Gaming Monitor Buying Guide 2022
The time has come to buy a new gaming monitor for your PC and consoles. There’s a whole bunch of things to take into account. Resolution, screen size, refresh rate, response time, panel type, curved or flat…we could go on. So, we’ve decided to try and help by compiling a quick but definitive guide to give you a clearer idea of what’s out there in the realm of gaming monitors. We’re confident this will help you find a good display for your gaming needs, be you a professional competitive multiplayer gamer bent on the fastest frame rates or a single player campaign fan that loves immersing in every pixel.
Panel Type
The most fundamental aspect of a monitor, and likely the most important because it affects nearly every facet of the display other than sound, maybe. There are three main varieties of LCD monitors in use, with different characteristics. However, all of them have merit and the differences may not necessarily be night and day.
TN (twisted nematic): still the fastest panel type, so if you see a 360Hz monitor, it’s almost certainly TN. For the highest refresh rates and quickest response times, TN panels do not disappoint. On the downside, they still suffer from the narrowest viewing angles and least appealing color reproduction. Black levels and contrast are OK, though.
VA (vertical alignment): great all-rounders. Excellent contrast, respectable response time, good colors, and better viewing angles than TN. VA panels are somewhere in the middle and that’s why they’re so popular, particularly for bigger monitors and TVs. They have a slight tendency to suffer from ghosting, but improved technology has largely banished this flaw. Not as fast as TNs but definitely close.
IPS (in-plane switching): considered the most competent in terms of color performance and viewing angles. Response times and refresh rates are similar to VA, so slower than TN but still OK for most needs.
The biggest advantage of IPS technology is color presentation, which is by far superior to the other two varieties of LCD, although IPS has a reputation for less than great contrast and black levels.
Learn more about panels types and take a closer look at IPS panels in particular.
Screen Size and Resolution
While monitors in general range in size from 22” to over 50”, the most popular gaming monitors are in the 25” to 35” band. Resolutions have stabilized over the past six years, settling on 1920 x 1080 (full HD 1080p), 2560 x 1440 (QHD or 2K), and 3840 x 2160 (4K or UHD). There are also ultrawide versions of these resolutions. When considering screen size, you also should think of aspect ratio. “Regular” screens are 16:9, while ultrawide monitors come in 21:9 or 32:9 flavors.
In the balance of size and resolution, you should strive for a pixel density of around 100-120 pixels per inch. This will give you the clearest, sharpest image.
Thus, 1080p looks best on 25” or 27” monitors, 1440p on 27” to 35”, and 4K on at least 32”. Sure, you can do 1080p on 32”, but it’ll be a little blurry. Conversely, 4K on a 25” screen will look too dense and tiny.
Broadly, 1080p 25”-27” monitors are best for gamers that want speed and response. Larger monitors provide more comfortable viewing from further away, so you don’t have to sit so close, and graphics look impressive on bigger displays. Despite advances in technology, larger panels still have lower refresh rates, slower response, and more likelihood of ghosting. Nothing terrible, but not as neat as smaller screens.
Check out the reasons 1440p works so well on a 27” monitor, and why we think your 1080p gaming will look brilliant on these monitors. Want 4K? This is what you should be aiming for, especially if you want PC and console on the same monitor.
Refresh Rate
The proverbial golden standard of gaming monitors. The faster the better.
While once 60Hz was fine, now monitors with hundreds of frames per second are normal. Higher refresh rate support on a screen does many things. Games and the desktop become responsive and fluid. Your graphics card can fully express itself without being bottlenecked by a slow monitor. And overall input lag is reduced because the monitor refreshes frames faster than you can press a button.
To be fair, you don’t need a crazy fast monitor, because most games demand a lot from GPUs and won’t run at 240Hz or 360Hz, except for titles like CS:GO or Rainbow Six Siege. Considering PC and the current generation of consoles, most games operate in the 60Hz to 120Hz bandwidth, and thus a 144Hz or 165Hz monitor will serve you well with room to spare.
