Considering that the gaming sector has a dizzying growth in the market, many of the innovations that come out in the IT world are dedicated to the world of video games: the new AOC CQ32G2SE Monitor is one of them.
Characterized by a good resolution and a truly generous display in terms of size and frequency, it promises evenings of great fun for a limited budget.
Pit stop assembly
Since the AOC CQ32G2SE Monitor offers generous dimensions in terms of panel, the box is just as “generous” in terms of dimensions, so much so that we have struggled to fit it into the photo table.
Once opened, we find in the package the monitor divided into four fundamental parts: panel, arm, foot and power supply, which can be assembled in about twenty seconds even by themselves, in order to have everything ready in a very short time.
Inside the box there are also the two HDMI and DisplayPort cables for the connection and the power cable.
The AOC CQ32G2SE, here in the rear view: it is assembled in a moment, three pieces, two movements and the display is ready
The first impression
Connected to a MacBook Pro for photos (using the Caldigit SOHO Dock USB-C HUB) and first contact, but then used more thoroughly on both a Mac mini (via Caldigit TS3 Plus) and a Lenovo X1 (via Orico Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station), the latter two managed by the Sabrent USB Type C KVM Switch for quick hopping from one to another, the display has always felt comfortable.
The large 31.5 ″ surface with 1,500R curve (which is a mild curve) is enveloping without accentuating too much, which is good for those who don't like panels that are too curved (the display ratio is 16: 9).
Integrated into the shaft there is an interesting and convenient cable guide
The external material is plastic, between the porous and the shiny depending on the area, black in color with red edges: the edges are very thin (5 millimeters) as opposed to the foot which is very large and which, although it is probably necessary, in practice occupies the entire lower part of the panel, because it leaves a triangular area free which is difficult to use for anything else.
In the lower and rear part there are three video connectors (two HDMI and a DisplayPort, no USB-C ports, a shame) and the one for the power supply: which is controlled by the buttons present just below the display on the front right, both for the 'switching on or off both for the OSD menu, very nice that is presented in the middle of the monitor, in the lower part.
Right in the OSD menu you can choose up to 6 game modes, quickly switching from one to the other with a button, in order to optimize the display from game to game (including the Desktop one).
The box is generous, compared here to a 13 ″ MacBook Pro
How it works
The display offers a resolution of 2560 × 1440 px with response times of 1ms, good from a gaming point of view, despite having a 31.5 ″ panel it is still necessary to consider that we are talking about a display for less than 500 Euros.
The panel is of the VA type, capable of offering a Gamut of 121% sRGB, with an excellent contrast (3000: 1) but a slightly low brightness (250 cd / m2): this translates into a result that offers an image that is not very bright, but well detailed and in the opinion of the writer, excellent for the gaming sector, where usually the brightness is not essential in the strict sense.
In games like Diablo III, League of Legends, Starcraft II or World of Warcraft, we really liked the rendering. The shadows are well defined, with a really careful contrast and if we consider that these games are often enjoyed in the evening, the brightness is not that relevant.
Very, very beautiful the active frequency that, on the Mac mini, reached 165 Hz via DisplayPort and 144 Hz in HDMI: operating at 165 or 144 Hz compared to the classic 60 of professional displays means having an extreme softness in all operations, from the Finder onwards and it is an experience impossible to put into words, but that is worth trying and examining well.
The OSD menu, really well done
Obviously, the support for such high refresh rates then depends from game to game (in the Desktop App it is not a problem) and also from the computer's video card, a combination that the user can vary in the game settings. The writer admits that he immediately got used to this situation and that he will suffer a lot when the display returns to the base: more, for example, than the 4K resolution we were used to, because the softness of all the transitions, of the movement of the windows and some drawing tools appears unmatched (well to say, given that it is almost three times the value of before).
Note that the value was achieved in the Mac mini thanks to Caldigit's Thunderbolt 3 HUB, otherwise we would have had to opt for an external DisplayPort / Thunderbolt 3 adapter and as for 144 Hz, even with the Sabrent USB Type C KVM Switch present , a factor that surprised us a lot.
The Display panel, which certifies that via the Display Port we have reached the very high frequency of 165 Hz, compared to the classic 60 in the most business displays
To forget instead the audio part, which with the two 5 W speakers allows you to hear the sounds, but for a wider experience, we suggest you equip yourself with a third thicker audio system. However, an audio jack for headphones is available, for those who want a more “private” gaming experience.
Considerations
With a price of less than 400 Euros, it is clear that this AOC CQ32G2SE Monitor looks very, very good: the panel is large and with excellent contrast, the refresh rate is superb (but pay attention to the connection) even via HDMI and the resolution, although not very high, it is probably suitable for the right balance between the beauty of the detail during the game and the “effort” of the video card.
Those who play for fun want higher resolutions, to fully enjoy the textures, the light effects and the details, while those who play seriously, know that the fluidity of the game is essential, more than the details. A resolution of this kind is however an optimal combination between the beauty of the signal and the “effort” of a video card, which, if it is not brand new, can hardly manage a larger signal.
On the back, the generously sized logo
The brightness is not very high, it is true, but it often creates the right atmosphere, especially in games with a more “Dark” tone. The only real flaw of this display is the energy consumption, in the G range, a bit too much for a display of this type.
To work it is still a good compromise, even if the same figure can reach a display with a higher resolution but a much lower refresh rate: readers are required to evaluate what will be the main purpose of using a product like this.
Pro:
• Large and enveloping display • Excellent refresh rate • Double connection • Excellent price / performance ratio
Cons:
• Resolution is limited to 2.5K • No USB-C • Power consumption is high
Price:
• 389.00 Euro
AOC CQ32G2SE 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.
