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Summary
A monitor puts the video in video games.
Based on that, I can look at the specs and make my choice.
Here are the most important specs I look for when choosing a gaming monitor.
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When it comes to refresh rates, any decent monitor (or TV) these days starts at 60Hz.
This term, Hertz, is how we measure refresh rates.
I also always opt for monitors with some kind ofvariable refresh rate (VRR) technology.
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Check for a FreeSync, G-Sync, or similar banner on your monitor.
Getting a VRR monitor will help reduce the chance of your display stuttering or lagging.
Resolution is one core determinant of how detailed a game looks.
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Resolution is measured in the number of pixels of the width and height of the monitor.
So a 4K monitor usually has 3840 x 2160 pixels (3840 pixels width and 2160 pixels height).
We refer to it as 4K because the horizontal pixels are approximately 4,000.
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A 4K monitor is the only way for a gamer like me.
The good news is that 4K monitors are getting cheaper.
Starting with size, bigger doesnt always mean better.
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The density of pixels (measured in PPI) on the screen increases as the display gets smaller.
Because there are more pixels packed into a smaller space, it gives better clarity and sharpness.
Based on this premise, I never buy a monitor larger than 34 inches.
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You know how some monitors are more rectangular-shaped and others more square-shaped?
This proportional relationship between the height and width is called the aspect ratio.
Lastly, there’s curvature.
I dont buy curved displays because all the ones I have tried seemed fuzzy.
They look good and they can help with FOV, but theyre also expensive and gimmicky.
Id rather put the money towards a better graphics card.
4Connectivity Options
I once made the mistake of buying a monitor with only one HDMI port.
I dont necessarily use these ports all the time, but the option is comforting.
If I find a good monitor without them, its still a good buy.
As a bonus, most gaming monitors with high brightness also come withHDR (high dynamic range) capability.
Additionally, current-gen consoles are designed to work with HDR.
With an HDR-enabled monitor, you canenable auto HDR on an Xbox X|Sandadjust HDR tweaks on a PS5.
As you may have already guessed, I choose only IPS panels for gaming.
Whatever the panel, though, I opt for a matte display.
It really helps with preventing glare and reduces eyestrain and screen sickness.
On top of that, they look pretty great.
7Ergonomics
When people say ergonomics, desks and chairs come to mind.
Its easy to forget how much monitors contribute to that.
It might be because, for monitors, ergonomics is simply how adjustable the monitors stem and joints are.
These can save you some money and time you would have spent on a third-party stand.
However, since I prefer ultrawide monitors, I dont look for monitors that can rotate.
Go for it, though, if thats important to you.
There are other things I didnt discuss here, but these are the most important specs to me.
In my decade-long experience of building setups, these particular specs have never failed me.
I hope they serve you just as well.
