In the world of gaming, the monitor is often an underestimated piece of the puzzle. Yet, the right monitor can enhance your gaming experience in ways you might not expect. Whether you’re a competitive gamer, a casual player, or somewhere in between, a good gaming monitor can make all the difference.
But what makes a gaming monitor the best? From resolution to refresh rate, and from panel type to response time, this guide will break down all the essential elements, highlighting options like the ViewSonic XG2402 24 Inch 1080p Gaming Monitor as the best gaming monitor under 200.
Gaming Monitors
Before diving into the key features that make a gaming monitor good, it’s essential to understand the basics of monitor technology. At its core, a gaming monitor is a display device designed specifically to meet the needs of gamers. However, not all monitors are created equal, and the “good” ones have specific characteristics that make them stand out.
Resolution: The Visual Clarity
Resolution refers to the number of pixels displayed on the screen, which determines the sharpness and clarity of images. For a gaming monitor, a higher resolution means more detailed graphics.
Common resolutions include:
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1080p (Full HD)
This is the baseline for most gaming monitors, offering good image quality without putting too much strain on your hardware.
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1440p (Quad HD)
Offers a noticeable improvement in image quality over 1080p, providing sharper images while still being relatively easy to run on most gaming PCs.
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2160p (4K Ultra HD)
Provides incredibly sharp visuals, but requires a powerful gaming system to maintain high frame rates at such a high resolution.
While 1080p is still the most popular resolution among gamers due to its affordability and ease of use, the rise of 1440p and 4K gaming is undeniable. The best resolution for you depends on your system’s capabilities and how much visual fidelity you want.
Refresh Rate: Smoothness in Motion
One of the key elements in determining what makes a gaming monitor good is its refresh rate. The refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), refers to how many times per second the monitor updates with a new image. A higher refresh rate results in smoother motion, which is critical for fast-paced games such as first-person shooters (FPS) or racing games.
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60Hz
This is the standard refresh rate for most monitors, but for gaming, it’s often considered the bare minimum.
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120Hz or 144Hz
These refresh rates provide noticeably smoother gameplay and are generally considered ideal for gaming.
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240Hz or 360Hz
These are the best for competitive gamers who need every millisecond advantage in responsiveness. However, it’s worth noting that only a few top-tier games can make use of these high refresh rates.
If you play fast-paced, competitive games, a monitor with at least a 144Hz refresh rate is a must. This smoothness not only enhances the gaming experience but can also give you a competitive edge.
Response Time: Speed Matters
Response time is another critical factor in determining what makes a gaming monitor good. This refers to how quickly a pixel can change from one color to another. For gaming, a lower response time means less motion blur and ghosting during fast movements.
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1ms
This is the ideal response time for a gaming monitor, especially for competitive gaming.
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4ms
This is still acceptable for most gamers and often found in IPS monitors, which provide better color accuracy but may have slightly higher response times.
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5ms and above
While not ideal for gaming, monitors with response times in this range may still be fine for slower-paced or casual games.
For a gaming monitor to be considered good, it should have a response time of 1ms or as close to that as possible. This ensures crisp and clear motion, especially in fast-paced scenes.
Panel Type: Finding the Right Balance
Gaming monitors come with different panel types, each with its pros and cons. Choosing the right one is crucial in determining what makes a gaming monitor good for your specific needs.
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TN (Twisted Nematic) Panels
Known for their fast response times and high refresh rates, TN panels are the choice of competitive gamers. However, they tend to have poorer color reproduction and narrow viewing angles.
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IPS (In-Plane Switching) Panels
IPS panels offer superior color accuracy and wider viewing angles compared to TN panels. They are ideal for gamers who value visual quality over sheer speed, though they may have slightly higher response times.
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VA (Vertical Alignment) Panels
VA panels offer the best contrast ratios, making them ideal for gaming in dark environments. They provide better colors than TN but are slower than IPS panels in response time.
Ultimately, the best panel type depends on your gaming preferences. If you’re into competitive gaming, TN may be your best bet. If you prefer immersive, visually stunning games, IPS or VA panels are the way to go.
Advanced Features That Make a Gaming Monitor Good
Beyond the basics, advanced features can further enhance your gaming experience. These features separate good gaming monitors from great ones and are often worth the investment.
Adaptive Sync: Preventing Screen Tearing
Screen tearing occurs when the monitor displays portions of multiple frames at once, causing a disjointed, choppy image. This is where adaptive sync technologies like NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync come into play.
