AOC Agon AG352UCG6: an almost perfect monitor
16.7.2018
Translation: machine translated
120 Hz, Ultra Wide, 35-inch, QHD, MVA screen and, to top it all off, G-Sync. The specification list looks like a six-course menu at a three-star Michelin restaurant. We've tested AOC's new gaming monitor. Let's see if it lives up to its promise.
Until now, when you wanted to buy a monitor, you usually had to compromise. You want 4K? Then forget the high refresh rate. Want a high refresh rate? Sorry, no G-sync for you. Fortunately, this has slowly changed over the last few years. Prices are coming down and monitors are becoming true multi-talents. Just like AOC's new Ultra Wide, the Agon AG352UCG6. As the owner of an Ultra Wide monitor, I was particularly excited about the test.
Appearances and functions
The monitor assembles relatively quickly, even by one person. The only time four hands are welcome is to get it out of the gigantic box. 35 inches is pretty bulky. The stand is screwed to the screen, and a Phillips screwdriver is not included. At the base, there's a handle that makes it easy to carry the 12kg monitor.
The Agon's design is understated. There's really nothing to marvel at. The edge isn't particularly thin, but nevertheless has no unnecessary frills. For those of you who weren't big fans of the many lights on my last test device, I sadly have to tell you that the LED trend hasn't spared the Agon. But fortunately, to a different extent. At the bottom of the screen and at the back, you'll find a few LED strips that light up in red, blue or green. The function is disabled by default and can be controlled via the OSD menu.
The monitor has a power consumption of 70W and, as is usual for such monsters, has its own power supply.
The Agon can be adjusted in any direction, it just can't be turned like a watch. Portrait orientation makes little sense for an ultra-wide screen, which is also curved.
The OSD menu may look clear enough, but it's far from practical. You control it with the little square joystick beneath the monitor. For some reason, the developers felt it necessary to swap left and right. Good luck getting used to having to move the joystick to the right to switch from the main menu on the right to the sub-menu on the left. If you make a mistake and move the joystick to the left in the main menu, you close the OSD menu. Don't even think about pushing the joystick up to confirm an entry, because that's what you have to do to turn the monitor off. You'll have to think like this for every menu selection or setting.
The built-in speakers are good enough for watching YouTube videos, but not good enough for playing a video game or watching a movie.
The monitor is equipped with the following connections:
- 1x USB 3.0 upstream port
- 2x USB 3.0 downstream ports
- 1x HDMI 1.4
- 1x DisplayPort 1.2
- 1x 3.5mm jack
Image quality
Unlike most gaming monitors, the Agon AG352UCG6 uses an MVA (Multi-domain Vertical Alignment) panel. These are mainly used in the professional sector. Until now, they have not been suitable for gamers due to their limited reaction speed. MVA panels appeal for their high contrast (1000:1 to 5000:1), wide viewing range, high colour fidelity and colour stability.
Although some sacrifices had to be made to achieve the response speeds that gamers need, the AG352UCG6's screen is still convincing. AOC indicates a value of 4 ms. During testing with various fast-paced games such as "Counter-Strike: GO", I was able to produce a slight ghost effect. But in normal use, I would never have noticed it.
The MVA screen produces very good black values, contrast is intense and colours are very vivid. Above all, the panel shows what it's capable of in effects-rich games, such as the pixel shooter "Nex Machina". I don't find tuning the image settings necessary.
Viewing angles are shown at 178°, but you don't have to go far from the centre to see colour changes. This is not inconvenient if you are sitting alone in front of the monitor.
The
Viewing angles are shown at 178°.
In the Eizo screen test (in German), I found no pixel errors, the elighting of the image was very homogeneous, the distances between colours were very good and the gradations were even.
To get the promised 120Hz, you first need to exercise patience in the OSD menu, then overclock the monitor to 120Hz under Extras/Overclock. After a brief restart of the monitor, you can select a higher Herz number in the Windows Control Panel. For 120 Hz, you MUST use the Displayport, as HDMI 1.4 supports refresh rates of maximum 50 Hz.
If you want to spare your eyes, you can set the Low Blue mode. You can reduce the bluish tint in different intensities, which many people find pleasant when sitting in front of the screen for long periods. At first, the colour difference is unsettling, but you soon get used to it.
Another feature announced by AOC: Shadow Control. It probably works on the same principle as Gain for videos or photos. Unlike simply increasing brightness in games, Shadow Control mainly brightens dark areas. I've tried it in 'Vampyr', which is mostly played at night in the dark, and 'Star Wars Battlefront 2'. It's more for multiplayer titles: it prevents opponents from hiding in poorly lit corners. The option seems to work as advertised, but depending on the level you choose, it can make the image look dull. I'm more of a purist and prefer to forgo gimmicks like this.
At home, I have an Acer Ultrawide with 34 inches and 100 Hz. The AOC model is its big brother, so to speak. I don't really notice the extra inch, nor the extra 20 Hz. But if you're not already using something like this, you're in for a real treat. I've already said how great ultra-wide monitors are. Sure, you can argue about the curvature, but the gaming experience wins everyone over. With QHD resolution, 120Hz and G-Sync, which prevents screen tearing, gaming is even more enjoyable.
Conclusion: it delivers on its promises
With the Agon AG352UCG6, AOC has produced a near-perfect monitor. The good surprise: the MVA screen. It convinces with its colour fidelity and very low black values. The average gamer won't notice that reaction speed suffers a little. You really have to look very, very closely for the ghosting effect to bother you. Gamers will appreciate the numerous functions (UWQHD, 120 Hz, G-Sync). The only fly in the ointment is the OSD menu, but fortunately you only need to touch it rarely. If this keeps up, I won't have long to wait for my next 5K, Ultra Wide and 165 Hz monitor. I'd better call the bank right now for a mortgage so I can afford the Triple SLI setup needed with three 1080Ti's 😉.
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
