If there’s a crucial – yet often neglected – element, it’s the monitor. But this indispensable device is the one you’ll look at the most!
The monitor is one of the most expensive pieces in a PC, it is therefore important to choose it well, factoring in your budget and your usage. It also depreciates more slowly than the rest of the PC’s components. Of course, technology evolves and size, quality and performances improved continuously, but not at the same pace as the other components. We estimate the lifespan of a monitor to at least 4 or 5 years, before it needs to be changed, that’s why you shouldn’t hesitate to spend a few more dollars for a good monitor rather than a high-end processor or video card that will need to be replaced in 18 months to enjoy the latest games.
Gaming Laptop Buying Guide
LCD or CRT?
Today, CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) technology has been replaced by TFT (Liquid Crystals, LCD). Let’s recap the pros of each technology:
Pros of CRT:
No ghosting. This defect only affects “active matrix” (TFT) screens and gives the impression of a “trace” effect, especially in video games and fast-paced movies. This defect has long been LCD screens biggest issue, but not anymore; on certain recent models of reasonable size, the problem is completely unnoticeable to the user, but you need to choose the right model!
Sturdiness. Indeed, cathode ray screens are rather solid while LCD screens are very sensitive to shock, especially when you push hard against the matrix of your LCD monitor. Moreover, CRT screens aren’t subject to the flat screen “disease”: dead pixels. But CRT screens usually don’t age well.
Unlimited viewing angle. The picture is perfectly visible even when you’re not exactly facing the screen.
Better (relative) color rendering, especially deeper blacks. The difference is important for graphic designers, who should turn to CRT screens such as Trinitron or Diamondtron, which can’t be found anymore, unfortunately.
Pros of LCD:
They are much lighter and don’t take nearly as much space on a desk; this is their biggest advantage, especially for large sizes (20 inches and above). They are also more pleasing to the eye.
They use less energy, about half of the consumption of a CRT monitor of comparable size.
What’s the difference between TN, VA and IPS panels?
There are currently 4 main TFT panels’ manufacturers: Samsung, LG-Philips, AU Optronics and CMO, and they produce 3 main types of panels:
TN panels: The fastest and most economical. They are usually the most suitable for gaming, although they produce a fuzzy picture and offer narrow viewing angles. This is the most common model.
VA panels: Launched by Fujitsu, marketed under “MVA by AU Optronics, Sharp and CMO and “PVA” by Samsung, VA screens actively participated in the global improvement of LCD screens in terms of colors. These screens were so slow that they couldn’t be used by gamers playing action games (because of a low response time). Since April 2004 however, the Premium MVA 8ms panel from AU Optronics considerably improved this aspect, making this panel pretty much ideal for games.
IPS panels: IPS panels are still being supported and developed by LG-Philips and NEC. They were situated mid-way between TN and VA panels: good color rendering, adequate response time, very wide vision angles…IPS panels seem to be stagnating nowadays, while TN and VA are improving tremendously.Before you choose a monitor model, you should know the meaning of the technical specifications given by the manufacturers. Unfortunately, they often give fanciful numbers, far from their actual values; therefore, you shouldn’t compare these values to make your decision, you should study the many comparators available in the computer press or follow our buying guide (see below), we made it for you! Aside from the type of panel, the important specifications are as follows:
Other parameters:
Viewing angle: This is the viewing angle from the screen’s axis of symmetry. There is a vertical and a horizontal viewing angle, often varying between 120 and 160 degrees. Of course, the higher the angle, the better, because the monitor will be used without the user perfectly facing it. For most of the users using their monitor alone, the viewing angle is not really important since facing the screen is usually not an issue for them. It is more problematic for an LCD TV in a living room, for example.
Contrast: It is expressed as follows, for example: 600:1. The higher the number, the deeper the “blacks” will appear, which is important for movie and video game lover. The way it affects the viewing experience depends on the type of panel; comparison must be done between panels belonging to the same type.
Brightness: The brightness of the screen, expressed in cd/m². The higher the number, the brighter the screen. This value is usually not crucial, the screens being often close on this point.
