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ASUS ROG PG278QR vs PG279Q – Gaming Monitor Comparison

Mike Jones — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 09:57:48 +0000

What the Difference Between ASUS ROG PG278QR and PG279Q Monitor?

The big difference between the ASUS ROG PG278QR and the ASUS ROG PG279Q monitor is that the PG279Q monitor has an IPS display while the PG279Q has a TN display. TN monitors have poorer viewing angles compared to IPS monitors. Apart from that, both monitors a 165Hz refresh rate, 1440p resolution, and 27-inch display size.

Asus makes some great gaming products and if you are in the market for the best 1440p gaming monitor with a high refresh rate, then you might be interested in the Asus ROG PG278QR or the PG279Q.

Both of these displays have similar specifications and choosing between the two can be a bit tricky. Here we are going to look into both and tell you which one you should pick.

On paper, both displays look pretty much the same and look the same aesthetically.

The only difference is in the type of screen that both models have. The PG279Q has a IPS display while the PG278QR features a TN panel. There are pros and cons to both.

In this comparison, we are going to cover the differences between TN and IPS displays and what you should know about it.

ASUS ROG PG279Q

Comparison winner

ASUS ROG PG278QR

Runner up

Asus ROG PG278QR vs PG279Q Monitor Comparison

The following are some basic specifications of both these displays and what you need to know about them at a glance.

Monitors	ASUS ROG PG279Q	ASUS ROG PG278QR
Resolution	2560×1440	2560×1440
Refresh Rate	165Hz	165Hz
Display Type	IPS	TN
Size	27-inches	27-inches

Now that we have gone over the basic specifications of both these screens we can go in-depth and talk about both in detail. The following is what you need to know about the PG278QR and PG279Q.

ASUS ROG PG279Q

The ASUS ROG PG279Q is the replacement for the PG278Q and comes with an IPS display which means better viewing angles and color accuracy at the expense of slightly slower response times.

The other specifications are the same. You get the 2560×1440 resolution and 165Hz refresh rate which is considered to be a sweet spot for both gaming and content creation. There are monitors on the market that offer a 240Hz refresh rate but most of them are 1080p displays while this is a 1440p monitor.

If you need the best gaming monitor which offers an impressive blend of high resolution and high refresh rate then this is the option to go for. If that is not enough then let’s go into the details of the display.

Gaming Monitor with IPS Display

ASUS ROG PG279Q

The display is beautiful and has slim bezels around the sides. The stand is robust and ergonomic and allows the display to be tilted, pivoted, swiveled and the height is adjustable as well. At the back of the display, you have a single joystick along with some hotkeys for navigation. The menus are easy to navigate and you can change different settings in the menus.

The base of the stand has the LED ring and the Asus ROG logo that lights up. It is a nice touch and looks great without getting too aggressive. The aesthetics are pretty much the same as the older model and that is a good thing in this case.

An interesting feature that this display has to offer is the Nvidia adjustable refresh rate support which allows the display to sync with games that are running between 30-165 Hz. This might not seem like a major feature on paper but once you use it, you will feel the difference. The monitor supports G-Sync, which you can use if you have an Nvidia graphics card. Note that you will need a GTX 960 or better graphics card in order to take advantage of everything that the display has to offer.

G-Sync does give you a better and smoother gaming experience even if the frame rate dips a little bit but the feature comes with additional costs. A monitor without G-Sync support will cost much lower than this one.

The ASUS ROG PG279Q is a bit expensive when compared to the older model but you do get an IPS panel rather than TN. While the price is a bit high compared to the competition, it does look much better and is a great option for competitive gamers that are not interested in ultrawide monitors.

All things considered, the ASUS ROG PG279Q is one of the best gaming monitors on the market right now. Even though it is a bit expensive, it is highly recommended and very popular. If you are looking for a great gaming experience with all the bells and whistles that you could ask for in a gaming display then this is an option that you should consider.

Pros

Cons

ASUS ROG PG278QR

ASUS ROG PG278QR is what some people would call the sweet spot for gaming. It features a resolution of 1440p and the refresh rate is 165Hz which is very impressive indeed. The display offers a pixel density of 109ppi which is great for both gaming and content creation.

I know that there are monitors on the market that offer a 240Hz refresh rate but most of them are 1080p displays while this is a 1440p monitor. As long as you are round 2 feet away from the PG278QR, you will not see individual pixels.

The build quality of the monitor is very impressive indeed but surprisingly it is very light. Usually, when you get a good quality display, it is going to be heavy but that is not the case here. The display comes assembled out of the box. The stand is very ergonomic. You can pivot and swivel the screen and the height is also adjustable.

Gaming Monitor with TN Panel Display

ASUS ROG PG278QR

The stand has a LED halo which is a nice touch but the stand is a bit big which means that you cannot place it as far back on your desk as you might want. You can mount it as well. There is a groove at the back for cable management which is another nice touch by Asus and shows that the display is well thought out.

The display has plenty of ports including DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 1.4. You also get a couple of USB ports and a headphone jack as well. There is no DVI port but that would not make any sense anyway.

The display is a TN panel which means that colors are not going to be as accurate or bright as an IPS display but it does mean that you get super-fast 1ms response time. It is safe to say that you are not going to see any kind of ghosting when using this display.

At the back of the display, you have a single joystick along with some hotkeys for navigation. The menus are easy to navigate and you can change different settings in the menus. You will need to adjust some settings in the menu and the contrast and white balance are not right but that is true for pretty much any display that you get in this price bracket. Once you have the settings sorted out, you will be good to go.

The price is a bit high but then again the specs are not that of an entry-level display. It does support G-Sync, which you can use if you have an Nvidia graphics card. You can also get the IPS screen version but that will cost you around $150 more and for some people, it might not be worth the additional money. That is why we can recommend this display.

All things considered, this is a great display for gaming and content creation. It looks good and has all the bells and whistles that you will need for gaming. 1440p 165Hz is a great combination for gaming. Just be sure that you have a powerful graphics card to back all that up. There is no HDMI 2.0 so you will need to use DisplayPort for gaming at 1440p 60 FPS and higher.

Pros

Cons

PG278QR or PG279Q: Which One Should You Pick?

Deciding between the two can be a bit tricky as both models look the same and have pretty much the same specifications. The short answer is that if you want the relatively newer model and the IPS display then you should go with the PG279Q.

On the other hand, if you are more interested in faster response times then you can go with the PG278QR. It comes with a TN panel which means slightly worse image quality but you get 1 ms response times.

We can recommend this model only if you are a competitive player. The average consumer is not going to be able to tell the difference between the two displays.

TN Vs IPS Displays

TN panels can be engineered to be quicker than IPS displays when it comes to response times so you will notice high-end TN displays marketed for gaming but you should remember that TN panels are worse when it comes to color accuracy and viewing angles. The lowest response time is 1ms and you can usually only get that on a TN panel.

An IPS panel will usually get you down to 4ms but remember that you are getting better visual quality as well. This is a trade-ff that you will have to make if you are interested in getting response times lower than 4ms.

That is why we can only recommend these if you are a competitive gamer that plays intense and fast-paced games like a first-person shooter. If you play non-competitive games that are slower or story-driven then you will hardly feel the difference between 4ms response time and 1ms.

Does Response Times Less Than 5ms Matter?

The debate is pretty much like the difference between 30 FPS and 60 FPS. Some people can hardly tell the difference and are fine gaming at 30 FPS but there are others that need to hit that 60 FPS mark. The same is the case with refresh rates. You will have to check it out on your own to see whether or not getting a higher refresh rate monitor is something that will benefit you.

As is the case with FPS, if you have been playing games at 60 FPS then you will find 30 FPS unplayable. The same is the case with refresh rates. If you have been using a 4ms monitor then you will not have the same experience when playing games using a higher refresh rate screen.

How can you see the difference? Many stores will have different displays on show. You can check out the difference in response time there. If you want to check out the difference in response time at home, then you can do that as well. If you have a TV then you can compare the gaming experience between your monitor and the TV.

TVs usually have much higher response times as compared to gaming monitors. This is not a feature that manufacturers mention but the refresh rate on a TV can be anywhere between 8-14ms if not higher.

Whatever the case is, your TVs response time will be higher than your monitor and that is how you can tell the difference. You can see whether there is a noticeable difference and whether or not you feel it. Then you can decide whether or not you should get a monitor with higher refresh rates.

Conclusion

Both the PG278QR and PG279Q look the same and have similar specifications.

The only difference is the type of screen that they offer. Both are great gaming displays and you should pick the PG279Q for the IPS screen. You should go with the PG278QR for the lower response time.

Other than that, both are great gaming displays that look amazing and are functional as well.

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What’s the Best Monitor Size for Gaming in 2020?

Mike Jones — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 16:52:17 +0000

What Is The Best Monitor Size For Gaming?

The best monitor size for gaming is 24 inches as it’s still the most common size for 1080p displays. If you are going to play games at 1080p then you should avoid getting a monitor that is bigger than 24-inches otherwise you will be able to see the individual pixels and that breaks immersion. Other than that, you can opt for a bigger display if you want to game at 1440p or 4K. Bigger displays do well if they offer higher resolutions but if you like to sit close to the screen then you should avoid getting a display that is bigger than 27-inches as it won’t be comfortable.

Remember that having a high-resolution screen that is smaller than 24-inches is a waste because you can hardly tell the difference when the display is so small.

That is one of the reasons why it is not recommended that you get a laptop with a 4K display. Speaking of laptops, you should avoid getting a screen that is smaller than 21-inches as it would not be ideal for gaming.

The importance of the size of the monitor can often be overlooked.

Monitor size plays an important role and needs to be according to the resolution and viewing distance. Here we are going to talk about the best monitor size for gaming and which size you should get depending on the resolution of your display.

Read also: Best 1440p Gaming Monitors

What is a Monitor Size and How do you Measure it

Monitor size is usually measured in inches. It is measured diagonally. A 21-inch monitor will be 21-inches from one edge to the other diagonal edge.

Is a Bigger Monitor Better for Gaming?

The best monitor size for gaming depends on the resolution that you prefer and the viewing distance. The general rule of thumb is that if you are going to be close to the display then 24-inches is enough. If you do need a bigger display or higher resolution then you can opt for a 27-inch screen but you should not go any higher than that.

If you are sticking to 1080p then 24 inches is enough. If you have a flexible budget then you can invest in a screen that has a higher refresh rate. A higher refresh rate will give you a smoother gaming experience at 1080p. This is much better than getting a bigger display at the same resolution.

If you are interested in getting a bigger display then you should opt for 1440p or 4K resolution. Anything above 27-inches would not be ideal if you are going to sit close to the display. If you are interested in getting a display that is bigger than 30-inches then you might find yourself better off getting a TV rather than a monitor.

When it comes to price to screen size, the general rule of thumb is that you can get a bigger screen when buying a TV as compared to a monitor. To give you an example, for the same amount of money, you can get a 42-inch monitor or a 55-inch TV. As content is available in 4K, both TVs and monitors offer this resolution.

Gaming monitors are not meant for an audience and that is why the maximum size is smaller as compared to TVs. You will have an easier time finding a 55-inch TV rather than a gaming monitor of the same size. It all comes to personal preference. If you want better a quality display then you should opt for a monitor but if you want a bigger display for the same amount of money then you should go with a TV instead.

If you are interested in gaming in bed or no the couch then a big TV would make sense. TVs offer better viewing angles and color accuracy which will improve immersion.

What about Ultrawide Displays?

Most monitors have an aspect ratio of 16:9. There are some that have a 16:10 aspect ratio but those are pretty rare.

Nowadays we have ultrawide displays that have an aspect ratio of 21:9. These monitors can be great for gaming especially if you have a high-resolution model. The issue appears in games that do not support these bigger displays.

Modern FPS games do not support horizontal FOV wider than 90 degrees. While this is fine for a standard monitor, it can cause stretching and image distortion on ultrawide displays. This is something that breaks immersion and just does not look good.

You should look into the compatibility of the games that you are interested in playing but the general rule of thumb is that you should not get an ultrawide monitor if you are going to play FPS games. Having a wider FOV can be seen as a competitive advantage and that would be unfair to players that do not own an ultrawide display. That is one of the reasons why developers to not support ultrawide displays when it comes to competitive titles.

To give you an example, Overwatch beta did have support for ultrawide monitors but in the final version of the game, the FOV was reduced. This killed the advantage that ultrawide users might have over regular monitor users.

Resolution recommendations for ultrawide displays are a bit different. If you are sticking to 1080p then 25-inches will be enough but if you are interested in 1440p then you should go with a 34-inch display.

You can opt for a 38-inch screen if you are interested in going with a 3940×1600 resolution.

Remember that ultrawide displays have more pixels and you will need a decent graphics card to deal with them. Make sure your graphics card will be able to handle the additional pixels before you buy an ultrawide gaming monitor.

Curved Monitors

Curved monitors introduce another dimension and also take advantage of peripheral vision.

Curved monitors enhance the level of immersion and offer a more realistic view of whatever you are looking at. The curved design also helps reduce distortion as the light is directed to the eye instead of the side of your head.

To a certain degree, the design also offers reduced glare from a window or other light source that might be close to you. Curved monitors look great and offer impressive viewing experience but this is not for everyone and you should try one before buying it.

These monitors are great and you might be asking yourself why people still use flat monitors when these are available. The simple answer is that curved monitors are more expensive. Manufacturers often charge a premium for such displays. Even if the size is the same, you will end up paying more for a curved display as compared to a flat one.

Prices are lower than before but curved monitors are still expensive.

You can expect prices to go down further as this technology becomes mainstream. While this will depend from person to person, mounting is another factor that you need to keep in mind.

A flat monitor will sit flush with the wall but that is not the case with a curved display. If you mount a curved display then the sized will be angled and you might not like that. If that is indeed the case then you would be better off with a flat display instead of a curved one.

Viewing Distance

Viewing distance is often proportionate to the size of your display.

If you have a 24-inch screen then you should sit 24-48 inches away from the display in order to get an ideal experience.