For further learning, read on about 144Hz monitors and compare them to the newer generation of 165Hz displays. Then consider why a faster monitor is almost always the better choice.
Response Time
Together with refresh rate, a monitor’s response time determines how fluid and smooth your gaming experience will be.
Any discrepancy between your graphics card and the monitor will cause stutter and tearing. And a monitor with slow response incurs greater input lag, which may become noticeable in-game, especially in fast paced titles. Typically, manufacturers use grey to grey (GtG) and moving picture response time (MPRT) to express how speedy a monitor is. MPRT is more useful for measuring a monitor’s odds of showing blur or ghosting. GtG is useful as an overall measure of a display’s response, as it reflects the ability to change pixel color quickly. You want to be as close to zero in both, but that’s not possible. For GtG, anything less than 4ms is acceptable. When looking at MPRT, go with 1ms if available.
Technologies like FreeSync and G-Sync, known as variable refresh rate, help sync your monitor with your GPU to avoid screen tearing. However, for total input lag (the time between you pressing a key or button and the corresponding action showing on-screen) you mostly depend on your monitor’s internal features.
Want more about response time? Why not. And while response time and input lag are for sure related, they’re not exactly the same.
Curved vs. Flat
Most gaming monitors are flat, hence the term flat panel. They work great with any game genre and style, and are the default for the industry. Curved panels have become more popular in recent years as manufacturing improves. More accommodating of the natural depth of human eyesight, curved monitors provide that coveted “immersion” factor everyone’s talking about. This is a matter of personal taste, so we recommend you try a curved monitor before making your decision. The depth of the curve is expressed with a number followed by an R, for radius. So a 1000R monitor is 1000mm edge to edge, 1900R is 1900mm and so on. The lower the number, the closer the edges and the more “aggressive” the curve.
Since curved monitors are almost always 21:9 ultrawide, they have a bigger field of view than their flat counterparts.
This proves useful in any game or application, because you simply get more viewing per frame. Lower field of view (FOV) means needing to move the screen (and your head) around to see beyond the edges of the frame. If you’re especially interested in simulation gaming, like racing and flight sims, then an ultrawide curved monitor may be the best choice. It’ll definitely offer a more realistic and engaging viewing experience than a flat panel. For other game types the difference isn’t as striking.
For those debating curved vs. flat, we have help. We also have a more in-depth guide to curved monitors, and an explanation of different curve gradients.
Other Things to Consider
While the basics of gaming monitors may be very similar across manufacturers, you should also look into specific and exclusive features that may be of interest to you. For example, BenQ HDRi goes beyond basic HDR specifications. It works alongside custom picture modes and ambient light sensors to deliver a bespoke high dynamic range experience that’s much more tailored to your preferences.
Reactive, intelligent HDR is what HDRi offers, and we describe it in more detail in this article.
Extended gaming sessions may take a toll on your eyes. Plain, basic monitors don’t do much to help in this department. BenQ gaming monitors with Eye-Care technology filter out harmful blue light and eliminate flicker to ensure extended viewing comfort. And of course, our gaming monitors feature durable anti-glare screens to prevent annoying reflections that threaten to ruin your gaming pleasure.
Sound is often overlooked by many monitor manufacturers, but not so with BenQ. Our treVolo team of audio engineers gifts monitors with powerful 2.1-channel audio out of dual speakers and a subwoofer. This isn’t the tinny sound you may know from off the shelf monitor speakers. These are custom audio setups designed for powerful game sound. We do recommend you use headphones so as to not disturb others while gaming.
Finally, BenQ gaming monitors offer you more options for fine tuning image quality to your liking so you’re not limited to just “as is” visuals.
Color Vibrance has 20 levels of color intensity to try, while Black eQualizer and Light Tuner optimize dark and bright areas of the screen to make sure no detail is lost. Those two are extremely helpful if you’re an avid first person shooter player, as opponents hiding in overly-dark areas is a known problem. Likewise, sections of the screen that are too bright cause details to vanish, and BenQ monitors have the tech to stop this from happening.
Monitors for Every Game Style!
