Throughout this guide, you will find useful information in order How to choose a Gamer screen or PC screen. We will discuss the different criteria for choosing your monitor: type of monitor panel, screen definition, response time, refreshment … which have an impact on the final graphic rendering, and therefore your visual comfort.
The theme of Gaming will be particularly covered because it is the players who will very often be attentive to these details.
Here are the few criteria you should pay attention to in order to buy a PC Gaming screen that offers good value for money and has technical characteristics suited to your needs. It would indeed be a shame to buy a high-performance Gaming PC and not have a graphic and visual rendering to match!
Some of the information in this buying guide also applies to versatile PC monitors dedicated to more multimedia use.
The monitor panel
Today\’s market offers a wide range of Best monitor for sim racing, typically 24 to 27 inches in size. In the case of a screen used for playing video games, we recommend a screen with a minimum size of 24 inches. Often, upgrading to a larger diagonal size does not require a much larger budget, but can have a significant impact on visual comfort.
About the ratio (screen width divided by its height), best for playing videos and video games is the traditional 16: 9. The 16 / 10th ratio is more reserved for particular situations, in particular for professionals wishing to maximize their useful work surface. As for the 21 / 9th ratio, it is reserved for wide screens, often curved for more immersion.
Often expressed in inches, the diagonal represents the total length between two opposite corners of the screen. This is what we use to express the size of the monitor and we can perfectly convert it into centimeters. Here is the equivalence table for a 16: 9 screen.
The types of panel are numerous and will often categorize the screen according to its use. The TN panel is the most common and accompanies both versatile screens and Gamers, while the VA, IPS panels and their variations are more oriented graphics and photo editing. These panel technologies often accompany graphics screens in association, for example, with a PC dedicated to computer-aided design and drawing.
Screen resolution
The advantage of having a more precise image is the fact that the amount of information on the same surface will be greater. The photos will be more detailed, and you will be able to watch High Definition or Very High Definition movies without being blocked by your screen resolution. For example, a 24-inch screen has a resolution of 1920×1080 while a 4K screen has a resolution of 3840×2160. 4K resolution displays offer eight times more detail than 720p HD resolutions.
It is advisable to have a screen diagonal adapted to the chosen resolution. Having a screen with a very large definition does not really make sense or use if its surface is small. Full HD will be strongly recommended from 22 inches, and Ultra HD from 27/28 inches if you have the budget.
60h Hz, 120 Hz or 144 Hz refreshment?
The value of the refresh often varies between 50 and 144 Hz. The objective is to have a high frequency in order to have good visual comfort. For example, video games require a refresh rate of 60 Hz so that the eye can discern smooth movements. Regarding 3D images, a refresh rate of 120 Hz is vital because 3D requires one image per eye, i.e. double.
The 120 Hz will however have better image quality for screens dedicated to FPS because the diagonal scan will also be better. Likewise, 144 Hz should be reserved for gamers playing games with very fast movements.
Combat image distortion
New technologies G-Sync from Nvidia and FreeSync from AMD are the benchmarks in this battle. Image distortion is caused by a lack of synchronization between the graphics card and the monitor. The V-Sync option corrects these problems, but only partially.
The point is to create a smooth and stable gaming experience. How do these new technologies work? The idea is to synchronize the refresh rate of the monitor with that of the graphics processor in order to prevent jerky images. As a result, video game parts are efficient.
Standard connections of a PC screen
There are different types of connectors, video but also audio, which are present at the back of a screen. These connections depend on the connection options and other functions such as these:
- DVI: digital output, this is the most common on screens.
- HDMI: the HDMI connector is a digital connector, suitable for carrying audio and video.
- DisplayPort: totally digital, it has the same functions as HDMI.
- VGA: it is the analog ancestor of DVI.
Read also: The Difference Between the Various Components of a CPU
Our selection of screens
We have selected a few screens for you that offer good value for money depending on their size and screen resolution.
- Full HD / 1920 x 1080 resolution: The Asus VP228HE can be considered a very good entry level product. This 21.5-inch screen is versatile and offers many functions such as the exclusive GamePlus3 application or Asus Smart Contrast Ratio for top contrast.
- Full HD resolution with curved panel: This 27-inch screen from MSI will not cease to amaze you. For a very affordable price, access the joys of immersion. The OPTIX MAG271CR is made from a curved panel with VA technology. Note the presence of Less Blue Light and Anti-Flicker technologies for your visual comfort.