This is just a recommendation. You can opt to sit further back if you find that comfortable but sitting closer would put strain on your eyes and would not be comfortable or give you the ideal viewing experience.

Final Words

The size of the gaming monitor should be according to the resolution and view distance.

The right size also depends on whether it is an ultrawide or standard 16:9 aspect ratio display. If you are going with a standard flat monitor then 24-inches is ideal for 1080p resolution. If you are planning to get a bigger screen then you should increase the resolution to 1440p or 4K.

While a curved gaming monitor does have its advantages, they are rather expensive. If you are on a budget then you can get a flat model but if money is no object then a curved model would be much better.

An ultrawide is also great but you need to check whether the games you are interested in playing support the wider screen.

This is everything that you need to know about the ideal screen size of a gaming monitor.

Keep this information in mind when buying your next monitor and you should have an ideal experience playing gaming and consuming content.

The post What’s the Best Monitor Size for Gaming in 2020? appeared first on GamingFeature.Com.

TN vs IPS vs VA – Which Display Panel Type is Best for Gaming in 2020?

Mike Jones — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 14:59:20 +0000

Which is better TN, IPS, or IPS for Gaming?

If you’re a competitive gamer, a TN Monitor will be the best option for you. If you want eye candy, an IPS Monitor should be your first pick. VA Monitors are an okay middle ground but tend to get outperformed by the other options’ respective specialties.

Are you planning to set up your gaming PC?

If you answered yes, then you’re probably already worried about certain components such as the processor, the graphics card, and other parts in your rig.

However, if you want to have the best setup you can get for your budget, you should also pay attention to the type of gaming display you’ll be using. Here’s our take on picking the best gaming monitor for you:

What are those options, and why do we think they are great for what we recommend them for?

To have a better understanding of picks, we must first take a look at the more important factors that dictate monitor performance.

Response time – The time it takes for a monitor to render graphics based on information coming from the CPU. This is usually expressed in milliseconds (ms).
Refresh rate – How often the monitor “refreshes” the display over a fixed amount of time. Often expressed in Hertz (Hz).
Contrast ratio – A measure of how different the colors black and white are when displayed. Expressed as a typical ratio (for example: 1000:1).
Viewing angle – The maximum angle from where you can still see a clear image when viewing the monitor. Expressed in degrees and measured both vertically and horizontally.

These factors are heavily affected by the panel type found in display monitors. You get three options, TN, IPS, and VA panels. What are these three panels and how do they stack up against each other? Let’s take a closer look to find out.

What is a TN Display?

Our first option are TN or Twisted Nematic panels. These panels have been around for quite some time, being the first type of LCD panel that underwent mass production. They were the closest thing to a direct upgrade for the much older CRT monitors because it made monitors lighter, more compact, and energy-efficient. Even today, you’ll come across many gaming setups that use monitors with TN panels.

Advantages

The main advantage of TN over other options is speed; compared to other LCD panel options (and even CRT monitors), TN panels have way lower input lag and very high refresh rates. Because of these two advantages, TN panels are a favorite among gamers playing fast-paced games, where even the slightest delay between inputs and visual feedback could mean losing an intense game. TN panels usually have a refresh rate of either 60Hz or 144Hz, with the latter offering a much more fluid gaming experience. Because they are the most common option available, they also tend to be the most affordable choice, making them a favorite for low or mid-ranged gaming setups.

Ideal setup – A monitor with a TN panel must be placed squarely in front of you because the slightest angle can ruin color quality.

Perfect for – Budget builds, first-person shooters, fighting games, racing games, other fast-paced game genres.

Disadvantages

You’d think your search for a gaming monitor would stop at the first option, but you have to keep in mind that TN panels also have a few flaws that could ruin your games. For example, TN easily has the worst viewing angles. This wouldn’t normally be an issue if you find yourself just looking straight at your monitor. However, people watching beside you may already start seeing the far edges of the image “graying” out. The vertical viewing angle is even worse; if you do so much as to change the elevation of your seat or tilt your monitor up or down, you’ll likely see the discoloration almost immediately.

Are IPS Monitors Worth it?

IPS or In-Plane Switching panels are the second most popular type of panels used for different monitors. Although monitors with IPS panels are an option, most people will be familiar with IPS panels found in other screened devices such as tablets and mobile phones. In fact, IPS panel are openly advertised for these devices’ “display type”.

Advantages

IPS panels are specifically designed to make up for the shortcomings of the TN panels’ shortcomings, the most important part being the improved viewing angles. Compared to TN panels, IPS panels also have better contrast ratio and accuracy, which improves the overall visual clarity of the images displayed on the screen. Aside from being the ideal panel type for graphic artists, IPS panels are also the best choice for a gamer who values image quality over speed or those who tend to position their screen far away where the slightest shift in viewing angles would render gaming with a TN panel almost unusable.

Disadvantages

Although IPS panels are superior to TN panels when it comes to eye candy, it does perform a bit worse when it comes to speed. IPS panels are known for having longer response times, which can be awkward when playing fast-paced games because of the more noticeable input lag. As a result, those who prefer playing more competitive titles should stick to a TN panel. Last but not least, IPS panels tend to be on the more expensive side, with a 144Hz costing way more than a TN panel with a similar frequency.

Ideal setup – IPS panels can be positioned slightly farther away, making them great for playing from the couch across the living room. They also allow more leeway when it comes to viewing angles so they make great secondary (side) monitors for multi-screen setups.

Perfect for – RPGs, Turn-based games, other slow-paced games where visuals take priority over speed, Games that involve multiple players using the same screen.

What is a VA Display?

VA or Vertical Alignment panels are considered a fine compromise between the two previous panels. Va panels offer better color accuracy and viewing angles than TN panels, but they also offer faster response rates than IPS panels. Many consider VA panels as a “jack-of-all-trades” because it doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses compared to the other two panels. VA panels also sit in the middle of TN and IPS panels in terms of price.

Advantages

The main reason why you’d want to get a VA panel is the balance between latency and visual quality. Viewing angles aren’t as bad as that of TN panels while still providing fast enough response rates that many consider better than IPS panels. This makes VA panels a safe choice when you’re having trouble choosing between the first two options.

Disadvantages

While VA panels lack glaring weaknesses, it also lacks any outstanding characteristics. A VA panel can’t outperform TN when it comes to response rates, and it’s lacking compared to an IPS panel when talking about visual quality. The TN panel may be a jack-of-all-trades, but it’s also clearly a master of none.

Ideal Setup – Almost any setup that uses either TN or IPS panel will work decently with any VA panel. However, do not expect it to perform to the same level as either alternative.

Perfect for – Any games that do not require extreme response rates or visual quality.

Tips on Looking for the Right Monitor

Picking a panel type to suit your gaming needs is great, but there are other key factors that you may want to check out once you start looking for a specific monitor. Here’s a quick guide to help you find something that will fit perfectly with your setup, TN, IPS, or VA.

Pick a size – Your monitor’s size will greatly affect your gaming experience. More importantly, it will also dictate how far your monitor will be from you, possibly influencing the panel type that would work best. Smaller monitors work best with IPS panels because of the viewing angles, while larger ones are less dependent on panel type.
Resolution – Aside from the viewing angles, your monitor’s resolution will also have an effect on how detailed your images will be. 1920×1080 monitors are the most common option, but 4k or Ultra-HD monitors are also available for high-end setups.
Multi-monitor setup – For one reason or another, you may want a gaming setup that requires more than one working monitor. For this kind of setup, you’d want monitors with panels that you can view from multiple angles. Having a TN as a main monitor is fine, but you have to remember that you’ll have viewing angle problems if it’s used as a secondary display.
Other Uses – How you use your gaming setup will also dictate the panel type you’re using. If your PC is solely used for gaming, then TN monitors will suit you just fine. However, if you frequently use your PC for other tasks such as viewing movies or work (especially photo or video editing), then either an IPS or TA Monitor will be a more suitable choice.

Our Monitor Recommendations

There are hundreds of gaming monitors available on the market today. That being said, picking a specific model can be very difficult especially if you’re looking for something that will suit your specific needs.

This is why we created a list of good recommendations, tried and tested by us and other gamers to make sure you start your search right.

Cheap TN Gaming Monitor

TN Monitor - ASUS VG248QE

When it comes to fast-paced 1080p gaming, few can come close to the VG248QE, made by well-known computer parts manufacturer ASUS, this 24-inch monitor is more than capable of providing you crisp HD images the best way a TN monitor can without drilling a hole in your pocket. Of course, it still has the lackluster viewing angle of TN panels, but having a 144Hz monitor with only 1ms response time for a very affordable price more than makes up for that drawback.

Specification

144Hz Refresh Rate

TN Monitor - MSI Optix MAG271CR

If you want something a bit bigger than the first option, MSI has something worth checking out. Sure, it stretches out the resolution by a few inches, but for some gamers where a larger screen means easier target-spotting, this could be a good thing. Furthermore, you still get 144Hz and near-instantaneous response times for a very reasonable price.

Specification

Ultrawide Curved QHD Monitor

IPS Monitor - BenQ EX3501R

Gaming at 21:9 (ultra wide) ratio gives you a good panoramic view of different gaming environments, and that’s exactly what this IPS monitor is great for capturing visually impressive gaming worlds in the best 1440p gaming monitor (HDR) resolution. If you don’t mind having “only” 100Hz and a delay of 4ms, it’s the ideal high-resolution option even for competitive gamers. However, keep in mind that this option costs more than an entire mid-range GPU so you better prepare your wallet.

Specification

Gaming Monitor 4K UHD

IPS Monitor - Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ

There’s no such thing as an “ultimate” gaming monitor, but this 27-inch beast comes close to the description. Displaying Ultra-HD images at 144Hz, many consider it to be one of the most powerful IPS gaming monitors available today. What’s the catch? You probably need a powerful CPU to be able to get the most out of it. This monitor also happens to be one of the most expensive options out there, but that’s to be expected for something that performs so well.

Specification

Curved Gaming Monitor

VA Monitor - Samsung C27FG70

The C27FG70 brings you the all-around performance of VA panels to a 24-inch curved screen. What really makes it an appealing option is its ergonomic arm, making it easy to adjust the monitor so you can get the best viewing angle possible. VA monitors rarely stand out, but if you insist on looking for a great example for a workhorse/gaming setup, then this should be at the top of your list.

Specification

That wraps up our take on the different types of gaming panels! We hope this will help you pick the ideal gaming monitor for your gaming setup!

The post TN vs IPS vs VA – Which Display Panel Type is Best for Gaming in 2020? appeared first on GamingFeature.Com.

60Hz vs 144Hz Gaming Monitor Comparison – Is it Worth the Upgrade?

Mike Jones — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 11:10:36 +0000

Is 60hz refresh rate good for gaming?

The standard monitor offers a 60 Hz refresh rate but 144Hz has slowly become the new standard for gaming especially of competitive online titles. While 60Hz displays are fine for story-driven games that do not have a lot of fast-paced action, they are slower for some people who like smooth gameplay and better response times.

Here we are going to talk about the difference between the two and whether or not you should upgrade to 144Hz refresh rate is you already have a 60Hz display. If you are here then chances are that you have been using a 60 Hz display all your life.

If that is indeed the case then it is difficult to explain the difference and it is really something that you should experience first-hand but we will try our best to get the point across.

60hz vs 144hz for Gaming

A 60Hz monitor refreshes 60 times in a second while a 144Hz monitor refreshed 144 times in a second. This means that 144Hz monitor offers smoother gameplay and better response time. It also means that when you are moving the camera around quickly the motion blur is better and the textures are much better as compared to a 60Hz monitor. This comes in handy when you are playing competitive games in which every second counts.

The same cannot be said if you are watching a movie or browsing the web. Movies run at 24 FPS so having a higher refresh rate monitor will have no effect. Remember that refresh rates and frame rates are two different things and that they can mismatch. If that happens then you will notice screen tearing. This happens when the graphics card is pushing more frames than the refresh rate of the monitor.

The monitor cannot handle so many frames at a time and that is why half frames can be spotted at times. This breaks immersion and is not something that you want when gaming. A 144Hz monitor refreshes more than twice as fast compared to a 60 Hz monitor and can handle 144 FPS.

Pros and Cons

While the quality of the image will not improve, the fluidity will. Gamers that use 144Hz monitors are able to react to an action much faster and that can be the difference between a win and a loss in competitive games. The difference might not be clear at first but you will get used to appreciating the higher refresh rate with the passage of time.

A 144Hz monitor is able to send more information to your eyes and reduced motion blur in games. A 60Hz display can refresh the image every 16th ms. This means that the information you have on the screen can be up to 16ms old. A 144Hz monitor can refresh the image on the screen every 8th ms. This means that the 144Hz monitor is much faster and what you see on screen is accurate.

While having a smoother gaming experience is great, something that you need to keep in mind is that your graphics card needs to be able to deliver 144 FPS otherwise it will not be worth it. Most multiplayer online games like Call of Duty, Overwatch and CS: GO are not graphics intensive and will run just fine but other games like PUBG and WoW will not run at 144 PFS unless you have some serious hardware.

This is something that you need to keep in mind when in the market for a high refresh rate monitor. If your graphics card is unable to keep up with the refresh rate of the display then you are not making the most out of your monitor. These monitors are not cheap and if you have to upgrade your hardware in order to get the most out of them, then that is an additional cost that you need to factor in.

144Hz monitors have been around for a while and this has become the standard for high-end gaming but you will notice that manufacturers do charge a premium for the high refresh rate and that these monitors are expensive as compared to 60Hz displays. So, the price is another factor that you need to keep in mind.

It is also worth mentioning that while you will have a better experience playing games, movies will not take advantage of this feature because they run at 24 FPS. While we’re talking about games, check out this guide on how to make a game app.

Can you see a difference?

The biggest argument against higher refresh rate monitors is that the eye can only see a limited number of frames per second and that getting higher refresh rate monitors is a waste of money but that is not the case. Eyes do not work like monitors and hence it is not accurate to say that. People that have played games on 144Hz displays will tell you that there is indeed a clear difference and that you should upgrade if you can.

Moving from a 144Hz display to a 60Hz monitor appears to be slow and sluggish which is also proof that there is a difference and not only can you see it, you can feel it too.