Response time: This is a very important point, especially for video game and movie aficionados. The larger the panel, the longer the response time, usually. It has consequences in fast-paced video game or movie scenes, where it can leave “traces” on the screen when there is movement. This is called “remanence”. Above 24 inches, all monitors have a response time that is too important and remanence becomes obvious under certain conditions (fast-paced action games).
Best Gaming Monitor Recommend:
Price under 200 dollars:
BenQ Gaming Monitor RL2455HM
For those console gamers who are seeking a monitor with low-lag display, the BenQ RL2455HM is a great choice. The1080p display is a great complement for gamers using an Xbox or PlayStation 4; gamers will enjoy the look. It has solid construction and the monitor has some really nice customization options available. For those who demand accuracy of color, the TN panel may be a bit disappointing. This monitor is being marketed mainly towards those serious gamers who demand superior game-play response. The Smart Scaling and the black eQualizer are an indication of this monitor’s functions.
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ViewSonic VX2252MH (Best Gaming Monitor under 150)
Coming in with a fairly low price, the ViewSonic VX2252mh is a well-performing and sleek-looking monitor. Even though the built-in speakers are a little weak and the monitor does suffer from some stability issues, its performance, visually, will match and even outperform many of its competitors in the sub-$160 price range. Personally, it would be my suggestion that you wait until you have an extra $30 and then purchase the VX2452mh instead. This is the model’s 24-inch version, which allow you to receive the same efficient performance on a larger display at only a very small price increase. It has been my experience that the ViewSonic VX2252mh has actually performed up to the hype it received and I would recommend this monitor to any prospective customer.
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BenQ RL2240HE
For RTS gamers looking for an affordable monitor that is fast enough to keep up with all the action, I would suggest the BenQ RL2240HE. This monitor is missing some key features, such as USB connectivity and an adjustable stand, however, you will receive blur-free action and a smooth display due to its fast pixel response. Also, if you are a gamer who spends a great deal of time playing, ergonomics may be important, and considering the BenQ RL2460HT as an alternative, would be wise as it has a larger, 24-inch screen, an adjustable stand, and is still reasonably priced.
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The Comparison of gaming monitor at this Price Range:
BenQ Gaming Monitor RL2455HM
ViewSonic VX2252MH
BenQ RL2240HE
Screen Size
24 inch
21.5 inch
21.5 inch
Aspect Ratio
16:9
16:9
16:9
Panel Type
TN
TN
TN
Resolution
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
Display Colors
16.7 Million
16.7 Million
16.7 Million
Pixel Pitch (Smaller is Better)
0.276mm
0.248mm
0.248
Response Time (G2G)
1 ms
2 ms
1 ms
Refresh rate
75 Hz
75 Hz
60 Hz
Brightness
250 cd/m2
250 cd/m2
250 cd/㎡
Contrast Ratio
Typical: 1000:1
Dynamic: 12M:1
Typical: 1000:1
Dynamic: 50M:1
Typical: 1000:1
Dynamic: 12M:1
Viewing Angle
170° (H) / 160° (V)
170° (H) / 160° (V)
170° (H) / 160° (V)
Connectors
1 x D-sub
1 x DVI-D
2 x HDMI
1 x D-sub
1 x DVI-D
1 x HDMI
1 x D-sub
1 x DVI-D
1 x HDMI
Features
RTS Mode
Game Mode
RTS Mode
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Price between 200 and 500 dollars:
Acer XB270H (Most Recommend)
For those PC gamers who wish to keep their resolution at 1920×1080, while maintaining the variable refresh rate technology of G-Sync in order to have a smooth and worrisome-free gaming experience, the Acer XB270H will fit the bill. This monitor has been constructed well, and the TN panel has better quality than the majority of users have previously experienced with TN. When tested, it provided a 144 Hz refresh rate, when paired with nVidia’s G-Sync module. This provides a great deal of improvement in your PC gaming, when compared to a standard 1080p monitor.
