Guide to buying your monitor: resolution, panel types, refresh rates and recommended sizes. Let's find out which are the best PC and console monitors currently on the market to buy according to your needs
Choosing a monitor may seem trivial and secondary when setting up a PC, but it actually matters a lot. Do you really want to spend hundreds of dollars on a video card and get a poor image from your monitor as a result?
Learning about the technologies behind our screens is the key to buying the best monitor suited to our needs. But know one thing, no matter how much you intend to spend and how much you shop around, you will not find a perfect monitor able to render in all these parameters. At least not yet.
On the market there are screens suitable for gaming, others for design work and others exclusively for detail. The real key is the compromise.
Resolution and ratio: more is not always better - Best monitors to buy
Most customers immediately tend to opt for the highest number of pixels they can find or afford, and this isn't always the best strategy for finding an optimal viewing experience.
Higher resolutions offer more detail, a monitor 4K(3840×2160) it's something really nice to look at, but single GPU systems (video card) could really suffer a lot from such a choice in the gaming field, unless you have a video card in the hood at least on a par with an Nvidia GTX 1080.
A mid-range or low-end graphics card, such as an integrated GPU, can technically support the 1080p (FullHD) or higher resolutions. But in reality, at these resolutions, you won't be able to do anything other than office work, surf the internet and watch videos. Because if it comes to playing games or graphics, know that you will be forced to make visual compromises, in order not to worsen system performance, or perhaps to lower the resolution, worsening the visual quality.
LCD displays have a native resolution and, use them below that resolution, degrades the image quality due to the process of resizing and enlarging the image. Using a lower resolution than recommended is a really bad idea. Don't buy a monitor that your video card can't use.
This means, in practice, that each resolution currently has its own cost also in terms of hardware.
Dai display 720p…
At the bottom of the ladder sit i 720p (HD), or 1280 × 720, which today we can define history. However, this resolution is particularly effective for those who have a hardware equipment from a few generations ago and intend to run a fairly recent game or graphics application. It's not a wise choice, but if you're really fond of your old video card, it's almost a must.
The next step is i 1080p (FullHD), or 1920 × 1080, is the solution most people use on their devices. This resolution is the workhorse of the PC world and is perfect in most situations. The greatest results in terms of pixel density are achieved in a 24-inch and smaller size display, delivering excellent in-game performance with most of the latest generation high-end graphics cards. Screen sizes larger than 24 inches are not ideal for i 1080p, the pixel density will be lower and consequently the image will no longer be as sharp. The middle way of the 2K(2560×1440) it can represent the right choice for those who, having a performing hardware, want to buy a monitor larger than 24 inches and get a better visual rendering.
... passing through Ultra Widescreen displays ...
The displays Ultra Widescreen, with a native size of 2560 × 1080 o 3440 × 1440, are often overlooked, but may represent the best combination of resolution and size for gamers today. Recommended at 29 and 32 inches (35 inches by 3440 × 1440), these screens offer a reasonable 30 percent more pixels than the starting resolution, without impacting your hardware as heavily as a display would 4K. This means that newer graphics cards will support these displays just as well as the previous generation supported i 1080p, and a multi-GPU setup isn't necessarily required for excellent performance. In addition, the wider shape offers a more immersive experience in 3D games, simulating a wider field of view, without interruptions of the bezel as in configurations. multi-monitor.
…ai display 4K
The displays 4K (UltraHD) are today the highest expression of visual quality on a monitor, and are also the cause of the bleeding of modern hardware. This is a really expensive solution considering that one of these panels costs a lot and that to maintain the performance in the game, at a resolution of 3840 × 2160, at least two graphics cards with very high computing power are required (one Nvidia GTX 1080 may not be enough). The connectors HDMI e Display port for these displays they are also required to respect very low refresh rates, locked at 30-60Hz. While this situation will change with new technologies and development standards, it is safe to say that right now the only ones making a profit from a monitor purchase 4k are the sellers. However, if you want to take pride in it and get the most out of the final visual setup without spared any expense, there is nothing like a display. 4K.
Types of panels - Best monitors to buy
Twisted Nematic: TN LCD - Best Monitors To Buy
The panels Twisted Nematic they are the most common and also the cheapest ones, because they are much simpler to produce. Most low-end monitors, and especially those found at low cost in supermarkets, use panels of this type. The panels TN they are very common in notebooks and are used especially in gaming monitors because they have a very low response time, usually no more than 2 milliseconds. Most 20 ”and 22” widescreen monitors are Twisted Nematic.
These panels cost less but also offer low quality: little contrast, very poor viewing angle (about 160 °) and above all a poor color rendering. The panels TN in fact they are not 8-bit panels (which therefore reproduce 16 million colors) but 6-bit and can reproduce only 64 shades of red, green and blue which combined (64 x 64 x 64) give 262.144 colors. The remaining colors are reproduced using dithering techniques, to reach the promised 16 million. Dithering adds noise to the image, which can be perceived as you approach the screen. Another problem with the panels TN is represented by the management of dead pixels: the so-called "dead pixels”, When they are present, they are reproduced in white and almost always stand out on the screen.
However a good number of models of a good standard TN LCD supports refresh modes from 120Hz to 240Hz, which help minimize the motion blur that plagues 60Hz screens. The latter, given the low response times and the high refresh rate, are therefore ideal for action games and FPS.
