How To Choose A Monitor For Gaming in 2021?

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that choosing the perfect gaming monitor can be a challenging task. Since different gaming monitors come with different features. As a result, any newbie gamer can go easily be confused about which monitor to pick. So if you are wondering how to choose a monitor for gaming, then I have got your back.

I will be explaining every bit of a gaming monitor to you and help you choose the right monitor for your gaming needs. So let’s just quickly get into the topic:

What are the most important features of a gaming monitor?

The market has hundreds of options to offer when it comes to a gaming monitor. For example, some monitors come with a specific panel type, refresh rate, response rate, and so on. But what are the main features that a gaming monitor should have?

Knowing a monitor’s important features would definitely help you to narrow down your search and look for monitors that specifically meet your needs.

Although, different gamers have different requirements for their gaming monitors. But these are the most essential features that you should look for in a gaming monitor:

Screen Size & Resolution.
Panel Type.
Refresh Rate.
Response Time.
G-Sync or FreeSync.
Ports.

Now you must be wondering what these things are. If you do, then let me just go ahead and explain them to you one by one:

How To Choose A Monitor For Gaming?

1. Screen Size & Resolution

When it comes to choosing a screen size of a gaming monitor, you may want go for the bigger size possible. But a large screen size is not always better. Also, you need to have a look at the pixel density.

Pixel density stands for pixel per inch ratio of a monitor’s resolution and size. It plays an essential role in determining how the image quality will look on your monitor.

For instance, if the pixel density is too high then there will be able to screen space and details. But you will need to scale the image up for small text to be large enough so you can read on.

However, a higher pixel density is not really a problem. But you need to choose if you wish sacrifice screen space for large and crispier details or not.

So the question is, which monitor size is the perfect deal for you?

Most users prefers a monitor with 27 inches of screen. They are pretty big in size also not so big that the view goes out of your sight.

So if you are going to pick up a 27 inches monitor, then you should also go for a screen resolution of 2560×1440 (WQHD). It generally offers you a pixel density of ~109 pixels per inch. So if you are interested in buying a 27″ monitor in a budget do check this list of best 27 inch monitor under $300.

Apart from 27 inches of monitor, you can go for other size and resolutions. Such as:

Screen Size	Resolution
25 inches or smaller	1920×1080
27-32 inches	2560×1440 and 3840×2160
32 inches or bigger	2560×1440 and 3840×2160
25 to 30 inches ultrawide monitor	2560×1080
34 to 35 inches ultrawide monitor	3440×1440
38 inches ultrawide monitor	3840×1600
43 inches super ultrawide monitor	3840×1200
49 inches super ultrawide monitor	5120×1440

Also, note that your GPU should be capable of handling your monitor’s resolution. Otherwise, you won’t get your desired output, and your gaming experience won’t be great.

2. Panel Type

When it comes to choosing a monitor for gaming, panel type also plays an essential role. Mainly, there are three types of panel technologies available: TN, VA, and IPS. All of these panel types have their own advantages and disadvantages.

So let me just explain to you about these monitor types one by one:

TN (Twisted Nematic)

For gaming, TN panel monitors aren’t really the most suitable option. As they have the worst color reproduction and viewing angles. This means you will not really get a natural color output from the monitor. Plus, when you look at the monitor from an angle, it will shift in contrast, color and brightness.

But yes, TN panels are pretty cheap and comes with a faster response time of only 1ms GTG or Gray To Gray. This means that the pixels will take only 1ms to change from one shade of gray to another.

VA (Vertical Alignment)

VA panels are the best when it comes to contrast ratio. They are capable of producing deep blacks for more vivid details in the shadows of the image and an overall better relation between the darkest and brightest colors.

Unfortunately, VA panels have the worst response time. Even at higher refresh rates, VA panels offer a slight ghosting effect. As a result, you may not get the best gameplay experience.

IPS (In-Plane Switching)

Lastly, there are the IPS. IPS panels come with the most accurate and consistent colors. But it lacks high contrast ratio compared to VA panels.

IPS monitors also offer you the best viewing angles. Plus, its response time and performance are also pretty great compared to the VA panels.

With an IPS monitor, you will get vibrant colors, and your image quality will not ghost in the fast paced games. However, IPS panels are pretty costly. But you can find some of the best IPS monitors for under 200 dollars.

3. Refresh Rate

For gaming, refresh rate is extremely important. As the higher refresh rate your monitor offers, the smoother gameplay you would enjoy. Just make sure that your FPS or Frames per second can keep up with it.

Refresh rate refers to the number of times a monitor refreshes the image on the screen. Most monitors come with a refresh rate of 60hz, 75hz, 144hz, 244hz, or more.

However, the 60hz or 75hz refresh rate doesn’t really offer us an edge in fast paced gaming. But refresh rate like 144hz and above offers you a more responsive and enjoyable gameplay experience.

So the suitable refresh rate would be 144hz or 240hz. And if you are interested in buying a monitor with any of these refresh rates, check the best 1440p 240hz gaming monitor or best 144hz Monitor under 200 list.

4. Response Time

Response time refers to the time it takes to shift from one color to another. This gets measured in the times it takes to go from black to white and back again to black, expressed in milliseconds (ms). However, there is also gray-to-gray (GtG) and sometimes even just black-to-white.

For gaming, the response time matters a lot. If you have a monitor with a lower response rate, then it will make a huge difference for you in gaming. Also, you will get to see effects like ghosting.

However, a monitor with a higher refresh rate is the ideal choice for anyone who suffers from eye strain and headaches. Since, the lower response time monitor excludes complex image processing.

But a monitor with a higher response time comes with image processing elements like boosted brightness or blue light filters, which protect your eyes. Plus, it helps you to get a better gaming experience.

5. G-Sync or FreeSync

In gaming monitors, you will also notice technologies like the AMD FreeSync or NVIDIA G-SYNC. Even on some monitors, you will get to see both.

Both technologies offer you a variable refresh rate. This allows your monitor to change its refresh rate dynamically. Plus, it helps in eliminating visual artifacts, screen tearing, stuttering, and other effects.

AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-SYNC technologies are based on the open standard VES Adaptive-Sync protocols in DisplayPort and HDMI.

Talking about the difference, the G-Sync offers a wider dynamic refresh range. Also, it offers you variable overdrive and minimal input lag. But monitors with G-Sync are quite costly.

Also, to enjoy these technologies, you will need to have a compatible graphics card. Since these technologies match your graphics card’s refresh rate to monitors refresh rate to prevent any kind of unwanted effects.

Final Words:

So that was the answer to your how to choose a monitor for gaming questions. I hope this has explained to you what features you really need in a gaming monitor.

However, if you wish to speed up your search, then do check this list of the best gaming monitor for cod to find gaming monitors built for completive gaming.

Anyway, if there is anything else that you wish to ask, then do feel free to comment below, and I will surely help you out.

Related Post:

How To Choose A Monitor For Gaming in 2022?