How to Choose the Perfect Gaming Monitor

PC gaming looks and feels best with a gaming monitor - after all, they are designed to create the most immersive gaming experience possible. But there are a few factors to consider when it comes to choosing the right gaming monitor for your setup.

Understanding refresh rates, response times, panel type, resolution, adaptive sync, and more makes it easier to make an informed decision. Every player is different, so it’s essential to choose a display that works best for your gaming preferences, setup, and budget.

In this article, we’ll take you through a few of the most important monitor specs for gaming, how they work, and what you need to know when buying your next gaming display.

Refresh rate describes the amount of times per second that your monitor refreshes to show new frames, and it can have an enormous impact on your gameplay. A high refresh rate means your monitor can display more frames per second, which makes for smoother motion and less input lag. It can also make your gaming feel responsive, and makes movement on screen look more natural.

A high refresh rate should be paired with a low response time. Response time describes how long it takes for the pixels in your display to completely shift from one colour state to another, measured in milliseconds. Faster response times can prevent image issues like motion blur and ghosting, which is particularly important for fast-paced action or FPS games.

For smooth and responsive gaming, your monitor should ideally have a refresh rate of at least 120Hz, and a response time of no more than 4ms. Many gaming monitors are capable of achieving even quicker response times, like 1ms or less. The lower the response time and the higher the refresh rate, the faster your display will feel overall.

A high monitor resolution enables you to see all elements of a game more clearly, including distant backgrounds, thanks to the larger quantity of pixels making up the display.

More pixels means crisper lines and finer details, which contributes to overall picture quality and gives players a more precise view of game environments. 1080p, or FHD, is the lowest resolution you’ll typically find on modern monitors, with higher resolutions like 1440p and 4K becoming more common.

Screen resolution needs to be determined alongside screen size and speed. If you want a large display, like an ultrawide monitor, you’ll need a higher resolution to prevent pixelation. However, higher resolutions require more processing power, which can slow your monitor down and make it feel less responsive.

It’s worth considering how much power your GPU has when choosing a display resolution. You can learn more about this balance between speed and picture quality by checking out our monitor resolution guide.

Your monitor’s panel type can affect the speed, colour accuracy, response time, longevity, and overall performance of your monitor. There are two main categories of panel type - LCD and OLED. IPS, VA and TN are different types of LCD, or liquid crystal displays, and have been the most common panel types for decades.

While LCDs use liquid crystal to create images, OLED displays are created by independently operating light emitting diodes. OLED is a newer technology, but all panel types have their strengths and weaknesses - you can learn more by reading our guide on IPS vs VA vs TN vs OLED.

For gaming, you’ll need a panel type that can deliver a fast refresh rate, low response time, and excellent picture quality. OLED or IPS panels are great choices for responsive and visually stunning gaming, but if fast response speeds are your top priority, then a TN panel works well too. VAs are a good all-rounder panel type and are typically more affordable than other IPS and OLED displays.

Curved monitors have steadily become more popular for immersive gaming. These displays mimic how the human eye interacts with 3D space, creating an optical illusion that makes game environments look more lifelike.

For ultra widescreens, a curved monitor makes it possible to enjoy the full range of the display without constantly needing to move your head. Some players find that curved displays may help to prevent gaming-related eye strain.

Curved monitors are excellent for expansive open-world games, or any games that aim to immerse the player, as they allow you to lose yourself more easily in the world you're playing in. However, some types of gaming are better served by a flat display.

For e-sports or competitive FPS games, for example, image distortion needs to be avoided, and curved screens are more prone to slight warping than flat screens. Before you choose, learn more about flat vs curved monitors to find out which display type works best with your play style.

Variable refresh rate technologies, like Nvidia’s G-Sync and AMD’s FreeSync, are designed to synchronise your monitor’s refresh rate to the frame rate output of your GPU. By syncing GPU frame production and refresh rate, VRR prevents screen tearing, which happens when a new frame loads on a display that is already showing an image.

Other methods of preventing screen tearing, like V-Sync, can slow down your GPU and cause stuttering, another frustrating visual glitch. G-Sync and FreeSync are very similar in performance, but they have different compatibility requirements.

G-Sync, Nvidia’s VRR technology, is only compatible with Nvidia GPUs, while FreeSync is more widely compatible and available on a range of displays. While they are extremely similar, there are some important differences to consider - you can compare and learn more about FreeSync and G-Sync .

Monitors range from compact 24” displays to massive 57” screens, including ultrawide options with 21:9 aspect ratios. For most setups, 27” is a great starting point, offering a balanced field of view and excellent image quality.

Larger sizes, like 32”, deliver a more immersive experience, while ultrawide monitors can be ideal for games like MMORPGs, enhancing multitasking and environmental awareness.

Before choosing, ensure your monitor fits your desk and viewing needs. For more tips, check out this guide on What Size Monitor Should I Get?.

A dual monitor setup is a great option for multitasking while gaming - whether it’s streaming, viewing stats or guides for in-game tasks, or watching other content while you play.

Using two or more monitors can give you more screen real estate for a lower price, especially when compared to newer ultrawide monitors. Dual monitors can also be repositioned with ease, giving you the flexibility to create your ideal, immersive gaming setup.

If you’re not sure how to set up dual monitors, check out our guide for more information and an easy step-by-step process.

TVs are becoming a popular substitute for gaming monitors thanks to their large sizes, clear visuals, and more affordable price point when compared to size.

Some modern TV even have good refresh rates and response times. Plus, TVs often have great brightness and vibrant colour, which their glossy screens help to heighten.

That being said, it can be difficult to find a TV that is as effective at balancing image quality and speed as a dedicated gaming monitor.

Monitors are usually the best option for gaming, but if you are thinking about switching to a TV, check out our TV vs Monitor guide for the pros and cons.

Speed and image quality are very important for gaming, but it’s also vital to consider your budget when choosing your next monitor. Before you jump for the latest, cutting-edge innovations, first consider the types of games you enjoy, and then decide what specs you want to prioritise.

For example, if you love playing older games with less graphical needs than the latest releases, you might not need to prioritise monitor resolution and image quality. If you use your monitor for more than just gaming, then you may need to consider issues like burn-in when choosing a panel type.

Considering your priority specs, learning how they work, and then choosing a monitor that fits your budget should allow you to find the perfect gaming display for all your needs. To learn more, read our Monitor Buying Guide.