Role playing, story-heavy games, exploration, and narrative games: these need good color and higher resolution, as opposed to sheer speed and response. The EX2780Q is what you’re looking for when getting into the swing of a new adventure.
Twitchy first person shooters: frame rate and response above all else. Typically played with lower settings and resolution, so a nice and fast 1080p monitor is what you want. Go with the 165Hz and 1ms MPRT MOBIUZ EX2510S/EX2710S.
Racing and flight sims: as mentioned above, ultrawide and curved is a great combination for simulation buffs. Take a closer look at the EX3415R, EX3210R, and EX3501R. They’re all beautiful panels with 100Hz to 144Hz refresh and fast response, plus impressive audio.
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How To Choose The Right Gaming Monitor [Complete Guide]
Choosing the perfect new gaming monitor can be challenging and frustrating for many people as there are lots of options and specifications to take into consideration.
To fully utilize the latest video games, you will not only need a gaming PC with a powerful graphics card and CPU, but you will also need a proper gaming monitor that will be able to take advantage of all that.
In this guide, we will thoroughly explain everything you need to know about gaming monitors and what to look out for to make sure that you’re getting the right monitor for your needs and preferences.
Screen Size And Resolution
When it comes to the best monitor size for gaming, bigger is not always better – you also have to take pixel density into account.
Pixel density is a pixel-per-inch ratio of the monitor’s resolution and size.
If a monitor has a too low pixel density, the image quality will be pixelated, which means there will be limited screen space as well as a lack of details and sharpness.
In case it’s too high, there will be a lot of screen space and details, but you will have to scale the image up for small text to be large enough to read it.
While high pixel density isn’t a problem itself as you can choose whether you want to sacrifice screen space for larger and crispier details or not, some applications, including video games, have poor scaling or no scaling ability at all.
This means that in some games that don’t support scaling, certain in-game elements, such as the HUD will be too small.
Luckily, most new games support scaling just fine. So, double-check how your favorite apps handle scaling if you decide on a display with a high pixel density.
What Monitor Size/Resolution Is For Me?
In short, most people are satisfied with 27″ screens. They are reasonably big, but not too big that you’d have to move your head from one corner of the screen to the other to catch all that’s happening on the screen.
The ideal resolution of a 27″ monitor is 2560×1440 (WQHD), which results in a pixel density of ~109 pixels per inch. You get the perfect amount of screen space and details without any scaling necessary.
In contrast, a 27″ 1080p (1920×1080 – Full HD) monitor has a pixel density of ~81 PPI, which means you get little screen real estate and pixelated picture quality, though some users don’t mind this as they’d rather have a bigger screen than clear and sharp picture quality.
These are the optimal monitor size/resolution combinations.
- 25″ or smaller: 1920×1080
- 27″-32″: 2560×1440 and 3840×2160
- 32″ or bigger: 2560×1440 and 3840×2160
- 25″-30″ ultrawide: 2560×1080
- 34″-35″ ultrawide: 3440×1440 and 5120×2160
- 38″ ultrawide: 3840×1600
- 40″ ultrawide: 5120×2160
- 43″ super-ultrawide: 3840×1200
- 49″ super-ultrawide: 5120×1440
Of course, you need to make sure that your CPU/GPU is going to be able to handle the monitor’s resolution at its maximum refresh rate which brings us to the next specification that you need to consider.
Refresh Rate
There are three main LED panel technologies concerning monitors: TN, VA, and IPS – all of which have their advantages and disadvantages.
While there are OLED monitors as well, currently, only a few viable high-end models are available, such as the Dell AW3423DW and LG’s OLED 42″ and 48″ 4K TVs.
Learn more about OLED monitors.
TN (Twisted Nematic)
Overall, TN monitors have the worst color reproduction and viewing angles, meaning the colors are somewhat washed out in comparison to IPS and VA, and the picture shifts in contrast, color, and brightness when it’s looked at skewed angles.
However, TN panels are cheap to make and have a fast response time speed of only ~1ms (GtG – Gray to Gray), which means that the pixels take only around 1ms to change from one shade of gray to another.
