a photo cable outlet, the monitor also provides for wall attachment, thanks to the standard VESA holes in the back.
Panel
AOC C32G3AE, as we said, has a very generous panel: given the external dimension of 80 cm, the visible, horizontal one is 69.8 cm and the clear vertical one is 39.3 cm, really important as a usable area.
The ratio is 16: 9 with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 Pixel, not very high in an absolute sense (because 4K displays are now common), but more than optimal for a gamer, who must balance the amount of output data with the power. of the video card that manages them. Basically, there are few who opt for solutions above 2K in games, in order not to tire the available hardware too much (the FullHD still offers a good overall view).
The matte Curved VA panel has a contrast ratio of 3000: 1, 16.78 million colors with a brightness of 300 cd / m² and a response time of 4 ms, a value that is in the category average (but which could be lower, considering the price range).
The color space is sRGB (with a coverage of 120%), also in full gamer perspective but which basically also serves the vast majority of office software tasks such as Office and web browsing.
The refresh value, admittedly of 165 Hz, is very good, very good, especially for the most adrenaline-pumping games (think of the praise expressed for the new iPhone 13 Pro display at 120 Hz, let alone this at 165, albeit with the due proportions ).
This value, however, has not been reached by our Mac mini, which has an integrated Iris video card, reaching “only” 144 Hz, a value in any case higher than the vast majority of monitors on the market. Probably to reach 165 Hz you need a decent video card, certainly present in gamer Windows PCs and higher-end Mac models.
However, even using the value of 144 Hz the fluidity of the video signal is evident, and in fact it seems to use a “more powerful” computer, because everything happens with greater smoothness.
The feeling of power is obviously just a reflection of the difference between the AOC C32G3AE and our reference display which usually travels at 60Hz and we’re not just talking about games, where the gain is fantastic, but also the movements of the Finder, and within the Apps, which, net of the intrinsic optimization with macOS, all appear to be improved.
On track
The AOC C32G3AE is large, with its 31.5 ″ wide it is a display that makes every type of user happy because, you know, space is never enough.
But consequently the footprint is also large, because an 80 cm monitor on the desk is not so obvious, you need to make space and optimize the other devices (for example, those of us who use the WD My Book Duo must find another place, because the space for this high enough disk is no longer there).
Of course, thanks to clever accessories like Caldigit Element HUB, ordering is easier, and then they are changes that are only made once, however you have to evaluate everything.
On a Mac mini the maximum resolution accompanies the fresh rate at 144 Hz at maximum, instead of the 165 announced For the rest, we said the display can be watched, during the day the FullHD resolution proved to be a bit limiting for work tasks with Photoshop, Illustrator, while there are no problems with the Office apps (which are designed for higher resolutions. contained) while the fluidity given by the high refresh value is also appreciable in the Finder.
The curvature of the display is pleasant, it takes a few days to “get carried away” by its benefits but in the end it reluctantly comes off: in the controversy whether a large monitor or two side by side is better, the curvature solves the question by winning for practicality.
In the gaming field, of course, the monitor shows its best: as mentioned, the FullHD resolution is optimal and, indeed, if the game is not brand new it is probably a perfect output.
Curved monitors are not mandatory, but they have great in-game appeal We used the display both connected to the Mac and for a few games also on the Playstation, where the display actually showed perhaps the best of itself.
Contrast and brightness are optimal and on some decidedly “trending” titles at the moment, such as Fortnite, the yield seems truly extraordinary (which did not seem strange to us, likely that many of the tests were done on this title, given the its popularity).
Precisely on Fortnite we noticed that the angle of curvature of the panel favors multiplayer games with a high adrenaline rate: the impression, which can only be personal in this, comes from the fact that the movement of the head is less and seems simpler. glimpse the movements of the other players, especially for those coming from a flat display.
On Mac, where the choice of games is not as complex as on the Sony console, we had fun with Diablo III: here the curvature and the refresh rate were not so important, given the age of the title.
The only flaw, not to be underestimated, is the energy consumption: formally 40 W entails an energy class F in the consumption scale, which is no small feat. Those who intend to use it at home all day, a little for work or school and a little for play, must prepare for an important consumption, higher than the average, those who see it only for a game challenge between friends in the evening you probably don’t have to worry too much, given the reduced time range of use.
The OSD menu, really well done
Considerations
The AOC C32G3AE is an important display, whose price is well balanced by the features offered. The resolution is designed for games, where it offers the best, while for work it could offer the side to those who do post production and use professional drawing programs.
The curvature is very nice, together with the high refresh rate, which make the movements softer and more natural, especially where there are frenetic sequences, on the other hand the important consumption must be evaluated before finding nasty surprises in the bill.
Pro:
• Aggressive aesthetics • Excellent refresh rate • Three inputs • The curvature is engaging in some titles
Cons:
• High consumption • No USB connector
Price:
• 449.00 Euro
AOC C32G3AE is available in the stores suggested by the Italian website of the parent company or you can find it more conveniently also at Amazon.it.
