What To Look for In A Gaming Monitor

You might want to think about including a gaming monitor in your setup if you want to enjoy playing your favorite games.

The sort of monitor you should purchase will be strongly influenced by your lifestyle. For instance, someone who just seldom plays video games might want a different monitor than someone who does.

For someone who travels, purchasing something portable makes sense. The size of the monitor, though, shouldn't be as important for someone who wouldn't be moving around as much.

So as you can see, choosing the correct gaming monitor is crucial for the best experience based on your interests and way of life.

What Is A Gaming Monitor?

Like any other display, a gaming monitor is primarily made for people who want their graphics card and CPU to appear their best whenever they are playing a game.

The outcome depends on how your computer renders, processes, and displays images, among other display-related factors.

Of course, the quality of the image and how the motion and colors are depicted will vary greatly depending on the display.

In order to translate the specifications for your ideal gaming experience into real-world performance, there are a few things to consider if you're seeking to purchase a gaming monitor for yourself.

Display Technology

When it comes to display technology, they tend to change as time goes by, but the manufacturers still retain the same goal for the monitors. Let's take a dive into the types of gaming monitors.

Comparison between VA vs. IPS. vs TN, the image from this reddit post

What are the Different Types of Gaming Monitors?

There are currently about three types of gaming monitor panels: These monitors are TN, IPS, and VA. The most common of these are TN and IPS.

• TN (Twisted Nematic)

  When it comes to TN, it tends to have a low color reproduction. So, when you compare it to the IPS and VA panels, you will find that the colors aren't as sharp.

  The pros to the TN panels, though, are that their response time is quicker, just about 1ms. That is, one pixel takes one millisecond to adjust to the color change. Rather than go for the IPS or VA, this singular feature is a major reason why gamers go for this panel.

• IPS (In-Plane Switching)

  The IPS panels produce much more consistent and precise color, but compared to the VA panel, it doesn't have such high contrast.

  Another thing you'd enjoy with the IPS is its viewing angles, which means you can see the screen very well from whatever angle you view.

  The con of this particular panel would be its response time; it is not as fast as the TN panels but not as slow as the VA panels. Most users have challenges with the IPS panels' brightness, as light usually shows at the corner of the screen.

• VA (Vertical Alignment)

  The VA panel has the best contrast compared to the other two. Tests carried out on the panel revealed that the contrast allows the monitor to produce deep shades of black. This results in the VA panel achieving more realistic, vivid, and detailed colors when we compare them to the other two.

  Most gamers have no problem with the more intense colors that it produces, but if you're a competitive gamer, or you tend to play quick games, the other two panels might be a better consideration.

Resolution

When it comes to getting a gaming monitor, the resolution is undoubtedly among the most emphasized specs. This is because your experience largely depends on how much of the game's resolution the monitor can display.

What is Resolution?

Game resolution is the game's visual aspect that displays a set amount of pixels on a monitor screen. Considering the pixels, you will find that there are different resolutions when it comes to selecting the best monitor.

The higher your monitor resolution, the more room to breathe the game has when it comes to displaying pixels.

What Are the Most Common Types of Screen Resolutions for Gaming?

Here are a few of the most common gaming monitor resolutions today:

• FHD (Full HD)

  When you see FHD, we are referring to the classic gaming resolution, which is 1080p. This is most likely the most common gaming resolution. It produces visuals that are clear and concise enough to immerse the gamer in the game that they're playing.

  It's more of an industry standard for TVs and out-of-the-box laptops these days. Of course, that is beginning to change.

  With its 1920×1080 - The end result of FHD gives an outstanding 2,073,600 pixels on your game monitor.

• QHD (Quad HD)

  Quad HD is quite the step up from the standard FHD's 1080p with a 1440p to its belt - 2560×1440. This is a 2K monitor that produces great visuals without greatly tasking your computer.

  This is a great option for someone who doesn't want to spend so much on a monitor but still wants great value. Especially if you're a moderately serious gamer, then this is a great middle-ground option for you.

