A Practical Guide to Gaming Monitors for Beginners
Here’s what to look out for when getting a gaming monitor.
In this post, I briefly introduce gaming monitors and provide practical tips for choosing appropriate ones for your gaming needs.
What is a gaming monitor?
A gaming monitor is a computer display specifically designed for use with video games. It is typically a flat panel display that connects to a computer via VGA, DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort.
Gaming monitors are designed to be able to display fast-moving graphics and visual effects with minimal lag, making them well-suited for fast-paced games that require quick reflexes.
They may also have features such as a high refresh rate, low input lag, and support for variable refresh rate technologies to further reduce lag and improve the gaming experience.
Some gaming monitors are also designed with additional features such as built-in speakers, USB ports, and ergonomic stands to provide a more immersive gaming experience.
Why do you need a high refresh on your monitor rate for gaming?
The refresh rate of a display refers to the number of times per second that the screen is redrawn. A high refresh rate means that the screen is refreshed more frequently, which can make the image on the screen appear smoother and more fluid.
In general, a higher refresh rate will result in a better gaming experience, as it can make fast-moving objects appear less blurry and reduce the appearance of “tearing,” where the image is split into two or more parts.
For gaming, a refresh rate of at least 60Hz is considered to be the minimum acceptable level. However, many gaming monitors now offer refresh rates of 144Hz or even higher, which can provide an even smoother and more responsive gaming experience.
It’s important to note that to take advantage of a high refresh rate, your computer’s graphics card and the game you are playing must also be able to support it.
Personally, I use a monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate. It was a massive upgrade over 60Hz. I especially noticed it in fast-paced games such as Overwatch, Rocket League, and Valorant.
What monitor resolution should you use for gaming?
The best resolution for gaming depends on a few factors, such as the size of your monitor and the capabilities of your graphics card. Here are some general guidelines to help you choose the best resolution for gaming:
If you have a small monitor (less than 24 inches), 720p (1280x720) is a good resolution to aim for.
For monitors that are 24 to 27 inches, 1080p (1920x1080) is a good resolution to aim for.
If you have a large monitor (27 inches or bigger) or a high-end graphics card, you can go for a higher resolution such as 1440p (2560x1440) or 4K (3840x2160).
Ultimately, the best resolution for you will depend on your personal preferences and the specific hardware that you have. You may want to try out different resolutions to see which one looks best to you. It’s also worth noting that higher resolutions can be more demanding on your graphics card, so you’ll need to ensure that your hardware is up to the task.
Personally, I use a 27-inch display with a 1440p resolution. I honestly don't see much of a difference between 1440p and 4K on a monitor this size. I also found that 27 inches is the perfect size for a monitor on a desktop gaming setup, for me at least.
What special gaming features should you look out for and keep in mind?
There are a few special features that you may want to consider when shopping for a gaming monitor:
Response time
This refers to how quickly the pixels on your monitor can change color. A lower response time can reduce ghosting (where images appear to trail behind moving objects) and other artifacts.
Adaptive sync
Some monitors support technologies like FreeSync or G-Sync, which can help to reduce screen tearing (where the image appears to be split into separate pieces) by synchronizing the refresh rate of the monitor with the frame rate of your graphics card.
Curved display:
Some gaming monitors have curved displays, which can provide a more immersive experience. However, the benefit of a curved display is largely a matter of personal preference.
High Dynamic Range
High Dynamic Range (HDR) can provide a wider range of colors and brighter highlights, making games look more realistic. However, not all games support HDR, and you’ll need a graphics card that can also handle it.
Ultrawide
Ultrawide monitors have a wider aspect ratio than standard monitors, which can provide a more immersive gaming experience. However, not all games support ultrawide resolutions, so you’ll need to ensure that your favorite games will work with an ultrawide monitor.
Out of these additional features, I use the following:
- A response time of 1 ms.
- G-Sync.
- A curved display.
- HDR.
I used to use an ultrawide monitor but switched to a regular 16:9 monitor since I wanted to create gaming YouTube videos, and I thought that an ultrawide aspect ratio would look a little weird in videos.
Additionally, after switching to a monitor with a low response time and G-Sync technology, I immediately noticed the difference between input lag and the smoothness of my games.
Final Words
Gaming monitors are specialized computer displays designed to display fast-moving graphics with minimal lag. High refresh rates and low input lag improve the gaming experience.
Resolution depends on monitor size and graphics card capabilities. Special features to consider include response time, adaptive sync, curvature, HDR, and additional ports and speakers.
If you’re looking into buying a new gaming monitor, make sure to do plenty of research to make sure you’re getting a good deal and make sure you‘re both getting the features you need and one that your PC can handle gaming with.
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