AOC Gaming C32G3AE - 32 inch FHD Curved Monitor, 165Hz, 1ms MPRT, VA, Gsync, Freesync, Speakers, Low Input lag, (1920x1080 @ 165Hz, 300 cd/m², DP 1.2 x 1 / HDMI 1.4 x 2)

Product Information

Curved monitors are on the rise, and one reason is that they provide a much more immersive experience compared to flat monitors. This is thanks to the inward curve, as it gives you a wider field of view. The curve slightly wraps around your peripheral vision, which creates a natural, realistic, and captivating viewing experience. Video processing was average for the category. I’ve already noted the overdrive’s undershoot issue. In practice, it isn’t a huge problem but there is room for improvement. Adaptive-Sync worked without issue on both AMD and Nvidia platforms (see FreeSync vs G-Sync to decide which is better). My GeForce RTX 4090-based PC had no problem keeping the frame rate maxed at 165.

AOC Gaming CQ32G2SE - 32 Inch QHD Curved Monitor, 165Hz, 1 ms AOC Gaming CQ32G2SE - 32 Inch QHD Curved Monitor, 165Hz, 1 ms

The C32G2ZE arrives in three pieces – base, upright and panel. You don't need any tools to assemble it, and the finished unit is very solid, yet lighter than its size would suggest.The upside is, of course, gaming performance. The C32G2ZE runs at 240 Hz and can hit its maximum speed without requiring an expensive video card. It supports AMD FreeSync Premium down to 48 Hz with low framerate compensation (LFC), so you’ll never see a frame tear. We were also able to run Nvidia G-Sync on it without certification (see How to Run G-Sync on a FreeSync Monitor). The monitors adds a decent overdrive too, which keeps motion blur to a minimum. Assembly and Accessories of AOC C32G2ZE The stand has no adjustments except for -3.5/21.5 degrees of tilt. It sits at a good height for the average desktop, and we were able to keep it perfectly vertical for gaming, which is the best way to take advantage of the 1800R curvature. The AOC C32G2ZE comes out of the box in its Standard mode. It has a few minor flaws and should be calibrated for the best possible picture. I have reviewed a lot of AOC monitors and have learned that they don’t all react the same way to image adjustments. The default Standard mode is reasonably accurate but minor green errors are visible in grayscale test patterns. Gamma runs a bit light out of the box and my initial attempts to adjust grayscale resulted in no improvement.

AOC Gaming C32G2ZE - 32 Inch FHD Curved Monitor, 240Hz, 1 ms

The stand is a solid affair with 5/23 degrees tilt, 30 degrees swivel and a four-inch (100mm) height adjustment. There is no portrait mode. Movements have a firm and premium feel that makes you forget how inexpensive the CQ32G2S is. AOC doesn’t cut corners in its build quality here.Grayscale is a tad too red, and the gamma is too light. A few changes to the RGB sliders and a switch from Gamma 1 to Gamma 3 resolves those issues. These monitors also offer wider display resolutions which you can adjust to your preference. Your preferences may vary depending on the type of work or activities you do. For example, graphic designers may prefer a wider display resolution so they can see more of their work at once. Curved monitors benefit gamers in particular or those who need to see with their peripherals often. The curve essentially acts as a "zoom" function, which gives you a better view of the sides of the screen. This can be extremely helpful in fast-paced games where you need to be aware of your surroundings.

AOC C32G2ZE 240 Hz Monitor Review: Excellent Contrast, Low AOC C32G2ZE 240 Hz Monitor Review: Excellent Contrast, Low

Another potential (though small) downside is that it might take some time to get used to the curve. The curve at first might seem a little strange but that's mainly because you're not used to it. After a few days, you'll start to appreciate it and find it as natural as using a flat monitor. This is one of the highest contrast monitors we’ve tested, and our tweaks made the picture very rich and textural with no need for the dynamic contrast feature.

With font scaling set to 100%, text was perfectly readable though not as sharply defined as a smaller monitor would be. We had no trouble reading news articles or working in productivity apps. But text was a tad softer than we’re accustomed to. Small icons looked well-defined if a little less crisp than normal. In productivity, the AOC CQ32G2S excels. Its curve is a non-factor for word processing or spreadsheets and there is no visible image distortion. The stand and screen height allow one to set the panel vertically so the eyepoint is centered. This ensures that the entire image is in focus from edge to edge. With my calibration in place, color accuracy was well suited for photo editing and graphics work. The high contrast made Word documents easy to read at the smallest text sizes. Call of Duty: WWII was much the same with a good sense of realism. Characters' faces were clear and naturally hued. Outdoor scenes were rendered with excellent contrast. Highlights like metallic reflections and beads of sweat stood out strongly. Color was also quite vivid in this game. With lots of earth tones and subtle shades of green making up the image, we felt a good suspension of disbelief.