If you are reading this on a PC then try moving your mouse around in a circle on the screen at a steady speed. You will notice that it appears as if you have multiple cursors on your screen at the same time. Chances are that you are using a 60 Hz monitor. Check the number of cursors that you see on the screen.

If you do the same test on a 144Hz monitor then you will get twice the number of visible cursors. If you do the same test on a 240 Hz monitor then you will notice up to 4 times the number of cursors on your screen.

This is because a 60Hz screen can only update every 0.01667 seconds. On a 240Hz display, the screen can update every 0.004167 seconds. This means that during the same amount of time the 240Hz monitor is able to deliver 4 times the information on the screen as compared to a regular 60 Hz display.

How does that translate into gaming?

It means that you have much smaller jumps and that you have more information on the screen during a certain amount of time. This means that the gameplay with be smoother. If you are playing an FPS game and flick the sniper scope in order to take a shot, on a 60Hz display you might be able to see 5 frames at most but on a 240 Hz display, you will see up to 20 frames.

The additional information gives you additional accuracy and on paper higher refresh rates monitors can make you a better gamer but this will depend on whether or not your reflexes are fast enough to take advantage of the higher refresh rate.

What should I pick?

The answer depends on what you are planning to do with the monitor. What kinds of games are you going to be playing and what kind of hardware do you have?

If you play a lot of competitive titles then the high refresh rate will give you an advantage. On paper, these monitors do make you a better gamer but it depends on whether or not your reflexes are fast enough.

If you play games that do not have fast-paced action, which are story-based then the monitors will do you no good and you will have a better time investing in a higher resolution monitor instead. Story-based games will look even better at 1440p or 4K and invested in a high refresh rate monitor, in this case, would be a waste of money.

The other factor that you might want to take into consideration is the hardware that you need in order to get 144 FPS. Keep in mind that you will not be able to hit that number in most games. Modern AAA games are very demanding and you will need some serious hardware in order to get to 144 FPS. If you play lighter games like Overwatch and LoL then you should consider getting a 144Hz monitor but if not then it might not be for you.

If money is no object and you can upgrade your hardware in order to keep up with these games then this is an option that is available for you and you should check it out. Getting the best gaming experience possible does come at a cost and at the end of the day the experience is only going to be as good as the money you put into it.

All things considered, we can only truly recommend 144Hz displays to people that play competitive titles and need that extra edge when it comes to gameplay. If you are not one of those people then this might not be the best investment for you.

The post 60Hz vs 144Hz Gaming Monitor Comparison – Is it Worth the Upgrade? appeared first on GamingFeature.Com.

Best 1440p Gaming Monitors in 2020

Mike Jones — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 11:47:13 +0000

Choosing a 1440p gaming monitor can be an issue due to the fact that there are plenty of monitors out there that offer higher resolution. But are they suitable for gaming?

The bright side is that 1440p gaming monitors are getting cheaper, so the barrier to entry is lower than before.

If you have confused regarding which 1440p monitor is the most suitable for you, then you need not worry. Here we have are going to review some of the best 1440p gaming monitors available on the market today.

Before we get into that, here are a comparison of all the monitors we’re going to checkout. So you don’t have to when you are in the market for a new 1440p display.

Best Overall

Acer Predator XB271HU

Premium Pick

ASUS ROG PG279Q

Budget Pick

Acer G257HU

Top Rated 1440p Monitors For Gaming Comparison Table

The following are the 1440p gaming monitors that we are going to look into and some specifications that you might be interested in:

Monitor Name	Refresh Rate	Response Time
Acer Predator XB271HU	144 Hz	4 ms	Check Price
ASUS ROG SWIFT PG279Q	165 Hz	5 ms	Check Price
Acer G257HU	60 Hz	4 ms	Check Price
ASUS PB278Q	60 Hz	4.8 ms	Check Price
Dell S2719DGF	144 Hz	1 ms	Check Price
AOC Q2778VQE	60 Hz	5ms	Check Price
BenQ ZOWIE XL2740	144 Hz	1 ms	Check Price
Acer Curved XR341CK	144 Hz	4 ms	Check Price
VIOTEK GN27D	GN27D	4.8 ms	Check Price
Samsung C32HG70 QLED	144 Hz	1ms	Check Price

The Best 1440p Gaming Monitors in 2020

1. Acer Predator XB271HU – Best 1440p Gaming Monitor

The Acer Predator XB271HU has a slim design, which is something that all gamers can appreciate. The 27-inch display has a 16:9 aspect ratio. It comes with Nvidia G-Sync technology which reduces screen tearing.

Most Value for the money

Acer Predator XB271HU

The Acer Predator XB271HU offers plenty of features that you do not get on your average monitor. If you are willing to pay a premium for a better gaming experience then you should consider getting this display.

Key features:

This monitor has a 144 Hz refresh rate. However, the refresh rate can be overclocked to 165Hz by using a display port which enhances a smooth gaming experience even further.
Has Flicker-less technology included that reduces annoying screen flickering, keeping your eyes protected.
The IPS panel in this gaming monitor enhance the color accuracy from different viewing angles, and with a great response time of 4ms, you will ultimately get immersed in the gaming world.

Pros

Cons

2. ASUS ROG SWIFT PG279Q – Premium 1440p Gaming Monitor

ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q monitor has been designed for gamers and that’s pretty obvious once you have had a good look at it. The 27’’ display has very thin bezels which are great for immersion.

ASUS eye care technology offers a TUV certified flicker-free screen combined with a blue filter for reducing eye fatigue. The display offers a 165 Hz refresh rate which means that you will get a much smoother experience when playing games.

Our Pick for 1440p Gaming Monitor

ASUS ROG SWIFT PG279Q

The ASUS ROG gaming monitor has got plenty of features which is something that you expect from ASUS. If you are willing to pay a premium for these additional features then this is a great gaming monitor for you.

This is an IPS panel so you will get the deep black and vibrant colors. The monitor also comes with Nvidia G-Sync technology which reduces screen tearing.

Key Features:

This 1440p gaming monitor has got a sizeable 27-inch size display with a thin bezel design. A great balance of screen size and resolution for an excellent gaming experience.
ASUS gaming monitors come with eye care technology. This tech offers a TUV certified flicker-free screen combined with a blue filter for less eye fatigue.
Got an IPS panel for immersive bright colors with a reasonable response rate.

Pros

Cons

3. Acer G257HU – Budget 1440p Gaming Monitor

The Acer G257HU is one of the most immeasurable 1440p monitors available on the market right now. It has a slim and sleek design. The 25″ display has a resolution of 2560×1440 and runs at 60 Hz. For input, you have DVI and HDMI ports. The display offers 4ms response time. The display also has a low power consumption feature.

Our Budget Pick

Acer G257HU

The Acer G257HU is one of the best gaming monitors. The price is pretty reasonable keeping in mind that you are getting a very slim display that is not only functional but also looks good. If that is something that you want then you should order one now.

Key features:

This monitor has got a stunning 25″ display with a 2560×1440 resolution.
Comes with good compatibility options as well. Both DVI and HDMI input, you can easily power it up with a console or any other compatible device.
Got a 60 Hz refresh rate.
The rapid 4 ms response time reduces deviation in transition time so that it can deliver quality moving images.

Pros

Cons

4. ASUS PB278Q

The ASUS PB278Q a budget 1440p gaming monitor which is very popular amongst gamers. The 27-inch display has got a 16:9 aspect ratio with 100% sRGB colors and a 178° wide viewing angle.

Cheap 1440p Monitor

ASUS PB278Q

Asus PB278Q is an inexpensive 1440p monitor that might not come with all the bells and whistles but it still manages to check most of the boxes. If you are on a budget and want to get a 1440p gaming monitor then this is a great option to consider.

ASUS eye care technology offers a TUV certified flicker-free screen combined with a blue filter for reducing eye fatigue. For input, you have DVI and HDMI ports.

Key features:

Various connectivity options with the inclusion of display port, HDMI port, and a dual-link DVI port as well.
Video intelligence technology with an exclusive ASUS QuickFit gives more life-like visuals as compared to other monitors.
There are two stereo speakers available on each side of the monitor, respectively. However, they are not much of use due to its lousy speaker quality.

Pros

Affordable price
60Hz Refresh rate
Ergonomic design.
IPS panel
Eye-care technology
Flicker-free screen

Cons

5. Dell S2719DGF

Dell has introduced the brand-new Gaming S2716DGR monitor. The 26-inch display has a 16:9 aspect ratio and comes with Nvidia G-Sync technology. The 144 Hz refresh rate ensures a smooth gaming experience.

The only downside is that the monitor uses a TN panel rather than an IPS panel.

Dell S2719DGF

Dell gaming S2716DGR uses a TN panel and that might not offer the best colors but it does reduce the price. If you are on a budget and are willing to make that compromise then you should go for it.

Key features:

Has an adjustable stand that can be adjusted according to the needs.

Pros

Cons

6. AOC Q2778VQE

The AOC Q2778VQE is very popular in the gaming space because it’s so cheap. The display comes with a 2mm ultra-narrow bezel design. This is an IPS panel so you will get those deep blacks and vibrant colors

AOC Q2778VQE

AOC might not be a popular brand but the AOC Q2778VQE has got a lot of praise from enthusiasts. If you are not interested in investing too much money in a 1440p gaming monitor then this is a great option to consider.

The monitor has a non-reflective anti-glare coating this will keep light reflections to a minimum. It has a 5ms response time which is a bit higher than other monitors on this list but is still respectable.

Key features:

Has VGA and DVI-D ports making this monitor compatible with many devices.

Pros

Cons

7. BenQ ZOWIE XL2740

If you want an eSports gaming monitor at your home for a perfect gaming experience then BenQ Zowie is an ideal option.

The monitor has a 144Hz refresh rate with a response time of only 1ms.

BenQ ZOWIE XL2740

BenQ Zowie gaming monitor is specially made for gamers who play Esports titles like DOTA, LoL and Overwatch. If you play these games and want higher refresh rates then this is a great option to consider.

The 27-inch QHD 2560×1440 display has an ergonomic design that lets you adjust the height according to your preference.

Key features:

The gaming monitor is adopted worldwide and is used widely for different eSports tournaments of different FPS games like CS:GO. It is also used for other gaming events.
The gaming monitor also comes with an S switch, enables you to switch between custom display profiles with a single button click.

Pros

1ms response time
Esports gaming monitor
144 Hz refresh rate
Low Power consumption option
Blue light filter
Flicker-free technology

Cons

8. Acer Curved XR341CK

When we talk about the gaming monitors with a curved display, the first monitor that pops up in our head is the brand-new Acer XR341CK. This 34″ curved display has a 21:9 aspect ratio and 3440×1440 resolution.

Curved 1440p Monitor

Acer Curved XR341CK

The Acer XR341CK is one of the best curved gaming monitors on the market. If you are willing to pay more for that extra bit of immersion then this is a highly recommended option that you should consider.

The monitor comes with ambient lighting that can be customized. The display also has two powerful 7W speakers. This is an IPS panel so you get better colors and deep blacks.

Key features:

Has a 75Hz refresh rate, which is above the bare minimum of 60hz for gaming in our opinion.

Pros

Curved LED display
21:9 aspect ratio
Ergonomic design
Ambient lighting
IPS panel
Two built-in speakers

Cons

9. VIOTEK GN27DB

Another curved gaming monitor on our list is the VIOTEK GN27D. This is a curved monitor but it is not as expensive as most of the models that you will find on the market. The has a 16:9 aspect ratio and 27″ display.

VIOTEK GN27DB

The VIOTEK GN27D curved gaming monitor is a cheaper option compared to other similar products but that is because it cuts some corners by not offering an IPS display. If you are fine with that and are on a tight budget then this is an option you can look into.

Out of the box, you get a 144Hz refreshing rate and a fast response of only 4.8ms. The resolution of the display is 2560×1440 with almost 16.7 million colors.

Key features:

The anti-glare screen and low blue light setting keep the eye away from fatigue and strain.

Pros

Cons

10. Samsung C32HG70 QLED

The last 1440p monitor on our list is the Samsung QLED monitor which has got the attention of many gamers because of its sleek design and specifications.

The monitor comes with quantum dot technology which ensures vigorous and bright colors. This technology is exclusive to Samsung and you won’t be able to get it anywhere else.

Samsung C32HG70

Samsung QLED gaming monitor is the best choice for gamers who are looking for a perfect LED display with an enhanced resolution. Go for it if you need a quantum dot display because you are not going to get it from any other brand.

The display supports 1 billion colors and has a resolution of 2560×1440. The refresh rate is 144 Hz and the response time is only 1ms.

Key features:

With an ergonomic design, you can adjust the position of a monitor as it has got an adjustable stand.

Pros

Cons

Is a 1440p Gaming Monitor Worth it?

As 1440p displays are becoming cheaper and graphics cards are becoming more powerful, this is slowly becoming the new standard, at least for mid-range gamers. Modern graphics cards like the GTX 1050 Ti are perfectly capable of running games at decent settings at 1080p.

Mid-range gamers that are interested in getting cards like the AMD RX 580 and the GTX 1070 have the option to run games at 1440p.

The higher resolution offers higher fidelity graphics. The graphics might not be as great as 4K but the hit it FPS is not as major either. If you have a mid-range budget then 1440p might be the sweet spot for you.

I would like to point out that this is not something that you can experience through a YouTube video. You need to see the difference in person to see what I am talking about.

Things to Consider before Buying a 1440p Monitor

There are certain factors that you need to keep in mind when you are in the market for a new 1440p display.

System Requirement

Please check your system requirements before you make you buy a 1440p monitor. To play any game on a 1440p monitor you need certain hardware. The minimum and recommended pc requirements are as follows:

Minimum Requirements

To play games at 1440p 60 Hz, you will need an Nvidia GTX 980 or AMD R9 390X. You will also need a fairly decent CPU that can keep up with your graphics card.

Maximum Settings

If you want to play games at maximum settings on a 1440p monitor with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, you will need a powerful graphics card. Nvidia graphics cards like GTX 980 Ti, GTX 1070 and GTX 1080 are decent options. You can also go with the AMD Vega series.