This effectively removes trailing and motion blur of fast-moving objects, which is why competitive gamers usually opt for this panel technology.
Nowadays, there are IPS and VA panel monitors, such as the LG 27GL83A and the Samsung G7, that have just as fast pixel response time as certain TN models, so you no longer need to sacrifice image quality for fast response time – if you can afford it.
VA (Vertical Alignment)
Next, we have VA panels that boast the best contrast ratio, which allows them to produce deep blacks for more vivid details in the shadows of the image and an overall better relation between the darkest and the brightest colors.
Alas, VA panels usually have the worst response time performance. Even at higher refresh rates, VA panels have noticeable ghosting that gets worse when there are mostly dark pixels involved in the picture.
For most gamers, the amount of ghosting is tolerable as, in return, you get such deep blacks. If you’re a competitive gamer and mostly play fast-paced games, however, you should avoid VA panels.
The new generation of VA panels don’t have this issue as they have just as fast response time as some TNs, but these panels are only available in certain expensive high-end monitors ($600+), such as the previously-mentioned Samsung G7.
Unlike TN panels, VA monitors have wide viewing angles of 178° though minor shifts in gamma/contrast are expected.
IPS (In-Plane Switching)
Lastly, IPS panels have the most accurate and consistent colors, although they don’t have as a high contrast ratio as VA panels.
IPS monitors also have the best viewing angles, while their response time performance is much better than that of most VA panels, and some newer IPS panels are just as fast as TNs.
So, you get vibrant colors, as well as no prominent ghosting in fast-paced games.
The main issue with the IPS technology is IPS glow.
IPS glow is a normal drawback of the panel. Basically, as excess light passes through the panel, there is apparent glowing around the corners of the screen.
The glowing is only bothersome if you’re looking at a dark image in a dark room, but even then, there are ways to manage IPS glow.
Learn more about different panel technologies.
Response Time vs. Input Lag
Note that the monitor’s response time speed should not be confused with input lag, which is measured as the time the monitor takes to register and display your commands.
Unlike the response time speed, input lag is not specified by monitor manufacturers, so you are going to have to search for monitor reviews if you want detailed information.
Also, keep in mind that the response time specified by the monitor manufacturer is not to be taken literally.
If an IPS monitor has a 5ms (GtG) response time listed in its specifications and a VA panel has 4ms (GtG), it doesn’t mean the VA model will have less ghosting and smearing.
The specified response time measure refers to the fastest pixel transition possible from one shade of gray to another under certain testing conditions. It’s not average speed.
So, once again, you will have to rely on in-depth monitor reviews to ensure you’re getting the performance you want.
Generally, if you want a fast gaming monitor with little or no visible trailing behind fast-moving objects, look for displays with a specified 1ms GtG response time speed (or faster).
The specified 1ms must refer to GtG (gray to gray pixel transition), because there’s also 1ms MPRT (Moving Picture Response Time), which is measured differently.
Sometimes, a manufacturer might just specify a ‘1ms response time’ without clearly indicating if it refers to the GtG or MPRT measure. In this case, again, you’ll have to rely on reviews for clarification and tests.
Exclusive Features
Now that you’ve decided what screen size, resolution, refresh rate, and panel type suits you the best, you can look for certain features some gaming monitors offer.
AMD FreeSync And NVIDIA G-SYNC
You’ll notice that some gaming monitors feature either AMD’s FreeSync or NVIDIA’s G-SYNC technology – or in some cases, both.
Both technologies provide you with a variable refresh rate, which allows the monitor to change its refresh rate dynamically, therefore, eliminating visual artifacts such as screen tearing and stuttering without affecting input lag as VSync does.
AMD’s FreeSync and NVIDIA’s ‘G-SYNC Compatible’ technologies are based on the open-standard VESA Adaptive-Sync protocols in DisplayPort and HDMI.
Depending on the monitor, FreeSync can be supported over both HDMI and DisplayPort, while G-SYNC Compatible is mostly supported over DisplayPort – and over HDMI 2.1 on some newer displays.
