OLED monitors have become one of the most talked-about upgrades in recent years. Unlike traditional LCD panels, OLED displays offer true blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors. This all makes for a more realistic and immersive viewing experience. On top of that, modern OLED monitors come with high refresh rates and fast response times, making them suitable not just for visuals but also for competitive gaming.

At the same time, the tech industry is going through a difficult period. The ongoing memory crisis has pushed up the cost of key components like RAM and GPUs. High-end graphics cards are becoming harder to afford, and even mid-range upgrades don’t always deliver a big jump in performance. This has made many users rethink how they spend their upgrade budget.

AOC says you should upgrade your monitor, because of course it would

AOC comes in with an interesting take. During a recent press event, PC Gamer’s James Bentley reports that the company suggested that buying a new OLED monitor might actually be a smarter move right now compared to upgrading your GPU or adding more RAM. AOC suggests that monitors are “anti-inflation,” pointing out that display prices have stayed relatively stable while offering better features over time.

European commercial leader for AOC, Cesar Reyes Acosta, made it clear that monitor pricing has remained stable in the past five years. He pointed out that the 1080p, 24″ AOC 24G2SPU launched (in early 2022) for €239 with a 165Hz screen and 4ms response time. Four years later, the AOC 27G4ZR launched for the same price with a 27″ 1440p 260Hz panel, 1ms response time, and an HDR 400 rating. A massive upgrade without an inflated price tag.

Of course, the above examples are entry-level picks – not OLED displays. However, Acosta also argued that making the switch to OLED can make a more noticeable difference than simply upgrading to a newer GPU or installing faster memory.

5th-generation QD-OLED technology is now available, with the AOC AGP346UCSD soon to be released with this tech for €999. Earlier today, we also saw MSI releasing new QD-OLED gaming monitors using the same five-layer design. On the other end of the spectrum, AOC has introduced QD-OLED panels into the cheaper ‘AOC Gaming’ range, with accessible price tags.

The idea is simple. Instead of spending a lot on new hardware that might only offer a small improvement, upgrading your monitor can completely change how your system feels. Moving from a basic 1080p 60Hz screen to something like a 1440p high refresh rate or OLED panel can make a huge difference in both gaming and everyday use. I personally went from a 1080p screen to a 4K monitor, and the difference was massive, particularly for day-to-day use.

Of course, it’s worth noting that AOC is a monitor brand (the number 1 brand, says market data), so this argument naturally benefits them. But that doesn’t mean the point is wrong. GPU prices have gone up significantly in recent years, and for many users, a monitor upgrade may actually deliver more noticeable results.

In the end, it depends on your setup. If your current display is outdated, upgrading it could give you a bigger improvement than a new GPU, especially if you already have the hardware to warrant upgrading to a higher resolution.

About the Author

Abdul Haddi

Abdul is a tech writer and Editor for PC Guide, specializing in all things tech, gaming, and hardware.