How to Pick the Best Gaming Monitor?

Now that you have finally collected enough money to buy a gaming PC, you might think it’s save to breathe out and that the monitor, keyboard and other hardware won’t require massive investment. You would breathe out and be as wrong as ever. A monitor compatible with the top PC configuration will also cost a fortune. Let’s figure out whether the true gaming palantir is worth spending much money on or you can do with the old heritage.

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A History Lesson

The oldfags remember well the times when the actual PC came together with a keyboard, monitor, mouse and speakers. Older generation must remember their computers in the office or at home, and the younger generation surely must remember that old computer which their parents bought them at the back-to-school sale. At that time no one even bothered thinking about the frequency or screen resolution. The gamers who spent hours playing Heroes-3 or some Quake didn’t care about the frame rate or response time. A good PC was the one that didn’t have any bugs and that didn’t have any obvious fps lags. At that time no one measured it yet, to say nothing of the response time.

But, as Solid Snake has once said, «War has changed», and now we all take into account the milliseconds between the mouse click and the response time when fighting in the MMORPGs and single player games. Of course, RAM, video adapter and PC are much more important, but the significance of the screen is greater than it was, say, 10 years ago.

Both the quality of image and health of your eyes (no matter how commonplace that sounds) depend on it. As for the latter, we’re talking about not simply the overall harm of the screen flickering, but about the impact different technology has on this flickering. It would also be difficult to frag a top-league player should there be a slightest delay in the image output, which happens if an old monitor is used.

The Main Characteristics of a Gaming Monitor

Nowadays the hardware market isn’t declining (although, the economic crisis has certain effect on sales, the supply is always full of new products). A salesperson in a store is likely to try and sell you the most expensive device while the online stores will offer the average good value for money items. Let’s figure out what the main characteristics and properties of a gaming monitor are so that you wouldn’t waste your money.

The Diagonal of a Monitor

This must be the first aspect to which both the customers and manufacturers pay attention. The size of the screen directly influences both the attractiveness of the monitor for gamers and the costs for the manufacturer. The following are the typical sizes of gaming monitors’ diagonals:

• 20”
• 24”
• 27”
• 30-32”

24-27” diagonals are extremely in demand on the mass market. If you feel like buying something exotic, go ahead and buy a 32” monitor, but keep in mind that your eyes won’t be physically able to grasp such width that is why you won’t be engaged in about 20% of the screen area. Each inch contributes to the increase of the price so this kind of choice isn’t the most profitable one. You can get a curved monitor as a way out.  The screen is curved just so that your eyes could grasp everything that is visible.

The Resolution and Proportions of the Screen

The second criterion of the screen size is accountable for the amount of pixels an image has. The main idea here is the more, the better, but do keep in mind the complete dependency of the productivity on the resolution.

Most of the modern media products are designed for 16:9 screen ratios which outlived the obsolete 4:3. This is a classic rectangle with which any user is sure to be familiar with. This allows not only to play comfortably but also to watch the movies in the widescreen format without having to endure the black strips on the sides. A 16:10 monitor will be a bit higher than the previous one and is suitable for working with the office applications and media editors. As for the resolutions, things are much more straightforward here:

• HD — 1366x768 pixels

This kind of resolution will neither require much input from the hardware nor will it fully release the potential of modern graphics.

• Full HD — 1920x1080 pixels

This standard requires high performance of the software and provides for the maximum output of the graphics accordingly.

• Ultra HD or 4K —2560x1440\3840x2160 pixels

This is the new generation standard. The price is incredibly high and so are the hardware requirements. Of course, a 4K monitor would have the brightest and most memorable image, but the problem with it is that neither the video game developers, nor the movie makers have yet switched to this format. It will be therefore difficult to fully release its potential within the first couple of years after the purchase.

The Type of Matrix

The matrix type influences the following parameters of the monitor:

• Color level

This means the quality of color rendered and its realism. This parameter is incredibly important mainly for photo and video processing, and it’s also handy when it comes to gaming. Each year the graphics become more and more realistic, and so the number of colors and shades is also growing. A fresh release of Battlefield won’t look very fresh on a 10 year old monitor.

• Response Time

This is the period during which a pixel’s brightness changes, which is about 2-5 milliseconds. Response time over 5 milliseconds can lead to smudged dynamic scenes.

• Contrast

Obviously, this is the ration between the brightest and the darkest pixel

• View Angle

This is the minimal distance at which various objects become visible.

Without further ado take a look at the chart listing the main characteristics of various types of matrices.