Unlike G-SYNC Compatible, G-SYNC (often referred to as native G-SYNC to avoid confusion) is not based on Adaptive-Sync but features an integrated module inside the monitor.
The difference between the two technologies is that the G-SYNC module replaces the traditional monitor’s scaler and offers a wider dynamic refresh rate range, variable overdrive and slightly lower input lag, but it also significantly raises the monitor cost.
To use any of these technologies, you will need a compatible graphics card:
- G-SYNC – GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost or newer
- G-SYNC Compatible – GeForce GTX 10-series or newer
- FreeSync – Radeon R9/R7 200-series or newer (excluding the R9 270/X, R9 280/X, R9 370/X, R7 370X, R7 265 models)
Note that some newer G-SYNC monitors also allow variable refresh rate to be used with AMD cards.
You can find a more detailed comparison between the two technologies here.
HDR (High Dynamic Range)
Some gaming monitors also support HDR, which provides you with increased brightness, contrast, and color gamut for compatible content.
To truly enjoy HDR, a display should be capable of at least a 1,000-nit peak luminance, a minimum contrast ratio of 20,000:1, and at least 90% DCI-P3 color gamut.
In order to achieve such high brightness and contrast, it will require an expensive full-array local dimming implementation, which is available in a few high-end gaming monitors, such as the Samsung Neo G7.
There are less expensive models that feature HDR support as well, but these can only deliver a glimpse of what HDR can truly do.
Most of the time, these HDR monitors will have VESA’s DispalyHDR certification (the image below), which clarifies the display’s capabilities.
However, to ensure a proper HDR viewing experience, you cannot rely on VESA’s certifications. You will need to look if the monitor has either an OLED panel or a full-array local dimming solution.
Gaming monitors that support both FreeSync/G-SYNC and HDR can also have AMD’s FreeSync Premium Pro or NVIDIA’s G-SYNC Ultimate certifications, which ensure that both VRR and HDR work without issues and at the same time.
Motion Blur Reduction Technology
Want CRT-like motion clarity?
Look for a gaming monitor with a backlight strobing technology, which is usually called something along the lines of 1ms Motion Blur Reduction (MBR), NVIDIA Ultra Low Motion Blur (ULMB), Extreme Low Motion Blur, 1ms MPRT (Moving Picture Response Time), etc.
When enabled, backlight strobing further decreases motion blur in fast-paced games.
Note that when this technology is enabled, the screen’s maximum brightness is decreased, so use it only when gaming.
Furthermore, you can’t simultaneously enable FreeSync/G-SYNC and a blur reduction technology unless the monitor has a special feature for that, such as ASUS’ ELMB-Sync or Gigabyte’s Aim Stabilizer Sync.
Ideally, look for a monitor with the Blur Busters Approved certification, which ensures impeccable MBR performance, such as that of the ViewSonic XG2431.
Curved vs. Flat Monitors
Curved gaming monitors are becoming more and more popular, even though many considered them to be a passing fad.
In the end, deciding between a curved or flat monitor comes down to personal preference. The curvatures range from 1000R (very steep) to 3800R (very subtle).
PC vs. Console Gaming Monitors
The Xbox consoles (Xbox One S/X and Xbox Series S/X) support 120Hz at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K UHD.
However, not all 1440p 144Hz+ monitors, for instance, support the ‘1440p 120Hz mode’ on the Xbox, forcing you to use either 1080p 120Hz or 1440p 60Hz.
On newer monitors, manufacturers have started stating what console modes are supported, but if you’re interested in an older model, you’ll have to check with other users or reviews to be sure.
We have a dedicated best PS5/Xbox Series X monitor buyer’s guide where we, besides recommending the best products, also provide links to different manufacturers’ lists of console-compatible monitors.
The PS5 also supports 120Hz, but only at 1080p and 4K UHD, not at 1440p – at least not at the moment (beta testing has started, so official support is coming soon hopefully).
Just like with the Xbox consoles, some 1080p 144Hz+ monitors might not support the ‘1080p 120Hz mode’ on the PS5, so always make sure to double-check this if you’re buying a monitor for your PS5.
