Monitor is a crucial, yet often neglected element. This indispensable device gets overlooked the most!
The monitor is one of the most expensive pieces of a PC. Therefore, it is important to choose well by factoring it into your budget and your application. It also depreciates more slowly than the rest of the PC’s components. As technology evolves, the size, quality, and performance will improve continually, although not at the same pace as the other components. We estimate the lifespan of a monitor to be at least 4 or 5 years before it needs to be replaced. That’s why you shouldn’t hesitate to spend a few more dollars for a good monitor over a high-end processor or video card, which will need to be replaced in 18 months to enjoy the latest games.
Best Gaming Monitors – July 2016 | Handpicked by PC4U.ORG
Models
Price
Size & Panel
Resolution
Response time (G2G)
Refresh Rate
input lag
Adap.sync
Gaming Monitor above 1000 dollars
EIZO FORIS FS2735 (Recommend!)
Details on Amazon
27“ / IPS
2560×1440 (16:9)
1 ms
144Hz
0.35 ms
AMD FreeSync
Acer Predator X34 1200
Details on Amazon
34″ / IPS
3440×1440 (UltraWide Curved 21:9)
4ms
75Hz (OverClocking to 100Hz)
9.2 ms
NVIDIA G-Sync
Acer XR341CK
Details on Amazon
34″ / IPS
3440×1440 (UltraWide Curved 21:9)
4ms
75Hz
7ms
AMD FreeSync
Gaming Monitor between 500 and 1000 dollars
ASUS PG279Q (Recommend!)
Details on Amazon
27“ / IPS
2560×1440 (16:9)
4ms
144Hz (OverClocking to 165Hz)
3.25ms
NVIDIA G-Sync
Acer Predator
Details on Amazon
35″ / VA
2560×1080(UltraWide Curved 21:9)
4ms
144Hz (OverClocking to 200Hz)
7.2 ms
NVIDIA G-Sync,
Acer XB271HU
Details on Amazon
27“ / IPS
2560×1440 (16:9)
4 ms
144Hz (OverClocking to 165Hz)
N/A
NVIDIA G-Sync
BenQ XR3501
Details on Amazon
35″ /VA
2560×1080(UltraWide Curved 21:9)
4ms
144Hz
23ms
None
ASUS PG278Q
Details on Amazon
27“ / TN
2560×1440 (16:9)
1 ms
144HZ
4 ms
NVIDIA G-Sync
Acer XB280HK (Recommend!)
Details on Amazon
28“ / TN
3840 x 2160(4K)
1 ms
60HZ
N/A
NVIDIA G-Sync
Dell Gaming S2716DG (Recommend!)
Details on Amazon
27“ / TN
2560×1440 (16:9)
1 ms
144Hz
4.25 ms
NVIDIA G-Sync,
ASUS MG279Q
Details on Amazon
27“ / IPS
2560×1440
4ms
144Hz
4.05 ms
AMD FreeSync;
Acer XB270H
Details on Amazon
27“ / TN
1920×1080
1 ms
144HZ
N/A
NVIDIA G-Sync
Best Gaming Monitor between 300 and 500 dollars
ASUS MG278Q (Recommend!)
Details on Amazon
27“ / TN
2560×1440
1 ms
144Hz
9.8 ms
AMD FreeSync;
Philips 272G5DYEB
Details on Amazon
27“ / TN
1920×1080
1 ms
144HZ
4 ms
NVIDIA G-Sync
Samsung UE590 (Recommend!)
Details on Amazon
28“ / TN
3840 x 2160(4K)
1 ms
60HZ
N/A
AMD FreeSync;
BenQ XL2430T 339
Details on Amazon
24”/TN
1920×1080
1 ms
144HZ
10 ms
NONE
Best Gaming Monitor under 300 dollars
AOC G2770PQU (Recommend!)