Refresh Rate

Top 7 Best Gaming Monitors Under $500

Below we’ll list the best monitors found on the market in 2016 according to our editorial staff. We can only guide you and protect from absolutely useless purchases. You’ll still have to pick the most suitable monitor by yourself, so consider your personal preferences and budget.

1. Asus VG248QE 24-inch Full HD Ergonomic Back-lit LED Gaming Monitor

This is a great choice for multiplayer shooters

ASUS VG248QE 24 - ✔ Ultra smooth action with 144Hz rapid response rate. ✔ Built-in 2W stereo speakers - Price:

Asus is known as a supplier of quality devices available at reasonable prices. What is there to be found in VG248QE (Check the current price)?

• 24” screen

• Full HD 1920x1080

• 144 Hz refresh rate

• Built-in speakers

• 1 ms response time

• DP, DVI, HDMI connectors

Considering the characteristics given, the price seems moderate. 144 Hz refresh rate will let you comfortably play online shooters without blurring. Moreover, 1 ms response time will help you literally become the main character.

 What do buyers say? 

«For those of you that wanted a 144 Hz/1ms delay monitor for a good price, this monitor does the job. At 144hz I have noticed no screen tearing and response rate is amazing. Very solid and sturdy, presets for color are awesome. Very good purchase for what your getting. Only thing that could have made it better would be G-Sync instead of FreeSync. For a $300 monitor, this has got to be the best bang for the buck I have found».

«Really notice 75hz refresh rate. This monitor is amazing! It even looks good from angles that you wouldn't even possibly look at it from. With a little adjustment to R/G/B I was able to get very bright and vibrant colors. Tilt and angle are also great. Screen can be raised pretty high with the base and the built in cable management slots are very nice. Would buy again. What a great monitor for the price».

Asus VG248QE: Check the current price

2. BenQ RL2455HM 24-Inch LED Console Gaming Monitor

This is a good option for MOBA games

This is also a Full HD monitor by BenQ but at a more affordable price. The performance is said to be a bit worse, yet the price is noticeably lower (Check the current price) (for 24”). Over 1500 customers reviews.

Characteristics:

• 24”/27” screen

• Full HD 1920x1080

• 75 Hz refresh rate

• 1 ms response time

• HDMI (2х  for 24”), HJ (headphone jack) connectors

The following information might be useful. First of all, the Black eQualizer technology makes dark scenes during the game play no longer a problem. The brightness is auto. RTS Mode is also here and it is designed to make the game play in guess-which mode more comfortable. The choice is obvious when it comes to buying a 24” monitor as the price is way too lucrative. If you’re looking for a 27” monitor, turn to other models. The only remarkable detail about the design is its curved stand.

BenQ RL2455HM: Check the current price

3. ViewSonic VX2452MH 24-Inch LED-Lit LCD Monitor

Best contrast

This is yet another cut-rate product (Check the current price).

• 24” screen

• Full HD 1920x1080

• 75 Hz refresh rate

• 2 ms response time

• HDMI, VGA, DVI connectors

The Game Mode, which is similar to Black eQualizer is available and it also solves the problem of dark gaming scenes. By the way, the contrast is the main difference between this and the previous model. It is a bit higher here, which in turn has effect on details. Both the brightest and the darkest images look fresh and juicy.

ViewSonic VX2452MH: Check the current price

4. Review Acer GN246HL Bbid 24-Inch 3D Gaming Display

Best Colors

This is 144 Hz monitor. It will be a good choice both for gaming and for editing multimedia thanks to its high contrast and refresh rate. The design is simple despite the premium niche of the Acer GN246HL. Overall, there is nothing else to ask for such a price.

• 24” screen

• Full HD 1920x1080

• 144 Hz refresh rate

• 1 ms response time

• HDMI, VGA, DVI connectors

Acer GN246HL: Check the current price

5. Acer XB240H Abpr 24-Inch Full HD NVIDIA G-SYNC Widescreen Monitor

Best Exclusive Technology

Let’s gradually move on to some more advanced models with various perks. This one has NVIDIA’s G-SYNC technology which syncs the refresh rate of a graphic processor with the analog in the monitor and thus ensures a smoother image. This is most valuable in dynamic scenes, which is why G-SYNC will be a true treasure for the fans of modern shooters.

• 24” screen

• Full HD 1920x1080

• 144 Hz refresh rate

• 1 ms response time

• HDMI, VGA, DVI connectors

Acer XB240H: Check the current price

6. Acer G257HU smidpx 25-Inch WQHD (2560 x 1440) Widescreen Monitor

A Most Cut-rate Option

This is the first monitor with 1440p resolution and an untypical 25” size. High resolution of Acer G257HU Monitor entails a longer time response of 4 ms. This will be barely suitable for the fans of eSports, but it will surely be just right for those who want to buy a WQHD monitor (Check the current price). In comparison with the 144 Hz items, dynamic scenes are constrained at the 75 Hz rate, so bear in mind that it is the WQHD that is most important here.