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NVIDIA G-Sync
Designed for monitors with NVIDIA graphics cards, G-Sync ensures that the monitor’s refresh rate matches the GPU’s output, eliminating screen tearing and minimizing input lag.
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AMD FreeSync
This performs a similar function to G-Sync but is designed for monitors with AMD GPUs. It is generally more affordable than G-Sync and offers excellent performance for AMD users.
A gaming monitor with either G-Sync or FreeSync is a good choice, as it can drastically improve the smoothness of gameplay, especially when playing graphically demanding games.
HDR: Enhanced Color and Contrast
High Dynamic Range (HDR) is a feature that enhances color accuracy and contrast, providing more lifelike visuals. While not essential for competitive gaming, HDR can greatly improve the experience of story-driven or visually rich games.
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HDR10
This is the most common form of HDR found in gaming monitors, offering better contrast and more vivid colors.
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DisplayHDR
This is a certification program by VESA that guarantees a certain level of HDR performance. Monitors with this certification provide superior HDR experiences.
If you’re into games with rich environments and stunning visuals, an HDR-compatible monitor can elevate your experience, making it one of the features that make a gaming monitor good.
Connectivity: The Right Ports
A good gaming monitor needs to have the right connectivity options to make the most of your gaming setup.
The most common types of ports you should look for include:
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HDMI 2.0 or 2.1
HDMI is the most common type of connection for gaming consoles and PCs. HDMI 2.1, in particular, allows for 4K gaming at 120Hz, making it ideal for next-gen consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X.
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DisplayPort 1.4
This is the preferred connection for PC gamers, especially those running high-refresh-rate monitors. DisplayPort 1.4 supports 1440p at 240Hz and 4K at 120Hz.
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USB-C
Some modern gaming monitors feature USB-C connectivity, which allows for fast data transfer and power delivery.
Make sure the monitor has the appropriate ports for your gaming system, as this will ensure you’re getting the best performance possible.
Monitor Size and Curvature: Immersion and Comfort
The size and shape of a gaming monitor also play a role in determining what makes a gaming monitor good. Larger monitors can provide a more immersive experience, while curved monitors can reduce eye strain and make gaming more comfortable.
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27 inches
This is considered the sweet spot for most gamers, offering a good balance between screen size and clarity.
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32 inches or larger
For gamers who want a more immersive experience, larger monitors are a great option, especially when paired with a high resolution like 1440p or 4K.
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Curved monitors
A curved screen can enhance immersion by wrapping the image around your field of vision. They are particularly good for racing or flight simulation games.
The best size and curvature depend on your personal preferences and how much space you have on your desk. However, larger, curved screens are often seen as a hallmark of what makes a gaming monitor good for an immersive experience.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, what makes a gaming monitor good is a combination of factors that work together to create an exceptional gaming experience. Key elements include a high resolution for crisp visuals, a fast refresh rate for smooth motion, and a low response time to reduce blurring during fast-paced action. The type of panel you choose—TN, IPS, or VA—will depend on your priorities, whether it be speed, color accuracy, or contrast.
Advanced features like adaptive sync technology, HDR support, and the right connectivity options also contribute to a monitor’s overall performance. Screen size and curvature can further enhance your experience, making your games more immersive and comfortable to play.
Ultimately, the best gaming monitor is one that fits your specific needs as a gamer. Whether you prioritize speed for competitive gaming or stunning visuals for immersive story-driven games, a gaming monitor should be tailored to enhance your unique style of play.
When all of these factors come together, they define what makes a gaming monitor good, ensuring you get the most out of your gaming setup.
FAQs about What Makes A Gaming Monitor Good?
What refresh rate should I look for in a gaming monitor?
The refresh rate of a gaming monitor is one of the most critical factors in determining its performance, especially for fast-paced gaming. Measured in Hertz (Hz), it indicates how many times per second the monitor refreshes the displayed image.
For casual gaming or slower-paced titles, a standard 60Hz refresh rate might be sufficient. However, for competitive gaming, especially in first-person shooters (FPS), racing games, and real-time strategy (RTS) games, higher refresh rates are essential to ensure smooth motion and responsiveness. The most common gaming monitors today offer 120Hz, 144Hz, or even 240Hz and 360Hz refresh rates. A 144Hz refresh rate is considered the sweet spot for many gamers as it provides smooth gameplay without putting excessive demands on your hardware.
