๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Guides ยท Reviews ยท Tech Explained

Gaming Monitor Guides
That Actually Make Sense

From refresh rates and panel types to resolution and response time โ€” every spec that affects your gaming experience explained in plain English.

1080p โ†’ 8K
Resolutions covered
60โ€“540Hz
Refresh rates explained
IPS ยท VA ยท TN
Panel types compared
G-Sync ยท FreeSync
Sync technology guides

Start here


How to choose a gaming monitor

Featured Guide

How to Choose a Gaming Monitor

Resolution, refresh rate, panel type, response time, sync technology โ€” every spec that matters explained in one place, so you know exactly what to look for before you buy.

Read the guide โ†’

Setup & How-To Guides

Connecting, setting up, 120Hz explained, and curved vs flat.


How to connect a gaming monitor to a PC

Guide

How to Connect a Gaming Monitor to a PC

HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C โ€” which cable to use and how to make sure your PC sends the right signal.

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How to set up a gaming monitor

Guide

How to Set Up a Gaming Monitor

Stand assembly, cable routing, OSD settings โ€” the full setup process from unboxing to first game.

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Is 120Hz good for gaming

Guide

Is 120Hz Good for Gaming?

120Hz is a big step up from 60Hz โ€” but is it enough or should you go higher? The honest answer.

Read more โ†’


Are curved monitors good for gaming

Guide

Are Curved Monitors Good for Gaming?

Curved screens look great in demos โ€” here is what they actually feel like after a week of gaming on one.

Read more โ†’

Tech Explained

Panel types, refresh rate, response time, HDR โ€” every spec that shows up on a monitor box, explained clearly.


Refresh rate

Tech

What Is Refresh Rate on a Gaming Monitor?

60Hz, 144Hz, 240Hz, 360Hz โ€” what the numbers mean and which is right for how you game.

Read more โ†’


Response time

Tech

What Is Response Time? (1ms, GTG, MPRT)

1ms sounds fast but GTG and MPRT measure different things. What actually matters for gaming.

Read more โ†’


IPS panel

Tech

What Is an IPS Panel?

Great colours and wide viewing angles โ€” when IPS is the right choice and when TN or VA beats it.

Read more โ†’


VA panel

Tech

What Is a VA Panel?

Best contrast of any LCD type โ€” great for dark games, with one known trade-off explained.

Read more โ†’


TN panel

Tech

What Is a TN Panel?

The fastest LCD type, still used in esports at the top level โ€” here is why and what you give up.

Read more โ†’


HDR gaming monitor

Tech

What Is HDR on a Gaming Monitor?

HDR on a monitor is not the same as on a TV. What the labels mean and which are worth paying for.

Read more โ†’

Resolution & Sync Technology

1080p to 8K, G-Sync vs FreeSync vs VRR, FPS โ€” the specs that decide what your monitor can do.


Full HD 1080p

Resolution

What Is Full HD (1080p) on a Gaming Monitor?

1080p is still the most popular gaming resolution. What it means, who it suits, and when to upgrade.

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2K resolution

Resolution

What Is 2K Resolution on a Gaming Monitor?

2K and 1440p are used interchangeably โ€” they are not the same thing. The difference clarified.

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4K resolution

Resolution

What Is 4K Resolution on a Gaming Monitor?

4K looks stunning โ€” but your GPU needs to keep up. Who should and should not buy 4K right now.

Read more โ†’


8K resolution

Resolution

What Is 8K Resolution on a Gaming Monitor?

8K monitors exist โ€” but is anyone gaming at 8K? The honest state of 8K for gamers today.

Read more โ†’


G-Sync

Sync

What Is G-Sync on a Gaming Monitor?

NVIDIA’s variable sync eliminates screen tearing โ€” what it costs and whether it is worth it.

Read more โ†’


FreeSync

Sync

What Is FreeSync on a Gaming Monitor?

AMD’s free alternative to G-Sync. FreeSync vs FreeSync Premium vs FreeSync Premium Pro explained.

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VRR

Sync

What Is VRR on a Gaming Monitor?

VRR is the umbrella for G-Sync, FreeSync, and HDMI Forum VRR โ€” how they relate and which your setup needs.

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FPS

Tech

What Does FPS Mean on a Gaming Monitor?

FPS comes from your GPU, not your monitor โ€” but the two are closely linked. The relationship explained.

Read more โ†’


HDR levels

Tech

HDR400, HDR600, HDR1000 โ€” What Do They Mean?

Not all HDR is real HDR. The DisplayHDR certification levels decoded โ€” and which ones actually look good.

Read more โ†’

More coming soon

Reviews, Best-Of picks, and more how-to guides โ€” added weekly.

โญ
Best-Of Lists
Best 4K, OLED, 144Hz, 1440p, ultrawide, budget monitors
๐Ÿ”
Brand Reviews
ASUS ROG, MSI, AOC, Razer, Samsung, LG and more
๐Ÿ› ๏ธ
More How-To
Multi-monitor setup, calibration, mounts, cleaning
๐ŸŽฎ
Console Guides
Best monitors for Xbox Series X, PS5, competitive play

Frequently asked questions

What refresh rate do I need for gaming? +

For casual gaming 60Hz works, but 144Hz is the sweet spot where the improvement is immediately noticeable. Competitive FPS players often prefer 240Hz or higher. Console gamers with a PS5 or Xbox Series X benefit most from 120Hz. The jump from 60Hz to 144Hz is bigger than from 144Hz to 240Hz.

IPS vs VA vs TN โ€” which panel type is best for gaming? +

IPS is the best all-rounder โ€” great colours and wide viewing angles. VA has the best contrast, making it good for dark games. TN is the fastest but has the worst colours. Most gamers are best served by IPS, but if you play in a dark room and want the deepest blacks, VA is worth looking at.

Is 1080p or 1440p better for gaming? +

1440p at 27 inches is the sweet spot for most PC gamers โ€” noticeably sharper than 1080p without needing the GPU power that 4K demands. On a budget or playing competitive games at high frame rates, 1080p is still smart. If you have an RTX 4080 or better, 4K is worth considering.

Do I need G-Sync or FreeSync? +

Variable sync eliminates screen tearing without the input lag V-Sync causes. NVIDIA GPU users want G-Sync or G-Sync Compatible. AMD GPU users want FreeSync Premium. Many monitors now support both through HDMI Forum VRR. Not essential, but noticeably improves the experience below your monitor’s max refresh rate.

What size gaming monitor should I get? +

24 inches at 1080p and 27 inches at 1440p are the two most popular combinations โ€” the pixel density works out well at typical desk distances. 32 inches starts to show pixels at 1440p unless you sit further back. Ultrawide is excellent for immersive games but can feel awkward in competitive shooters.