When it comes to choosing monitors for gaming, the two main options are a gaming monitor or a normal monitor. Understanding the differences between the two can help gamers decide which is best for them. In this blog post, the key differences between gaming monitor and normal monitor will be discussed, exploring the pros and cons of each option.
Firstly, the most obvious difference between a gaming monitor and a normal monitor is their design. A gaming monitor has a more robust look with thinner bezels and more features such as adjustable settings like variable refresh rates and compatibility with high frame rates. By contrast, a normal monitor tends to have a more generic design with thicker bezels and fewer features. While this doesn’t mean that a gaming monitor is necessarily better than a normal monitor, it makes it more specialized for gaming.
In addition to design, gaming monitors also offer better response times which allow for a smoother gameplay experience. This is especially important for gamers who play competitive games as faster response times can give them the edge over their opponents. Normal monitors are not designed for this purpose and so their response times tend to be much slower. Furthermore, the refresh rates of gaming monitors are also much higher than those of normal monitors which can make games look much more vivid and clear.
Another major difference between a gaming monitor and a normal monitor is their connectivity options. Gaming monitors tend to have a variety of ports such as HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C which can be used for connecting other devices. By contrast, normal monitors usually only have VGA and DVI ports. This is important for gamers who want to use other devices like consoles or gaming laptops for their gaming sessions.
Finally, another determining factor when it comes to choosing a gaming monitor or a normal monitor is the price. Gaming monitors tend to be much more expensive than normal monitors as they are designed specifically for gaming and come with many more features. Normal monitors, on the other hand, usually cost much less but may not offer as many features or have as good of a picture quality.
Size
When choosing between a gaming monitor and normal monitor, size is also an important factor to consider. Gaming monitors come in a range of sizes with some being as small as 24” while normal monitors can range from 15”-23”. This can be an important consideration for gamers as a larger monitor can make it easier to enjoy their favorite games, whereas smaller monitors can make it more difficult to see details or find the right settings.
Another important consideration regarding size is the resolution of the monitor. Gaming monitors generally come with higher resolutions than normal monitors, which can make games look crisper and clearer. Normal monitors may have lower resolutions and this can make games look blurry or pixelated. Therefore, gamers should also think about how much resolution they need from their monitor when deciding whether to get a gaming or normal monitor.
Finally, the viewing angle of both types of monitors should be taken into account. Gaming monitors usually have wider viewing angles than normal monitors, which can make it easier for gamers to see the screen from different angles. Normal monitors, on the other hand, have more limited viewing angles which can make it more difficult to see the screen from some positions.
Colour Accuracy
When it comes to colour accuracy, gaming monitors have an advantage over normal monitors. This is because gaming monitors are designed to show more vibrant colours and are able to maintain better colour quality even when playing games in dark environments. Normal monitors, on the other hand, can suffer from colour distortion when playing in dark environments which can reduce the overall quality of the image.
Gamers who care about colour accuracy should also think about the colour gamut of the monitor they are considering. Monitors with a wider colour gamut can display more vibrant colours and shades than ones with a narrower colour gamut. Gaming monitors tend to have wider colour gamuts than normal monitors and so they are better suited for gaming.
In addition to this, gaming monitors also tend to have better contrast ratios than normal monitors. This can be useful for games which have a lot of dark scenes as a higher contrast ratio can make it easier to pick out important details in dark environments. This can also be useful for games with a lot of bright scenes as a higher contrast ratio can make the brightest areas shine and stand out more.
Performance
When it comes to performance, the hardware and software of both types of monitors should be taken into consideration. Gaming monitors usually come with hardware and software specifically designed for gaming such as fast refresh rates, low latency, and adaptive sync. This can be important for gamers as these features can help make games run smoother and look better.
Normal monitors, on the other hand, usually don’t have the same hardware and software as gaming monitors and so they may not be as good for gaming. However, they can still offer a good experience for casual gaming and are often much cheaper than gaming monitors. This makes them a good choice for gamers who are on a tight budget.
Finally, gamers should also consider the input lag of their monitor. Input lag is the time it takes for a monitor to display a signal after it has been sent from a device. Gaming monitors tend to have lower input lag than normal monitors, which can make a difference in competitive gaming where every millisecond counts.
Extras
When looking for a gaming monitor or a normal monitor, other features should be considered. Gaming monitors usually come with a variety of extras such as built-in speakers or headsets jacks which can make the gaming experience more immersive. Some gaming monitors also come with adjustable viewing angles, which can be useful for games that require precise aiming. Normal monitors don’t usually have any of these features and so they may not be as suitable if these features are important.
Another important feature to consider is the warranty of the monitor. Many gaming monitors come with long warranties that can give gamers peace of mind when it comes to their purchase. By contrast, normal monitors usually only come with shorter warranties and so gamers may not be covered if their monitor is damaged.
Finally, gamers should also think about the power consumption of the monitor. Gaming monitors tend to consume more power than normal monitors since they usually have higher refresh rates and more features. Therefore, gamers who are looking to save money or those who are worried about their environmental impact should consider getting a normal monitor instead.
