Gaming monitors are vibrant, high-resolution displays that provide gamers with an immersive gaming experience. They are a vital component of gaming setups, and require thoughtful consideration. So, what is a gaming monitor, and why might you consider investing in one?
A gaming monitor is a computer display specifically designed to enhance the gaming experience. They offer excellent image quality, high refresh rates and extreme response times. With more advanced features such as ultra-wide aspect ratios, adjustable backlights and advanced gaming-grade panels, they provide a much more immersive experience than a regular computer monitor.
The main difference between a gaming monitor and a normal PC monitor is the features it offers. Generally, gamers need faster response times and higher refresh rates than a standard PC monitor. This is because gamers often need to react quickly to in-game stimuli and need the image on their screen to be crisp and clear at all times. Gaming monitors usually offer refresh rates of 144Hz or higher, and response times of 1ms or lower.
Other features to look for when buying a gaming monitor include anti-glare coatings, wider viewing angles, adjustable backlight and a range of display connectors. Anti-glare coatings reduce the amount of glare from overhead lights entering the screen, while wider viewing angles allow gamers to view the screen without distortion from different positions. Some gaming monitors also come with adjustable backlights, which can be adjusted to reduce eye strain in darker settings.
In addition, good gaming monitors often have a range of connection options, allowing gamers to connect multiple devices to their monitors. This includes options such as HDMI, DisplayPort and USB-C, which can all be used to connect a gaming computer, console, smartphone or streaming box to a single display.
Finally, it is important to consider the aesthetic appeal of a gaming monitor. Many monitors come with RGB lighting, which can be used to create stunning visuals and soundscapes, adding to the overall gaming experience. Some gaming monitors also have programmable key bindings, which allow gamers to map shortcut keys to their favourite games.
UltraWide Gaming Monitors
UltraWide monitors offer gamers a much wider field of view than their traditional counterparts. They feature a 21:9 aspect ratio and deliver stunning visuals, creating an immersive gaming experience. This is especially beneficial for gamers playing strategy and simulation games, giving them a much larger viewing area than you will get with a 16:9 monitor.
UltraWide monitors also offer a more cinematic-style viewing experience, immersing gamers in the games they play. The wider aspect ratio also makes it easier to multitask, allowing gamers to switch between windows and programmes without having to constantly scroll the screen. There are a wide range of UltraWide gaming monitors on the market, offering various resolutions and features.
One of the main advantages of UltraWide monitors is their ability to reduce eye-strain. With a larger viewing area, it is easier to spot enemies or objects in-game when playing first person shooters and driving games. Furthermore, some UltraWide gaming monitors come with anti-glare coatings, helping to reduce the amount of glare coming off the screen and reducing eye fatigue.
However, it is important to note that UltraWide gaming monitors come with a few downsides. For instance, they can be more expensive than regular gaming monitors, due to their advanced features and larger size. Furthermore, not all games are designed to work with an UltraWide monitor, and some games may require manual configuration to enable the wider aspect ratios.
VR Ready Gaming Monitors
VR-Ready gaming monitors provide gamers with a heightened immersive experience, without the need for a costly VR headset. These monitors typically offer resolutions up to 4K, and are designed to provide gamers with a lag-free experience, even when playing virtual reality games.
A VR-Ready gaming monitor has several features to look out for. Firstly, a high resolution is key, as it will ensure that images and videos appear sharp and clear. Furthermore, the higher the refresh rate, the smoother the gaming experience will be. The response time is also essential, as this will determine how quickly the images on the monitor will update.
Furthermore, it is important to consider the range of connector ports provided on the monitor. Different VR headsets require different ports, and it is essential to select a monitor which has the correct ports to enable a smooth gaming experience. DisplayPort 1.3 and HDMI 2.0 are both popular options, but there are other standards that could be supported, such as USB-C.
Finally, it is worth noting that some VR-Ready gaming monitors come with proprietary features, such as purposefully designed software specifically designed to enhance the gaming experience. For example, some gaming monitors come with built-in games, allowing gamers to play without the need to connect to a console.
G-Sync and FreeSync Monitors
G-Sync and FreeSync monitors are designed to provide gamers with a smooth gaming experience, free of input lag and frame tearing. These technologies are designed to synchronise the refresh rates of the monitor and graphics card, ensuring that images on the screen appear crisp and clear.
G-Sync is a proprietary technology developed by NVIDIA, and works exclusively with NVIDIA graphics cards. It works by synchronising the frames processed by the graphics card to the refresh rate of the monitor, eliminating input lag and frame tearing. FreeSync, on the other hand, is an open-source technology developed by AMD, and is designed to work with both AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards.
Both technologies offer an improved gaming experience, providing gamers with smoother visuals and sharper images. However, there are a few differences between the two. For one, G-Sync requires a licensed display module, meaning that it is only available on certain gaming monitors. FreeSync, on the other hand, does not require a license, and can be employed on almost any monitor with a compatible port.
Furthermore, G-Sync is only available on monitors up to a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz, while FreeSync can work with refresh rates of up to 240Hz. Lastly, G-Sync monitors tend to be more expensive than FreeSync monitors, as they require additional components and licensing fees.
Curved Monitors
Curved monitors offer an incredibly immersive gaming experience, providing gamers with a larger field of view than a standard flat monitor. They are designed with a slight curve, eliminating most of the distortion associated with flat displays, and offer a greater sense of depth compared to their traditional counterparts.
Curved monitors also come with a range of features which make them well suited to gaming. Generally, they have high refresh rates of 144Hz or higher, and fast response times of 1ms or lower. They also come with a range of connection ports, allowing gamers to connect various devices to the monitor.
However, it is important to note that curved monitors can come with drawbacks. For one, not all games are designed to work with a curved monitor, and some games may require manual configuration to enable the curved aspect ratios. Furthermore, curved monitors tend to be more expensive than traditional monitors, as they require sophisticated designs and panels to create the curved effect.
High Refresh Rate Monitors
High refresh rate monitors are designed to provide gamers with a smooth and responsive gaming experience. Generally, they offer refresh rates of 144Hz or higher, allowing gamers to react quickly to in-game stimuli, and providing smoother visuals and more clarity compared to monitors with lower refresh rates.
When selecting a high refresh rate monitor, it is important to look out for features such as low response times and wide viewing angles. A low response time will reduce the amount of ghosting and blurring on the screen, while wide viewing angles will reduce the amount of distortion when viewing the monitor from different angles. Furthermore, it is important to select a monitor with a range of connection ports, as this will enable gamers to connect a variety of devices to the same monitor.
However, it is worth noting that high refresh rate monitors tend to be more expensive than traditional monitors. Furthermore, not all games are designed to work with a high refresh rate monitor, so it is important to check the specifications of the game before purchasing the monitor.
High Resolution Monitors
High resolution monitors offer gamers a crisp, clear and vivid gaming experience. Generally, they offer resolutions up to 4K, delivering visuals that are sharp and detailed, and providing gamers with a much more immersive gaming experience.
When selecting a high resolution monitor, it is important to look out for features such as adjustable backlight, low input lag, wide viewing angles and a range of connection ports. The adjustable backlight can be used to reduce eye-strain in darker settings, while the low input lag will reduce the amount of time it takes for images to update on the screen. Furthermore, it is essential to find a monitor with a range of connection ports, as this will allow gamers to connect multiple devices to the monitor.
However, it is important to note that high resolution monitors tend to be more expensive than traditional monitors. Furthermore, not all games are designed to support resolutions of 4K or higher, so it is important to check the system requirements of the game before purchasing the monitor.
