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This is an archive article published on February 1, 2024

Level up your game: Things to keep in mind when buying a gaming monitor

Here is a buying guide to choose the right monitor that matches the performance of your PC or console.

Gaming monitor buying guideA user gaming on a Playstation (Image credit: Pixabay)

Refresh rate, resolution, and response time are the three major factors that one should consider when buying a gaming monitor for either a console or a PC. Depending on the budget and requirements, one can mix and match these specifications and prioritize one over the other two.

Due to the latest advancements in display technology, one can use literally any modern monitor or television as a gaming monitor. However, a dedicated gaming monitor will be a class apart and could further elevate and even give you an edge over the competition, especially in online multiplayer and first-person shooter-type titles.

Before delving deep into the various options, let’s first understand the fundamentals of a gaming monitor and what one should look for when buying a gaming monitor for a console or a PC.

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Most gaming monitors specifically designed for console gaming will typically only have an HDMI port as an input option. In contrast, a typical PC gaming monitor, even budget products, includes both DisplayPort and an HDMI port. Additionally, a PC gaming monitor usually features a slightly higher refresh rate, going up to 540Hz on flagship models, compared to a monitor meant for a console, which leans more towards offering high resolution (4K), with the refresh rate usually capped at 120Hz.

Major brands such as Samsung, LG, Asus, Acer, BenQ, Dell, and many others manufacture these gaming monitors, which can be categorized into three main types: regular monitors with a 16:9 aspect ratio, ultra-wide angle monitors, and curved monitors available in both regular and ultra-wide aspect ratios. Some monitors also support 3D output, though these options haven’t become mainstream yet and are generally more expensive than regular gaming monitors. You can choose a monitor based on the display panel type, with four different options available.

TN panel — Usually found on gaming monitors with higher refresh rate
VA panel — Best known for their contrast and colour reproduction
IPS panel — Great viewing angle and are on the cheaper side
OLED — Expensive and could suffer from screen burn-in issues

On top of that, HDR is also one more thing that’s worth considering, especially if you have the latest consoles or high-end gaming RIGS with flagship graphics cards from NVIDIA or AMD that can handle AAA titles in HDR mode.

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While buying a gaming monitor for an Xbox Series S/X or the Sony PS5 (review), one can also look for an officially certified product, which will usually have labels like those made for Xbox or Playstation. Similarly, while buying a gaming monitor for a PC, one can look for aspects like NVIDIA GSync and AMD Freesync certified monitor, depending on the graphics card featured on the gaming laptop or RIG. Last but not least, never pair a basic monitor with a high-end RIG or vice versa.

By taking consideration of all these parameters, here are some of the best gaming monitors, across the price range, which are worth considering in 2024:

Samsung Odyssey G5

Samsung Curved gaming monitor with high refresh rate (Image credit: Samsung)

Priced at Rs 38,899, the Odyssey G5 is a mid-sized and curved gaming monitor from Samsung, which can be used with either a gaming console or a PC. With a 1000R curvature curve, this specific product can enable an immersive gaming experience and it offers a WQHD (2K) resolution with a 160Hz refresh rate with a slightly wider 21:9 aspect ratio. As it is an HDR 10-certified monitor, it also offers excellent brightness levels for both gaming and content consumption.

Acer Predator XB283K

Acer Predator A high-resolution (4K) gaming monitor (Image credit: Acer)

If you are into 4K gaming (console or PC), then the Predator XB283K from Acer could be the monitor that you should be looking into, which costs Rs 49,404. This 28-inch flat panel display monitor offers a native 2160p resolution with 144Hz refresh rate. On top of that, it is also compatible with both AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-SYNC technologies. There is also HDR400 certification, and this monitor can even be used with a modern laptop or a MacBook, thanks to the USB-C input port.

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LG Ultragear-27Gp750-B

LG Ultragear A fast high refresh rate gaming monitor (Image credit: LG)

If you are a PC gamer, and looking for a class-leading 1080p resolution monitor, then the Ultragear-27Gp750-B is a monitor that might be of interest. This is a 24-inch monitor with a 240Hz refresh rate, and it currently retails for Rs 22,900 with a height-adjustable stand with red accents, and it is also compatible with GSync.

Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 Ultra

Samsung Odessey OLED Samsung’s top-of-the-line gaming monitor (Image credit: Samsung)

A flagship gaming monitor with OLED. Priced at Rs 1,15,699, this monitor is definitely on the expensive side, however, it is also one of the best gaming monitors that money can buy with unmatchable colour reproduction and contrast ratio. This 34-inch gaming monitor offers 2K resolution, 17Hz refresh rate and an impressive response time of 0.1ms, and it is also a curved gaming monitor. With narrow bezels and a slim profile, it is also one of the best-looking products in its class.

GIGABYTE G34Wqc

Gigabyte A curved ultra-wide gaming monitor (Image credit: Gigabyte)

An excellent ultra-wide angle and a curved (1500R curvature) gaming monitor with 2K resolution and 144Hz refresh rate. This monitor currently costs Rs 42,999 and it even packs a stereo speaker setup. The prominent features of this monitor include HDR400 certification, 90% DCI-P3 coverage, and a fast response time of 1 ms.

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