TN vs IPS Panel

There are two types of panels that modern monitors use. TN (Twisted Nematic) and IPS (in-plane switching). TN panels support a faster response rate but the color quality is not so good. TN panels offer narrow viewing angles as well.
An IPS panel is capable of reproducing color with much more accuracy than a TN panel. It offers wider viewing angles but it only supports a response time of up to 4ms.

What to Look For in a 1440p Gaming Monitor

There are plenty of gaming monitors out there and you might be confused regarding which one you should get. If you are getting your first 1440p monitor then there are some things that you might not know. If that is indeed the case then you have come to the right place. Here we are going to cover some of the essential things that you need to know when in the market for a new 1440p display.

Resolution

There are three types of resolutions widely available for most gaming monitors. Here we are going to look into each one.

1080 Full HD

This is a standard resolution also known as 1920×1280 pixels. Monitors with this resolution are usually inexpensive.

1440p QHD or 2K

1440p monitors are getting cheaper and this is now becoming the new sweet spot for gaming. 1440p monitors have a resolution of 2560×1440 pixels. This higher resolution offers higher graphical fidelity as compared to 1080p.

2160p UHD or 4K

2160p also known as 4K gaming monitors are the most expensive gaming monitors and you need some serious hardware to run games at such a high resolution.

Refresh Rate

The refresh rate of a gaming monitor is measured in Hertz. Refresh rate refers that how many times a monitor can refresh the displayed image in one second. There are four types of gaming monitors with respect to refresh rate:

60 Hz
120 Hz
144 Hz
240 Hz

60 Hz gaming monitors are the most common ones. If you want a smoother gaming experience and have the hardware to back that up then you can opt to go with a monitor that has a higher refresh rate.

Adaptive-Sync

To avoid screen tearing issues graphics cards manufacturers have introduced dedicated solutions. AMD offers Free-Sync technology and Nvidia has G-Sync.

Remember that you will need a graphics card from the respective brand in order to take advantage of these features. It is also worth noting that G-Sync monitors are more expensive as compared to the ones that come with Free-Sync.

Response Time

The response time of a gaming monitor is measured in milliseconds. Response time refers to the time a single pixel takes to switch from black to white or different shades of gray.

Why is it important?

Lower response time is ideal. High response time will only lead to motion blur and sometimes ghosting. This brings our guide to an end. I hope that this will help you in making an informed decision.

Conclusion

We have tried to give our best in explaining the 1440p gaming monitors and now it is your choice to make a decision of buying the perfect one according to your demands.

If you still face any confusion, our recommendation will be to go for Acer Predator XB271HU as it is the display that had the most features for a great price.

The post Best 1440p Gaming Monitors in 2020 appeared first on GamingFeature.Com.

Best Monitor for WoW Classic for 2020

Mike Jones — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 21:20:37 +0000

Gaming monitors play an important role when it comes to immersion.

If you have a decent display then you feel like you are actually part of the game. Some people value image quality while others like to have buttery smooth gameplay.

No matter what you are looking for in a gaming monitor you are bound to find the perfect option for you here.

These are some of the best gaming monitors for wow classic and other MMO’s that we can recommend.

Best Overall

LG 34UM69G-B

Premium Pick

Dell Alienware 1900R

Budget Pick

Asus VG245H

Top Rated Gaming Monitors for World of Warcraft

Monitor	Resolution	Frame Rate	Size	Display Type
LG 34UM69G-B 34-Inch	2560×1080	75Hz	34-inches	IPS	Check Price
Dell Alienware 1900R	3440×1440	100-120Hz (OC)	34-inches	IPS	Check Price
Asus VG245H	1920×1080	75Hz	24-inches	TN	Check Price
ASUS ROG PG279Q	2560×1440	165Hz	27-inches	IPS	Check Price
Samsung CJ791	3840 X 1080	144Hz	49-inches	QLED	Check Price

The Best Monitor for WoW in 2020

1. LG 34UM69G-B – Best Monitor for MMO Games

Ultrawide displays are relatively new in the market and they are known for offering more screen space as compared to your traditional 16:9 screens. Some people actually prefer getting an ultrawide display over setting up multiple monitors. This LG ultrawide monitor is a perfect example.

This is a 34-inch display with a resolution of 2560×1080 and a refresh rate of 75Hz. While this is a 1080p display the resolution is much higher than a traditional monitor due to the aspect ratio and that is something that you need to keep in mind. Your graphics card has to work hardware to render the additional pixels.

The LG 34UM69G-B offers a response time of 1ms and reduces motion blur out of the box. The stand is adjustable and for connectivity, you get an HDMI port, Display Port and USB-C. There are plenty of ultrawide monitors that come with all kinds of features but this is a great option for budget gamers.

Not only is it great for gaming but for content creation as well. You really need to get close in order to see individual pixels. The LG 34UM69G-B also comes with FreeSync which you can use if you are using an AMD graphics card. This feature will reduce screen tearing and broken frames when gaming.

LG 34UM69G-B

The LG 34UM69G-B is a great ultrawide monitor for the price. While it does not offer very high refresh rates or resolution it is great value for money and it is an option that you should consider if you are on a budget and need a decent display for gaming and content creation

As the monitor comes with USB-C you can connect it with the latest Macbooks without using a dongle. You can also connect it to other laptops that come with USB-C. The viewing angles are great and you can mount it on a wall if you want. There is a knob under the screen that allows you to change the different settings and navigate the menus.

For gaming, the extra real estate is great. It will come in handy if you are playing games like WoW Classic. It comes in handy when working with multiple tabs open. Watching movies is great as more and more movies are adding support for 21:9 aspect ratio and it eliminates the black bars that most people do not like.

The additional area that you get is great for productivity. When editing you can see more of the timeline which can be a major time saver. The LG 34UM69G-B is a great monitor for the price and you should consider getting one if you are on a budget.

Pros

Cons

2. Dell Alienware 1900R

The Dell Alienware 1900R is a thing of beauty but not only does it look good it performs impressively as well. Most monitors on the marker focus on resolution, the frame rate or image quality but this one ticks all those boxes and takes things to the next level. The Dell Alienware 1900R has a resolution of 3440×1440, an IPS display and our of the box the refresh rate is 100Hz but that can be overclocked to 120Hz.

This is a curved display and the curve is a bit aggressive when compared to models from Acer or Asus but it is great for gaming and does not affect productivity either. Some people might find it more comfortable to use when compared to the competition due to the curvature of the display.

The Dell Alienware 1900R also comes with G-Sync which you can take advantage of if you are using an Nvidia graphics card. This feature will reduce screen tearing and broken frames when gaming. The screen is adjustable, you can adjust the height, tilt and swivel. The stand looks great and is sturdy. It stays planted in your desk and the display is not going to wobble when you are typing.

When it comes to connectivity, the monitor has everything that you would expect from a product like this in 2020. You get a headphone jack, USB 3.0 ports, HDMI and DisplayPort. The monitor has a 4ms response time and a contrast ratio of 1000:1. The colors are accurate but you can still do some color calibration if you need better colors.

Dell Alienware 1900R

The Dell Alienware 1900R is a very expensive monitor but it packs all the features that you need for gaming. This is a premium product and comes with all the bells and whistles that you expect from an Alienware product in 2020. If money is no object and you want the best experience when playing games like WoW Classic then this is a great monitor to buy in 2020.

Alienware is known for making high-end gaming gear that includes laptops and PCs. The Dell Alienware 1900R is another gaming product that is very impressive indeed and the industrial design is something that we see across all Alienware products. If you already have a couple of Alienware products then the Dell Alienware 1900R is going to be a great addition.

The monitor does not come with speakers out of the box but if you use a pair of headphones when gaming then that is not going to be an issue for you. The design is stunning, the bezels are thin and you get the Alienware branding on the chin. At the back, you have subtle RGB lighting and on the top, you have the Alienware logo.

The power button features RGB lighting and there is an RGB bar below the display as well. As this is an ultrawide monitor you do get that extra field of view and that can give you an edge in some games.

Something to keep in mind is that the monitor has a higher resolution and a higher refresh rate as well. You will need a decent graphics card in order to run games at a higher refresh rate and resolution. We recommend nothing less than at GTX 1080 in order to get a decent experience on the Dell Alienware 1900R.

Pros

Cons

3. Asus VG245H

The Asus VG245H is a very budget-friendly option. The resolution of the monitor is 1080p and you can get the 75Hz model of the 144Hz model. Keeping in mind the price, the screen is great value for money. The bezels are alright, you would expect thinner bezels in 2020 but they are thinner than some other options that are doing pretty well.

This is one of the best selling gaming monitors on Amazon and is great for not only great for gaming but content creation as well. Keep in mind that the screen is a TN panel and while the response time is very low at 1ms, the image quality is not going to be as great as an IPS display.

Asus VG245H

The Asus VG245H is a great monitor for gaming and productivity if you are on a budget and need something now. If you need to focus on productivity then this might not be the best option for you. While the response time is low, the image quality is not as great as IPS displays.

The Blue light filter limits the harmful Blue light from reaching your eyes. There are four filter settings that can be accessed from the menu on the display. For connectivity, you get dual HDMI ports and a VGA port. This is helpful if you are interested in using the same screen with your PC and console.

The ergonomic design allows you to rotate the screen and set it as you please. You can not only adjust the height but the tilt and the swivel as well. You can mount the display to the wall too.

Pros

Cons

4. ASUS ROG PG279Q

ASUS ROG PG279Q is better than the previous model in almost every aspect. It uses an IPS display rather than a TN panel. This means that you get great image quality and superior viewing angles compared to TN panels. The monitor has thin bezels and the stand lets you adjust the screen in many different ways.

The screen controls are great. You also have the option to light up the stand which gives it an aggressive gaming look. The 1440p monitor has a refresh rate of 144Hz but you can increase that to 165Hz. Just keep in mind that you will need proper hardware in order to power all the pixels on the screen.

ASUS ROG PG279Q

If you are a competitive gamer that does not like ultrawide displays then this is an option that you can look into. This is one of the best gaming monitors on the market right now.

You will be able to run games like WoW Classic and Apex Legends at such a high refresh rate at 1440p but the more intensive titles will be limited to lower frame rates depending on the hardware that you have. This is something that you need to keep in mind if you are interested in getting something like this.

Asus is well-known for making great gaming gear and the ASUS ROG PG279Q is no exception. The monitor is well made and performs as expected. With all these numbers and performance the ASUS ROG PG279Q is a not a cheap display but it might be worth it for the right person. This is a premium gaming monitor so it is priced accordingly as well.

Pros

Cons

5. Samsung CJ791

Samsung CJ791 is a game changer. It is a super ultrawide gaming monitor that has a higher resolution than most monitors and has a higher refresh rate as well. It has slim bezels and a solid stand. The ergonomic design allows it to swivel and rotates to a certain degree. You do not get a USB-C port but you to get all the other ports that you expect from a modern gaming monitor in 2020.

The 32:9 aspect ratio is like having two screens side by side without having the bezels in the middle. Keep in mind that not all games and applications are optimized for this aspect ratio so you could get black bars on the sides. Some games zoom in and you might see some unusual UI issues. When games do support it properly it looks amazing and they is so much FOV that it looks like you have a VR headset on.

Samsung CJ791

If you need a lot of screen real estate then the Samsung LC49HG90DMNXZA is an option that you can look into. It offers a lot of space for productivity and gaming but then you are going to need a pretty big desk as well.

The screen can hit 600 nits but on average it stays at around 250 nits. Talking about the pixels, it has half as many as a regular 4K monitor. This means that it is easier on your graphics card but it is not as great to look at either. To give you an idea a 4K screen on a laptop has around 315 pixels per inch but on this ultrawide gaming monitor, you are only getting 80 PPI.

Samsung is known for innovation and great displays. The quality of displays that Samsung makes not only for monitors but other devices such as phones, is unmatched and some would even say that the company has the best display technology on the market right now. That is one of the reasons why the company is able to charge so much for these products. If you are interested in getting this display then you can rest assured that you are buying a product from a brand that has been in this space for a long time and knows what it is doing.

The display is color calibrated out of the box and this is a great display for gaming and productivity but it is pretty big and takes a lot of space on your desk. This is not something for everyone.

Pros

Cons

Buyer’s Guide – Monitor for WoW Classic

What is refresh rate?

Refresh rate can be described as the number of times per second a display refreshes an image. The refresh rate is what caps the frame rate in games. Both are not the same but we are not getting into the details. What you need to know is that the refresh rate is an attribute of the monitor and frame rate is the attribute of the information that is being sent to the monitor. So, there is a difference between the two.

What is response time?

Response time is often overlooked when buying a gaming monitor and this is something that monitor and TV manufacturers to do not market. It can play a major difference when you are gaming and fast action is taking place. This is not input lag if you are wondering. This is different. Response time concerns the individual pixels that show up on the screen rather than your display giving you an image. Response time is a measure of how quickly a pixel can change from Black to White or one shade of Grey to another.

The different shades of Grey represent how intense a color will appear on your monitor through a filter. The general rule of thumb is, the darker the Grey, the less light will pass through. This is why you will not hear people talk about Red to Blue response times or anything like that. Response times are measured in milliseconds.

TN vs IPS Panel:

There are two types of panels that modern monitors use. TN (Twisted Nematic) and IPS (in-plane switching). TN panels support faster response rate but the color quality is not so good. TN panels offer narrow viewing angles as well.

An IPS panel is capable of reproducing color with much more accuracy than a TN panel. It offers wider viewing angles but it only supports a response time of up to 4ms. You will have to choose between lower response times and better image quality as you cannot get the best of both worlds when it comes to a gaming display. We have included some TN options as well as IPS options for you to consider.

Viewing Distance

Viewing distance is often proportionate to the size of your display. If you have a 24-inch screen then you should sit 24-48 inches away from the display in order to get an ideal experience. This is just a recommendation. You can opt to sit further back if you find that comfortable but sitting closer would put strain on your eyes and would not be comfortable or give you the ideal viewing experience.