Details on Amazon
27“ / TN
1920×1080
1 ms
144HZ
8.4ms
NONE
LG 24GM77
Details on Amazon
27“ / TN
1920×1080
1 ms
144HZ
10.3ms
NONE
BenQ RL2455HM
Details on Amazon
24“ / TN
1920×1080
1 ms
75HZ
10ms
NONE
BenQ RL2240HE
Details on Amazon
21.5” / TN
1920×1080
1 ms
60HZ
10.2ms
NONE
ViewSonic VX2252MH
Details on Amazon
21.5” / TN
1920×1080
2 ms
75HZ
N/A
NONE
Before buying a gaming monitor, you should know:
TN, IPS, or VA Panels – What’s Going to Be Your Pick for Gaming
Response Time Vs. Input Lag, how important?
Refresh Rate: Does it Matter?
Should you invest in a 144 Hz monitor?
NVIDIA G-Sync vs AMD FreeSync, what‘s the difference?
Is A 4K Monitor Worth It?
Gaming Monitor Buying Guide
TN, IPS, or VA Panels – What’s Going to Be Your Pick for Gaming
As with many things in life, nothing ever seems to be perfect. Each panel type/ technology has its own advantages and disadvantages.
CRTs provide practically no input lag and have extremely low response time, which makes them useful for competitive gaming. However, their size, resolution limits, aspect ratio restrictions, and other issues make them largely unusable in recent years.
TN panels are another good choice for competitive gamers as they support higher refresh rates (TN panels are generally from 60Hz to 144Hz, offering substantially greater fluidity of game-play with higher frequencies.), low response times, decent input lag, and high resolutions. TN panels also have the advantages of offering sharper pictures, widescreen output, lower weight, smaller physical dimensions, and higher resolutions compared to CRTs.
However, compared to other LCD panels, TN panels suffer from restricted viewing angles and worse color reproduction, which cannot be easily fixed. Ultimately, for most gamers who play somewhat competitively to very competitively, TN panels make good options. However, for those looking for a prettier and improved color experience, another panel type may be worth considering.
IPS panels solve the issues of TN panels through better color reproduction and viewing angles, but do so at the cost of refresh rate and response time. IPS panels are especially useful for those wanting a beautiful/immersive visual experience rather than highly competitive playing. PLS and AHVA are very similar to IPS. Hence, they are not usually differentiated.
VA panels provide a good middle ground with better-than-IPS refresh rates and contrast levels. However, they have worse viewing angles and color production although generally better than TN. Response times are VA’s biggest downfall, being slower than IPS, IPS variants, and TN.
What’s best for you will depend on all of these items. For those who want to play at a competitive level and favor FPS or racing games, TN panels would make the best choice. On the other hand, for those who seek more impressive and immersive experience may want to go with an IPS (or similar variant, such as PLS), especially if it involves artistic endeavors. Finally, for those who want a general monitor for work may consider a VA panel, although due to their slower response times, they would not be good for gaming.
At a glance, monitors appear as if there is nothing complicated about them other than simply to display pretty pictures. However, there’s more to a monitor than that and understanding these features will help you make the right selection.
Response Time Vs. Input Lag
Input Lag is an estimate of the gap between the time of the command that’s entered on your keyboard, controller, or the mouse and the time its response is seen on your screen. In time-reactive video games, minimal input delay is important.
Input lag, though very important, is often ignored. While playing a video game or simply using the computer system, the input lag can become an obstacle and influence the effectiveness of the performed task. This fact started attracting the press attention with the release of Playstaion 3 and Xbox 360 in the year 2005/2006 as these systems were pushing the acceptance of HDTVs in the homes. Although, the users were pleased with the improved quality that they were getting from these televisions’ resolutions and pictures, it included the shortfall of “input lag”. Thus far, many people are not aware of its existence and how it could impact the level of satisfaction with these systems
As a player of games, I can easily see the difference in a 50 and 100 milliseconds lag between the server and I. “Latency”. I could still differentiate between 20 milliseconds and 50 milliseconds servers when I was playing more. There was a huge hit in my own gaming performance when I changed my CRT monitor to the projector in my movie room. The same player, same game, but, it resulted in awful scores due to the input lag on the projectors. Thus, as opposed to some people’s view, this isn’t solely the experience or opinion of professional gamers; spectators could also detect the problem with such delays.
