Gaming Monitor vs Normal Monitor –
If you’re like us, you spend a lot of time staring at your PC monitor—so, shouldn’t it be a good one? Join us as we decode the specs and cut through the jargon to help you find the best possible monitor for your needs. In this post, we will discuss whether a gaming monitor vs a normal monitor is genuinely better.
In this article, we will explain the difference between a gaming monitor vs a normal monitor and which option may be best for your needs.
Best Gaming Monitor On The Current Market –
| Product | Details | Pricing |
| 1. ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q
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Response Time: 4 ms
Resolution: 2560 x 1440
Refresh Rate: 165 Hz
Display Type: LED Backlit
Pros:
Great Picture Quality
High-Speed 1440p and 165 Hz
Cons:
Prone To Black Light Bleeding
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| 2. Acer Predator XB273K
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Response Time: 4 ms
Resolution:4K UHD 2160p
Refresh Rate: 120Hz
Display Type: IPS Backlit
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(Amazon) |
| 3. Acer XR382CQK
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(Amazon) |
Best Normal Monitor On The Current Market –
| Product | Details | Pricing |
| 1. Dell Ultrasharp U2720Q
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Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
Resolution: 3840 x 2160
Response Time: 8 ms
Display Type: LED Backlit
Pros:
Excellent ergonomics.
Good viewing angles.
HDR support.
Cons:
No VRR support.
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| 2. LG 34WK95U
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Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
Display Type: LED Backlit
Size: 34 in
|
(Amazon)(Newegg)(Adorama) |
| 3. Samsung CF791
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Refresh Rate: 100 Hz
Resolution: 3440 x 1440
Response Time: 4 ms
Display Type: QHD Ultra Wide 1440p
Pros:
|
(Amazon) |
Feature To Look For In A Gaming Monitor –
1. Panel Size And Resolution –
As we have said in many previous posts that when it comes to gaming monitors larger is always better. If you have the area size, we would say a 27-inch screen would be best. Due to providing a more significant real estate. And often offer higher resolution such as 1,920 by 1,080. As many of the newer 27-inch models are Wide, Quad High-Definition (WQHD) monitors with maximum resolutions of 2,560 by 1,440 pixels.
A higher pixel count will provide a much sharper image than Full High-Definition (FHD) monitor. Although, you will also need a more powerful graphics engine that will allow you to play the latest games at the top high resolution especially if you want to add effects also. If you don’t have the necessary desk space for a 27-inch monitor, a 24-inch monitor are also an acceptable choice, but there are limited to 1,920-by-1,080 resolution.
If you have the desk space and are willing to spending a bit more, a 30-inch ultra-High-Definition (UHD) monitor can be able to produce a stunning 3,840-by-2,160 resolution. Or you can get a 34-inch ultra-wide monitor or choosing a curved panel. (Click Here To Read Our Post On Ultrawide Monitor). These ultra wide monitors are generally equipped with a 21:9 aspect ratio. Differing from the usual 16:9 aspect ratio.
And do offer a much larger field of view opposed to standard widescreen monitors. However, be warned that they do tend to take up more space.
2. Panel Technolgy –
While there are a vast majority of display panel technologies that are used, with each having its positives and negatives. Twisted Nematic (TN) these are the cheapest and most popular within the market due to there quick fast pixel responses and refresh rates. Though they are prone to color shifting when viewed at various angles.
Vertical Alignment (VA) are best known for there high contrast ratio, robust colors, and ability to display deep blacks. However, they do often product noticeable ghosting effect. That can result in reducing performance in gaming.
In-Plane-Switching (IPS) These provide the best overall color quality, strong grey-scale performance, and wide viewing angles, though these monitors cannot match the response rate with TN panels and subject to motion artifacts.
3. Pixel Response & Refresh Rate –
As gaming monitor generally have faster pixel response and a high refresh rate. And they are commonly used with grey to grey pixel response spec. That is measured by how fast the pixel transition from grey to another color. And a low pixel response can help with have with eliminate moving images and overall higher image quality.