• 25” screen

• WQHD 2560 x 1440

• 75 Hz refresh rate

• 4 ms response time

• HDMI, DP, DVI connectors

Acer G257HU: Check the current price

7. Samsung UE590 UHD-QHD Monitor U28E590D 28-Inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor

Best 4k Gaming Monitor

Samsung U28E590D - ✔ AMD FreeSync and 1ms response time minimizes input latency ✔ An incredible 1 billion colors delivers detailed images - Price:

Samsung UE590 is a UHD (or 4k) monitor available at high price, but possessing high gaming characteristics: the response time is 1 ms and the 60 Hz refresh rate is extremely smooth, mainly because of the AMD’s FreeSync which is a better quality analog of G-SYNC for 4k.

• 28” screen

• UHD 3840 x 2160

• 60 Hz refresh rate

• 1 ms response time

• HDMI, DP, DVI connectors

As for the perks, the “eye saver” mode is available which is crucial for such size. All in all, we’ve got a great 4k monitor which will be great for online battles without having an adverse effect on the response.

 Excerpts from buyers’ reviews 

«I use the monitor for my ps4 pro, and so far it has been reliable. For a 4k monitor at this price, it's a good deal. No issues at all, the colors are vibrant, it wakes up from sleep when the computer does, the stand yes it's a bit weak, but really, who touches the monitor when you set it up? I only use headphones so the speakers weren't tested».

«Fantastic monitor for the money. Get yourself one, you won't regret it. The picture is good enough that you can tell it's 4k. The stand is normal, you can tilt the monitor up or down and there are no problems. I'm skeptical about the 1ms response time, I don't believe it. If someone could verify the 1ms response time using software, that would be helpful. Can see the screen with no problems even standing at a 30 to 40 degrees angle from the front of the monitor».

Samsung UE590: Check the current price

As a bonus...

Let’s Pick the Best Curved Gaming Monitor

We’ll show you the ultra cool monitors which are not yet available on the mass market because of their extremely high price, but are the incarnation of a gamer’s dream.

8. Acer Predator Z35 35-inch Curved Full HD

A Single Player Dream

This isn’t U, but a curved Full HD monitor (Check the current price). The design is super cool!

• 34” screen

• Full HD 2560 x 1080

• 144 Hz refresh rate

• 4 ms response time

• HDMI, DP connectors

This is a great option for playing games like Total War, where it is not your millisecond reaction that matters on the battlefield, but the way you perceive it in details. The monitor copes with this task very well, you can read all customers’ reviews to check it out.

Acer Predator Z35: Check the current price

9. BenQ XR3501 35-inch Curved Ultra Wide Gaming Monitor

An eSports Gamer’s Choice

This is a Benq model for Check the current price. The response time is great, the size is large enough and the resolution is high. Together the features will let you control the battlefield down to the tiniest detail both as a soldier and as commander. Both the price and the screen size suggest that it’s a pro monitor.

• 35” screen

• Full HD 2560 x 1080

• 144 Hz refresh rate

• 1 ms response time

• HDMI, DP connectors

BenQ XR3501: Check the current price

Gaming Monitors Comparison Chart  

	Display size, in	Screen resolution	Refresh rate, Hz	Response time	Video connectors
Asus VG248QE	24	Full HD 1920x1080	144	1 ms	DP, DVI, HDMI
BenQ RL2455HM	24	Full HD 1920x1080	75	1 ms	HDMI, HJ
ViewSonic VX2452MH	24	Full HD 1920x1080	75	2 ms	HDMI, VGA, DVI
Acer GN246HL	24	Full HD 1920x1080	144	1 ms	HDMI, VGA, DVI
Acer XB240H	24	Full HD 1920x1080	144	1 ms	HDMI, VGA, DVI
Acer G257HU	25	WQHD 2560 x 1440	75	4 ms	HDMI, DP, DVI
Samsung UE590	28	UHD 3840 x 2160	60	1 ms	HDMI, DP, DVI
Acer Predator Z35	34	Full HD 2560 x 1080	144	4 ms	HDMI, DP
BenQ XR3501	35	Full HD 2560 x 1080	144	1 ms	HDMI, DP

In general, we can’t consider our manual to be the ultimate truth as it purely reflects the editorial opinion (which is, nevertheless, well supported with the arguments). Each of the products observed is thoroughly characterized and if you use these characteristics properly, you’ll be able to find the analogs you need. Good luck!