AOC CQ32G1, analysis of the gaming monitor with curved screen

Finding the perfect monitor is not easy. The one that gives you the best performance without leaving you a kidney along the way. And more if you are a gamer and you want it to have all the cutting-edge technologies of the moment. The AOC CQ32G1 wants to be a very interesting alternative to the most prominent brands, with a careful design and top-level performance. This monitor offers you a 31.5-inch screen and QHD resolution, a refresh rate of up to 144 Hz and a curved design to make your games more immersive. And all this with a very moderate price of 420 euros. A good hook for you to consider buying this monitor. These are the main features of the AOC CQ32G1 and our experience after having used it for a few weeks.

AOC CQ32G1 Datasheet

2K resolution and 144Hz refresh rate

Nowadays if you are going to get a monitor to play the minimum you should demand of it is a size of 27 inches and a QHD, Quad HD or 2K resolution . It is true that it is not the specification that will make the most difference, but enjoying a greater level of detail is appreciated. The panel of the AOC CQ32G1 has VA WLED technology and a size of 31.5 inches, along with the resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels. That is, twice the level of detail of a Full HD panel.

As we said, the key is not so much the level of resolution as the technologies associated with the panel. On the one hand, this monitor is capable of covering 92% of the RGB color space, so we will enjoy a good range of colors faithful to the original. But, above all, the great attraction is in its 144Hz refresh rate . Classic office monitors have a 60Hz refresh rate, so the change will be more than obvious. And how does it show? In the fluidity of the images, especially in those games in which action prevails. For example, in racing titles or in shooters in which there are fast movements.

Speaking of movement, we must not forget the presence of AMD's own FreeSync technology . Freesync eliminates the annoying tearing effects, which are the horizontal stripes that appear in the image. These are caused by synchronization problems between the graphics card itself and the monitor. Or the response time of just 1 millisecond, which will make the commands you carry out with the keyboard and mouse have an almost automatic reflection on the screen.

Good brightness of 300 nits

The AOC CQ32Q1 achieves a good brightness level of up to 300 nits . By default, the screen does not reach this maximum brightness level. To activate it, you have to fiddle with the various preset game modes that come with the monitor . To access them you have to press on the second button in a row that is just below the frame. In total, you have three player modes, another for racing games, another for first-person shooters (FPS) or one for real-time strategy (RTS) games.

In terms of contrast, the CQ32Q1 achieves a ratio of 3,000: 1 . A good figure to enjoy dark scenes and to be able to identify enemies well in shooting games, for example. Of course, probably what you can miss the most is the compatibility with HDR. This technology will gradually reach all types of content and represents a leap in the vividness and reproduction of color.

Attractive design with curved screen

Another point that must be highlighted about this monitor is its design. It is not as aggressive as other gaming monitors that we have tested, but it does have that point typical of gaming equipment with a triangular-shaped metal base and some touches of red as indicated by the canons. Of course, only in details such as a fine line just at the bottom of the frame, in the central part of the base or at the back. Actually, it can easily pass for a somewhat more modern office monitor.

Of course, what is really going to attract your attention is that its screen is curved. Visually, it is more attractive and will allow you to enjoy a more immersive experience during the games. Of course, the effect is noticeable if your eyes are close enough to the monitor. The screen frames are quite narrow, especially the lower one, although one of the things that convinces me least is how the lower frame (which protrudes slightly from the screen) has been assembled with the others. This gives the impression that the lower part is a pastiche that has been glued to the rest. For the rest, this is a neat design, with enough harmony and thin and light enough so that you can move it around the house when necessary. What I did like is that you can rock the screen to tilt it and place it in the best position to enjoy the games.

Connections and sound

In the field of connections, we must start by saying that this monitor does not include its own speakers. Which is not a big problem, since if you want to set up your own gaming cave, it is always best to set up an external sound system. The physical connections of the AOC CQ32G1 include two HDMI ports, one of them type 2.0 and the other type 1.4. The difference is that if you want to enjoy the 144 Hz refresh rate you will have to connect the cable to port 2.0 (by the way, it also has to be a cable compatible with this protocol). We also have a DisplayPort port, a technology that has not finished emerging but has always been one step ahead of HDMI.

Price and reviews

And we go with the section that stands out the most. The AOC CQ32G1 is a complete equipment, very balanced and with an attractive design , which you can find in the market for a price of 420 euros. It is a competitive cost due to the advanced technologies it includes, such as the curved screen or the 144 Hz refresh rate. Without a doubt, an option to consider if you don't have a lot of budget to get a gaming monitor.