When it comes to gaming, having the right equipment can make all the difference in your gaming experience. One essential component that can significantly impact your gameplay is your gaming monitor.
A high-quality gaming monitor can enhance visuals, reduce motion blur, and provide a smoother gaming experience. However, with so many options available, choosing the perfect gaming monitor can be overwhelming.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the key factors you should consider when buying a gaming monitor, helping you make an informed decision and take your gaming to the next level.
Display Panel Technology
Gaming monitors come with different display panel technologies, such as Twisted Nematic (TN), In-Plane Switching (IPS), and Vertical Alignment (VA). Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
TN panels are known for their fast response times, making them ideal for competitive gamers. Their response time is often as low as 1 ms. Still, there are some compromises in contrast ratio and viewing angles.
IPS panels offer better colour reproduction and wider viewing angles. Their response rate ranges from 2-4 ms, yet the contrast ratio is best, i.e., up to 3000:1. If you are a fan of graphic-intensive games that don’t require top-notch speed, IPS panels are the way to go.
Lastly, VA panels provide deeper blacks and higher contrast ratios. Their response time is greater than that of IPS panels and slightly lower than that of TN panels. You can get 1–2 response times with the best colour reproduction and a good contrast ratio.
Some of the best Gaming Monitors with VA panels are from Acer (CBA242Y), ViewSonic, and
(VA3209-2K) and HP (64W18AA). All of these are available at the Laptop Outlet.
Screen Size and Resolution
The screen size and resolution directly impact your gaming visuals. Larger screens can provide a more immersive experience, but it’s essential to balance them with the available space in your gaming setup.
As for resolution, 1080p (Full HD) is the standard for most gamers, offering a good balance between performance and visuals. If you have a more powerful gaming PC, you may opt for 1440p (Quad HD) or even 4K for stunning graphics.
Refresh Rate and Response Time
A high refresh rate and low response time are crucial for smooth and fluid gameplay. A refresh rate of 144 Hz or higher is recommended for competitive gamers, as it reduces motion blur and screen tearing.
Look for a low response time (usually measured in milliseconds) to minimise ghosting and motion artefacts. Usually, picking a monitor with a response time ranging from 4 ms to 1 ms is ideal for a fast-paced gamer.
Adaptive Sync Technologies
NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync have taken the gaming world by storm. These technologies sync the monitor’s refresh rate with your GPU’s frame rate, eliminating screen tearing and stuttering during gameplay. However, don’t be confused. There is no difference between these technologies. Both were developed by different manufacturers to perform the same function. If you have a NVIDIA graphics card, G-sync technology will work, but for AMD video cards, Free-Sync is the way to go!
In some games, G-Sync shows a much better performance level than Free-Sync. For someone building a gaming PC from scratch, the NVIDIA RTX series is highly recommended. By doing so, you can experience lightning-fast gaming speeds even at lower refresh rates.
Aspect Ratio
The aspect ratio is the contrast of length to width on your monitor. A 1:1 screen will be a complete square (as it used to appear on boxy PCs from earlier decades). Currently, we have more widescreen (usually 16:9) and some ultrawide (21:9, 32:9, 32:10) aspect ratios on gaming PC monitors.
Most modern games support different aspect ratios. You can select the one that best suits your PC monitor and gaming from the settings. YouTube videos and other online content also default back to the widescreen aspect ratio. This is because widescreen gives you a more immersive experience.
Not only this, but you also get more screen real estate for work, games, or entertainment with an enhanced aspect ratio. From a gaming perspective, you get an expanded field of view (FOV) in games without creating a “fisheye” effect. This is especially beneficial for first-person games, where you can spot enemies easily with a bigger screen.
The fisheye effect refers to the distortion you face while looking at an extremely wide lens angle. Most users with huge screens complain about getting lost at the edges of their display. That’s where curved monitors make an entry! With a curved ultrawide monitor, you can get the same level of immersion in all areas of the monitor.
ASUS TUF (VG32VQ1BR) and ASUS (VG34VQL1B) are among the best Gaming PC Monitors. Also keep in mind to get a screen size of at least 27 inches if you are selecting a curved display, as anything smaller than this doesn’t make much difference. So, you’ll be spending extra money without getting much advantage out of it.
Connectivity Options
Check the available connectivity options on the PC Monitor gaming. HDMI and DisplayPort are standard, but some monitors also offer USB ports and audio jacks.
Having sufficient connectivity options allows you to connect various gaming devices and accessories effortlessly. You can also use the ports to attach dual monitors, sound systems, or other external devices.
Additional Features
Look for extra features that can enhance your gaming experience. These may include built-in speakers, adjustable stands for ergonomic positioning, and blue light filters to reduce eye strain during extended gaming sessions.
Picking a 4K monitor: Is it as simple as it sounds?
Monitors with 4K resolutions offer the best possible visual experience for users. As the screen resolution increases, identifying an individual pixel on the screen becomes difficult, leading to enhanced image quality. But there are also many problems connected to a high-res monitor. Let’s have a look!
Scaling
At ultra-high definition, the text and other interface elements may appear smaller than usual. This is especially true if you have a small screen with 4K resolution. While playing games that don’t automatically adjust their text and UI on bigger or smaller screens, you can face a lot of hassle in your gaming sessions.
There is one simple solution to this: Windows Screen scaling! By adjusting these settings, you can modify the text and layout element sizes on your screen, but it will reduce your screen real estate, hampering your overall experience.
This is why it’s important to get the screen size that best suits your required resolution. Ideally, 1920 x 1080 is perfect for screens smaller than 25 inches; 1440p or Full HD is optimal for 27-inch screens; and 4K fits perfectly for screen sizes ranging from 27-inch to 43-inch.
Conclusion
Choosing the right gaming monitor is essential for an immersive and enjoyable gaming experience. By considering factors such as display panel technology, screen size, resolution, refresh rate, response time, adaptive sync technologies, connectivity options, and additional features, you can make a well-informed decision.
To explore a wide range of high-quality gaming monitors, don’t forget to visit Laptop Outlet. Elevate your gaming setup with a top-notch gaming monitor and get ready to embark on thrilling gaming adventures like never before!