For a professional or casual player, an input lag time of more than 30 milliseconds is a turnoff where it is obvious, particularly in playing FPS, racing games or games that generally require swift actions. Other than internet connection, it’s found that one of the major reasons for unascertained mistakes or failures during games is high input lag. Thus, input delay time, while not being a standard measure of screen’s general performance, is pretty significant for majority of gamers. Therefore, it is added to this guide and assessment. Regardless of what level you are at as a gamer, an input lag of less than 30 ms is recommended.
Please improve your input lag for a moment
To begin with, it is not all gamers that need small input lag. It is more prominently noticeable in time-sensitive games like Planetside 2, Battlefield 4, Call of Duty, and other similar first-player shooters. For majority of other types of games, precise timing is not a necessity. There can certainly be some instances where you will need to initiate specific spell in Guild Wars 2 or WoW, the input-lag is much more tolerable than the first–player shooters.
There is a distinction between input lag and response time; the latter indicates how quick a pixel can change from black to white and return back to black on a given monitor. Manufacturers of the monitors inform you about the response time of their GTG (Gray to Gray), which can be lower than black to white. Even though the input lag is much important than the response time, a reaction period of more than 5 ms can occasionally cause ghosting effect or produce unclear images. This could influence how your game is played. Hence, you would want to take the option of a lower response time for your gaming titles.
Why Not Just One Option, Rather Than Gray to Gray OR Black to White?
The answer is simple – Money. Monitor manufacturers are aware that screen changing from black to white takes more time than going from gray to gray. Advertising the fastest option seems strategic for them as the display becomes more appealing to the user. You should not be too concerned with this estimation as long as you are making fair comparisons on displays using GTG or BTW. Manufacturers will make the statistics look more exciting with an attractive logo, something similar to this:
A monitor’s response time usually controls the extent of ghosting on a display. Ghosting is the blur you notice on your monitor, dragging along behind objects when fast scenes like action videogame such as Ninja Gaiden or a car chase is being displayed. A display with slow response time will show blurring along moving objects and can be very disturbing to human eye. It is easy to spot a game operating at 60 FPS. I used Ninja Gaiden as a reference as it is a very swift action game, involving lots of movements. It is ideal for manufacturers to report the ratings of their response time as this determines the ghosting factor which a display has. Simply ensure that you do not mistake it as input lag.
Can There Be A Tie Between Input Lag And Response Time?
To a certain extent, there could be. A pixel is considered dormant when it is in black or active when it becomes white. It means that an image needs to be visible for you to react to what is being displayed.
In summary, you should not read too much into the response time rankings as advertised by monitor manufacturers. As long as it is not mistaken as input lag (usually not advertised), I’m okay with manufacturers’ advertisements of it.
Refresh Rate: Does it Matter?
Also called frame rate, the refresh rate is a very important determinant when it comes to buying a monitor. The images shown on a monitor are individual images refreshed at a very rapid rate to give the illusion of images being in motion. Measured in Hertz (Hz), the refresh rate states the number of times the monitor refreshes the images or changes the pixels on the screen per second. The standard refresh rate is 60 Hz; it means that it will redraw the screen image 60 times per second. A monitor with 120 Hz is the best for a smooth gaming experience.
The high refresh rate is set to start at 120 Hz. Perhaps, due to the fact that it is twice that of 60 Hz refresh rate, which up to this point, has been the quality measure for flat panel monitors. Now, however, faster panels that are rated at 144 Hz and another one that I will name as spurious 240 Hz (more to that later) are on the market. Faster monitors are hitting the market everyday and I believe that bigger the number, better it is. Do you agree?
When it comes to competitive gaming, higher refresh rates are quite better. There are three clear benefits of higher refresh rates:
Even without the use of V-sync, we do have less noticeable screen tearing. Each frame stays less time on the screen and this makes any tears to be less noticeable.
When it comes to scrolling fast, there is less motion blot. However, when the scrolling action is slow, the object in sight will be left in a short-lived condition, not prolonged and dull visually. In general, we can say that this is the best type of monitors for shooter type games, where fast reflexes matter.