• UHD(Ultra HD)

  Welcome to the world of 4K gaming. With an impressive 2160p - 3840×2160, this is what most monitors and TV screens are moving towards. We can say this is for the more invested gamers, who are willing to spend quite the buck to get what they want.

  4k can be expensive and places quite a demand on your system, so it might not be your best option for someone who only games once in a while.

  But for avid gamers, that extra visual punch may be more than worth it.

What Is The Best Resolution for Gaming?

Many options are available, but any 4k or 1440p monitors would do. Many games, movies, and even TVs are optimizing their content for this resolution. This means in the near future, most game developers and players would be utilizing this resolution.

Refresh Rate

The refresh rate of a monitor is that aspect that indicates how often it displays a new image. That is, how often the image on the screen is refreshed. It is measured in hertz. Refresh rate is among the key features when it comes to gaming because of how closely tied it is to frame rates.

There is a 1:1 relationship between the frames per second (fps) produced by the graphics card and the refresh rate that the display produces.

A monitor that has a refresh rate of 60Hz is able to display up to 60 frames per second. This is also considered the minimum standard for gaming when it comes to frames per second. A game at 30fps is playable but it is recommended to have at least 60fps.

The higher the frame rate, the faster the response, and even the motions in the game are projected more smoothly.

For example, a 144Hz monitor can display more than double the frames that a standard 60fps can display if it has the appropriate graphics card.

Those who have tried the 120Hz and 144Hz find it difficult to return to 60Hz, even for activities outside gaming. This is because you can experience some noticeable lag and some motion blur, which isn't so great for gaming and can even lead to eye strain.

For those who love e-sports, then we'd be looking at lovers of the 240Hz monitor. These monitors are amazing, but they can be quite expensive. They are also limited to 1080p resolution.

What Is A Good Refresh Rate for Gaming?

The minimum requirement for gaming is 60Hz, for people who game often, though, a 120Hz refresh rate should be the minimum. This is because older monitors that have a 60Hz refresh rate feel a lot slower when compared to 120Hz monitors.

Response Time

Aside from the refresh rate of the monitor, the response time is also important.

What Is Response Time On A Monitor

The response time on a monitor is what is responsible for the speed at which a monitor shifts at the pixel level from one particular color to another.

A low response time is better here; many monitors have a response time of 5ms or even 4ms. This isn't bad, but there are also monitors that have a response time of 1ms, which is undoubtedly best for gaming.

Why Response Time Is Important for Gaming Monitors

When a monitor has a high response time, the moving images it forms tend to have trails like you're animating a "ghost", and that isn't cool to look at for a game that has nothing to do with ghosts. No one really enjoys a game with blurry images.

But when the monitor has a lower response time, the images will change a lot faster, which inherently produces sharper and smoother images.

What is A Good Response Time for A Gaming Monitor

For gamers, a good gaming monitor would be one with a monitor response time of at least 2ms. This gives the game you're playing a more realistic visual and enables the game to be super responsive.

Adaptive Sync

The adaptive sync feature of a monitor is responsible for synching the refresh rate of the graphics card and the display.

The reason for this is that a sync between the graphics card and the display reduces the chance of screen tearing and stutter. This results in the user having a smooth gaming experience.

What Is G-Sync and Freesync?

The adaptive sync comes in two options. The G-Sync and the FreeSync. The FeeSync is totally the cheapest and the most common for manufacturers to include inside monitors.

For the best performance, though. It is best to use G-Sync. This particular option offers a great refresh rate according to your GPU and eliminates lags, but is also more expensive.

Is G-Sync Good for Gaming?

G-Sync is a better option for gaming. This is because it guarantees a wider range and has less input lag. Testing has revealed that it is great for eliminating lag.

Is Freesync Good for Gaming?

FreeSync can also be used for gaming, but not as good as the G-Sync. It does get the job done and doesn't make the price of the monitor more expensive as opposed to the G-Sync, which may increase the price of the monitor.

Aspect Ratio

The aspect ratio of a monitor refers to the proportion of width to height. For example, a 1:1 screen is going to be completely square. Old box monitors were usually 4:3.

Modern games often support a number of aspect ratios. These include the wide-screen and ultrawide.

