Nothing beats using a big gaming monitor; it draws you in and provides a level of immersion you cannot experience with a small screen. That is why most pro gamers prefer using gaming monitors when setting up their gaming stations.
Gaming monitors not only provide large displays but also have qualities that make them better suited to handle the technical demands of top-rated games. Unfortunately, not every gamer appreciates the benefits of having a gaming monitor.
They invest in decent gaming desktops, gaming headsets, and gaming chairs, but then buy an ordinary monitor. In this article, we will delve into the reasons why every gamer should buy a gaming monitor and highlight some of our best picks.
What Is a Gaming Monitor?
A gaming monitor is a computer screen custom-built to be compatible with other devices and components within a gaming setup, like graphics cards and CPUs.
They have better specifications than ordinary monitors, including higher refresh rates, better response times, and sharper image quality. Below are some notable reasons to add a quality monitor to your gaming setup.
Reason #1: Screen Size and Resolution
The size of the field of view when playing a game directly influences your gaming experience and performance. That is why playing on a gaming monitor is better than playing on a gaming laptop.
Gaming laptops have a maximum size of 18 inches. On the other hand, most gaming monitors have a minimum and maximum size of 24 inches and 48 inches, respectively. As such, using a gaming monitor provides a larger field of view for intensive gaming.
- 27” UHD (3840 x 2160) Nano IPS display
- Aspect Ratio is 16:9; viewing angle is 178º (R/L), 178º (U/D); brightness is 400 nits
- IPS 1ms (GtG) 144Hz with VESA DSC Technology
- NVIDIA G-SYNC compatible with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro
- DCI-P3 98% with VESA DisplayHDR 600
Gaming monitors also offer superior screen resolution compared to gaming laptops. Screen resolution refers to the number of pixels on a monitor. It is calculated by multiplying the number of pixels on a monitor’s horizontal plane and those on its vertical plane.
In addition, gaming monitors have a higher screen resolution than ordinary monitors, with the standard resolution being Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels). Other available screen resolutions include Quad HD (2560 x 1440 pixels) and 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels).
A monitor with a high resolution produces more realistic images. This is made possible by the millions of pixels on the monitor, which capture more image detail, allowing for clearer and sharper pictures.
On the flip side, low-resolution displays often have videos that appear fuzzy, which can be distracting when gaming.
Reason #2: Color Richness and Depth
Color significantly influences a game’s intensity by setting the tone. For example, when playing a horror game, the richness of the dark tones often draws you in, which helps build a sense of anticipation.
Some game developers also use color to give hints or show progress when playing mission-based games. It is, therefore, necessary to have a screen with a vast color palette when playing PC games.
Gaming monitors often produce darker blacks and brighter whites than standard screens. In addition, gaming monitors offer higher brightness levels without washing out the colors. You will also enjoy a wider contrast ratio, which is necessary to produce color with various shades.
Reason #3: Refresh Rate and Response Time
Refresh rate refers to how quickly a display shifts from one image to the next; it is measured in hertz. A high refresh rate means a monitor moves from one image to the next quickly, allowing viewers to perceive seamless motion.
Gaming monitors should have a high refresh rate, allowing you to observe your character’s or opponent’s movements and react quickly. Gaming monitors have a standard refresh rate of 120Hz. This means the monitors replace images at a rate of 120 frames per second.
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This refresh rate is higher than what you’ll find in most standard monitors, as they often have a refresh rate of only 60Hz. Some gaming monitors have a refresh rate of 144Hz, while premium models go as high as 480Hz.
On the other hand, response time refers to how quickly a monitor’s pixels change from one color to another; it is measured in milliseconds. A low response time is preferable in gaming because it prevents motion blur, where moving images merge to form blurs.
Gaming monitors often have a response time of three milliseconds or less, which is significantly lower than ordinary monitors, whose response times can be as high as ten milliseconds.
Reason #4: Motion Synchronization
Monitors are susceptible to a phenomenon known as screen tearing. It refers to a situation where the monitor splits into two and displays the images from one frame on top and the images of the previous or next frame below, resulting in ill-matched pictures.
The primary cause of screen tearing is a lack of synchronization between the monitor and the graphics processor of the video source. For example, your gaming desktop’s GPU may be relaying video at a refresh rate of 144Hz, while the monitor refreshes images at a rate of 120Hz.
The phenomenon can also happen in-game, whereby a game’s refresh rate fluctuates depending on the type of action happening. To resolve the issue, gaming monitor manufacturers introduced variable refresh rates (VRR).
This technology enables the monitor to synchronize with the GPU, which prevents screen tearing and video lagging. Examples of VRR technologies include NVIDIA’s G-Sync and AMD’s FreeSync.
Reason #5: Better Eye Protection
One of the primary health concerns associated with gaming is its effects on eye health. Digital screens emit blue light, an electromagnetic wave within the visible light section of the electromagnetic spectrum. When dealing with electromagnetic waves, the shorter their wavelengths, the higher their energy levels.
Blue light has the shortest wavelength and the highest energy in the visible light band of waves. That means it has the potential to cause harm to the eyes. Prolonged exposure can cause a form of eye strain called computer eye strain which is associated with symptoms like dry eyes, headaches, eye soreness, and weariness.