Best Monitor Size For Gaming?

Another aspect that you need to keep in mind is the resolution. If you have a smaller display then you will not be able to appreciate 4K. If you are interested in getting a higher resolution display then the size should be big enough. If you are going for a 4K display then get a display that is larger than 30-inches in order to fully appreciate the image quality.

Summing Up

Here we have looked into some of the best gaming monitors that you can buy right now for playing games like WoW Classic. The high refresh rate displays are going to make your game look buttery smooth and that is something that some gamers prefer over higher resolution and image quality.

If you want both then we have included monitors that offer higher refresh rates and higher resolutions as well. Just keep in mind that your hardware needs to be able to keep up with all those additional pixels and higher refresh rates in order for you to get the best experience out of your display and the money that you have spent.

If you are interested in playing multiplayer online games at 1440p 140Hz then we recommend that you use at GTX 1080 graphics card or higher. This will give you a lot of power and as this is a previous generation card, you might be able to get it at a discounted price.

Remember that the display is not where you want to cut corners and if you want a better experience then you have to pay the price. At the end of the day, you are getting what you paid for. If you are interested in getting the best possible experience out of the box then you should look into spending a little more money than the bare minimum.

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Best Monitor Response Time for Gaming in 2020 – Simple Guide

Mike Jones — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 00:50:57 +0000

What is best response time for gaming?

The best resspone time for gaming monitor today is 1ms you can usually only get that on a TN panel. If you go with a IPS panel, it will usually get you down to 4ms but remember that you are getting better visual quality as well. Some gamers claim that they do not notice any ghosting below 8ms and there are those that sweat that 1ms response time displays are better than all the others.

Lower is going to be better for gaming especially if you are playing competitive titles. For non-competitive games you can have a display that has a bit higher response time.

When buying a gaming monitor people often take into consideration the resolution, size and refresh rate and the response time can be overlooked.

The response time is as important as the other factors.

If you want to learn about response time and why it is important then you have come to the right place as here, we are going to look into what response time is and why it is important for gaming.

We are also going to talk about whether or not you can see the difference and how you can check out if this is something for you. By the end of this article, you will know everything you need to about response time and whether or not you should get a low response time monitor for yourself.

What is Response Time in a Gaming Monitor?

Response time is often overlooked when buying a gaming monitor and this is something that monitor and TV manufacturers to do not market.

It can play a major difference when you are gaming and fast action is taking place.

This is not input lag if you are wondering.

This is different. Response time concerns the individual pixels that show up on the screen rather than your display giving you an image. Response time is a measure of how quickly a pixel can change from Black to White or one shade of Grey to another.

Is response time important for gaming?

Longer response times often result in Ghosting. This means that you can see trails of a moving object on the screen because the pixels took too long to switch from one shade of Grey to another.

This might not be a massive deal if you are watching content or working but this can break immersion when gaming, which is not something that you want. It can also be distracting if you are watching a fast-paced action movie.

Higher response times also lead to motion blur. In fast moving scenes, the pixels might not have enough time to change color and objects can look blurry.

This can also cause motion sickness in some cases. This is not ideal for gaming and that is why people prefer to have monitors with lower response times.

What Should the Max Response Time Be for Gaming?

There are different opinions regarding the matter. Some gamers claim that they do not notice any ghosting below 8ms there are those that sweat that 1ms response time displays are better than all the others.

Lower is going to be better for gaming especially if you are playing competitive titles. For non-competitive games you can have a display that has a bit higher response time. This is especially true for games that are not as fast and are story driven.

TN Vs IPS Displays

The lowest response time is 1ms and you can usually only get that on a TN panel.

An IPS panel will usually get you down to 4ms but remember that you are getting better visual quality as well. This is a trade-off that you will have to make if you are interested in getting response times lower than 4ms.

That is why we can only recommend these if you are a competitive gamer that plays intense and fast-paced games like a first-person shooter. If you play non-competitive games that are slower or story driven then you will hardly feel the difference between 4ms response time and 1ms.

Don’t Believe The Marketing Material

You should also take the marketed response time with a grain of salt as different manufacturers have different ways of measuring it and they might not be the same across the board even though the specifications might make it seem so.

You might buy a low response time monitor after reading the specifications sheet and be disappointing at the end result one you hook it up. This is an issue that can be solved by doing some research.

There are publications and site that have tested these displays and these studies offer a better comparison of what you will get as compared to what the manufacturer claims to be true.

Remember that the manufacturer wants to sell its products so some specifications can be a bit misleading. You should also check reviews from trusted sources in order to get a better idea of what you are getting yourself.

It is possible that a monitor claims to have really low refresh rates but the people that have tried and tested the display complain about ghosting. That is something that you will need to keep an eye open for when looking to buy a new gaming monitor.

Can you see a difference in response times less than 5ms? (Probably not)

The debate is pretty much like the difference between 30 FPS and 60 FPS. Some people can hardly tell the difference and are fine gaming at 30 FPS but there are others that need to hit that 60 FPS mark. The same is the case for refresh rates. You will have to check it out on your own to see whether or not getting a lower refresh rate monitor is something that will benefit you.

As is the case with FPS, if you have been playing games at 60 FPS then you will find 30 FPS unplayable. The same is the case with refresh rates. If you have been using a 4ms monitor then you will not have the same experience when playing games using a higher refresh rate screen.

How can you see the difference?

Many stores will have different displays on show. You can check out the difference in response time there. If you want to check out the difference in response time at home, then you can do that as well. If you have a TV then you can compare the gaming experience between you monitor and the TV.

TVs usually have much higher response times as compared to gaming monitors. This is not a feature that manufacturers mention but the refresh rate on a TV can be anywhere between 8-14ms if not higher. Whatever the case is, you TVs response time will be higher than your monitor and that is how you can tell the difference. You can see whether there is a noticeable difference and whether or not you feel it. Then you can decide whether or not you should get a monitor with lower refresh rates.

Conclusion

Lower response time is better and if you want the lowest possible response time then you will have to opt for a TN panel. TN panels are not as color accurate as IPS displays and have narrow viewing angles and that is why we can only recommend these if you are a competitive gamer that plays intense and fast-paced games like a first-person shooter.

If you are not a competitive player then you should opt for an IPS display that can get you as low as 4ms response time. These types of displays will give you better viewing angles and will also have better color accuracy which is great for immersive gameplay. There are manufacturers that will try and charge a premium for lower response times and claiming the display to be a gaming product.

Remember that anything between 5-8ms should be good enough if you are not a competitive player. If you can get a cheaper alternative that offers these response times then you will be fine. If money is no object and you want to buy the best gaming monitor on the market then you can go ahead and pay extra for the lower response time.

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TV vs Monitor for Gaming – Are TVs as Good as a Gaming Monitors?

Mike Jones — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 11:25:02 +0000

Are TVs as Good as Monitors for Gaming?

When it comes to gaming you have a choice of getting a gaming monitor or a TV. Each option has its pros and cons. A TV has a bigger screen and can be cheaper as compared to gaming displays but the FPS might be locked. Monitors often have higher refresh rates that allow users to experience smooth gameplay but that often comes at a higher price.

There are plenty of TVs and gaming monitors on the market and the variety can confuse you. If you are interested in getting a new display for gaming and deciding between a monitor or a TV then you have come to the right place. Here we are going to look into the differences and the features that each option has to offer.

	Pros	Cons
Monitors	Low response times Higher pixel density DisplayPort support High variety of resolutions	Smaller screens
TVs	Bigger screens Wider choice of screen sizes Better split-screen multiplayer	High response times Resolution gap

Why is a monitor better than a TV?

TVs and monitors seem to be the same. TVs might seem to be bigger monitors but if there was no difference you would not be here. A gaming monitor has higher pixel density as compared to TVs. Gaming monitors also have higher refresh rates and lower response times.

TVs are bigger and focus on better color reproduction and viewing angles. Gaming monitors usually have narrow viewing angles because they are meant for a single person compared to a TV that is meant for more people.

When playing competitive online games that are fast paced you will have a better experience with a gaming monitor because of the reduced input lag but if you are playing a single-player game that is slower and story driven then you will have a much better time on a TV because of the immersive and bigger screen size.

This will give you a basic understanding of how TVs and monitors are different but we are going to look into the specifics.

Image Quality and HDR

When it comes to resolutions, TVs are available in 1080p and 4K. 8K displays are also being introduced but they are not common due to the lack of 8K content and the higher price. Gaming monitors are not only available in 1080p and 4K but 1440p as well. 1440p resolution comes between 1080p and 4K.

TVs focus on better colors but monitors now come with IPS technology so the difference is not as major as it once was. When it comes to HDR support, it is a relatively common feature on modern TVs. HD support is not something that you will usually find on a gaming monitor.

When it comes to HDR support TVs are a better option. Consoles support HDR and if you are interested in taking advantage of the feature then you would be better off with a TV. Gaming monitors that feature HDR are very expensive.

Input Lag

One of the disadvantages of using a TV for gaming is input lag. This is not something that Effect gaming monitors. In order to compensate for this issue modern TVs come with a gaming mode that reduces input lag. Console gamers might not feel the difference if the game is locked at 30 FPS but if you play a game that is running at 60 FPS then the difference is rather noticeable.

If you are planning to use a TV with your gaming PC then you should look for a TV that comes with a game mode feature. Otherwise, the experience will not be ideal. Talking about the numbers, most gaming monitors come between 1ms to 5ms but TVs can range up to 20ms. This is not something that is advertised for TVs and the gaming mode does help compensate but you will need to keep this in mind when deciding between the two.

Refresh Rates

Gaming monitors often offer higher refresh rates compared to TVs. Gaming monitors can come with 144 Hz or higher options. This ensures a buttery smooth gaming experience. TVs usually do not offer high refresh rates. TVs commonly have a 60 Hz refresh rate. TVs that offer higher refresh rates often have an issue that is called the soap opera effect.

This results in a TV show or movie appearing smoother than natural. This might be an issue when viewing content but it will not affect gaming. It is worth mentioning that high refresh rate TVs are more expensive but then again, the same can be said for gaming monitors as well.

Some TVs are designed for gaming but as you can tell, such TVs are priced higher. If you do need a bigger display for gaming then you can opt for a TV but you will need to pay a higher price.

If you are interested in saving some money or want higher refresh rates then you will be better off getting a monitor instead. If you do buy a TV then it is recommended that you get a model that supports higher refresh rate natively rather than use trickery.

It is important to note here that if you want true 120 Hz or above then you will need Dual Link DVI, Display Port or HDMI 2.0. The first two options are not available on a TV and while you do get an HDMI port you need to know the standard that it supports. HDMI 1.4 will not output 120 Hz. HDMI 1.4 only supports up to 60 Hz refresh rate.

If the TV does not support native 120 Hz refresh rate then it will try and make up for that by placing frame between the real ones. If that is indeed the case then that will work fine for still objects but movement in games can be unpredictable and the end result can be horrible. That is not an issue that you will face with gaming monitor provided that you have a decent graphics card that can run games at such a high refresh rate.

Sync Technologies (G-Sync and FreeSync)

Sync features remove screen tearing by matching refresh rate to framerate. This increases the perceived smoothness of the gameplay. FreeSync is open source and is widely available as compared to G-Sync. It is worth mentioning that in order to take advantage of G-Sync you will need to have an Nvidia graphics card.

It is worth mentioning that G-Sync is a feature that you will mostly find on gaming monitors rather than TVs. We have seen TVs that come with this feature but that is not common. FreeSync is more common for TVs and can also be found on gaming monitors as well. Another factor that you need to keep in mind is that displays that come with G-Sync support come at an extra cost. The same is not true for displays with FreeSync support.

Screen Size

Connectors And Ports

Connectors and ports are different for TVs and monitors. We have come a long way since the Super Nintendo. Nowadays, TVs usually have HDMI connectors for video and can come with other ports such as audio jack and USB ports. TVs can also come with an optical audio port for setting up home cinema speakers and other high-end audio solutions. Modern smart TVs that need an internet connection also have Wi-Fi support and Ethernet ports.

Monitors come with different connectors for video including HDMI, DisplayPort and DVI-D ports. They can also have USB ports and audio jacks but usually, do not have ethernet ports or come with wireless internet support. Consoles and TV use HDMI and if you are interested in using DisplayPort then you should use a monitor instead.

Viewing Distance

TVs come with bigger screens and that is why TVs have better viewing distances. If you game in the lounge or use a console then a TV provides better viewing distances as compared to a monitor. A TV can be hooked up to your console and you can play games with ease. You will not have the same level of comfort with a gaming monitor.

Gaming monitors are perfect for gaming at your desk but if you would rather play games in the lounge on a sofa then you will have a better experience with a TV.

Viewing Angles

While IPS monitors do offer better quality viewing angles as compared to TN panels, TVs still offer better viewing angles as compared to monitors. Gaming monitors are designed for a single person and that is why the viewing angles are rather narrow as compared to TVs that are designed for an audience.

Pricing

When it comes to pricing, you will find that a basic gaming monitor is rather inexpensive when it comes to TV. On the other hand, when it comes to price to screen size you will find that a TV is cheaper. That is because monitors are available in limited sizes as compared to TVs.

Additional features such as higher refresh rates also increase the cost of a monitor. All things considered, if you are looking for a decent gaming experience then you will be able to achieve that with a gaming monitor without spending too much money as compared to a TV.

Bottom Line

When it comes to choosing between a gaming monitor and a TV both have their pros and cons and we have looked into what they are. It all comes down to your personal preference, your needs and what kind of games that you will be playing.

If you want a bigger display then you should go for a TV but if you need reduced input lag nd higher refresh rates then you should opt for a monitor instead. Remember that if you want true 120 Hz or above then you will need Dual Link DVI, Display Port or HDMI 2.0. The first two options are not available on a TV and while you do get an HDMI port you need to know the standard that it supports. HDMI 1.4 will not output 120 Hz. HDMI 1.4 only supports up to 60 Hz refresh rate.

If you are on a budget and want a decent gaming experience then a monitor will do the job just fine. If you can spend more money then you can look into getting a high-end TV that comes with all kinds of bells and whistles.