We would say a grey-to-grey response of 2 milliseconds or less is best, but even a 4-millisecond grey-to-grey response is typically okay for gaming.
Now as for refresh rate, this is how long it will take for the entire entier to redraw itself — commonly measured in Hertz (Hz). For most LCD monitor are equipped with 60Hz refresh rates. Which means fast-moving images may appear blurry at this refresh rate (Use The Image Above As A Model) and also may suffer from screen tearing, as this is when a monitor display piece of two (or more) screen draws at the same time.
Monitors with 120HZ or higher refresh rate, may help with things such as image blur and eliminate tearing due to there fast image refresh time. Additionally, there are other technologies with gaming monitors such as G-Sync and FreeSync that also helps reduce tearing and other motion artifacts while lowering input lag.
As monitors that are fitted with Nvidia’s G-Sync or AMD’s FreeSync allows for full control to the screen refresh rate upon the GPU. That enables the display to operate with a variable refresh rate. The result is a very smooth gaming experience with decreased input lag. However, G-Sync and FreeSync monitors require a compatible graphics card with a DisplayPort 1.2 output.
4. Video Inputs And Features –
A gaming monitor should have a vast amount of video inputs, that allow for multiple connections with things such as gaming consoles such as PS4 and Xbox Ones. Dual HDMI Ports are ideal with the majority of the console using these HDMI. With some having high-end graphics cards offer both DisplayPort and DVI connectivity.
Additionally, USB ports are also great features to have as they make it easy to connect with other devices such as gaming controllers, mice, thumb drives, and other external peripherals.
Furthermore, if you have the extra layaway, we would say to look into subwoofer as they will enhance your gaming experience and also a desktop space in order, to angle your monitor stand with height, tilt, and swivel adjustments to your preferred viewing.
(Check Out Our Post For What You Need In A Gaming Setup)
Feature To Look For In A Normal Monitor –
1. Connectivity Type –
When using a general monitor for various reason, you must act yourself first if the monitor can even connect to your computer. Thus here, are some output ports that your computer will accept and make sure your monitor features the same type of ports, here are the different types of ports.
Video Graphics Array (VGA) – VGA is a more old standard than the newer available. Thus these ports will be most noticeably found on cheaper systems and business-class laptops. Unfortanly VGA carries only a video signal—not audio.
Digital Visual Interface (DVI) – DVI are that successors of VGA ports, they are still an outdated technology though there are mostly used in monitors, desktop motherboards, and discrete graphics cards, Dual-link DVI connections, and cables support resolutions up to 2560×1600 at 60 Hertz. That’s enough for most small and mid-sized modern monitors.
High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) – If you have flats screen TV, then you most likely have had experience with HDMI ports and cables. HDMI is a digital standard that carries both audio and video—that means if your monitor includes built-in speakers or a headphone jack, there’s no need for a separate audio connection.
HDMI Ports The original standard (1.0) could handle only a maximum of 1920×1200 resolution at 60 hertz, but the latest revision (2.1) can send a massive 10,000-pixel-wide picture at 120Hz.
2. Screen Size & Aspect Ratio –
Your preferred screen size is a personal choice, although it can be a significant factor within the PC cost and performance.
- Larger monitors are often better for graphics related purpose with things such as watching or editing videos and graphics intensive video games.
- Additionally, if you perform a lot of task on your PC, a larger display can create for higher productivity.
- Although, if you don’t use your PC that much a more extensive display may not be the right choice for you.
- However, some monitors may be too big for a comfortable desk. But not a monitor above 34 inches may be a bit too big for standard PC viewing distance.
Aspect Ratio – The aspect ratio of the monitor is the ratio of the width of the screen panel compared to its height. As most monitors in today’s market have a 16:9 aspect ratio to make for ideal full-screen video viewing. A 16:10 ratio, is a bit taller and can be used for “professional” or graphics models”
16:9 is the best ideal for most users. However, there are a new category of ultrawide monitors that are becoming more popular. (Click Here To Read Our Post On Ultrawide Monitor). As these ultrawide monitors are created with the intent of multitasking with multiple program windows or a providing a super-widescreen field of view for gaming.