If you have a PS4, PS4 Pro, Nintendo Switch, etc.
, there is no need to go for a 60Hz+ gaming monitor unless you plan on using that monitor for PC gaming as well.
What you need to know when buying a gaming monitor | Articles | Gadgets, gifts and accessories
Source: fi.pinterest.com/freetoplaymmorpgs.com
To study the characteristics of a gaming monitor, like any other computer components, you just have to look at a huge number of numbers. This makes the buying process very difficult (unless, of course, you are a mega-geek who loves to compare long tables with numbers and abbreviations).
Sure, gamers are, on average, a bit more tech-savvy than regular users, but nonetheless, monitors and the technology they use have become extremely sophisticated. Here you will find a quick guide to help you understand the basics and find the right gaming monitor for you.
There are many features to consider when buying a gaming monitor:
- Resolution;
- screen size;
- update rate;
- response time;
- the presence of G-Sync / FreeSync;
- HDR;
- color scheme;
- sockets and connectors;
- matrix type.
Screen size and resolution
We have combined resolution and display size in one item, as they are related to each other. The decision on display size depends on the size of your desk and available space, however, in general, a 24″ to 32″ diagonal is recommended for a gaming monitor. In terms of resolution, you have the choice from Full HD to 4K. The higher the resolution, the sharper and more detailed the image shows the monitor.
Screen size will most likely determine the choice of resolution. If you’re looking for something more compact, a 24-inch Full HD display is fine. The sweet spot for most users will be a 27-inch monitor with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 (also referred to as 1440p or QHD). A high-end option would be a 32-inch display with 4K resolution. Of course, there are other options, such as 27″ 4K or 32″ QHD screens, as well as devices of other sizes and resolutions, but we want to keep this guide as simple as possible, so we won’t go into all the details.
Acer 27» Nitro VG270UPbmiipx, 1440p
For gaming, the 27-inch 1440p might be the best option for many reasons, even compared to the theoretical improvements that come with increased size and resolution:
- 27″ fits most configurations and tables.
- 1440p is sharper than Full HD but less GPU intensive than 4K.
- 1440p display can achieve higher refresh rates.
The
Technically, these benefits are even more pronounced if you get a 24″ Full HD display, but the extra screen real estate on the 27″ models is worth it in our opinion.
If you’re still thinking about 4K, you should also think about the additional power of the processor and graphics card. All those extra pixels need to be rendered, and that can make it hard for any system to work. Keep that in mind — sometimes more pixels don’t mean no better.
BenQ PD3200U 32”, 4K
You are not limited to these types of displays.
Interesting options include ultra-wide and curved monitors. Ultrawide monitors present other potential challenges because they use non-standard resolutions, which in turn can lead to slower refresh rates and longer response times, which we’ll discuss next.
For curved/multi-monitor configurations:
- If you need a larger display, a curved screen makes sense to increase immersion.
- Curved displays have a non-standard resolution and not all games support a wide field of view.
- Curved displays don’t have seams, while dual or more display configurations do, and this can be a problem for gaming.
Refresh rate and response time
And now for the actual gaming performance. When you’re looking for a gaming monitor, you should definitely check out the refresh rate, which is measured in hertz (Hz). The indicator reflects how many times the monitor will refresh the screen every second. The higher the number, the better.
Basic displays and TVs operate at around 30Hz, some up to 60Hz. For gaming, at least 60Hz is recommended.
Why does a higher refresh rate benefit gamers? The higher the refresh rate, the more what you see on the screen matches what is happening on the computer. A 30Hz difference may seem like a very small amount of time — it is, but games require incredible accuracy, and a person can quite recognize this difference and respond to it.
AOC 27» AG271QG 165Hz
60Hz is now considered the absolute minimum for gaming monitors, and there are many 144Hz displays on the market. This refresh rate is highly recommended for serious gaming. There are monitors even at 240Hz, although it is not known if there are benefits to casual gamers at that speed.
