The 1080p 144hz market has become the starting point for many consumer who want to experience high refresh rates to enjoy today’s more powerful hardware. Most upgraders will mostly favor sheer speed versus screen quality and that’s alright, as the growing price tag means consumers also expect more so manufacturers aim to strike a balance. That said, it is a very competitive segment in the market to be in.
Which leads to our item for review today, the AOC G2590PX. It continues the legacy of the highly lauded G2460PF which was a standout contender for the price:performance market. The AOC G2590PX provides a few number of upgrades but for those coming off the previous model, you might want to read until the end.
For those new, the AOC G2590PX features a TN panel with a 1ms response time and 144hz refresh rate at 1920×1080 resolution. This sits on pretty much the most used resolution in the world and the current competitive standard in screen performance in refresh rate giving it pretty much everything a gamer wants at a glance. Or does it? Read on.
Features & Specfications
Screen size: 24.5-inch, 16:9 aspect ratio
Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080
Refresh rate: 144Hz
Panel Type: TN
Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
Brightness: 400cd/m2
Response Time: 1ms Grey-to-Grey
Display Input: HDMI 1.4 x 2, DisplayPort 1.2, VGA
USB: 4 x USB 3.0 (one with Fast Charge)
Tilt & Raise: Yes
Others: Audio output, audio input, 2W stereo speakers
Closer Look
AOC ships the G2590PX in a standard monitor-size, colored box. Note that this is AOC-branded rather than AGON which is AOC’s prime gaming line. Still, there is an AOC Gaming sub-brand where the G2590PX sits.
In the package we see the monitor base and stand disassembled and the monitor itself. Accessories include an 3.5mm audio cable, DisplayPort cable, USB cable for the built-in hub and some manuals.
Here is a shot of the monitor assembled. The base screws to the stand which then docks the monitor on the area of the VESA mount where its locked in place by clips.
The AOC G2590PX features an adjustable height stand. You can increase or decrease the height of the display to your liking.
Together with height adjustment, the monitor also has a tilt function where you can increase upwards tilt by some degrees while downwards tilt is there but just by a little.
Lastly, for adjustments there’s display panning where the entire base actually swivels around to change the direction of the display.
The screen itself can rotate for a 90* orientation. Perfect for using multi-monitor setups or productivity use.
One of the cool features of the G2590PX is the rich assortment of I/O options. The monitor itself supports dual HDMI 1.4, a single DisplayPort 1.2 and VGA inputs. There’s also an audio port and headphone jack.
The monitor also supports an array of USB3.0 ports with a total of 4 at the back. One of the ports, marked yellow, is a quick charge port. Useful for mobile phones.
OSD Controls
The AOC G2590PX features a 5D control stick for its OSD menu. The controls are decent but AOC really needs to work on improving the menu layout and experience to be a bit more intuitive.
The main menu is called by pressing on the control stick. Directional toggles when the menu is off brings up quick menus for inputs, etc. In the main monitor menu, you can configure image quality, color, brightness, etc.
G-Sync Compatible
With the recent announcement that NVIDIA will now be supporting Freesync by means of G-Sync Compatible technology, many Freesync monitors already on the market will be ready for this. One of the listed monitor is the GP2590FX, a variant of the GP2590PX that we have. NVIDIA did mention users can enable G-Sync on Freesync monitors to test out for themselves which work and in this case, the AOC GP2590PX supports G-Sync perfectly fine with no hitch on both lower and peak refresh rates.
With this confirmation, the AOC G2590PX gets extra value especially for NVIDIA GPU owners looking to maximize their graphics option and G-Sync is a great way to enjoy AAA games more fluidly.
User Experience & Conclusion
I really don’t mind playing on a TN panel, its actually a preference in terms of screen performance and while I do dabble in creative media and graphics, my personal screen does well with colors. The same thing cannot be said about the GP2590PX. While I do like its performance especially for its price, it really leaves a lot to be desired especially when compared to older models currently in then market that deliver better colors despite sporting TN panels. The screen performance in terms of response time is definitely so much better though. The 1ms response time, 144hz refresh rate competes heavily with its closest rival the Benq XL2411 and at nearly even pricing, the AOC G2590PX stands out a bit more in terms of overall offering.
The AOC G2590PX features a larger overall screen with its edge-to-edge slim bezels and the articulated stand does make it more premium making it a great choice for gamers that want a premium looking monitor for their desks. The various input options as well as the built-in USB hub rounds out the feature set and make it an ideal all-rounder for competitive gamers that want screen performance overall together with usability features.
If you’re looking for a gaming monitor that bring excellent screen response above all else and offers good usability features like height adjustment and tilt/pan, all while staying at an accessible price range, the AOC G2590PX gaming monitor is definitely a top choice.
We give it our B2G Value Award!