The response time is faster; so for this, your graphics card is ready to make good use of this opportunity.
Disadvantages of high refresh rate monitors:
Logically, not the best option for detail, immersion experience, or graphical accuracy. Unavailability of super big screen sizes ( 29 inch or higher ), low quality color rendition, low accuracy, its intensity of blackness being weak, and deficiency in consistency from one corner to another corner in comparison to a high grade IPS screens.
High costs of the screen and graphics card.
The resolution is somewhat limited. By increasing the resolution to another level, let’s say from 1920×1080 to 2560×1440, implying that the graphical work has nearly doubled with respect to affecting the refresh rates. For this reason, most monitors with high refresh rates still stick to the 1920×1080 resolution as higher resolutions are becoming more readily available.
Options for connections are limited. Almost all the graphical interfaces will need the latest edge versions to promote 120 Hz or higher refresh rates, like the Dual Link DVI (without a doubt, the remaining DVI ports won’t be able to promote 120Hz).
As for the common misconception of ‘’overkill ’’ or ‘’beyond the human capability‘’, I can assure you that they are quite untrue. Some scientists have conducted tests that indicate to the effect that individuals have the ability to detect unique images in a series of different images at around 13 milliseconds per image. That produces a frame rate close to 76 frames per second, which is slimmed down to a 72 fps to suit the 12 factor used in film (especially those of 24 fps, 48 fps, and 60 fps standards). The NTSC standards (TV shows as opposed to film) are commonly used, going by a 29.97 frame rate (this is summed up and doubled to 60 for monitors).
144 Hz monitors have been produced by multiplying 72 fps standards by 2, or the NTSC 60, which is also doubled to produce 120 Hz monitors.
Also, keep in mind that higher refresh rates are normally only available on TN panels. As such, you’ll need to take some time to consider what is more important – getting a TN panel with higher refresh rates or getting a prettier IPS display with lower refresh rates.
My advice: You shouldn’t settle for a refresh rate of less than 60 Hz, a response time of more than 5 ms, and an input lag of more than 30 ms. If you can get higher refresh rates, it would be great.
Should you invest in a 144 Hz monitor?
Higher refresh rates allow for a seamless and more comfortable gaming experience as it significantly reduces the blurring effects. 120 Hz and faster monitors optimize the viewing experience with their high refresh rates, lower input lags, better motion resolutions, and protection from screen tearing. Hence, they are favored when it comes to competitive gaming.
Today, the 144 Hz refresh rate is quite popular in the gaming industry. There is a good number of reasons for it. Most of the modern graphic cards are designed for a refresh rate of 60 Hz or higher.
A 144 Hz makes sense only if your GPU can deliver 120 fps. Only then, will you enjoy a seamless experience and the difference will be noticeable. For your hardware to deliver optimal performance, you should have a monitor that matches the capabilities of your GPU.
As far as 144Hz monitors are concerned, every gamer appreciates different attributes. For some, it is the crisp color reproduction while for other, the flawlessness performance.
