Gaming Monitors

Gaming monitors buyers guide

Stuck buying a gaming monitor? Nowadays there are so many different features and various versions of technology packed into gaming monitors, making it hard to understand what exactly suits your needs or what suits your gamer level. Have no fear! We are here to help you with our handy gaming monitor buying guide, whether you are looking to buy an affordable gaming monitor or a state-of-the-art display. 
With this guide we’ll provide you with information and details that will help guide you to your perfect monitor that not only suits your needs but, also won’t do too much damage to your wallet! 

Screen size

Let’s start with the basics of choosing your next gaming monitor and one of the simpler choices. Screen size just relies on a few variables; how much space do you have for the monitor? How close will you be sitting? 

Are you considering a multi-monitor setup? If you are thinking of a multi-monitor setup, it’s doubtful you’d want to go more than about 30”, as any bigger and you risk the screens not fitting your space and also making it harder to take in everything happening one each screen. 

The most common sizes for a PC monitor are around 24”to 27”. With these sizes, you still get a lot of screen-age as well as some fairly powerful and useful features to help your gaming. Another aspect to think about is if you would benefit from a curved screen. 

Curved monitors are excellent for a more immersive gaming experience that draws you in and makes you feel more part of the action, a very popular option with modern gamers. 

Should I get a curved monitor? 

Curved monitors are a popular choice for many users, offering a unique viewing experience that can transform the way you interact with your digital content. But is a curved monitor right for you? Let's explore the benefits and considerations to help you decide. 

Enhanced immersion: 

Curved monitors wrap the screen around your field of vision, providing a more immersive viewing experience. Whether you're gaming, watching movies, or working on multiple tasks, the curvature can make you feel like you're in the center of the action. 

Reduced distortions: 

Curved screens can minimize visual distortions and provide consistent image quality across the entire display. This can be especially valuable if you're concerned about image distortion or color shifts on a flat monitor. 

Wider field of view: 

The curved shape of the screen can create a wider field of view, reducing the need to constantly turn your head or move your eyes to see content at the edges of the screen. This can enhance productivity and comfort during work or play. 

Gaming advantage: 

Gamers often appreciate curved monitors for their ability to pull them into the gaming world. The curve can make games feel more engaging and realistic, with greater depth perception and peripheral awareness. 

Considerations: 

While curved monitors offer numerous advantages, it's essential to consider your specific needs. Factors like screen size, viewing distance, and personal preferences play a role in determining whether a curved monitor is the right choice for you. 
In the end, the decision to get a curved monitor depends on your individual requirements and how you plan to use it. Whether you're a gamer looking for a competitive edge or a professional seeking an immersive workspace, curved monitors are worth exploring. 

Refresh rate

Refresh Rate is the number of times the image on screen changes in a second. Refresh Rate is very important in a gaming monitor and it’s not something to be overlooked when buying your new gaming display. 
Standard basic monitors have a 60Hz refresh rate which is fine for general console gaming and pc gaming when on a budget. If you’re looking for the best gaming experience possible, you will want to go for something with a refresh rate between 120Hz-240Hz, although in some cases this can come with quite a high price! Keep in mind that frames per second (FPS) is not the same as refresh rate. 
If you’re looking for a higher refresh rate monitor you will need to make sure that your PC hardware is capable of running games at a high enough frames per second, to make use of the monitors refresh rate. This can be done by pairing a high refresh rate with a decent graphics card or a faster memory in your computer. With games such as Counter Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO), Overwatch and Apex Legends the higher the refresh rate of the gaming monitor, the more frames per second it can support.

Monitor response time 

Response Time is how long it takes for the screen to update each individual pixel with new colours. The lower the response time, the better the monitor is for gaming. Typically 1ms-4ms will keep your gaming sessions seamless and more enjoyable. However if you really want to hit that response time sweet spot, going for 1ms is what will keep you gaming for longer and potentially ahead of the competition. If you want to push the limits and take your game to the next level, 0.5ms is where it’s at! 
With a higher response time such as 5ms or more, when gaming you may start to notice a difference and the quality of your game could be affected. It could cause motion blur since the image doesn’t have enough time to keep up with the movement and mean you lose that vital opportunity to get ahead of the competition! 

