If you use your computer to play video games frequently, and you are organizing a gaming room to get the most out of your gaming sessions, it's clear that the ideal gaming monitor is one of the most important elements that you should consider. After all, the screen is what you will have in front of your eyes and that’s where the action will take place, so it should be able to reproduce the experience with the highest possible quality.

 

The fact that video game players are increasingly demanding better quality for their ideal monitors for the Xbox series X has opened up interesting possibilities: there are a series of characteristics that distinguish monitors designed for gaming (commonly classified as gaming monitors) and those that seek to provide solutions to everyday or professional tasks.

 

 

 

 

Keys to choosing the best gaming monitor

Monitor size

Although ideal monitors for gaming larger than 30 inches are becoming more common, the truth is that it isn’t necessary to resort to such large sizes. The important thing is that we feel comfortable playing and that we value one size or another depending on the distance at which we are going to be in front of the monitor.

 

Generally, the appropriate sizes are from 24 to 27 inches (preferably the latter), but things change with ultra-wide monitors that are usually found for more than 30 inches and that allow you to view much more content, although not all video games are compatible.

 

With all this, the saying "more is not always better" is something that applies to monitors. You have to consider the space in which you are going to place yourself, the distance, the resolution and, above all, the price, which is usually decisive when choosing one ideal monitor for the PS5 or another.

 

Resolution and refresh rate

To take advantage of the power of your equipment and the possibilities of current games, it is recommended for the ideal pixel density of your new monitor to reach at least 1440p resolution, with which you will be able to adequately enjoy the games that are published today. And if you can get one that offers 2160p (4K) resolution, even better, as more and more games are reaching those numbers with the right hardware.

 

Of course, keep in mind that usually, when a video game allows 4K resolution in its options, it’s at the cost of sacrificing a bit of performance and fluidity, so unless graphics are your highest priority, it’s unlikely that you will often play in 4K, at least with the current catalog of games. Of course, if you have a very powerful computer and graphics card, you will take more and more advantage of 4K with the new games that are coming out, so it may also be a good bet for the future to opt for that resolution.

 

As for the refresh rate, it’s normal that you’ll be perfectly served with 144 Hz (do not even consider a lower figure if you have a good computer and you are going to play the latest). But if you're really demanding, and especially if you compete in online tournaments where every fraction of a second counts, you might want to get an ideal hz for gaming of 240Hz or even higher monitor to keep up with the action faster and react in time to any situation.

 

FreeSync and G-Sync

FreeSync and G-Sync are technologies designed by AMD and NVIDIA respectively, whose mission is to eliminate the negative phenomena known as tearing and stuttering, which have marred the gaming experience for many years. These problems are increasingly a thing of the past, as any ideal gaming monitor worth its salt today has one of the aforementioned technologies so that nothing gets in the way of our enjoyment.

 

As each of these technologies is associated with a manufacturer, you must keep in mind that you must check that your graphics card is compatible with the one offered by the monitor you are going to buy. That said, some gamers and experts find NVIDIA's G-Sync to offer a slightly better experience and stability, though AMD's FreeSync also delivers very good results.

 

Ultimately, it's all about which graphics card you're using, as we mentioned, and don't forget that if you go the AMD route, the price/quality ratio may be better for you, though it all depends on the tastes and preferences of each user.

 

 

A normal monitor, an ultra-widescreen one or several connected?

In certain games, having the widest field of view gives a great advantage to the player. In others, it achieves an immersive experience that can only be described as spectacular.

In this regard, we refer to the point about the space we have available when placing our monitor and the necessary distance that having a large screen implies when playing. However, there’s always the option of connecting several monitors.

 

An ultra-widescreen monitor will give us an image without separations, highlighting the immersion of each game or avoiding the side effects of having small areas without visibility.

However, through a few simple settings, Windows makes it easy to view the same content or game on multiple screens. And not only that: we can also see the same thing on all screens or dedicate one of them to another function (chats, web browser) even changing its layout and location.

 

In this regard, the limit is set by your budget and priorities. An ultra-wide screen is a big investment, but two with good features can mean an even bigger outlay. However, it goes without saying that you can always add more field of vision or delegate a secondary function through a monitor you already have.

 

What you get with curved monitors and super curved monitors?

For decades, the goal was to offer the viewer a completely flat and as thin as possible screen. For some time now, in a matter of years, manufacturers such as Samsung have not only brought back the curve, but have also advocated super curved monitors when playing.

The premise is simple: on the one hand, it achieves a more immersive feeling when integrating into the game. On the other hand, it reduces eye fatigue when viewing the most lateral areas of the monitor itself, making the distance between all areas of the screen and the eyes more or less homogeneous.

 

Opting for a curved or super curved monitor is an aspect to really consider if we tend to do long gaming marathons that also require paying attention to all corners of the screen. A priority? Well, that depends on you, the budget we have and the time you usually spend on games.

Think about what kind of games you're going to play

Another important feature in an ideal monitor for gaming is the display panel. Depending on the type of games you're going to play, you can opt for one type or another to get the most out of your monitor.

 

 

 

 

Types of panels

• TN (Twisted Nematic) panels: They have the fastest and most economical technology, although at the cost of lower overall image quality.

Who are they for? For those who like high-speed, competitive games, where response time is paramount.

• IPS (In-Plane Switching) panels: They offer the best image quality and color sharpness, as well as wide viewing angles, so you can see sharp images even if you're not right in front of your monitor, for example, if you're playing with several people at once. In exchange, the response time is longer.

 

 

Who are they for? For those who prefer role-playing or adventure video games and enjoy the colors and graphics.

• VA (Vertical Alignment) panels: They offer the best results in brightness and contrast. The response time is similar to IPS, being higher in some cases, but it is greater than in a TN panel.

Who are they for? For those who play different genres and even use it to enjoy their favorite movies.