Did you know that the average gamer spends more than six hours playing video games each week?
If this sounds about right (or maybe even low!) for you, then surely you understand the importance of having the right equipment for your gaming setup.
There are plenty of things you can get to help you stay comfortable and have the best experience possible while you escape to another world for a few hours each day.
One important thing to consider is your gaming monitor. There are plenty of monitor types available, but how do you determine which one you need to enhance your gaming experience?
This guide is here to help. Keep reading to learn about the specs to consider when searching for a new computer monitor.
Resolution
Whether you’re playing a new game for the first time, or you’re enjoying an old favourite, you’ll want the picture to look incredible. That’s where resolution comes into play.
Essentially, the higher the resolution, the better the picture quality. A monitor’s resolution is displayed in a numerical, width by height format, which represents the number of pixels it has.
At a minimum, you’ll want a monitor with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, but for better performance, check out 2560 x 1440 or even 3840 x 2160 options.
Display
You’ll also need to pay attention to the display when looking at monitor specs. When talking about TVs or monitors, you’ve probably heard a few display names thrown around like HD, LCD, and LED.
You may have even wondered about the difference between LCD and LED screens when shopping in the past.
Many newer monitors now come equipped with QHD or UHD displays, which provide a sharp image for the best possible picture. Looking for these options when shopping for a new monitor.
Size
How big is your current gaming setup? If you really want to feel immersed in your video game, consider getting a larger monitor. However, don’t get fooled by the common misconception that a bigger screen automatically means a better display.
When deciding on the perfect size for your monitor, you have to pay attention to the pixels per inch (ppi) number. Ideally, it should be around 109 for the best picture.
Take the specifics of your gaming setup into account when deciding on monitor size, but remember that for the most part, you’ll want something no more than 30″. This helps ensure that you can see everything on the screen while you play.
Refresh Rate
One of the most important things to consider when shopping for a gaming monitor is the refresh rate. This number is measured in hertz (Hz) and it indicates how often your monitor updates with new information.
The higher the number, the better the refresh rate, and the better gaming experience you can expect.
Generally speaking, you’ll want something with a refresh rate of at least 75 Hz. However, more serious gamers might want a monitor with a refresh rate of 144 Hz.
Panel Type
A monitor’s panel type helps determine the quality of images while gaming. There are a few different panels to choose from, including TN, IPS, and VA.
TN panels are great if you’re looking for a new monitor on a budget, however, they’re not the best option for gamers. That’s because the color reproduction on a TN panel isn’t great and the image quality is not the best when viewing at an angle.
IPS panels beat out TN panels in terms of color reproduction and viewing angles, however, they are also more expensive.
VA panels offer the best experience, particularly in terms of contrast while gaming. Keep that in mind while shopping for a new monitor.
Response Time
Similar to the refresh rate, a monitor’s response time is a number that indicates how long it takes to change pixels from black to white or from one shade of gray to another.
So, the lower the response time number, the more powerful the monitor. If you choose a monitor with a high response time, you’ll notice a blurring motion during the game, which can be distracting while trying to play.
A good response time for a gaming monitor is around 5ms, but there are lower options available that might interest you.
Ports
So far, we’ve primarily been talking about what’s on the inside of a monitor, but don’t forget about the outside. Take a look to see if there’s a variety of ports available, which can help enhance your gaming experience.
At a minimum, you’ll probably want a monitor with an HDMI port, but you might also want to look for something that comes with DVI and VGA ports as well, which gives you more flexibility for your setup.
Price
Finally, you’ll want to consider price before making your final selection. As you would before making any purchase, think about a budget you’re comfortable spending. Fortunately, there are decent gaming monitors at just about every price point.
If you’re looking for a gaming monitor on a budget, prepare to spend about $200 on a monitor that meets your needs for the right price.
If you’re looking for a mid-range monitor, when you can expect to spend about $500, depending on the factors that are most important to you.
And, if you are a serious gamer who wants the best of the best, you can expect to spend $1,000 or more, depending on the specs you choose.
Ultimately, how much you spend is up to you, and you can have a great gaming experience even with a less expensive monitor.
Choosing the Best Monitor Types
Now that you know more about the most important specs to consider, you can browse through different monitor types and choose the best one for your gaming needs. If you are playing high end pc games like the Sims 4 then gaming monitor is highly required. You can easily download sims 4 free and play it online.
Even just a small monitor upgrade can make gaming more enjoyable in the long run.
Looking for more information on gaming? Check out our other articles before you go!