For the monitor size, it is mainly about preference but the size does matter. Large screens enable you to have a more immersive experience while gaming. Whereas smaller screens might make it difficult to notice some details in the game being played.

What are the different aspect ratios of a monitor

You can change the screen ratio from an in-game settings menu.

When it comes to most online content, like YouTube videos, they default to a wide-screen aspect ratio, which is 16:9.

The ultra-wide include 21:9 and 32:9, and they fill more of your vision. The experience produced is closer to the theater feel.

The 21:9 aspect ratio screen removes "letterboxing" black bars for wide-screen displays. While playing games, your field of view is also expanded without causing a "fisheye" effect.

What Is The Best Aspect Ratio for Gaming

The best aspect ratio for gaming would be the 21:9 screen. This is because gamers would like to have a better field of view. For example, some players immersed in a first-person game would prefer a wider FOV to make it easier for them to spot enemies and feel more engaged in the game they're playing. Some popular FPS games do not support high FOV settings, though. This is to make sure some players don't get an unfair advantage simply because of a wider FOV.

What Size Monitor Is Best for Gaming?

Screen sizes are measured diagonally by the manufacturers, from one corner to the other.

A larger screen and a higher resolution usually mean a more immersive gaming experience and usable screen space.

The best size monitor gaming is up to you.

How close you are to your monitor can determine what size works best. For those with great eyesight and sits about 20" from their screen, a 27" 4K panel can provide them with an incredible game-viewing experience.

HDR

Let's take a look at HDR, and how it can affect your gaming viewing experiences.

What is an hdr gaming monitor?

In both light and dark areas of a screen, HDR monitors display brighter images and give better contrast while preserving the details on the screen.

For you to really enjoy an HDR monitor, you have to be viewing HDR content because that's what it works best with.

Is HDR Gaming Monitor Worth It?

Using an HDR monitor, the experience is quite wholesome. For example, if you were playing a horror game, and something is moving in a dark corridor. An HDR monitor can enable you to spot such detail while playing the game. Even in an open-world game, it can enable you to view the more dramatic shifts of sunlight.

Budget

Sure, now you know the major features to focus on when looking to get a gaming monitor, but what about your budget?

This is something you need to clearly think about when making the choice of getting a monitor. What are you looking for, performance? Visuals? Maybe it's both.

The things we've discussed above will be of great assistance, such as the refresh rate, response time, and so on.

If you're a casual gamer, then you might not need to spend so much money compared to someone who is trying to get the best gaming experience possible.

There are a lot of options that will suit your taste.

What Is the Best Monitor for Gaming Based On Different Needs and Preferences

Best portable gaming monitor: Mobile Pixels Glance

This monitor has a 16-inch screen with a 1080p FHD display. It has great compatibility and great multitasking capabilities. You can check out Glance here.

Best 4K gaming monitor: LG 27GN950-B

This monitor has a 27-inch 4K IPS panel, 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and G-Sync and FreeSync support. It's a high-end monitor with great picture quality and fast response times.

Best 144Hz gaming monitor: MSI Optix MAG342CQR

This monitor has a curved 1500R display, UWQHD. 144Hz for smooth gaming and a 1ms response time, G-Sync, and FreeSync support. This is a high-end monitor with awesome picture quality and a fast response time.

Best budget gaming monitor: AOC C24G1A

This is the best budget monitor you can get. It is a 24-inch curved monitor with 1080p resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, and 1ms response time. It also features FreeSync premium to help keep your images smooth and tearless.

Best ultrawide gaming monitor: Alienware AW3423DW

This monitor has a 34-inch screen with a high 175Hz refresh rate with native G-Sync and FreeSync support. It has incredible motion handling due to its fast response time. It also has great black levels in dark rooms.

Best esports gaming monitor: ViewSonic XG2405

This monitor has a 24-inch screen with a Full HD IPS panel, 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and supports FreeSync. It's a great monitor with advanced ergonomics and gives a smooth gaming experience.

Now that you've been armed with comprehensive knowledge of what to look for in a gaming monitor that is best for you. What's the next step? How about you check out this post on your Dual Monitor Gaming Setup?