Gaming PC’s require a monitor that is capable of providing the visuals required for a great gaming experience. When choosing a monitor for your gaming PC, there are several factors to bear in mind. Firstly, the resolution of the display will be key in how sharp your visuals will appear for your games. 1080p resolution is the minimum standard for modern gaming, with 1440p and 4K resolutions offering even more detailed visuals. Secondly, you will want to consider the refresh rate of your monitor. 90Hz refresh rates are the minimum recommended, but if you can afford it, 120Hz and even 240Hz refresh rates offer noticeably smoother gaming. Thirdly, Advanced gaming features such as Variable Refresh Rates (VRR) or HDR should be included if you can afford them, as they will improve your gaming visual experience. Fourthly, the type of display technology is important. LED, OLED, and TN displays are all popular gaming display technologies, with each offering its own benefits and drawbacks. Fifthly, the size and aspect ratio of the display should be considered. Naturally, the size of the display is a factor of the size of your desk, but the 16:9 aspect ratio is ideal for Desktop gaming.
Resolution and Refresh Rate
The resolution and refresh rate of the display should be key considerations when selecting a monitor for your gaming PC. Resolution determines the sharpness of the visuals that you will see on screen, with 1080p resolution being the minimum recommended for modern gaming. 1440p and 4K resolutions offer more detailed visuals, but this is dependent on the capabilities of your graphics card. As for refresh rate, again 90Hz is the minimum recommended for gaming, but if you can afford it, 120Hz and even 240Hz refresh rates offer noticeably smoother gaming experiences.
Advanced Gaming Features
Advanced gaming features such as Variable Refresh Rates (VRR) or HDR should also be taken into account when selecting a monitor. VRR allows you to reduce screen tearing so that games can be played at higher framerates, while HDR allows you to see a wider range of colours, making games look more vibrant and immersive. These features have become increasingly popular in modern gaming, but they come at a price.
Display Technology
The type of display technology is also an important factor when choosing a gaming monitor. LED, OLED, and TN displays are all recognized as suitable for gaming, with each offering its own benefits and drawbacks. LED monitors are usually the cheapest, but also the least accurate, while TN monitors are cheap and offer good performance but suffer from poor viewing angles. OLED displays offer great contrast, but can be pricey, while IPS monitors are accurate but expensive.
Size and Aspect Ratio
The size and aspect ratio of the display will also be important when selecting a gaming monitor. The size of the display is a factor of the size of your desk and the position of your graphics card, but the 16:9 aspect ratio is generally ideal for desktop gaming. Widescreen monitors are also becoming increasingly popular as they allow you to see more of the game at once.
Dual Monitor Setups
Finally, you may consider a dual monitor setup, which is becoming increasingly popular in modern gaming. This allows you to create a setup where you can have one monitor for gaming, and another for productivity or browsing the internet, or another activity. Dual monitor setups also allow you to have a wide screen spanning across two monitors, giving you more real estate for gaming. It’s important to consider the display technology, size, aspect ratio and refresh rate of each monitor in the setup if you choose to go down this route.
Input Options
When selecting a monitor for a gaming PC, input options such as HDMI, DisplayPort and USB Type-C should also be taken into account. HDMI and DisplayPort are the most common options, with DisplayPort offering the best performance if available. USB Type-C is also becoming increasingly popular, as it provides support for Power Delivery and DisplayPort Alt Mode, allowing you to connect your PC to the monitor, as well as being able to charge your laptop or other USB devices.
Installation
Finally, installation is also a factor to take into account. Many gaming monitors come with easy to use installers that allow you to quickly get your display up and running, but some require more involved setups. It’s important to check the installation instructions and requirements before you purchase, to ensure that the setup will be as straightforward as possible.
