You may think that when it comes to your computer’s monitor that there is no difference between what you have now and a gaming monitor. But that’s simply not true. Gaming monitors provide an enhanced refresh rate and response time when you game.
You also need to be aware of the angle of the monitor itself because whether it is curved or flat will make a difference for your in-game performance.
Professional players of first-person shooters should be especially concerned with refresh rate as it is critical to hitting targets.
Keep reading to learn how to choose the best gaming monitor for your needs!
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What Is a Gaming Monitor and What Makes It Different from Other Monitors?
If you’re in the market for a new monitor, you may be wondering what exactly makes a gaming monitor so special and if you need one. At first glance, you may not notice a significant difference between a gaming monitor and a regular monitor.
Over time, however, you may grow frustrated if you spend time trying to game with a monitor that is not designed to support a lot of big graphics and movement. A gaming monitor is specifically made for the fast-paced world of computer gaming, which means it is engineered to have a higher refresh rate and a faster response time.
A normal monitor might have more accurate colors, but its performance is much slower and will most likely make it difficult to play your games.
Is a Gaming Monitor Actually Better for Gaming?
Much like a gaming mouse gives you better control and accuracy when you are in game than a regular mouse would, a gaming monitor shows things on screen much more quickly than a regular monitor. This allows you to react in real time to whatever is happening on the screen, which makes for a better gaming experience overall.
But how does a gaming monitor achieve this? Gaming monitors use ISP panels, which are the best kind of panel you can have for gaming. Regular monitors typically use TN or VA panels, which can produce lag when you are trying to game with them.
Again, a regular monitor might have better colors, but a gaming monitor will be superior in refresh rate and response time any day of the week.
How to Choose a Gaming Monitor?
When you are selecting a gaming monitor, you might think that bigger automatically means better. This is often the case with televisions, but gaming monitors are a different story.
While a bigger monitor can be helpful in certain situations, it’s not always the best choice. You must take into account the pixel density of the monitor, and the easiest way to do this is to check how your apps handle scaling if you have selected a monitor with a high pixel density.
As mentioned above, it’s important to keep in mind the refresh rate, response time, and panel type.
Finally, you should be aware of whether your selected monitor is HDR, ultra-wide or wide screen, and whether it has any exclusive features. These are all things that should influence your choice of gaming monitor, so you can find the one best suited to your needs.
Curved Versus Flat – Which Is Better for Gaming?
A constant debate in the gaming community is whether a curved or flat monitor is best for gaming. In the end, it’s a personal choice, but curved monitors have a level of immersion that flat monitors do not and cannot hope to replicate.
Curved monitors draw players into the action and can heighten the overall experience of playing your favorite games, sort of like a movie is always more impressive in the theater than it is at home.
Another thing to bear in mind is that one large, curved screen can replace a dual monitor system because it gives you the ability to manage multiple programs at the same time. Not to mention that purchasing one curved gaming monitor is usually more cost-effective than purchasing a dual monitor setup.
Does Monitor Refresh Rate Really Matter in Gaming?
The refresh rate of your monitor is critical when gaming, especially for professional players of first person shooters like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive or Overwatch. Having a better refresh rate allows players to see visual information they would have missed without it.
Additionally, a higher refresh rate also makes it easier for some players to aim and causes an overall reduction in input lag. This makes for a smoother and less frustrating gaming experience than you would get with a regular monitor, which is something that every gamer wants.
We hope you benefited from these tips on purchasing a gaming monitor! If you have any tips or comments about purchasing a gaming monitor, let us know in the comments!