Aspect ratios 

Aspect ratio is an important consideration for gamers when choosing a display or monitor for their gaming setup. Different aspect ratios offer unique advantages and are suited to various types of games. Here's an overview of different aspect ratios and the types of games they are well-suited for: 

16:9 (Widescreen) 

Games: This aspect ratio is the standard for most modern games and is suitable for a wide range of genres, including first-person shooters (FPS), third-person action-adventure games, and real-time strategy (RTS) games. It provides a balanced view and is the most common choice for both casual and competitive gaming. 
Advantages: The 16:9 aspect ratio offers a wide field of view, making it ideal for immersive experiences. It's also widely supported in gaming consoles and PC monitors.

221:9 (Ultrawide) 

Games: Ultrawide monitors with a 21:9 aspect ratio are excellent for open-world games, simulation games, and racing games. The increased horizontal screen space enhances immersion in visually rich titles. 
Advantages: Ultrawide displays provide a broader view, reducing the need to pan the camera in games, giving players a competitive edge in strategy games and a more cinematic experience in single-player adventures. 

4:3 (Standard) 

Games: The 4:3 aspect ratio was once the standard for older CRT monitors and retro arcade games. Some classic games and emulated titles may still be optimized for this aspect ratio. 
Advantages: Nostalgia is a key advantage of the 4:3 aspect ratio, making it ideal for retro gaming enthusiasts. It also allows you to experience older games as they were originally designed. 

32:9 (Super ultrawide) 

Games: Super ultrawide monitors with a 32:9 aspect ratio are best suited for simulation games, flight simulators, and some strategy games. They provide an incredibly wide field of view, almost simulating peripheral vision. 
Advantages: The 32:9 aspect ratio offers an unparalleled sense of immersion, making it perfect for games where situational awareness is critical. 

Custom and multi-monitor setups 

Games: Custom aspect ratios or multi-monitor setups are typically used by enthusiasts and professional gamers. They are often chosen for simulation, flight, and racing games where an extended field of view is crucial. 
Advantages: Custom and multi-monitor setups allow gamers to tailor their display to their specific needs. They offer a unique and highly immersive gaming experience. 
When choosing an aspect ratio, consider the types of games you enjoy playing and the hardware you have available. Remember that while a wider aspect ratio can enhance immersion and provide a competitive advantage in some games, it may not be necessary for all gaming experiences. Ultimately, the best aspect ratio for you depends on your personal preferences and gaming style. 

Screen resolution

The most common gaming monitor resolutions: 1080p Full HD, 1440p QHD 2K, and 2160p UHD 4K. The easiest thing to remember here is the higher the screen resolution the better and more mind blowing the image quality! 
Of course, it is all well and good going for a monitor with a powerful and high quality resolution but, what you have to consider is whether your PC hardware is capable of running games at that resolution. Although that being said, buying a higher resolution monitor now will effectively future proof your purchase. With more QHD Resolution Gaming Monitors becoming the new standard and 4K UHD Resolution becoming more of an option from a price and variety of choice standpoint, it would be worth seeing if your budget could include a more powerful resolution. 
However, do consider resolutions such as UHD 4K Resolution can only be run properly on the best of the best PCs and even then they would need to be able to push over 30 FPS and aim to reach 60 FPS to really get the most out of your new monitor. 