I hope that you now have all the information that you need to make an informed decision and that you will be able to choose between these two options.

The post TV vs Monitor for Gaming – Are TVs as Good as a Gaming Monitors? appeared first on GamingFeature.Com.

Best Monitor for Apex Legends in 2020

Mike Jones — Mon, 04 Mar 2019 23:18:52 +0000

Apex Legends might still be a fairly new battle royale game but it has quickly got millions of players.

If you are interested in playing the game and want to win then you will need proper gaming gear.

We have already looked into some of the best keyboards and mice that you should look into, but now we are going to talk about the best monitors for playing Apex Legends.

When it comes to gaming monitors there is a lot of things to consider. But do not worry! We’ll cover everything from resolution, the ideal refresh rate for gaming and what type of panel for the greatest response rate.

It’s important to do your research, as a monitor is not something that you are going to change every year. Look at it as a long-term investment for a better gaming experience.

Best Overall

Asus VG248QE

Premium Pick

ASUS ROG Swift PG258Q

Budget Pick

Acer XFA240

Our article is all about finding some of the most optimal gaming monitors for playing games like Apex. We have compiled a list of some excellent choices for you.

Let’s start with a comparison table of our top contenders.

Top Rated Gaming Monitors for Apex Legends

Here are all the monitors that we are going to talk about here and some of their specifications that you might be interested in learning about at a glance.

Monitor	Resolution	Refresh Rate	Response Time
Asus VG248QE	1920×1080	144Hz	1ms	Check Price
Asus ROG Swift PG258Q	1920×1080	240Hz	1ms	Check Price
Acer XFA240	1920×1080	144Hz	1ms	Check Price
Asus ROG PG279Q	2560×1440	144Hz / 165Hz	4ms	Check Price
ViewSonic XG2402	1920×1080	144Hz	1ms	Check Price
BenQ Zowie XL2540	1920×1080	240Hz	1ms	Check Price
Acer Predator XB271HU	2560×1440	144Hz	4ms	Check Price

How We Picked Monitors for Apex Legends

You have probably noticed an overwhelming amount of gaming monitors in the market; finding an ideal gaming monitor is not an easy task. That’s why we have adequately tested and researched gaming monitors on some crucial points when it comes to gaming in general.

The products that we have reviewed are used from a wide range of eSports athletes & big streamers, ideal for playing FPS games like Apex, Blackout or PUBG. Some prominent points, in this case, were 1080p, 1440p or 4K resolution, refresh rate, adaptive-sync technology, and overall user ratings.

Now, that all things are sorted out. Let’s move forward to the bigger picture, reviewing the top gaming monitors currently on the market.

The Best Monitor for Apex Legends in 2020

1. Asus VG248QE Gaming Monitor

Asus is very well-known in the gaming space for introducing quality gaming products and here we have the Asus VG248QE gaming monitor that has a 1080p resolution and 144Hz refresh rate. This means that you can play games at 1080p 144 FPS provided that your graphics card can handle the additional frames. We are going to talk about resolution and hardware requirements that you need to keep in mind so keep reading.

Asus VG248QE

The Asus VG248QE gaming monitor is a great option to consider if you are interested in playing Apex Legends at 1080p 144 FPS. This is not a cheap option but it costs less than other options on this list.

The display has a response time of 1ms but this is a TN panel so that colors that you see will not be as accurate as an IPS display. That is the tradeoff that you will have to pay for the lower response time. We are going to go into detail regarding the differences between TN and IPS displays so be sure to read till the end in order to learn more.

There are plenty of options when it comes to adjustment. The display can Tilt, Swivel, Pivot and the Height can be adjusted as well. The bezels are a bit thick but you do get decent performance from the display.

Here is what you need to know about the Asus VG248QE gaming monitor:

Pros

Cons

2. Asus ROG Swift PG258Q

Here we have another display from Asus. This one does have a modern design and the 24.5-inch 1080p display has a refresh rate of 240Hz. Be sure to know whether or not your hardware can run Apex Legends at such a high refresh rate if you are interested in buying this monitor. The monitor has a response time of 1ms and there is an LED light at the bottom which can be customized to project any image that you want.

Asus ROG Swift PG258Q

This gaming monitor is not only functional but looks great as well. If you already have Asus gear then this will be a great addition to your setup. This is an option that you should consider if you are interested in gaming at 1080p 240 FPS.

The monitor comes with Nvidia G-Sync but you will need an Nvidia graphics card in order to take advantage of the feature. The display also comes with Asus Eye Care technology which reduces the stress on your eyes and makes it easier to work or game for long duration of time.

All things considered, this is a great option if you can afford it. You might have figured out that all these features do come at a price and you would be right in thinking so. Here is what you need to know about the ASUS ROG Swift PG258Q gaming monitor:

Pros

Cons

3. Acer XFA240

Acer has been in the PC hardware space for a long time now and while the high-end gaming gear from the company is under the Predator series, this is not one of those models. The Acer XFA240 has a clean and simple design but the display can be adjusted in many different ways. You can adjust the height, pivot it, swivel it and even tilt it. It offers 160 degrees viewing angles.

Acer XFA240

The Acer XFA240 gaming monitor is a great option to consider if you need to play Apex legends at 1080p 144Hz. The monitor has decent performance and is cheaper than other options on this list.

This 24-inch widescreen display has a response time of 1ms and the only drawback is that it uses a TN panel rather than an IPS display. While you are getting better response time you are sacrificing color accuracy. This is something that you need to keep in mind if you use your PC for content creation as well.

The Acer XFA240 comes with 2 speakers and the display supports 16.7 million colors and 350 nits of brightness. The display can easily be mounted to the wall as well if that is something that you are interested in doing.

Here is what you need to know about the Acer XFA240 gaming monitor:

Pros

Cons

4. Asus ROG PG279Q

Asus is known for gaming great gaming products and that is why we have yet another display from the company. The Asus ROG PG279Q is a great monitor for playing Apex Legends. This is a 1440p screen and has a refresh rate of 144 Hz, which is a sweet spot for high-end gaming. Apex Legends is not a very demanding title and you will be able to hit 144 FPS at 1440p provided that you have decent hardware to back it up.

Asus ROG PG279Q

The Asus ROG PG279Q gaming monitor has plenty of features to offer but those features do come at a price. If you want to play Apex Legends at 1440p 144 FPS (overclockable to 165 Hz) then this is a great option that is worth looking into.

The display is overclockable and you can increase the refresh rate from 144Hz to 165Hz if that is something that you are interested in doing and your hardware allows it. The input lag is very minimal and the response time is a bit higher at 4ms but that is because this is an IPS display and not a TN panel. This means that while you are getting slower response times you are getting better color accuracy.

This is a 27-inch display and comes with G-Sync support but you will need an Nvidia graphics card in order to take advantage of the feature. Keeping in mind all the performance that you are getting you will need to pay a fair premium too. This is not a cheap gaming monitor.

Here is what you need to know about the Asus ROG PG279Q gaming monitor:

Pros

Cons

5. ViewSonic XG2402

You might not have heard about this company but ViewSonic has been making some great gaming displays at competitive prices. The ViewSonic XG2402 is a perfect example of that. The 1080p display has a refresh rate of 144Hz and a response time of 1ms. The only drawback here is that the monitor uses a TN panel rather than an IPS display. That might not be a deal breaker for you and we do talk about the difference between the two, so keep reading on.

ViewSonic XG2402

This Full HD 1080p resolution screen from ViewSonic is a solid budget pick. With AMD FreeSync technology that gives you smooth frame rates, great for fast-paced FPS games. This monitor has HDMI, USB, and Display Port inputs.

The display comes with a variety of presets for different kinds of games including FPS, RTS, eSports and MOBA games. The stand is fully adjustable and you can set the display as you choose. This monitor uses the AMD FreeSync technology so you do not need an Nvidia graphics card in order to take advantage of the feature. It will remove screen tearing and deliver a much smoother overall experience.

Here is what you need to know about the ViewSonic XG2402:

Pros

Cons

6. BenQ Zowie XL2540

BenQ has been in business for a long time and the Zowie XL2540 is a great gaming monitor for playing Apex Legends. While the monitor might not look like much do not let the appearance fool you. It has great specs that are ideal for professional gamers and enthusiasts but all that performance does come at a very high price.

The monitor has a refresh rate of 240Hz so you can play Apex Legends and other games at 240 FPS. You will need decent hardware in order to power the experience and that is something that you need to keep in mind if you are interested in getting this gaming monitor. This is a 24-inch 1080p display so you will be able to get to 240 FPS in modern multiplayer titles like Apex Legends and Overwatch but the same cannot be said about other games.

BenQ Zowie XL2540

The BenQ Zowie XL2540 monitor is a great option for playing Apex Legends competitively. The price is very high and that is why we can only recommend this to professional gamers. If you are not an enthusiast then you can save some money by going with another option.

The Zowie XL2540 has a simple design and a 1ms response time. The monitor is very light and only weighs 7.5kg, which means that you can take it with you if need be. The contrast ratio is 1,000:1 and the brightness is 400 cd/m2. The monitors color support is NTSC 72% and the aspect ratio is 16:9.

The major downside is the high price. If you are not a professional gamer then this might not be the solution for you and you could save some money by going with another option.

Here is what you need to know about the BenQ Zowie XL2540 monitor:

Pros

Cons

7. Acer Predator XB271HU

Here we have a 1440p 144Hz monitor from Acer. The predator series is a high-end gaming brand from Acer and what you get here are some of the best specs on the market. The Acer Predator XB271HU does not have the fastest response time in the world but that is because it uses an IPS panel rather than a TN panel. This means that you get better color accuracy even though the response times are a bit high at 4ms.

Acer Predator XB271HU

The Acer Predator XB271HU is a great gaming monitor for playing Apex Legends. It has a very high refresh rate and can be overclocked as well. The performance does come at a cost and that is something that you need to keep in mind if you are interested in buying this gaming monitor.

While the display has a refresh rate of 144Hz out of the box, it can be overclocked to 165Hz provided that your hardware can keep up with that kind of performance. The display uses flicker-less technology which reduces the flickering and eye strain too. The display has two speakers built in and the brightness is 250 Nits. Although there is a small chin at the bottom the sides are pretty much bezel-less.

The 27-inch display is great for playing Apex Legends and it supports Nvidia G-Sync technology but you will need an Nvidia graphics card in order to take advantage of the feature.

Here is what you need to know about the Acer Predator XB271HU:

Pros

Cons

What to Look for in a Monitor for Apex Legends

There are certain factors that you need to keep in mind when you are in the market for a new display.

What is refresh rate?

Refresh rate can be described as the number of times per second a display refreshes an image. Refresh rate is what caps the frame rate in games. Both are not the same but we are not getting into the details. What you need to know is that the refresh rate is an attribute of the monitor and frame rate is the attribute of the information that is being sent to the monitor. So, there is a difference between the two.

Read our guide on gaming monitor comparison regarding refresh rate.

What is response time?

System Requirement

Please check your system requirements before you make you buy a 1440p monitor. To play any game on a 1440p monitor you need certain hardware. The minimum and recommended PC requirements are as follows:

Minimum Requirements: To play games at 1440p 60 Hz, you will need a Nvidia GTX 980 or AMD R9 390X. You will also need a fairly decent CPU that can keep up with your graphics card.
Maximum Settings: If you want to play games at maximum settings on a 1440p monitor with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, you will need a powerful graphics card. Nvidia graphics cards like GTX 980 Ti, GTX 1070 and GTX 1080 are decent options. You can also go with the AMD Vega series.

TN vs IPS Panel:

An IPS panel is capable of reproducing color with much more accuracy than a TN panel. It offers wider viewing angles but it only supports a response time of up to 4ms.

Resolution

There are three types of resolutions widely available for most gaming monitors. Here we are going to look into each one

1080 Full HD: This is a standard resolution also known as 1920×1280 pixels. Monitors with this resolution are usually inexpensive.
1440p QHD or 2K: 1440p monitors are getting cheaper and this is now becoming the new sweet spot for gaming. 1440p monitors have a resolution of 2560×1440 pixels. This higher resolution offers higher graphical fidelity as compared to 1080p.
2160p UHD or 4K: 2160p also known as 4K gaming monitors are the most expensive gaming monitors and you need some serious hardware to run games at such a high resolution.

Refresh Rate

60 Hz
120 Hz
144 Hz
240 Hz

60 Hz gaming monitors are the most common ones. If you want a smoother gaming experience and have the hardware to back that up then you can opt to go with a monitor that has a higher refresh rate.

Adaptive-Sync

To avoid screen tearing issues graphics cards manufacturers have introduced dedicated solutions. AMD offers Free-Sync technology and Nvidia has G-Sync.
Remember that you will need a graphics card from the respective brand in order to take advantage of these features. It is also worth noting that G-Sync monitors are more expensive as compared to the ones that come with Free-Sync.

Response Time

The response time of a gaming monitor is measured in milliseconds. Response time refers to the time a single pixel takes to switch from black to white or different shades of gray.

Why is it important?
A lower response time is ideal. A high response time will only lead to motion blur and sometimes ghosting.

Final Words

Here we have looked into multiple monitors that can be used to play Apex Legends. These are some of the best options available on the market today. We have included all kinds of options and included different resolutions, different response times and even included TN and IPS options. You will find something that suits your needs.

Remember that you need to have decent hardware in order to take advantage of the high resolution and high refresh rate monitors. Also, keep in mind that most games are not going to run at 144 FPS or 240 FPS.

You will only be able to play lighter multiplayer online games at these settings. If you only play story driven games then you will find that getting these monitors is not worth it.

Also remember that at the end of the day, you are getting what you paid for. Paying more can ensure a better experience when gaming. A monitor is not something that you are going to change every year. This should be seen as a long-term investment and you should invest a decent amount of money if you are going to be using the display for a considerable amount of time whether it is for work, gaming or both.

This brings our guide to an end. We hope that this will help you in making an informed decision.

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Best Refresh Rate for Gaming?

Mike Jones — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 13:27:37 +0000

What is the Best Refresh Rate for a Gaming Monitor?

