The Best PC Monitor for Gaming: A Guide.
Are you looking for the best PC monitor for gaming? Whether you want an immersive gaming experience or just require some extra visuals for your home office, finding the right monitor is one of the most important decisions you can make. With the amount of options available today, the task of selecting the right one can be overwhelming. To make things easier, we’ve assembled this comprehensive guide on PC gaming monitors.
When it comes to buying the best PC monitor for gaming, the informative ocean of resources can cause you a severe headache. From brand names, specifications, prices and features, to bezel sizes, types, and even refresh rates – you will get lost if you don’t stay focused on what is important for you.
Here, we’ll discuss the various aspects you should consider before you buy your PC gaming monitor. From games to budget and resolution, we’ll help you better understand the basics of PC gaming monitors and guide you through the difference between LCD, TN, IPS and VA panels. We’ll also provide you with the know-how on various standards such as the G-Sync, Freesync, and HDR. And not to mention, we’ll answer those burning questions like “What is refresh rate?” and “What is response time?”.
Ultimately, we’ll arm you with the knowledge you need to make the best decision when selecting a monitor for your PC gaming rig and help you identify the monitor that meets your needs as well as your budget.
So let’s get started.
Types of PC Gaming Monitors
When it comes to selecting the best PC monitor for gaming, the type of panel is one of the most important factors to consider. There are four main types of panels used in PC gaming monitors. These are the TN (Twisted Nematic), IPS (In-Plane Switching), VA (Vertical Alignment), and OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) panels.
TN Monitors:
TN panels have the fastest response time (generally between 1ms to 4ms) and the lowest price of all the monitor panel types. This makes TN monitors the most popular choice among competitive gamers. TN panels are best suited for FPS (first-person shooter) and fast-action games.
Unfortunately, TN panels are susceptible to ‘ghosting’ and they generally have the worst image quality when compared to the other panel types.
IPS Monitors:
IPS panels offer superior color accuracy which makes them the best choice for creative professionals and for those who appreciate vibrant colors.
IPS monitors generally have faster response times than VA panels and a wider viewing angle, but they are usually more expensive. IPS panels can also consume more power than TN or VA panels.
VA Monitors:
VA monitors offer the best overall color accuracy and contrast levels.
VA monitors are ideal for immersive gaming experiences and movies. That said, VA panels usually have the slowest response time (4ms – 8ms) so they are not suitable for competitive gaming.
OLED Monitors:
OLED monitors are the newest type of panel technology. OLED panels have the best image quality, with perfect black levels and very fast response times.
Unfortunately, OLED monitors are still in their infancy and currently, they are more expensive than IPS, TN, or VA panels.
Resolution:
The resolution of a monitor is one of the most important aspects to consider when selecting a gaming monitor. The higher the resolution, the sharper and clearer the image will be. Generally, gaming monitors are available with the following resolutions:
720p (1278×720):
This is the lowest resolution currently available. It’s the cheapest resolution option, but the image quality won’t be very good.
1080p (1920×1080):
This is full HD resolution, and the most popular option for gamers.
1440p (2560×1440):
This resolution offers up to 2.8 times the pixels of a 1080p monitor, but you will need a more powerful GPU to drive the extra pixels.
4K (3840×2160):
This is the highest resolution available, but it requires a lot of power from the graphics card.
Essential Specifications:
Refresh Rate:
The refresh rate of a monitor is measured in Hertz (Hz) and it denotes the number of times the image on a monitor refreshes in a second. Generally, most gaming monitors are available with a refresh rate of 60 Hz, 75 Hz, 120 Hz, 144 Hz, and even 240 Hz. The higher the refresh rate, the smoother the image on the monitor.
Response Time:
Response time is measured in milliseconds (ms) and it denotes the amount of time it takes for a monitor to change the color of a pixel. Usually, it’s categorized as Gray to Gray (GtG) and it generally ranges from 1ms to 8ms. The lower the response time, the faster the visuals change and the faster the games will be.
Features:
The features offered on a PC gaming monitor can vary greatly. Some of the most important features are:
• G-Sync/Freesync Technology: This technology helps reduce screen tearing and stuttering.
• Adaptive-Sync: This technology helps reduce input lag and improves the overall gaming experience.
• High Dynamic Range (HDR): This technology expands the contrast ratio of the monitor and allows for a more realistic and detailed image.
• Flicker-Free: This technology helps eliminate screen flicker and improve eye comfort.
Conclusion
When selecting the best PC monitor for gaming, it’s important to consider the type of panel, the resolution, the refresh rate, the response time and the features it offers. A higher refresh rate, lower response time and features such as G-Sync or HDR can improve the gaming experience, but you also need to consider your budget when selecting a monitor.
We hope our guide provided you with the information you need to make an informed decision when selecting a PC gaming monitor.
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