The Comparison of 144Hz Gaming Monitor:
More information on Amazon
Size
Panel
Resolution
Response time (G2G)
Input Lag (G2G)
Adaptive-Sync type
Asus VG248QE
Details on Amazon
24″
TN
1920×1080
1ms
13ms
None
BenQ XL2411Z
Details on Amazon
24″
TN
1920×1080
1ms
10ms
None
AOC G2460PQU
Details on Amazon
24″
TN
1920×1080
1ms
21ms
None
AOC G2770PQU
Details on Amazon
27”
TN
1920×1080
1ms
8.5ms
None
Acer XB240H
Details on Amazon
24″
TN
1920×1080
1ms
N/A
NVIDIA G-SYNC
Acer XB270H/XB270HU
Details on Amazon
27”
TN
1920×1080/2560 x 1440
1ms
N/A/3ms
NVIDIA G-SYNC
Philips 272G5DYEB
Details on Amazon
27”
TN
1920×1080
1ms
4ms
NVIDIA G-SYNC
ASUS PG278Q
Details on Amazon
27”
TN
2560×1440
1ms
4ms
NVIDIA G-SYNC
Dell S2716DG
Details on Amazon
27”
TN
2560×1440
1ms
5ms
NVIDIA G-SYNC
Acer XB271HU
Details on Amazon
27”
IPS
2560×1440
4ms
N/A
NVIDIA G-SYNC
Acer XG270HU
Details on Amazon
27”
TN
2560×1440
1ms
5ms
AMD FreeSync
ASUS MG279Q
Details on Amazon
27”
IPS
2560×1440
4ms
4ms
AMD FreeSync
BenQ XR3501
Details on Amazon
35” /21:9
VA/Curved Ultra Wide
2560×1080
4ms
4ms
ZeroFlicker Technology
Acer X34
Details on Amazon
34”/21:9
IPS/Curved Ultra Wide
3440×1440
4ms
9.2ms
NVIDIA G-SYNC
Acer XR341CK
Details on Amazon
34”/21:9
IPS/Curved Ultra Wide
3440×1440
4ms
7ms
AMD FreeSync
NVIDIA G-Sync vs AMD FreeSync, what‘s the difference?
These two technologies were created, primarily for the monitors that are diverse in refresh rates rather than for permanent or fixed refresh rates. The solution to NVIDIA is G-Sync while the solution for AMD is FreeSync.
Generally speaking, the refresh rate of a PC monitor is fixed at 60 Hz. That is, in just one second, the display refreshes its image 60 times. The work of the graphics card for your PC is to continuously push the frames to the display unit at any speed it can. Sometimes, this can result in tearing of the screen – this means one part of the display will be showing one frame while different part of the display will be showing another frame. It may even get worse if there is a wide gap in your game’s frame rates.
G-Sync and FreeSync bring variable refresh rates into practice. When your game is rendered at 40 frames per second, the monitor will update itself at the speed of 40 frames per second. If it begins to render at 75 frames per second, your monitor will be updated in accordance to the rate of 75 frames per second. There occurs communication between the monitor and graphics processor. The refresh rate changes frequently to be the appropriate level that will match the images being sent to the display. As a result, the problem of stuttering, input lag, and tearing of the screen that result in much of the fluid images when playing PC games would be eliminated.
NVIDIA’s G-Sync and AMD’s FreeSync
The first solution that came about was the NVIDIA’ s G-Sync. This was formed around NVIDIA solution – that is, it requires a NVIDIA graphics processor which has the attributes of G-Sync and a display that supports G-Sync. All PC monitors that support G-Sync are part of the hardware modules that communicate with NVIDIA GPU. These modules can modify the display’s settings immediately.
The second solution was the AMD’s FreeSync. AMD was a solution on its own and not formed around any others. It was founded on a royalty-free industry standard called DisplayPort Adaptive-Sync. Any display that supports FreeSync does not need a related hardware module.
There is a bit of conflict in the approach here. A hardware module is the brains behind NVIDIA’s G-Sync solution while with FreeSync, a driver and firmware are used in AMD’s Radeon. NVIDIA believes that AMD’s solution may not meet the standards. ‘‘Ghosting’’ has been reported by users with respect to FreeSync displays – a situation whereby objects leave behind artifacts during movement on the screen. To some extent, most people seem to prefer NVIDIA’s solution. However, AMD’s allows for improvements and it’s somewhat inexpensive. Certainly, it would depend on your GPU – NVIDIA or AMD.
With all things considered, we can say that both technologies are perfect in delivering the best experience for gamers. We have explained in detail on many gaming monitors with installed G-Sync and FreeSync. Another point, which we should not leave out is that more monitors use AMD FreeSync than the competitors.
Other parameters:
Screen size: Gamers require various screen sizes for their games. Usually, however, bigger the screen size, the more expensive the monitors are. For us, we suggest that you go for at least 23’’ size screen. However, if you prefer much bigger screen then select a high resolution one that will suit you.