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BenQ G-SYNC XL2420G
BenQ has long been known for its excellence in gaming monitors. The XL2420G is another winner from this company. The 24-inch TN panel has a 144Hz refresh rate and a 1ms (gray-to-gray) pixel response, along with its nVidia G-Sync module, which allows the graphics engine on your PC to dictate screen refresh cycles, which can eliminate stutter and screen tearing. It is a solid performer and it has more than one video input, unlike every other G-sync monitor that has been tested by us. In midsize gaming monitors, it is our top pick.
The BenQ XL2420G has a lot of things going for it. The gaming performance is outstanding, and it delivers good gray-scale reproduction along with bold colors. When this monitor is paired with a PC which is equipped with a compatible nVidia graphics engine, game play is crisp, without any other motion or screen tearing artifacts.
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BenQ XL2430T
The rock-solid BenQ XL2430T monitor comes equipped with several connectivity ports, has fast pixel response, and its ergonomic stand with its sleek looking panel, is able to maneuver into an ideal viewing position for your maximum comfort. Just like all the other monitors available in BenQ’s venerable XL line, the XL2430T as a multitude of gamer-friendly options. These include Smart Scaling, programmable hotkeys, blur reduction, along with special gaming presets. It even provides a place for you to place your headphones between your gaming play, or when you just need a breather. These special features will cost you a little extra, but it’s money well-spent if you are a serious gamer. With all that being said, if you wish to take advantage of the most recent innovations in display technology and have around $250 to spend, the BenQ XL2420G with NVidia’s G-Sync technology, would be the perfect choice. In the category of mid-size gaming monitors, this is our Editors’ Choice.
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LG Electronics Gaming 24GM77
The 24GM77 from LG is a premium gaming monitor. With the ever increasing number of monitors being manufactured in this category, LG may well have to step up its game. When you compare it to the BenQ XL2430T, with its excellent, full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels), and 24-inch TN monitor, you will find that there is very little difference between them.
The LG 24GM77 comes with a feature to reduce motion blur, called Motion 240, and is just like the feature offered with the BenQ monitors. The mechanism for this system is a continual adjustment of the intensity of the backlighting. There is a backlight scan which is inserted between each frame. This reduces image persistence and, in turn, makes moving objects appear much sharper. This difference is so dramatic, it is all most the same as gaming on a CRT monitor. There is one slight drawback with this system; when this function is activated, the maximum brightness of the screen is cut in half. So when using this monitor, you need to remember to set up your screen accordingly. You should also be aware that if your eyes are particularly sensitive, the flickering produced by the backlight scanning of the Motion 240 may possibly cause eyestrain and headaches.
However, the 24GM77 with its Motion 240 for a sharper image, accurate colors, and responsiveness, is one of the best monitors on the market for gamers. Priced more reasonably than some of its competitors, the LG screen is a good option. Even though this monitor has great qualities, it does have the look of plastic, which may give its rivals a bit of an edge.
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BenQ XL2430Z and BenQ XL2720Z
Within the gaming monitor market, the BenQ XL2430T and BenQ XL2720Z are two higher level contender. Serious gamers will be impressed with its full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels), excellent response time, low input lag, a 144 Hz refresh rate, along with its effective “Blur Reduction” mode. The out-of-the-box image settings are not quite what the serious gamer is looking for; you might even say they are distasteful. However, that can be remedied quite easily and quickly with just a few changes in the OSD.
