When assembling a new computer, they often firstly select a video card and processor, thinking about the monitor almost in the last place. But this is the thing that you will have to look at almost always when you are sitting at the computer. How you see the graphics of games depends on it, what impression you get from it, it is also important that vision depends on it. So when buying a gaming PC, it’s worth budgeting for a monitor of the right caliber to get the perfect build. In this article, together with Grosbill, we will analyze in detail the characteristics of a gaming monitor, taking into account the latest trends from manufacturers. Get comfortable and let’s get started!
Diagonal & Resolution
The first thing you pay attention to when choosing a monitor is its diagonal. The range from 21 to 27 inches is optimal and common, it makes no sense to take less, more is possible, but only if you are ready for it. Above 27 inches, you’ll have to move your neck a little, and the price will be much higher. The average balanced size is 24 inches, excellent impressions from the 27th inch.
When choosing, you should be aware that a balance must be struck between diagonal and resolution. The initial one with which you can take the monitor is 1920×1080 (Full HD). An image with this resolution will look good at 21-25 inches. With a large monitor in FHD resolution, the picture will be fuzzy, blurry, pixels will be noticeable due to their lower density. Therefore, when choosing a monitor from 27″ to approximately 31.5″, you need at least 2560×1440 (Quad HD). Modern video cards are quite capable of showing good FPS at this resolution. And finally, the leader among resolutions is 3840×2160 (Ultra HD), which is also 4K. Taking a 4K monitor only makes sense if you have a suitable, very powerful computer, and the monitor itself is 32 inches or larger. The price of such a monitor is correspondingly high, and the content is still not enough. By the way, the most top-end monitors can be ordered on the Grosbill website.
It should be remembered that the higher the screen resolution, the more powerful your video card must be. Additionally, you need to know that when buying a monitor with a resolution of 2K or higher, in most cases you will have to enable screen scaling in the Windows settings, otherwise the image may be too small, for example, a 27-inch monitor with a resolution of 2560×1440 will require a screen scaling of 125%.
What happens if you take a monitor with too high a resolution? Imagine that you have purchased a 27-inch 4K monitor. In this case, the content will be too small, you will have to turn on the scaling to 200%. As a result, you will get an ultra-clear image that cannot be distinguished from an image obtained at 2K resolution and a similar diagonal, but you will not have additional screen space. In addition, the video card will heat up more, and you will get fewer FPS. However, monitors in all sizes and resolutions can be purchased from the Grosbill website. Follow the pinned link!
Matrix Type
Another of the key characteristics of the monitor is its matrix. There are a lot of types of matrices, but all follow from the following:
TN matrices are the oldest and cheapest. It is not recommended to take a monitor with such a matrix. Cons: low color reproduction, small viewing angles, low maximum brightness. Of the pluses, only the shortest response time. But it’s not worth taking such a monitor because of this, take care of your eyes. The only option is to put such a monitor second, third, if you already have it, but it’s a pity to throw it away. The exception is TN monitors with a refresh rate of 200 Hz or higher, which is popular with professional players in fast-paced games.
IPS-matrices are ideal in terms of color reproduction, contrast and viewing angles – 178 degrees. Previously, they had a high response time, but now this problem is no longer there. IPS matrices have been constantly improved, various modifications have been produced. The newest type is called AH-IPS, it has improved color reproduction, resolution and PPI, increased brightness and reduced power consumption, the response time does not exceed 5-6 milliseconds. It is this type of IPS that is worth taking.
MVA / VA matrices are in the middle between TN and IPS. Plus in comparison with IPS – excellent contrast ratio, plus in comparison with TN – good viewing angles. In addition, good color reproduction and the cost is lower than that of IPS. Of the minuses – a long response time, which also grows rapidly with a decrease in the difference between the final and initial states of the pixel. So, these monitors are not very well suited for fast-paced games.
On the Grosbill website, you can find monitors with the most relevant matrices to date. Follow the pinned link!
Response Time
Response time is measured in milliseconds and indicates how long it takes the monitor to change frames. The parameter directly affects how many frames per second your monitor can display. The average on good monitors is 5 milliseconds. A higher value is fraught with the fact that the image will be blurry and leave a trail of moving objects in dynamic games. It is ideal to take a monitor with an even lower response time – 1-2 milliseconds.
Monitors with adequate response rates can be purchased from the Grosbill website!