Your graphics system and processor must be able to support the screen’s refresh rate, otherwise you simply won’t get any benefit from its high refresh rate.
Total:
- The higher the refresh rate, the better.
- 60 Hz is the minimum, 144 Hz is good.
- 240Hz is great, but it’s unlikely to give as big of a jump in performance as going from 60 to 144Hz.
- You need powerful enough graphics to take full advantage of a fast monitor.
The
Source: bhphotovideo.com
Another time related parameter is response time. This means how long it takes each pixel to go from one setting to another. It is usually measured in milliseconds from one shade of gray to another shade of gray (GtG). For gaming, you want less than 5ms, preferably 2ms or even 1ms.
Response time is important because during fast motion, slow response times can result in motion blur or ghosting as the monitor cannot keep up with the game. And during the game, of course, you want the picture to be as sharp and clear as possible.
Things to remember about response time:
- The response time should be no more than 5 ms.
- 1ms is a common option that can be recommended for games.
- Fast response time minimizes blurring and ghosting.
Adaptive Sync
If you’ve seen the frame rate tests for games and gaming PCs, you’ve probably noticed that the frame rate fluctuates depending on the action on the screen. With a minimum action, the frame rate increases sharply, and with an active one, it can drop sharply. Without the help of special technologies, this can lead to screen tearing (the so-called screen tearing).
Screen tearing is when the monitor displays part of one frame and the next frame at the same time. This is because displays are configured to run at a set refresh rate, and they don’t always know what to do if the frame data they receive doesn’t match the hardware settings.
One way to fix the problem is VSync — vertical sync. This is an easy solution because it tells the monitor to wait for the next full frame before transitioning. This is not a perfect solution as it can lead to lag which is very bad for the gaming experience.
AMD and NVIDIA have developed their own adaptive sync technologies, or variable refresh rates, that help monitors maintain smooth playback even when video cards are running at non-standard frame rates. AMD’s technology is called FreeSync, while NVIDIA’s is called G-Sync. Both do a great job of closing gaps, but they require compatible hardware to do so.
ViewSonic 27» XG2702 with AMD FreeSync
AMD’s FreeSync technology is more widely available and cheaper to use, so it’s often found in more budget monitors. NVIDIA G-Sync, on the other hand, requires certification and goes through quality control to ensure the performance it needs, which is why it’s more common on high-end displays. Most likely, you will have to choose based on your video card. If you have an AMD card, get a monitor with FreeSync. If you have NVIDIA, buy G-Sync.
Which one is better? Well, technically, one could say that G-Sync is better, since NVIDIA provides performance guarantees compared to open FreeSync, which allows for monitor-to-monitor inconsistencies.
However, G-Sync displays are more expensive.
- NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync address screen tearing with adaptive sync.
- G-Sync monitors are compatible with NVIDIA graphics cards and are in the more expensive segment, but performance is guaranteed on any monitor.
- FreeSync monitors are compatible with AMD graphics cards and are in the higher budget segment, but may vary from monitor to monitor.
HDR
Many people think that the main way to improve a picture is to increase the resolution. However, an equally effective way to improve image quality is a High Dynamic Range (HDR) display. The extra saturation and more vibrant colors that HDR displays deliver is a huge leap over older displays. If you haven’t seen an HDR display yet, you should definitely take a look at how the picture looks on it.
HDR on computer monitors is still not very common. True HDR requires a certain maximum and minimum brightness to guarantee the promised dynamic range, but many more budget displays fail to achieve these goals.
This led to the emergence of the DisplayHDR standard with alternative maximum brightness. DisplayHDR 400 or higher is likely to be a reasonable enough choice to give the image more saturation.
DELL 31.5″ U3219Q with DisplayHDR 400 support. Source: multitronic.fi
You will also need to make sure that your operating system, video card and monitor support HDR. The game must also support the format.
- High dynamic range (HDR) displays offer more contrast with brighter highlights and deeper darks while still retaining detail.
- HDR requires a compatible OS, graphics card, display and gaming settings.
- HDR is becoming more and more popular, so an HDR monitor could be a good start for the future.