Viewing angle: This is the viewing angle from the screen’s axis of symmetry. Often varying between 120 and 160 degrees, there are vertical/horizontal viewing angles. Of course, the greater the angle, the better it is because the monitor is often viewed by the user while indirectly facing it. For most of the users who use their monitors alone, the viewing angle is not really important since their screen viewing angle is usually not an issue for them. It is more problematic for an LCD TV in a living room as there will be multiple viewers present.
Contrast: It is expressed as 600:1, for example. The higher the number, the deeper the “blacks” will appear, which is important for movie and video game lovers. The way it affects the viewing experience depends on the type of the panels, so the comparison must be made between the same types of panels.
Brightness: The brightness of the screen is expressed in cd/m². The higher the number, the brighter the screen is. This value is usually not crucial as the screens are often viewed in close distance.
Resolution: If you want the best images for sharpness and details (pixel density), you have to, at least, go for 1080 Full HD.
As for excellent image for sharpness and details, you have to choose a resolution of 1440p (WQHD).
If you are looking for an extraordinary image for sharpness and details, you need to choose a resolution of Ultra HD (4K). However, keep in mind that 4K monitors are slow and require good GPUs to make it work.
As for the gamers who yearn for the latest in sharpness, color performance, and best image quality, the monitor with a 4K resolution will be the accepted hardware which would be complemented by the RPG gamer. Please note that the GPU requirements for operating a 4K monitor are quite higher than that of the other screen resolutions.
Is A 4K Monitor Worth It?
The latest to hit the shelves are the 4K monitors. Their prices have come down drastically. You can get them starting from a few hundred dollars. Often, you can expect large savings during special sales events as the 4K monitors have become more readily available.
The 4K display resolution is the same as that of TVs at 3840 x 2160. A standard monitor has a display resolution of only 1920 x 1080; that makes it greater by four times. Almost all operating systems including Windows, Mac, Chrome OS and Linux are compatible with resolutions that are higher than 1080p. You can start using a 4K computer almost instantaneously by purchasing and simply plugging it into your PC. The only thing that you need to be aware of is whether or not your graphics card supports the high resolution.
The sharpness, clarity, and color vibrancy (pixel density) are noticeable. This is because the viewing distance between your eyes and computer monitor is normally closer than your eyes and TV screen. A 4K monitor would let you play your games in 4K on your PC. However, there are a few conditions. You need high-end, robust graphics hardware for detailed settings. This means working with multiple graphic cards that are the best quality of their kind. Additionally, not all games are designed for a 4K monitor, so the results might fall short of your expectations. As a matter of fact, you may even prefer lower-resolution with higher frames-per-second than 4K for certain games.
Is a 4K PC worth it? The answer is a Yes! If you’ve always wanted a 4K PC and have the budget, you may definitely want to invest in one. It has many benefits that justify its cost. You can enjoy its superior detailing that guarantees a good viewing experience. It also looks good. But, there is one drawback (if you consider it as one), which is that once you get a taste of the high resolution of a 4K monitor, there’s no going back to a low resolution monitor.Best Gaming Monitor Recommend: (Classification based on the price)
Our recommendations
Best Gaming Monitor under 200 dollars:
BenQ Gaming Monitor RL2455HM (Low input Lag, Best choice for the price between $150 and $200)
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.
Read More information and reviews on Amazon
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.
Read More information and reviews on Amazon
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.
Read More information and reviews on Amazon
Best Gaming Monitor under 500 dollars: (Above $200)
Acer XB270H (Most recommended, 144HZ, NVIDIA G-SYNC)
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.
Read More information and reviews on Amazon
Philips 272G5DYEB (144HZ, NVIDIA G-SYNC)
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 $650 in order to have a big-screen gaming monitor, we suggest adding an extra $150 and purchasing the Asus ROG Swift PG278Q (More information on Amazon), 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.
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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 $500 to spend, the Acer XB270H with NVidia’s G-Sync technology, would be the perfect choice. In the category of mid-size gaming monitors, this is our Editors’ Choice.
Read More information and reviews on Amazon
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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Best Gaming Monitor above 500 dollars
ASUS PG278Q ROG Swift 27-Inch Screen (Best 144Hz 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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