Backlight Brightness And Contrast
Brightness is measured in candela and represents the amount of light emitted from a completely white monitor screen. The optimal value for a gaming monitor is 250-300 candela per square meter. More – you can, less – we do not recommend.
Monitor contrast can be static or dynamic. Static displays the ratio of the brightness of the darkest and brightest point on the screen. The optimal value is 1:1000. Dynamic Contrast is a marketing ploy, meaning the black level at minimum backlight (the screen is completely off) to the white level at maximum backlight (brightness at full). You can ignore this option.
On the Grosbill website, you can find monitors with optimal contrast ratios. Follow the pinned link!
Screen Refresh Rate + G-Sync / Freesync
The refresh rate refers to how many times per second the monitor completely redraws and displays an image. The higher the refresh rate, the smoother the motion. Thus, if you have a monitor with a refresh rate of 60 Hz, then you will not be able to see more than 60 FPS on the monitor. For example, if your graphics card is 300 FPS and your monitor is 60 Hz, then you will only see 60 FPS. If you have a powerful computer, then it makes sense to take a monitor with a frequency of 120 Hz and higher.
Monitors with a refresh rate of 120Hz, 144Hz, 240Hz produce smoother images. Therefore, if your video card gives out in games, respectively, 120, 144, 240 FPS or more, then it makes sense to get such a monitor.
Video card manufacturers NVIDIA and AMD have invented technologies for dynamically changing the refresh rate – G-Sync (NVIDIA) and FreeSync (AMD). These technologies allow you to change the refresh rate of the image on the monitor, depending on the rendering frame rate in computer games. Visually, this is expressed in a noticeable increase in the smoothness of movements at a rendering speed of 30 – 60 frames per second or even lower, which is typical for most modern games. They also get rid of the “tearing” that occurs when vsync is turned off.
The difference between G-SYNC and FreeSync is that the first technology from NVIDIA is paid, and the second technology from AMD is free, which means that monitors with G-SYNC are more expensive. A gaming monitor usually uses one of two technologies (and some use both), and for it to work you need to have an appropriate video card: from NVIDIA for G-SYNC or from AMD for FreeSync.
On the Grosbill website, you can order both components (from a video card to a processor) and a computer. There is already a choice here: either a stationary PC or a gaming laptop. Follow the link and choose!
Screen Cover
Glossy finish has better color reproduction and richer colors. However, when working on it, reflections and glare are clearly visible. The matte screen has an anti-reflective coating, so you won’t see the reflection and the sun shining on the monitor screen. Therefore, when choosing a monitor, evaluate where it will stand, if the sun does not shine on your monitor, then it makes sense to take a model with a glossy finish, otherwise we recommend a matte finish.
Curved Screen
One of the latest trends in the world of monitors is the curved screen. Curved monitors mimic the field of view of the human eye. Therefore, the curve of the monitor screen creates the most comfortable conditions for the eyes, which will be much less tired from prolonged sitting at the computer, which is confirmed by research conducted by the Harvard Medical School.
In addition, such a monitor has much less distortion, since they provide the same distance from the eye to any area of the monitor. Such monitors have a parameter – the radius of curvature (1800R, 4000R, 2300R, 3000R). The smaller the radius of curvature, the more the screen is concave. Since the game monitor is located next to us, the radius should be minimal. The maximum recommended distance from the monitor is the radius of curvature in millimeters. That is, if the radius is 1800R, then we should sit at a distance of no more than 1.8 meters from the monitor. In general, curved monitors have many pros and almost no cons.
However, at the moment, most curved screens are made on VA matrices, and only expensive models use IPS. If you’re on a budget, then you’ll have to choose between a curved VA screen or a flat IPS screen.
And there is another interesting point – if you change from a curved monitor to a flat one, then for some time (1-2 days), until your eyes get used to it, the flat monitor will seem convex to you, like an old kinescope TV.
Monitors of any format can be ordered from the Grosbill website. Follow the pinned link!
Framework
Bezels are not one of the main features of a monitor, but they make an important contribution to the overall aesthetic. When choosing a monitor, take a closer look at frameless options. The absence of thick panels on three sides of the image (top and sides) looks very nice and modern.
Conclusion
Before buying a monitor that will always be in front of your eye that you liked. Look at the reviews on it, read the reviews of people. After that, you can already buy. And in order not to make a mistake with the choice, go to the Grosbill website. Here are the most relevant monitors to date. Follow the pinned link!