Read More information and reviews on Amazon: BenQ XL2430T (24 inch) | BenQ XL2720Z (27 inch)
The Comparison of gaming monitor at this Price Range:
Models
Acer XB270H
BenQ XL2420G
BenQ XL2430T
AOC G2770PQU
LG 24GM77
Screen Size
27 inch
24 inch
24 inch
27 inch
24 inch
Aspect Ratio
16:9
16:9
16:9
16:9
16:9
Panel Type
TN
TN
TN
TN
TN
Resolution
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
Display Color
16.7 Million
16.7 Million
16.7 Million
16.7 Million
16.7 Million
Pixel Pitch (Smaller is Better)
0.3113mm
0.276mm
0.276mm
0.311mm
0.276mm
Response Time (G2G)
1 ms
1 ms
1 ms
1 ms
1 ms
Refresh Rate
144HZ
144HZ
144HZ
144HZ
144HZ
Brightness
300 cd/m2
350 cd/m2
250 cd/m2
300 cd/m2
350cd/m2
Contrast Ratio
Typical: 1000:1
Dynamic N/A
Typical: 1000:1
Dynamic 12m:1
Typical: 1000:1
Dynamic 12m:1
Typical: 1000:1
Dynamic 50m:1
Typical: 1000:1
Dynamic 50m:1
Viewing Angle
170° (H) / 160° (V)
170° (H) / 160° (V)
170° (H) / 160° (V)
170° (H) / 160° (V)
170° (H) / 160° (V)
Connectors
1 x DisplayPort
1 x HDMI
4 x USB3.0
1 x DisplayPort
2 x HDMI
2 x USB2.0
1 x DVI
1 x DisplayPort
2 x HDMI
2 x USB3.0
1 x DVI
1 x DisplayPort
1 x HDMI
4 x USB2.0
1 x DVI
1 x VGA
1 x DisplayPort
2 x HDMI
3 x USB3.0
1 x DVI
Features
ZeroFlicker Technology;
NVIDIA G-SYNC;
NVIDIA 3D;
Flicker-less Technology
Black eQualizer 2.0;
Motion Blur Reduction 2.0;
ZeroFlicker Technology;
NVIDIA G-SYNC;
Auto Game Mode;
Black eQualizer 2.0;
Motion Blur Reduction 2.0;
ZeroFlicker Technology
9 different display modes;
Features all the connectivity
Clear Motion 240;
Dynamic Action Sync;
Enhance Gamer Visibility;
Three Gaming Modes
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*G-SYNC™ syncs a display’s refresh rate with a GPU to eliminate tearing and reduce stuttering.
Price above 500 dollars
ASUS PG278Q ROG Swift 27-Inch Screen (Best 27 inch gaming Monitor)
The Asus ROG Swift PG278Q utilizes nVidia’s G-Sync technology built right into the monitor, giving you the best of high-resolution and smooth gaming. The TN panel is a full 27 inches with a maximum resolution of 2560 x 1440 (WQHD), a 1ms pixel response time, along with a 144Hz refresh rate, all delivering you a blur-free and sharp gaming experience. The monitor is 3D ready and comes with special gaming features, such as LED lighting effects, crosshair aiming, and even a turbo hotkey.
The PG278Q is the perfect companion monitor to any high-end gaming system. The ergonomic stand allows you to adjust the panel so you can create a viewing position that is optimal for you. Most importantly, this monitor is a strong performer. The viewing angle of this monitor could be a little wider and it only has one video input, but it does offer several features designed to aid in enhancing your gaming experience. With the features we have described, this monitor, with its gamer-friendly features and solid performance, has earned it our best recommendation for 27-inch gaming monitors.
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Eizo Foris FG2421 BK
Eizo is better known for its association with medical imaging displays and graphic design, however, recently they have begun to inject their expertise into the world of gaming monitors, through their Foris product line. Looking like a pretty classic kind of monitor, the Foris FG2421, at first glance, does not seem to be anything special, with its semi-gloss, Full HD screen (1920 x 1080 pixels). However, after taking a closer look, we were happily surprised to find a VA screen panel on this monitor. The wide viewing angles, decent response times, and high contrast, makes the VA a nice compromise between the IPS and TN screen technology that is usually found within monitors these days.
It has a motion blur-reducing system built-in to aid in reducing eye fatigue, which is caused from the eye’s persistence of vision. Called Turbo 240, this mode is based on a technique known as Pulse Width Modulation. When the screen’s refresh rate is set 120 Hz, the Turbo 240 doubles each image up to 240 Hz, and at the same time, switches the backlight off and on between every other frame. This creates an effect similar to a backlight scan found in a CRT monitor. This switching forces your eye to refocus each time it sees the black flash between each of the frames, causing movement to appear smoother and sharper.