Things used to be as simple as paying for a monitor and bringing to home but times have changed and now you need to worry about all kinds of different factors such as IPS or TN panels, refresh rates and response times.

Figuring out all this can be an issue if you do not know what you need or are new to all things.

If you are interested in learning about refresh rate and are in the market for a new monitor then you have come to the right place. Here we are going to talk about what refresh rate is and how it affects gaming. We are also going to talk about how high the refresh rate can go and what refresh rate is the best for gaming.

The major trade-off when getting a new gaming monitor is between higher resolution and higher refresh rate.

For example: You can have a mix of both at 1440p but you will find that the resolution drop when you increase the refresh rate and vice versa. You can get a 1080p 240 Hz monitor, but when you move to 4K you won’t be able to get the same refresh rate because your hardware will not be able to deliver so many frames at such a high resolution.

Does Refresh Rate Matter for Gaming?

So, there is a difference between the two.

How does Refresh Rate Affect Gaming?

Higher refresh rate monitors provide a sharper and less blurry image. Especially if the object is in motion. If the refresh rate is low and the object is moving too fast then you might see this as a blur. A higher refresh rate monitor is able to keep up with the object and can provide ample information to your eyes so that blurring effect is removed and you get a clear moving object.

A higher refresh rate means that the gameplay will be smoother. If you play competitive titles that have a lot of fast movement then you will have a better experience gaming on a 120 Hz or 240 Hz display as compared to a 60 Hz monitor. The same cannot be said if you are watching a movie or browsing the web. Movies run at 24 FPS so having a higher refresh rate monitor will have no effect.

Your monitor should be at least 60 Hz so that you can play games at 60 FPS at the bare minimum. Higher is better so you can opt to get a monitor with higher refresh rate if you want to but 144 Hz is seen as the sweet spot for 1080p and 1440p gaming. Remember that higher refresh rates come at a cost and manufacturers do charge a premium for such monitors.

Some monitors have displays that can be overclocked. For example, the display might have a 1440 Hz refresh rate as stock but you could overclock it to 165 Hz. This is a costly feature to have and not many displays come with this feature.

What does Hz (Hertz) mean?

Hz is sometimes associated with performance like CPUs and clock speeds but that is not the same. Hz in this case, is a measure of refresh rate.

Do You Need a 144Hz or 240Hz Monitor for gaming?

144 has become the modern standard especially for players that play fast-paced games like Overwatch or CS:GO. Having a higher refresh rate has its advantages and who does not want buttery smooth gameplay?

Such games do not need much in terms of graphics power and fairly decent graphics cards will be able to run these games at 144 Hz.

240 Hz is another discussion entirely.

Yes, it does have its advantages but the difference between 60 Hz and 144 Hz is a major one. You might not feel the difference when moving to a 240 Hz display. You should try it out before you decide to get one because they are not cheap and it will not be worth it if you do not see the added benefits.

It all comes down to the kind of games that you are going to play. If you do not play competitive titles and focus on story-driven games then you will be better off spending your money on a higher resolution display rather than one that has higher refresh rates.

Stores often have screens on display and you can check out the different demos in order to check out the difference first-hand. While you are at the store you can also check out higher resolution TVs. These TVs have processors inside them that can alter FPS. Monitors do not have processors inside them so whatever the graphics card sends out is displayed on the screen.

Keep in mind that high refresh rate TVs are very expensive indeed and getting a monitor will be cheaper. The upside of getting a TV is that you can bigger screen size options and better viewing angles. Monitors are available in limited screen sizes and they commonly have narrow viewing angles.

Screen Tearing

Remember that refresh rates and frame rates are two different things and that they can mismatch. If that happens then you will notice screen tearing. This happens when the graphics card is pushing more frames than the refresh rate of the monitor. The monitor cannot handle so many frames at a time and that is why half frames can be spotted at times. This breaks immersion and is not something that you want when gaming.

A 120 Hz monitor refreshes twice as fast compared to a 60 Hz monitor and can handle 120 FPS. A 240 Hz display can handle 240 FPS. These monitors can reduce screen tearing but there are technologies that can help as well.

Sync technologies align the refresh rate with the frame rate and remove screen tearing. These technologies include V-Sync, G-Sync and Freesync.

These technologies do have their drawbacks, V-Sync can cap performance. You need an AMD graphics card to be able to take advantage of Freesync and you need an Nvidia graphics card to use G-Sync.

Input response

Increasing the refresh rate also decreases input lag. If you have a 60 Hz display then you will never have visible input lag below 16.67ms. That is the time in which the screen refreshes the frame.

A 120 Hz display buts that time in half to 8.33ms. A 240 Hz display reduces that down to 3.16ms. This might not seem like a major issue for most people but this is something that you would be interested in if you are a pro gamer or just plain competitive.

This is something that some people will notice but others won’t so it greatly depends on the person in front of the screen.

Ultrawide Displays

Most monitors have an aspect ratio of 16:9. There are some that have a 16:10 aspect ratio but those are pretty rare. Nowadays we have ultrawide displays that have an aspect ratio of 21:9. These monitors can be great for gaming especially if you have a high-resolution model. These monitors also come in variants that offer higher refresh rates but you need to account for the extra pixels.

The unique aspect ratio and resolution mean that the graphics card has to render a higher resolution and more pixels as compared to a regular monitor. If you are interested in getting an ultrawide display then you will need to check whether or not your graphics card can cope with the higher resolution and extra pixels.

Another issue that you might face is support for these displays. Modern FPS games do not support horizontal FOV wider than 90 degrees. While this is fine for a standard monitor, it can cause stretching and image distortion on ultrawide displays. This is something that breaks immersion and just does not look good. The reason behind the lack of support is that the extra FOV can give players an unfair advantage over other players that do not have ultrawide displays.

You should look into the compatibility of the games that you are interested in playing but the general rule of thumb is that you should not get an ultrawide monitor if you are going to play FPS games. Another thing to keep in mind is that these monitors are relatively expensive and you will be paying even more for the higher refresh rate. If money is no object then you might as well get the best that money can buy but if you are on a budget then getting a regular 16:9 aspect ratio display will be much cheaper.

TV vs Monitor

TVs that offer higher refresh rates often have an issue that is called the soap opera effect. This results in a TV show or movie appearing smoother than natural. This might be an issue when viewing content but it will not affect gaming. It is worth mentioning that high refresh rate TVs are more expensive but then again, the same can be said for gaming monitors as well.

Some TVs are designed for gaming but as you can tell, such TVs are priced higher. If you do need a bigger display for gaming then you can opt for a TV but you will need to pay a higher price.

Make sure your Computer (GPU) can deliver enough FPS for a High Refreshment Monitor

While there is no doubt that higher refresh rates are better in most cases, the graphics card is the component that needs to push frames to the screen and it is a limiting factor that you cannot overlook. It will be useless to get a 144 Hz monitor if your graphics card cannot output 144 FPS in games. You will need a decent graphics card in order to get higher FPS in games and take advantage of the high refresh rate that you monitor offers.

This is one of the reasons why you do not see crazy monitor specifications like 4K 240 Hz because it takes a lot of power to run games at 4K. The higher resolution is taxing on performance and modern graphics cards can barely run games at 4K 60 FPS. That is a perfect example of why you need to keep your graphics card in mind when in the market for a high refresh rate monitor.

Some modern multiplayer games are not taxing on the graphics card and can run easily at 144 FPS or 120 FPS games like CS: GO can easily hit 240 FPS on modern hardware but there are other titles like PUBG that are not optimized the same way. You will need to turn down the settings fair bit in order to get to 120 FPS and getting to 240 FPS might not be possible for most people as that would require some serious hardware.

Final Words

The difference between 60 Hz and 120 Hz is significant and you should make the switch if you are interested in a better and smoother gaming experience. We cannot recommend 240 Hz displays because your graphics card might not be able to deliver the kind of performance that you need in order to take advantage of a 240 Hz display. We can only recommend 240 Hz displays to people that play competitively or are pro gamers that need the best gaming experience possible.

If you are interested in getting an ultrawide then you need to account for the additional pixels and the unique resolution. Make sure that the games that you are interested in playing actually support the ultrawide format. Other than that, take into account what your graphics card can handle before picking a display.

The post Best Refresh Rate for Gaming? appeared first on GamingFeature.Com.

144Hz vs 240Hz Gaming Monitor – Can You See the Difference?

Mike Jones — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 12:57:55 +0000

Is 240hz better than 120hz?

The difference between 60hz and 144hz is very noticeable, with 144hz and 240hz not as much. Hitting a steady 240hz while playing games requires more hardware to achieve, therefore making 144hz an overall better pick that are more affordable and easier to gain the full benefits off. However, if money is no object and you want the best possible experience then you can go for a 240Hz display.

Getting a gaming monitor is not as simple as paying for it and hooking it up. There are a couple of different factors that you need to keep in mind. These factors include refresh rate, response time and resolution. Here we are going to focus on the refresh rate side of things.

A basic modern monitor has a refresh rate of 60 Hz but that is not the only option available on the market today. You can opt to go with a 120Hz, 144Hz or 240Hz gaming monitor. A higher refresh rate offers better and smoother gaming experience.

A higher refresh rate monitor can also handle higher FPS but there comes a point where you can barely tell the difference. Here we are going to look into some important factors that you should keep in mind when in the market for a new high refresh rate monitor.

144Hz vs 240Hz for Gaming

While the move from 60Hz vs 144Hz was a significant one and 144Hz has become the standard for high-end gaming, we now have 240Hz gaming monitors that deliver even more information on the screen and can reduce the time it takes for a graphics card to push an image and for it to pop up on your screen to 4ms.

Increasing the refresh rate also decreases input lag. If you have a 60 Hz display then you will never have visible input lag below 16.67ms. That is the time in which the screen refreshes the frame. A 120 Hz display buts that time in half to 8.33ms. A 240 Hz display reduces that down to 3.16ms.

This might not seem like a major issue for most people but this is something that you would be interested in if you are a pro gamer or just plain competitive.

You might not feel the difference when moving to a 240 Hz display. You should try it out before you decide to get one because they are not cheap and it will not be worth it if you do not see the added benefits. It all comes down to the kind of games that you are going to play. If you do not play competitive titles and focus on story-driven games then you will be better off spending your money on a higher resolution display rather than one that has higher refresh rates.

Pros and Cons

240Hz monitors reduce motion blur and give the player better response times in fast-paced competitive games but the major drawback is the price. As this technology is relatively new manufacturers charge a hefty premium for it. Another factor to keep in mind is whether or not your graphics card can run games at 240 FPS. If not then you are not really taking advantage of the high refresh rate monitor.

Games like CS:GO, LoL, Rocket League etc. are forgiving and will run at higher FPS easily but you will need some serious hardware in order to run other games such as PUBG and WoW. Modern AAA games are not going to run at 240 FPS most of the time.

Can you see a difference?

When 144Hz monitors first came out people were a bit skeptical and the number one question was whether or not you could even see the difference. The difference was of course there because of the higher refresh rates you can interact with the game much quicker and respond faster especially in competitive titles in which there is a lot of fast action.

This was hard to explain to the masses because it is not really something that you can explain in an article or show in a video. In order to actually see the benefits, you have to check it out in person. Slowly but surely people began to understand the benefits and now 144Hz is the standard for high-end gaming.

Now that 240Hz monitors are here you must be asking yourself the same question. Can you actually see the difference? The answer is not simple and it depends from person to person. While the difference is there, whether or not you see it depends on what you are used to and whether or not you know what to look for.

While most people will not be able to tell the difference, hardcore gamers can tell that there is a significant improvement when performing flick-shots and that the textures look much better when you are moving the camera around quickly. This is because more frames are sent to your eyes and there is little room for motion blur.

The short answer is that there is a difference between 144Hz and 240Hz but it is very subtle. The benefits are not as high as when switching from 60Hz to 144Hz. It is safe to say that once you are used to 240Hz, 144Hz can look a bit choppy and 60 Hz might seem unplayable.

But the human eye can only see 30 FPS?

This is a common argument against higher refresh rate monitors so let’s do a simple test in order to demonstrate what we are talking about here. If you are reading this then it is likely that you are using a PC. If that is indeed the case then try moving your mouse around in a circle on the screen at a steady speed.

You will notice that it appears as if you have multiple cursors on your screen at the same time. Chances are that you are using a 60 Hz monitor. Check the number of cursors that you see on the screen. If you do the same test on a 144Hz monitor then you will get twice the number of visible cursors. If you do the same test on a 240 Hz monitor then you will notice up to 4 times the number of cursors on your screen.

This is because a 60Hz screen can only update every 0.01667 seconds. On a 240Hz display, the screen can update every 0.004167 seconds. This means that during the same amount of time the 240Hz monitor is able to deliver 4 times the information on the screen as compared to a regular 60 Hz display.

How does that translate into gaming?

Another way of seeing the difference for yourself is to go into a store and take a look at the different demos that they have on display. This might not be something for everyone but if you want the best possible experience in competitive titles then you can opt for a 240Hz monitor.

What should I pick?

It all comes down to the kind of games that you play and the hardware that you have at your disposal. If you play competitive first-person shooters and your hardware can run those games at 240 FPS then you can go for it. If you play story-based games then you will not get any advantage. Budget is also a major factor here.

If money is no object and you want the best possible experience then you can go for a 240Hz display. If that is not the case then you can save some money and go for a 144Hz display instead. Games like CS GO, LoL, Rocket League etc. are forgiving and will run at higher FPS easily but you will need some serious hardware in order to run other games such as PUBG and WoW. Modern AAA games are not going to run at 240 FPS most of the time.

Going with a 144Hz display means that you won’t really need to spend too much money on hardware components. It is likely that your PC can already manage 144 FPS in online multiplayer games. If you opt for a 240Hz display then you will need to get the PC hardware necessary to run games at such high FPS.

240Hz displays are recommended only for competitive players that need the best experience possible in-game. If you are not competitive then investing in a higher resolution monitor might be a better idea. Story-based games that do not have a lot of fast-paced action will look even better at higher resolutions.