Higher refresh rates such as 240Hz or 360Hz are mainly suited for professional or highly competitive gamers who need every advantage in terms of reduced input lag and enhanced responsiveness. However, it’s important to note that to fully utilize these refresh rates, your gaming rig must be capable of outputting enough frames per second (FPS) to match the monitor’s capabilities. If your system can’t handle the high FPS output, you won’t experience the full benefits of the high refresh rate. Therefore, the choice of refresh rate should balance both your gaming preferences and the power of your system.
Does response time matter for gaming?
Yes, response time is crucial in gaming, particularly in fast-paced genres like shooters or action games. Response time refers to how quickly a pixel on the monitor can change from one color to another. A lower response time results in sharper and more responsive images, particularly during fast-moving scenes.
For gaming, especially competitive gaming, a response time of 1ms is ideal as it significantly reduces the chance of motion blur or ghosting, where previous frames leave a faint trail as the screen transitions. Many TN panel monitors, known for their fast response times, achieve the coveted 1ms, making them a popular choice among esports professionals.
For more casual gamers or those playing slower-paced games, a slightly higher response time (around 4ms) may still provide a satisfactory experience, especially in monitors with superior color accuracy like IPS panels. While there is a trade-off between color quality and response time, the most important aspect is finding the balance that suits your gaming style. In general, for fast-paced gaming, a response time as close to 1ms as possible is recommended for clear, blur-free visuals.
What is the best resolution for gaming?
The best resolution for gaming largely depends on the capabilities of your gaming hardware and your preference for visual fidelity versus performance. 1080p (Full HD) is still the most common and widely used resolution for gaming monitors.
It provides a good balance of performance and image quality without requiring a high-end gaming PC to run smoothly. Most mid-range gaming systems can easily run games at 1080p with high frame rates, making it a popular choice for casual and competitive gamers alike.
However, if you’re looking for sharper, more detailed visuals, 1440p (Quad HD) is a noticeable step up in clarity and quality. It strikes an excellent balance between resolution and performance, particularly with high-refresh-rate monitors. For those with powerful systems or next-gen consoles, 4K (Ultra HD) resolution delivers incredibly detailed graphics but demands significantly more from your hardware. It’s ideal for visually immersive games but may require compromises in frame rate unless paired with a top-tier GPU. The best resolution for you will depend on your hardware and whether you prioritize high frame rates or stunning visuals.
Is G-Sync or FreeSync necessary for gaming?
While not strictly necessary, adaptive sync technologies like G-Sync (for NVIDIA GPUs) and FreeSync (for AMD GPUs) can greatly enhance your gaming experience. These technologies synchronize the monitor’s refresh rate with the frame rate output by your GPU, preventing screen tearing, where two frames are displayed at once, creating a disjointed or choppy image. This results in smoother gameplay and reduced stuttering, particularly in graphically demanding games or when your system’s frame rate fluctuates.
If you’re a competitive gamer, the difference might be night and day, especially in fast-paced games where split-second visuals matter. However, for more casual gamers or those on a budget, a monitor without these technologies might still provide a good gaming experience. The cost of a monitor with G-Sync can be higher due to its proprietary nature, but FreeSync monitors are often more affordable. Ultimately, while G-Sync or FreeSync can improve smoothness and consistency, they are not strictly required for every gamer.
What panel type is best for gaming?
The choice of panel type plays a significant role in the overall gaming experience. There are three main types: TN (Twisted Nematic), IPS (In-Plane Switching), and VA (Vertical Alignment), each with distinct advantages.
TN panels are favored by competitive gamers due to their incredibly fast response times (often 1ms) and high refresh rates. They are also generally more affordable. However, TN panels suffer from poor color reproduction and limited viewing angles, which can make them less appealing for gamers who prioritize visual quality.
IPS panels, on the other hand, are known for their superior color accuracy and wider viewing angles, making them ideal for immersive, visually rich games. They do tend to have slightly higher response times (around 4ms), but newer IPS models have closed the gap significantly with fast response times and refresh rates, making them suitable for both casual and competitive gaming.
VA panels strike a middle ground, offering better contrast ratios and deep blacks, but they often have slower response times compared to TN and IPS. The best panel type for gaming ultimately depends on whether you value speed and responsiveness or color accuracy and visual quality.