You instantly notice how striking this effect is, and with this LCD technology, the effect is getting closer in quality to that of a CRT display. There is, however, one downside. For people who are particularly sensitive to the PWM techniques, it is possible for headaches, eye-strain, or shimmering to occur.
This monitor is perfectly suited for fast action games. This is mainly due to its 23.5″ VA screen panel, wide viewing angles, ultra-high contrast, and Turbo 240 mode. We were a little startled that Eizo hasn’t paid attention to color quality, as this is usually the strong point for this brand. The stand could use a little tweaking and a little more advanced styling. Overall though, this is still a top-quality monitor.
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Philips 272G5DYEB
The Philips 272G5DYEB uses nVidia G-Sync in its Philips Brilliance LCD Monitor. This allows you to enjoy extremely smooth gaming on a 27-inch screen, which gives you extra brightness. The experience of tearing or motion stutter can be eliminated with the 272G5’s G-Sync module, which removes those artifacts. Motion-blur and ghosting issues are taken care of by the fast refresh and pixel response rates of the panel. Even though the viewing angles may not be ideal, just like most TN models, the display’s inky blacks give a brightness to the colors. I was not impressed with the 272G5’s limited resolution of 1920 x 1080, when compared to other G-Sync, big-screen displays. If you are planning on spending $600 in order to have a big-screen gaming monitor, we suggest adding an extra $150 and purchasing the Asus ROG Swift PG278Q, which we highly recommend; you will still have a monitor that is G-Sync-enabled, but with a higher resolution (2560 x 1440), along with a handful of other gamer-friendly features.
Read More information and reviews on Amazon
The Comparison of gaming monitor at this Price Range:
Models
ASUS PG278Q
Dell Gaming S2716DG
ASUS MG278Q
Philips 272G5DYEB
EIZO FORIS FG2421
Screen Size
27 inch
27 inch
27 inch
27 inch
24 inch
Aspect Ratio
16:9
16:9
16:9
16:9
16:9
Panel Type
TN
TN
TN
TN
VA
Resolution
2560×1440
2560×1440
2560×1440
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
Display Color
16.7 Million
16.7 Million
16.7 Million
16.7 Million
16.7 Million
Pixel Pitch (Smaller is Better)
0.233mm
0.233mm
0.233mm
0.311mm
0.272 mm
Response Time (G2G)
1 ms
1 ms
1 ms
1 ms
Less than 1 ms
Refresh Rate
50~144Hz
144Hz
144Hz
144Hz
240Hz (Turbo 240 )
Brightness
350 cd/m2
350 cd/m2
350 cd/m2
300 cd/m2
400cd/m2
Contrast Ratio (Typical)
1000:1
1000:1
1000:1
1000:1
5000:1
Viewing Angle
170° (H) / 160° (V)
170° (H) / 160° (V)
170° (H) / 160° (V)
170° (H) / 160° (V)
170° (H) / 160° (V)
Connectors
1 x DisplayPort
3 x USB3.0
1 x DisplayPort
1 x HDMI
4 x USB3.0
1 x DisplayPort
2 x HDMI
2 x USB3.0
1 x DVI
1 x DisplayPort
4 x USB3.0
1 x DisplayPort
2 x HDMI
3 x USB3.0
1 x DVI
Features
NVIDIA G-Sync, NVIDIA 3D Vision 2, Ultra Low Motion Blur (ULMB);ASUS-exclusive GamePlus Technology
NVIDIA G-Sync
AMD FreeSync technology;
Ultra Low Blue Light technology;
ASUS-exclusive GamePlus technology;
ASUS GameVisual Technology
NVIDIA G-SYNC Technology;NVIDIA 3D Vision 2, Ultra Low Motion Blur (ULMB);
Turbo 240;
ScreenManager Pro;
5-year warranty(most brands.are three years)
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*G-SYNC™ syncs a display’s refresh rate with a GPU to eliminate tearing and reduce stuttering.
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