What Gaming Monitor Should I Buy? Finding the right gaming monitor isn’t always easy, and choosing the right one depends on several factors. However, understanding the important features ahead of time can help make an informed decision that won’t leave anyone feeling buyer’s remorse. Additionally, understanding the selections will eliminate unnecessary confusion.
Firstly, gamers need to know how large a monitor they need. A large monitor with a big resolution will provide more space for game play and visuals, but keeping a very large monitor in the home may be impractical. The ideal monitor size is the one that fits comfortably in the space while offering excellent visuals.
Secondly, gamers should know what resolution they need. Resolution affects the quality and clarity of the visuals. Modern PCs can usually handle higher resolutions, such as 1080p, 4K, and 8K. Generally, the higher the resolution, the more real-life graphics can be seen and the better the gaming experience.
Thirdly, gamers should take note of the refresh rate. A monitor’s refresh rate is the frequency at which it can “refresh” an image. The higher the refresh rate, the smoother the images will be. This is important for gamers playing high-end games that require quick reaction times.
Fourthly, gamers should think about what connectivity options they need. Most modern gaming monitors will feature HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C inputs, but all ports may not be useful to everyone. Therefore, gamers should figure out what ports they need or have available to ensure the gaming monitor is compatible with their setup.
Fifthly, gamers should make sure the monitor has good response time. Monitors with good response time are usually ideal for gaming as there is minimal motion blur. The lower the response time, the better the gaming experience will be. Therefore, gamers should determine their necessary response time before making a purchase.
Finally, gamers should check how adjustable the monitor is. Many gaming monitors offer ergonomic adjustments such as tilt, swivel and height adjustments. These are important for gamers who want to find the most comfortable viewing angle for their playstyle.
Response Time
When selecting the right gaming monitor, response time is another important factor to consider. Response time is the amount of time it takes for a pixel on a monitor to change from one color to the next. A good response time is around 5 milliseconds (ms). A low response time may appear faster, but it will produce more motion blur, which could put gamers at a disadvantage. A higher response time may look slower, but it offers a clearer image and better motion clarity. Therefore, it’s important to understand the preferred response time before purchasing a gaming monitor.
Also, gamers should note that active response time is different than gray to gray (G2G) response time. Gray to gray response time is the standard used when measuring response time and is the time it takes for a pixel to go from one gray shade to the next gray shade. On the other hand, active response time refers to the time it takes for a pixel to go from one color to the next. As such, active response time tends to be faster than G2G response times.
Additionally, for a fully immersive experience, gamers should look for a monitor that offers low latency. Low latency means the monitor can respond to commands quickly, resulting in better gameplay and fewer uncontrolled delays. Most modern gaming monitors come with low latency, but gamers should still make sure the monitor they choose has the low latency feature.
Connectivity
When choosing a gaming monitor, it’s important to consider the available ports and connections. Different gaming monitors offer different ports and connections, such as HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C. Additionally, some gaming monitors come with colorimeter ports so gamers can calibrate their monitor for a better viewing experience.
Generally, HDMI ports are the most common connection and are found on most modern gaming monitors. HDMI can provide higher definition video and audio, so it’s a good choice for gamers who want to experience play in maximum resolution. However, not all HDMI ports are equal and some can provide better quality than others. Therefore, gamers should check to make sure the monitor has a good HDMI port for the best visuals.
On the other hand, DisplayPort is a digital connection that can provide a higher refresh rate compared to HDMI. As such, it’s the ideal choice for serious gamers who want the best gaming experience and performance. Additionally, some gaming monitors offer USB-C ports for connecting devices that require a USB-C connection. Therefore, gamers should determine the ports they need and make sure the monitor has those ports before making a purchase.
Refresh Rate
Refresh rate is another factor to consider when selecting the right gaming monitor. Refresh rate is measured in hertz (Hz) and is the number of times a frame is displayed in one second. Higher refresh rates mean smoother visuals and less motion blur. This can make a huge difference in certain games, such as first-person shooters (FPS) or real-time strategy (RTS) games.
The typical refresh rate for most gaming monitors is 60 Hz, but gamers should look for high-performance monitors that offer 144 Hz or even 240 Hz refresh rates. This can greatly improve the gaming experience, as games that require quick reaction times can benefit from higher refresh rates. Additionally, some gaming monitors come with AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync, which can help eliminate screen tearing and stuttering.
Furthermore, gamers can look for monitors with variable refresh rate, which can adjust the refresh rate depending on the frame rate of the game. This ensures the monitor is running at the ideal rate while still providing visual clarity and smooth gameplay. Therefore, gamers should consider their preferred refresh rate before committing to a gaming monitor.
Price
When it comes to gaming monitors, price can vary greatly depending on the features and quality. Generally, gaming monitors range from $100 to $1,000, but the average cost for a decent gaming monitor is around $300. Gamers should consider their budget and prioritize what features are most important to them before committing to a monitor. That way, they won’t end up spending too much for features that aren’t used.
Additionally, some gaming monitors come with extensions such as RGB lighting, color calibrators and so on. These can be nice additions, but they come with a higher price tag. Therefore, gamers should consider if they need or want those features before shelling out extra money. At the same time, they should know that certain features can make a huge difference in their gaming experience, such as a higher refresh rate or resolution.
Moreover, gamers should pay attention to the warranty that comes with the monitor. Usually, gaming monitors come with a one to three-year warranty, and some even offer dead pixel coverage. This can protect gamers against defects and make sure they get the most out of their purchase. Therefore, gamers should always check the warranty and make sure they know what they’re getting before they spend their money.
Other Features
When selecting a gaming monitor, it’s also important to consider other features such as brightness, viewing angle, and adjustability. Monitors with higher brightness settings can make it easier to see the visuals, even in a brightly lit room. Similarly, a wider viewing angle can help ensure clear visuals from every angle. Additionally, adjustable monitors can help gamers find the perfect viewing angle for their playstyle.
Conversely, not all gaming monitors offer the same features. For example, some gaming monitors come with support for FreeSync or G-Sync, while others do not. Moreover, some gaming monitors come with built-in speakers, while others may require the gamer to purchase external speakers. Therefore, gamers should always know their budget and which features they need before committing to a purchase.
Finally, gamers should think about what type of panel they want. Most gaming monitors have TN, IPS, and VA panels. TN panels are the most common and usually offer high refresh rates, but they may suffer from color and viewing angle issues. IPS panels offer better viewing angles and color accuracy, but tend to be more expensive. VA panels offer wide viewing angles and better contrast, but the refresh rate tends to be slower than other panels.