Gsync, freesync and adaptive sync 

NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync are a must have for any PC gamer, they are both designed to eliminate screen tearing and input lag to give you a seamless and fluid gaming experience. How they do this is by ensuring the output of the monitor syncs with the output of the graphics card, this means that every single frame is presented on the monitor. This lowers the risk of lag and prevents frustrating screen tear or glitching that can occur when refresh rates aren’t properly synced. 
A big difference between these two technologies is their cost. This is due to how NVIDIA G-Sync adds to their cost on your monitor. Requiring an additional module to be built in to the monitor that is provided by NVIDIA, G-Sync is still considered to be the very height of technology to bring you high quality visuals and remove screen tear. It should also be noted that G-Sync also only works with NVIDIA Graphics cards. AMD FreeSync on the other hand, adds no extra cost to the normal cost of the monitor but again will only work with AMD graphics cards. That being said, NVIDIA has now opened the door to allow select monitors to work with NVIDIA graphics cards through a new version of G-SYNC called “G-SYNC Compatible”. Currently the amount of compatible gaming monitors is limited but, the selection is set to grow as time moves on and NVIDIA are able to test more monitors. 

Gaming monitor panel types 

When you consider what panel type you want to choose for your new monitor you should consider the benefits of that panel and whether it will be worth you spending potentially more money. The main panel types are: 

TN-(Twisted Nematic) 

TN Panel is the most commonly used panel type in any monitor due to the low cost of the Panels, but the main advantage of the TN panel is how quickly it can change state. TN Panels tend to be better for competitive gaming due to providing lightning fast response times and good refresh rates. Therefore if you after a gaming monitor that will load content quickly and able to better avoid lag or stutter, this is a panel type worth considering. However TN Panels can also suffer from bad viewing angles and colour reproduction issues. So if you are wanting high quality visual details rather than a higher refresh rate and a better response time, it would be worth checking out the other panel types. 

IPS Panel (In Plane Switching)

IPS Panels sit at the highest end of colour reproduction and viewing angles, they are able to provide you with more intense quality visuals than a TN or VA panel. Offering you wider viewing angles and more detailed colours to give you truly stunning visuals, an IPS panel is suited to witness all the latest games in the detail the creators intended. The enhanced quality comes at a cost, usually an IPS panel is not able to achieve the higher refresh rates or better response times as a TN panel. Although it should be noted there are some gaming monitors with IPS Panels that do have good refresh rates and solid response times. However, these types of IPS Panel displays do come with a quite high price tag on average compared to TN Panels. So when considering an IPS Panel Gaming Monitor, it will depend on if the model you want has other features that make it worth the money or, if you are after a more visual intensive less competitive gaming experience. 

VA Panel (Vertical Alignment) 

VA Panels are the jack of all trades of panel types. A perfect in the middle panel type that take features from TN and IPS panels, to give you an excellent balance of the best features of both without stealing the entire quality of both. It possesses a wider viewing angle and has great contrast ratios but, is also capable of a decent response time and refresh rate like a TN panel. However, this does not mean the colours produced are as high quality as an IPS panel, it just means the VA panel is capable of good colour production. They also have the ability to block light from the backlight when it isn’t wanted and, the price of a VA panel monitor is similar to a TN panel on average. An excellent addition to any casual gamers who want to dip their toes in the competitive gaming world, without losing quality on visuals or receiving lower refresh rates and high response times. 

Inputs 

When researching what monitor will suit you most, you might find that depending on how you plan to use the monitor, the decision has already been made for you. As let’s face it, if the connectors in your game console, PC or other device don’t match the monitor, it won’t work! 

Console Gaming 

If you are a console gamer but fancy taking your visual gaming experience to the next level, then there would be only one choice for you when it comes to inputs in monitors which is the trusty HDMI Input! 

PC Gaming 

There will always be more options for PC gamers over Console Gamers, simply because a computer is designed to plug into multiple types of displays, a console is not. DisplayPort would be the best input for PC gaming due to its capabilities of handling higher refresh rates and resolutions than a normal HDMI. 

DisplayPort 1.4 

DisplayPort is again the best choice of input for PC gamers due to how well it supports high refresh rates and high resolutions. It is also worth considering for its ability to better support multiple displays, so if you are thinking of a multi-monitor setup for your gaming battle station this is a feature worth taking into account to ensure you get the best quality. 

HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) 

HDMI 1.4/2.0- HDMI is currently the main input used most devices, so it makes sense that for most gaming monitors it is a pretty common input. However, if you are a console gaming it’s really the best and pretty much the only option for you to get great quality gaming. But if you are a PC gamer as much as HDMI can support solid refresh rates in high resolutions, it would not be able to produce the quality as well as a DisplayPort input would. The HDMI is still a very good input and more common than a DisplayPort input 

VGA (Video Graphics Array) 

VGA is among the oldest video out standard connectors, dating back to an older generation of PCs. Which is great news if you still want to use your old PC to play some vintage games on a brand new Gaming Monitor. 

DVI (Digital Visual Interface) 

DVI is also an old input but is still viable when it comes to connectors, similar to HDMI in that they transfer both visual and audio data. For this type of cable, again it will depend on the age of the device being connected and if they are compatible with DVI. But useful if you are still wanting to be able to plug in your old computer as well as your newer gaming PC. 

Gaming monitor features

Here we find what could be the deciding factors between will you go with this monitor or that one. The best thing about Gaming Monitors is that they can come with some really awesome features that range from changing the aesthetics to actually supporting you game. The aesthetic side of things can come from the various lighting options of some displays to make your rig look amazing and also to immerse you into your games. While for ROG screens you can even design your own logo and project it on to your desk while you gaming. 

Supportive game features could be that it has a dual HDMI enabling you to plug and play more devices on a single screen. For example, you could be watching a Twitch streamer on one side of your screen through your PC while, casually gaming on a console at the same time. Other options include a better array of USB devices to connect more peripherals to enhance your game with better controllers, mice or other USB devices. On the other hand, there is the option for full ergonomic controls to alter the Height, Tilt, Swivel and Pivot of the display to find the right position for your screen. All these various features and more make researching and checking to see if there is a Gaming Monitor that has maybe a few more extras that will take your game to the next level. 

How many monitors should I have? 

Choosing the right number of monitors for your gaming and streaming setup is a decision that can greatly impact your overall experience. Here, we'll discuss the potential benefits of adding a second or even a third monitor to your workspace, as well as explore the types of gaming that work seamlessly with a single monitor. 

The benefits of multiple monitors 

Enhanced Productivity: With a second or third monitor, you can multitask efficiently. For streamers, this means managing your stream, chat, and other applications without disrupting your gameplay. Gamers can benefit from additional screen real estate for tasks like monitoring in-game statistics, checking guides, or streaming overlays. 
Improved Immersion: The expanded field of view provided by multiple monitors can create a more immersive gaming experience. In games that support it, you can enjoy panoramic views, enhanced peripheral vision, and a heightened sense of being inside the game world. 
Stream Management: For streamers, having multiple monitors allows you to keep an eye on your chat, streaming software, and other stream-related tasks while gaming on your primary monitor. This makes it easier to engage with your audience and manage your stream effectively. 
Content Creation: If you're into content creation, additional monitors provide space for video editing, graphic design, and more. This can streamline your workflow and increase productivity. 

Gaming types with single monitors 

While multiple monitors have their advantages, many gaming genres work perfectly well with a single monitor. Here are some examples: 
First-Person Shooters (FPS): Games like Counter-Strike, Call of Duty, and Overwatch typically don't require multiple monitors. A single high-refresh-rate monitor can provide a competitive edge. 
Real-Time Strategy (RTS): Games like StarCraft and Age of Empires are designed to be played on a single screen, and multiple monitors may not significantly enhance the gaming experience. 
Fighting Games: Titles like Street Fighter and Tekken are best enjoyed on a single screen, as split-screen or multi-monitor setups can be distracting. 
Console Gaming: For those gaming on consoles, a single TV or monitor is the standard setup. Most console games are optimized for this configuration. 
Ultimately, the number of monitors you should have depends on your specific gaming and streaming needs. Consider the type of games you play and your preferred work or streaming setup to determine what works best for you.