3. Screen Resolution –
Generally speaking, a higher resolution is better. Unfortunately, even cheaper monitors these days have at least of a resolution of 1920×1080. As for the standard format is at “1080p” and that is most standard with LCD models. Thus You generally want as much resolution as you can afford and fit in your monitor.
1280×800, 1440×900, 1600×900, 1680×1050–These types of monitors are a past technology as far as resolution standards, which are often found in small cheaper monitors.
1920×1080 – This is the standard monitor for resolution, which are mostly available at all sizes. As this is standard making it likely the same ratio as your living room,
1920×1200 – These are slightly taller than regular 1080p monitors, and tend to be more preferred, among business and graphics oriented monitors.
2560×1440 – These are higher resolution 16:9 ratio monitors, performing in 2K graphics
2560×1600 is a 16:10 variant of the 2560×1440 resolution.
3840×2160 is “4K” resolution, so called because it’s four times as sharp as 1080p.
You will also see other resolutions out there for super-premium “5K” and “8K” displays, as well as ultrawide monitor designs primarily used for gaming and media watching.
4. Panel Type & Viewing Angles –
The majority of normal monitors use two primary design types. These being Twisted Nematic (TN) and or In-plane switching (IPS). As for the difference between these two are highly technical. Although the major difference between them are LCD-TN panels are cheaper to produce and are therefore found in less expensive monitors, while LCD-IPS panels have a better color reproduction and viewing angles.
However, IPS panels end to have a slower response time thus being less practical within gaming.
Additionally, there are also newer vertical alignment LCD panels (LCD-VA). As these panels aim for having a faster response time conjoined with TN, as well as having higher-quality colors and viewing angles of IPS.
OLED panels are gaining massive popularity in technology with phones and televisions. As these panels feature perfect contrast and bright colors, these types of panels have been making way within modern monitors although being pretty expensive.
5. Refresh Rate & Contrast Ratio –
As previously stated, a monitors refresh rate describes how fast, that the screen can refresh within its image on the screen. Again, the standard for most common LCD panels are 60 hertz. Gamers tend to prefer having a faster refresh rate with this allowing for smoother, more dynamic animation and motion in games (if the PC is powerful enough to push the frame rate higher). And even some gaming monitors are able to push up to 120, 144, or even 240 hertz.
Furthermore, some higher-end gaming monitors tend to feature technology such as variable refresh rate, which means that the monitor refreshes, at the same frame rate output by your system based on the game and application. Thus, this means if your monitor renders at 50 frames per second. Your monitor would jump to different rendering speed, the monitor instantly matches it. This feature is dependent on your graphics card.
Contrast Ratio – Is the difference from light between the brightest of whites and the darkest of blacks, that your display can produce. This is a significant part in choosing a monitor, as these have higher the contrast in these two extremes, the more subtle the differences in color and value a monitor can display.
As the contrast ratio is a significant specification to not look over. Thus it’s essential in choosing an excellent qualifying display. And most manufacturers have there own in-house techniques for making the measurement. One manufacturer might claim a 30,000:1 ratio and another a 600,000:1 ratio, but when their monitors are placed side by side, you might not even notice the difference.
Many users would say to have a minimum contrast ratio of 350:1 and we would agree. Thus our recommendation would be to buy according to your needs and budget.
Finally, Which To Choose Gaming Or Normal Monitor –
Of course, there’s no single monitor that has an ideal combination of the features above (at least, not at anywhere near a reasonable price). Take a good look at the specifications of all the monitors you’re considering, weighed against their price and reviews. If at all possible, see if you can view the monitor in person at a local electronics retailer. And (Read Our Post On The Best Gaming Monitor For Console Use)