The post 144Hz vs 240Hz Gaming Monitor – Can You See the Difference? appeared first on GamingFeature.Com.

What to Look For in a Gaming Monitor – How to Choose the Right One for Gaming

Mike Jones — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 02:43:00 +0000

A real gamer knows that without a solid gaming monitor, a genuine gaming experience will only be a dream. That’s the main reason that besides having a great gaming rig, gaming enthusiasts have also got a powerful monitor to extend the visualization experience while they are gaming.

So if you are in the thoughts of getting one as well, what is the important aspects to look for in a gaming monitor?

A lot of gamers face issues while choosing a good monitor. That’s because of two reasons. Either they go with the lowest price only, and they end up buying a mediocre monitor without any essential features.

Or they don’t have prior knowledge about resolution, refresh rate or response time, resulting in they don’t know what gaming monitor will suit them the best.

The latest reason is probably the most accurate. Despite having a great gaming PC, many end up buying a standard monitor that will bottleneck their visible frames per second without even knowing it.

Do Monitors matter for Gaming?

An important aspect to consider before you go on to buy a gaming monitor is what type of graphics card you have, or even your total hardware of your gaming rig.

You want to make sure that you buy a gaming monitor that can at least take advantage of the amount of FPS (frames per second) your computer in-game can deliver. Let’s say you got a brand new GPU of NVIDIA or AMD; then you are simply wasting the potential of your graphics card with a 60Hz monitor.

Same goes the other way around; it’s not worth buying a 144Hz monitor if your computer only can produce 60 FPS. However, it could be worth it if you want to future-proof your monitor for your next gaming rig.

As for resolution, it’s the same thing, getting a 4K monitor but your GPU or graphics card can’t deliver it in-game smoothly, you can’t enjoy the gaming experience to its fullest. Indeed the performance of that game will be far lower than what you had hoped.

In short, if you want a gaming monitor with amazing features such as high resolution or high refresh rate, you will need a better graphics card with it as well, and that will be a necessity.

Screen Size and Resolution

Gaming monitors come in different resolutions. They are basically millions of pixels that display different type of colors to varying shades on a screen. All these pixels when combined together, produce a single large image collectively that you use to see on a screen.

Generally, with computer monitors, you will sit rather close to it compared to a TV for example. So pixel density is important here as you want as smooth display as possible. We recommend the following sizes and resolutions combined.

Up to 24″: 1080p (1920×1080)
Up to 27″: 1440p (2560×1440)
Up to 31″: 4K (3840×2160)

However, most gaming monitors go up to 27″ and more than that is generally way to large for gaming. Now, one thing to keep as a reminder is the more pixels your gaming monitor has, the better and broader will be its quality.

A gaming monitor’s resolution determines that how many pixels it has got. For example, a 1080p monitor (1920×1080) will have 1920 pixels in width and 1080 pixels in length respectively. Considering this example, 1440p and 4K monitors have got more pixels in them and that’s why they are considered as high-quality gaming monitors. You’ll see a sharper image that is not only enhancing your gaming experience but also in your daily uses.

One thing to keep in mind here is, the more pixels a monitor has, the more expensive it will be. That means as you go from a 1080p monitor to a 4K, the price will increase in the same trend.

If you also want a high refresh rate monitor with a small budget, you could literally be forced to only look at a 24-25″ 1080p gaming monitor. You’ll soon notice that if you want a 27″ 1440p gaming monitor with 144Hz refresh rate, you could easily be looking at $500 per monitor.

Furthermore, ultra-wide gaming displays are also becoming popular. An ultra-wide screen with a curved display is a dream of every gamer. So, if you have got a hefty budget to spend on a gaming monitor its an option as well.

Refresh Rate of Your Gaming Monitor

A good gaming monitor comes with a high refresh rate, and that’s a fact. With the rise of more competitive and high graphics gaming, more games are looking for every advantage they can find to provide a gamer with the best graphics experience. One of those advantages is to use a monitor with a high refresh rate.

Before we go further and discuss more about the importance of refresh rate, you need to know about what basically refresh rate of a monitor is.

What is Refresh Rate?

If you have got knowledge about motion picture, you will also have an idea about that videos such as movies or video games are thousands of still images played continuously one after another to make a motion picture.

So, what refresh rate means is the ability to refresh the image on the screen showing on the monitor per second.

A gaming monitor with a high refresh rate means that you will have a smoother gameplay experience no matter what the situation is. For instance, a 60 Hz monitor is able to refresh the image on the screen for 60 times per second (depending upon the type of graphics card you use).

High Refresh Rate – Important for Competitive Gamers

The most amazing advantage of a gaming monitor with a higher refresh rate is that gamers can react more quickly to a sudden change in a game rather than monitors with a low refresh rate.

So, if you are playing FPS games like CS:GO, Fortnite, Call of Duty or PUBG, where every inch of a second can be vital for you in getting an elimination or getting killed, a monitor with higher refresh rate can become really handy for you.

Higher Refresh Rate Monitors for Gaming

Whether you decide on buying a high refresh rate gaming monitor can entirely depend upon your preference. If you play competitive games, then it will be a necessity to buy a gaming monitor with a high refresh rate.

If you don’t play many games and you only like to play video games casually that doesn’t require you to react faster, then a monitor of 60Hz refresh rate can be perfectly fine for you.

Some common refresh rates of gaming monitors are:

120Hz
144Hz
240Hz

You must keep in mind that the higher the refresh rate, the better the graphics card you must need in order to get full advantage of the FPS and avoid screen tearing. That happens when your monitor is trying to display a higher FPS than its actuall refresh rate. However, this could also be avoided by implementing a frame rate cap, usually done by G-Sync or FreeSync technology, but more on that later!

What is Response Time?

Response time is another important factor that you must consider in order to buy a good gaming monitor. It is defined as the rate at which a single pixel can change from its previous color to the new one. It differs from refresh rate in terms of that refresh rate deals with changing frames and response time only have to deal with changing individual pixels of colors.

As we just learned, a low refresh rate can cause your game to be choppy. On the other hand, a low response time of a monitor will give a motion blur effect in fast-paced games. It can be easy to confuse refresh rate and response time to each other, but you want high refresh rate and low response time when it comes to gaming.

The response time of a gaming monitor is not that big of an issue as most of the modern day monitors come with low response rate anyway (lower is good) so that they won’t cause any problem in gameplay. Ideally, you want 1ms of refresh rate, and most serious gaming monitors are. But make sure to check it anyway before you make a purchase. Most of the regular gaming monitors in the market have got a response time of lower than 6ms, and that should be perfectly fine unless you are very familiar with 1ms refresh rate since previous monitors.

On the other side of the story, the response time is also affected by the panel technology of the monitor. Certain gaming monitors have got a lower response rate than others, and that’s because they have got different panels. So don’t give it to much weight as it is tough to notice milliseconds of difference, but 1-4ms is the sweet spot.

What Type of Monitor is Best for Gaming?

Gaming monitors use different panels to ensure a better graphics experience to gamers. For this purpose, there are three types of panels on gaming monitors listed as follows.

• TN Panels
• IPS Panels
• VA Panels

Each panel has its own pros and cons. Let’s take a brief look at them.

TN Panels

Gaming monitors with TN panels have got the lowest price on the market. They have got a response time of only 1ms. Many gamers mostly use them because of a reasonable price range and low response time. The main con of a TN panel gaming monitor is they have less superior picture quality and viewing angles.

IPS Panels

Gaming monitors with IPS panels are the perfect ones and expensive ones too. They have got the best picture quality, and that’s mainly because of better viewing angles and color accuracy. IPS displays can get a low response time as well. However, the lowest they can go is 4ms, making TN Panels superior in that regard.

VA Panels

VA panels are for precise viewing angles with a superior darker blacks, better color contrast as compared to TN and IPS panels. However, one of the significant cons in a VA panel is ghosting issues mainly because of high response time. Other than that, they are excellent. They have also got an expensive price tag but are close in range with IPS displays.

Which Panel is Best For you?

The type of panel technology that is better for you depends on your budget. If you have got a large budget, then an IPS display will be a perfect match for you. If your primary purpose is to play competitive games and you want to avoid high response time issues, then you will have to spend a bit more in order to find an IPS display with a lower response time rate.

Well if you have got a short budget to spend on a gaming monitor, then a TN panel monitor will be your best choice. Just make sure that it has got a low response time (ideally 1ms) with a high refresh rate to provide you fast and excellent gameplay of different FPS games.

Here’s are our own personal best picks on each panel for gaming that we recommend.

Our TN Panel Pick

Acer Predator XB252Q

Our IPS Panel Pick

ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q

Our VA Panel Pick

Acer Predator Z35

FreeSync or G-Sync Technology

AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync are the two main technologies used in a gaming monitor to eliminate the issue of screen tearing. Both these technologies have the same goal, but first, you need to know about what actually screen tearing is.

Screen tearing is the issue in which your graphics card has not been in sync with your monitors refresh rate, and as a result, the monitor ends up displaying pieces of several frames rather than whole frames separately as it is supposed to do.

Both FreeSync and G-Sync technologies enable the gaming monitor to lock its refresh rate with the graphics card. Both techniques work differently to accomplish this task, and both have got their own pros and cons as well.

First of all, it’s important to know that you cannot simply use an AMD FreeSync technology with a Nvidia graphics card, and in the same manner, you cannot use Nvidia G-Sync technology with that of a AMD graphics card.

FreeSync monitors have got an adapted-sync standard which makes it easier for a manufacturer to implement it on a monitor and no extra hardware is used for that purpose. That’s why free-sync monitors are less expensive and more easily affordable.

Well, on the other hand, G-Sync count on an actual physical chip inside the monitor which makes extra work for manufacturers to integrate the chip in the monitor. Additional hardware is required, and that’s why G-Sync monitors are more expensive as compared to the later one.

At last, both technologies are excellent. You will have to choose between your budget and what video graphics card you have to make sure that you go for a FreeSync monitor or a G-Sync gaming monitor.

It’s important to know that you don’t have to use these adapted-sync technologies, every gaming monitor will work with either Nvidia or AMD graphic cards. The only thing is that you might not be able to use FreeSync or G-Sync, even some gamers prefer not to anyway!

Either way, G-Sync monitors are more expensive, and you will usually need more money to buy a gaming monitor compatible with that technology. So, the choice is utterly yours to make, and our recommendation is to go for a G-Sync gaming monitor if have a Nvidia graphics card.

Video Inputs

Modern day gaming monitors use the following type of connectors in order to connect with different consoles.

Display Port Connector

It’s on of the best video connector for gaming monitors as it supports high refresh rates.

HDMI Connector

These video inputs are becoming the new standard for monitors in general, but they cannot support high refresh rates as compared to display port.

There are other connectors available that a gaming monitor may include but these are the most common ones, and you can use them to connect your monitor with any compatible console such as Xbox One, PS4, or gaming PC.

Conclusion

Well, those were some of the factors to look out for before choosing a good gaming monitor. Feel free to leave any queries or questions about this guide in the comments sections below or if you feel we missed something!

The post What to Look For in a Gaming Monitor – How to Choose the Right One for Gaming appeared first on GamingFeature.Com.

Gaming Monitor Reviews and Buyer’s Guides - GamingFeature.Com

ASUS ROG PG278QR vs PG279Q – Gaming Monitor Comparison

What the Difference Between ASUS ROG PG278QR and PG279Q Monitor?

Asus ROG PG278QR vs PG279Q Monitor Comparison

ASUS ROG PG279Q

ASUS ROG PG278QR

PG278QR or PG279Q: Which One Should You Pick?

TN Vs IPS Displays

Does Response Times Less Than 5ms Matter?

Conclusion

What’s the Best Monitor Size for Gaming in 2020?

What Is The Best Monitor Size For Gaming?

What is a Monitor Size and How do you Measure it

Is a Bigger Monitor Better for Gaming?

What about Ultrawide Displays?

Curved Monitors

Viewing Distance

Final Words

TN vs IPS vs VA – Which Display Panel Type is Best for Gaming in 2020?

Which is better TN, IPS, or IPS for Gaming?

What is a TN Display?

Advantages

Disadvantages

Are IPS Monitors Worth it?

Advantages

Disadvantages

What is a VA Display?

Advantages

Disadvantages

Tips on Looking for the Right Monitor

Our Monitor Recommendations

60Hz vs 144Hz Gaming Monitor Comparison – Is it Worth the Upgrade?

Is 60hz refresh rate good for gaming?

60hz vs 144hz for Gaming

Pros and Cons

Can you see a difference?

What should I pick?

Best 1440p Gaming Monitors in 2020

Top Rated 1440p Monitors For Gaming Comparison Table

The Best 1440p Gaming Monitors in 2020

1. Acer Predator XB271HU – Best 1440p Gaming Monitor

2. ASUS ROG SWIFT PG279Q – Premium 1440p Gaming Monitor

3. Acer G257HU – Budget 1440p Gaming Monitor

4. ASUS PB278Q

5. Dell S2719DGF

6. AOC Q2778VQE

7. BenQ ZOWIE XL2740

8. Acer Curved ​XR341CK

9. VIOTEK GN27DB

10. Samsung C32HG70 QLED

Is a 1440p Gaming Monitor Worth it?

Things to Consider before Buying a 1440p Monitor

System Requirement

Minimum Requirements

Maximum Settings

TN vs IPS Panel

What to Look For in a 1440p Gaming Monitor

Resolution

1080 Full HD

1440p QHD or 2K

2160p UHD or 4K

Refresh Rate

Adaptive-Sync

Response Time

Why is it important?

Conclusion

Best Monitor for WoW Classic for 2020

Top Rated Gaming Monitors for World of Warcraft

The Best Monitor for WoW in 2020

1. LG 34UM69G-B – Best Monitor for MMO Games

2. Dell Alienware 1900R

3. Asus VG245H

4. ASUS ROG PG279Q

5. Samsung CJ791

Buyer’s Guide – Monitor for WoW Classic

What is refresh rate?

What is response time?

TN vs IPS Panel:

Viewing Distance

Best Monitor Size For Gaming?

8. Acer Curved XR341CK