- 1000R curvature
- 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time
- FreeSync Premium (adaptive sync technology)
- Features HDR10
Gaming monitors help protect consumers against blue light by incorporating technologies that can filter blue light emissions. Some monitors also have settings that allow you to dictate the levels of blue light emitted.
Other technologies in gaming monitors that are meant to protect a user’s eyes include anti-glare technology and flicker-free technology, which limit exposure to screen reflections and the flickering caused by synchronization issues.
Reason #6: Higher Comfort Levels
Every gamer understands that playing one mission can easily become a campaign that can last for hours. As such, having a comfortable gaming setup allows you to step out of such long gaming sessions without issues like neck and back pain.
A gaming monitor is one of the components that contribute to a comfortable gaming station. Most gaming monitors have adjustable stands that allow users to either raise or lower the screen to ensure it is at eye level.
This circumvents situations where you have to stare up or down at the monitor. Some gaming monitors also have ultra-wide screens, which limit the need to turn your head from side to side. They also allow you to use your peripheral vision.
4 Best Gaming Monitors to Buy Today
We hope that the reasons highlighted above have convinced you to shift from standard to gaming monitors. If so, you may be wondering which gaming monitor offers the best bang for the buck. Well, here are our top recommendations.
Samsung Odyssey G7
- Rapid 240Hz refresh rate
- The curvature of the 1000R panel matches the human eye for best-in-class immersion
- Infinity Core Lighting adds a terrific visual design
- Available in both 27- and 32-inch sizes
One of the best features of the Samsung Odyssey G7 is the QLED display panel. QLED monitors utilize quantum dot technology, which uses nanocrystals to produce precise color, resulting in realistic picture quality.
This 27-inch curved monitor also has a QHD (2560 x 1440) resolution, which guarantees clearer pictures, especially at high refresh rates, as it has more closely packed pixels than an FHD monitor.
The Odyssey’s 240Hz refresh rate and the one millisecond response time also make for interesting gaming by allowing gamers to respond instantaneously to in-game events.
The high refresh rate and short response time come in handy when playing intense action-themed games. Lastly, the monitor combines adaptive technology from NVIDIA (G-Sync) and AMD (FreeSync) to eliminate screen tearing.
Asus ROG Swift PG42UQ
- 41.5” OLED with anti-glare micro-texture coating
- 138 Hz refresh rate
- Large custom heat sink for long-term performance
- 0.1ms response time
The Asus ROG Swift PG42UQ is one of the best premium gaming monitors. The 41.5-inch gaming monitor features an OLED panel, which is excellent at replicating natural colors. It also has a 4K resolution, which excels at improving image depth, clarity, and detail.
In addition, the monitor has a maximum refresh rate of 138Hz, which is, admittedly, lower than other monitors on this list, but still displays graphics with seamless motion.
While the PG42UQ has a somewhat disappointing refresh rate, it makes up for it by having an unbelievably fast response time of 0.1 milliseconds, meaning you can respond astonishingly fast to enemy ambushes.
Asus also equipped the PG42UQ with a tailor-made heat sink that guarantees up to 8% lower device temperature, boosting its lifespan. Lastly, the device has all the standard protective features to guarantee viewing comfort, including anti-glare, flicker-free, and low-blue light technology.
Dell Curved Gaming Monitor
- 144 Hz refresh rate
- 27-inch screen
- Adaptive-Sync (reduces tearing and stuttering)
- HDMI input and DisplayPort
The Dell Curved Gaming Monitor is available in 24, 27, 32, and 37 inches. Its curved screen has a vertical alignment (VA) panel for improved viewing angles. Moreover, it has a Quad HD resolution and 165Hz refresh rate that generate pictures with impressive depth and quality.
This curved monitor has a 2-millisecond gray-to-gray (GtG) response time, which is quite disappointing. However, it is substantially better than an ordinary monitor’s response time.
Lastly, Dell paired this gaming monitor with AMD’s FreeSync Premium for improved VRR functions, guaranteeing consistently high picture quality and steady video motion.
Alienware AW2524H
- 480 Hz native refresh rate
- IPS panel features sRGB 99% color coverage
- NVIDIA Reflex Latency Analyzer technology
- NVIDIA G-Sync (tear- and stutter-free gaming)
The Alienware AW2524H won the Best Innovation Award in Computer Peripherals and Accessories at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). This gaming monitor comprises a flat 24.5-inch LED display made from an in-plane switching (IPS) panel that can fit in gaming setups with limited space.
In addition, the screen produces sharp and clear images, thanks to its 1080p resolution. It also has the DisplayHDR 400, which helps the monitor process a wider range of colors and improve brightness levels.
With an unrivaled refresh rate of about 500Hz, the Alienware AW2524H processes motion seamlessly. Moreover, the AW2524H has NVIDIA’s G-Sync that prevents screen tears and stutters.
Having G-Sync also offers access to NVIDIA’s Reflex Analyzer, which measures the latency between the monitor and compatible gaming mice, allowing players to react with precision.
Conclusion
Gaming monitors offer numerous benefits over standard monitors. The high refresh rates and low response times ensure you experience every motion and get the opportunity to respond almost immediately.
Similarly, the high resolution guarantees remarkable picture quality. The size variety also means users get to pick monitors that suit their gaming setups. Ultimately, buying a gaming monitor will be a positive addition to your gaming setup.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock.com.
