Quiz the Club386 staff on what’s the best PC upgrade for most users, and many would recommend a better display. Whether you’re yet to experience the joys of higher refresh rates or the contrast of an OLED panel, a new monitor can be transformative to the overall experience.
The good news is that while the fastest panels attract a healthy premium, price cuts further down the speed stack have introduced some genuine bargains for mainstream gamers. Take, for example, AOC Agon PRO AG276QZD2AM, whose price has dropped to £399 for the first time.
AOC Agon PRO AG276QZD2AM
Not to be confused for the regular AG276QZD2, this Amazon exclusive features HDMI 2.1 as standard, bolstering an already impressive configuration.
A near-20% saving is always welcome, and this is a well-equipped panel in more ways than one. AOC’s 27in QD-OLED screen touts a 2560×1440 QHD resolution alongside a swift 240Hz refresh rate. Add some FreeSync or G-Sync framerate synchronisation magic, and you have what many would deem the sweet spot for silky-smooth PC gaming.
What’s interesting is that the more familiar model is a base AG276QZD2, outfitted with dual HDMI 2.0 and single DisplayPort 1.4 connectivity. The AG276QZD2AM I’m highlighting today appears to be an Amazon exclusive and comes with the added benefit of upgraded HDMI 2.1 ports, effectively at no extra cost.
It’s a model worth knowing about, and as an AOC Agon PRO includes a lot of the mod-cons we’d expect on more premium offerings. These include HDR400 support, a compact stand supporting tilt, swivel and 130mm height adjustment, a built-in USB hub, onboard speakers and console compatibility for 2560×1440 at 120Hz.
Put simply, you’ll do well to find a better monitor at this price, and one has to wonder if there’s a better PC upgrade for under £400 full stop.