The
Color range
This is not an easy topic, so here we will get by with only the most general recommendations. You will need something close to 100% sRGB coverage. This is the basis that will provide a good color suitable for gaming.
If you also want to use this monitor for video editing or watching movies in HDR, good coverage of Adobe RGB and Rec.2020 color spaces is also recommended.
Connectors and connectors
The three main standards now are DisplayPort, HDMI and USB Type C/Thunderbolt 3. However, they may have different versions, you should focus on the latter.
The most popular monitor connectors are HDMI and DisplayPort. It is worth choosing a model with DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.0. Both options are very reliable and have enough bandwidth for high resolutions, including 4K, and refresh rates of 60Hz or more.
HDMI and DisplayPort. Source: rtings.com
USB Type-C/Thunderbolt 3 is a relatively new alternative. Technically they are different connectors, but they look the same. Using adapters, both can carry essentially the same formats as DisplayPort with HDMI. With the right computer, you can use USB and/or Thunderbolt for data, video, and charging using the same cable.
Other things to think about are audio output, USB ports, and generally how many connectors you need for a monitor. If you are going to use the monitor with only one computer, you should not think too much about this topic, but if you want to connect several different devices to the same display, you should think about it in advance.
- HDMI and DisplayPort are the most common and reliable standards.
- It is worth taking a monitor with HDMI 2.0 or higher or DisplayPort 1.4 or higher.
- USB Type-C and Thunderbolt can offer DisplayPort and HDMI support via an adapter.
- Consider in advance how many devices you plan to connect to the monitor at the same time.
The
Matrix type
Some people pay special attention to the matrix type, but as long as your monitor meets the other specifications, you shouldn’t worry too much. Here’s what you need to know:
- IPS panels offer good color quality, contrast and fast response times, but advanced features come at a price.
- TN panels will be cheaper with faster response and screen refresh rates, but not as good in terms of color reproduction and viewing angles.
- VA panels offer excellent contrast, but often lose out to TN and IPS panels in gaming-critical performance, so monitors with these panels are not recommended.
Source: digitaltrends.com
We hope this guide will help you make the right decision when choosing a gaming monitor. If you already have a gaming monitor, we’d love to hear about your experience in the comments.
* Materials from bhphotovideo.com (Shawn C. Steiner) were used in preparing this article.
Gaming Monitor Buying Guide
02Dec 2021
If you ask a group of PC enthusiasts what is the most important
game installation component, you will get mixed answers. Who
— one will say that this is a video card, others that the central processor is
is more important.
However, the most important component of the gaming system, along with
graphics card is a gaming monitor.
The monitor is a window to virtual worlds, it depends on the monitor how it will be
look like game. Understand the technical characteristics of the various
models and choose the one that will fit exactly your
requirements are often difficult.
We hope that our guide will help decipher some
technical details that are used when talking about monitors, and
will let you choose the best gaming monitor or monitor buy .
Update rate
An important factor that is decisive for games is
update rate. Refresh rate means how many times per second
The monitor updates the image on its screen. Accordingly,
a value of 60 or 144 Hz indicates that the monitor screen is being updated,
respectively, 60 or 144 times per second.
Size
Monitor screen size is also a natural factor that
should be considered when buying a gaming monitor.
There are usually three
common sizes.
26″ or less — 1080p (FHD)
27″ — 31″ — 1440p (WQHD)
Over 31” — 2160p (UHD or 4K)
Large monitor with low resolution will be less clear
image, however high resolution will not always be noticeable with
in terms of clarity if the screen itself is too small.
Response time
Monitor response time is the time in milliseconds required for
switching pixels from one state to another. Usually the time is
responses are indicated in grey-grey terminology. Especially
is the correct solution if you buy a monitor with a high
refresh rate, such as 144Hz or 240Hz.
Panel technology
PC monitors currently use three different
core LCD technology. These are three types of Twisted Nematic (TN),
vertical alignment (VA) and in-plane switching (IPS).
each has its pros and cons and therefore different strengths
hand for gaming and other workloads.