VA Panels (PVA - SPVA) - Best Monitors to Buy
The vertically aligned panels (VA - Vertical Alignment) represent the middle way. Good value for money and good quality. The viewing angle is better than that offered by the panels TN and the same thing goes for the color rendering. But we are still not at the top, especially for the latter.
Just as the panels offer advantages PVA e S-PVA they also have some weaknesses: the response time is higher than that of the TN and as the viewing angle varies, the color rendering often changes, with the image changing in brightness. On the other hand, the contrast is excellent: among all the types of panels PVA are the ones that guarantee a better native contrast ratio (3000: 1). Also if one pixel of a panel PVA "Dies" becomes black, thus causing a less annoying effect than the one with pixels always on on white.
Worth mentioning is the almost complete absence of defects such as IPS Glow and Backlight Bleeding, the Achilles heel of the almost perfect IPS panels.
VA panels (QLED)
Quantum dot led, abbreviated QLED, or Quantum dot screen, in Spanish quantum dot screen, is a recent type of screen based on semiconductor nanocrystals or quantum dots that provide an alternative to commercial applications for screen technology.
This technology makes VA panels much more similar to IPS in terms of color quality, while retaining the advantages of Vertical Alignment. Currently, after the OLEDs, perhaps the best panels on the market.
IPS Panels - Best Monitors to Buy
Technology IPS (In Plane Switching) is the one that currently offers the best absolute color rendering, and in fact they are the panels usually used for graphic monitors. Nec, Eizo, the Apple Cinema they are all monitors LCD who use a panel IPS (or technologies derived fromIPS). The contrast ratio is not as high as that of the panels PVA (1000: 1) but the color rendering (up to 12bit) and the viewing angle (almost total coverage) are much higher.
However, these monitors have as a defect higher response times (8ms on average, 4-5ms if you are willing to spend) and therefore are not recommended for those looking for a monitor for gaming without spending a lot. Also flaws like IPS Glow (light halo always present in dark images in a corner) e Backlight Bleeding (corners of the monitor that tend to yellow over blacks) can make some people turn up their noses, much preferring VA panels.
Glossy or matte display? - Best monitors to buy
Displays may have a glossy or matte finish. Monitors with a matte surface prevent the creation of reflections on the display surface. Displays with a glossy finish, on the other hand, have some more problems with reflections but ensure more vivid colors as they do not have anti-reflective filters.
Contrast Ratio - Best Monitors to Buy
Il contrast ratio it is one of the characteristics on which great emphasis is placed. It is a value that expresses the ratio between the brightness of a white image compared to a black one. The data, again reported in candelas per square meter (cd / m2), highlights how much white is brighter than black.
Monitors with a high contrast ratio tend to have brighter whites and darker blacks.
When reading the value of the contrast ratio, however, one must not fall into a very common trap. Value can be understood as "static" o "dynamic".
In the first case, the data is certainly more representative because it provides a valid indication of the quality of the screen in front of you; the value of the dynamic contrast, on the other hand, derives from a series of electronic optimizations that do not guarantee excellent image rendering.
Refresh rate, motion blur and Strobed backlight - Best monitors to buy
Most of the screens TFT-LCD standard supports a refresh rate of 60 Hz, which means that the screen is redrawn 60 times per second. While a frequency of 60Hz may be sufficient for many desktop applications, higher refresh rates are desirable as they provide a smoother experience in video and especially in game.
But a refresh rate of 120Hz or higher, even if it makes the view more "fluid", alone is not enough for a perfect gaming experience. The grain of the effect remains motion blur (blur). However, several steps forward have been made in recent years.
Much work has been done to integrate high refresh rates with additional features to further reduce the motion blur. A popular method in gaming monitors is the inclusion of one strobe backlight (e.g. ULMB from Nvidia), which stops the blur by cutting the backlight for an instant, creating a stable image CRT-like. Un display 120Hz Strobed it's better than a 144Hz panel DON'T Strobed but, to the disadvantage, the backlight heavily reduces the overall brightness of the image. Additionally, users with sensitive eyes can suffer from eye strain and headaches induced by flickering light.
Tearing and Synchronization - Best Monitors to Buy
In addition to motion blur, another visual artifact that frustrates the players is the "tearing" of the image or the so-called screen tear. Screen tearing occurs on a monitor when a GPU sends a frame to the display before the display has finished displaying the previously sent one. This results in the bottom of the screen displaying one frame and the top displaying another, separated by a line across the image. Activation of the V-Sync, which forces the graphics card to wait for the monitor to update the image, can reduce this problem. But the V-Sync has problems of its own, including increased input latency and the need for a constant frame rate.
To remedy this, GPU manufacturers have introduced a couple of technologies that dynamically synchronize the monitor and GPU framerate, eliminating the tearing without resorting to VSync. Nvidia he calls his technology G-sync and requires a module built into the monitor, as well as a card starting with GTX 650Ti. AMD replied with the like FreeSync, which does not require special hardware installed on the monitor but requires a recent AMD video card (GCN 1.1 or later). These technologies are roughly the same.
HDR and monitors: where are we? - Best monitors to buy
The number of games in HDR to enjoy on PC has not increased exponentially (indeed, it is still very low) despite the advent of PS4 Pro and Xbox One X. However, the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) announced DisplayHDR, the first fully open standard that specifies the HDR (High Dynamic Range) quality of LCD monitors so the user already knows what HDR performance they can rely on.
The new HDR Display standard divides HDR monitors into three quality bands, that is HDR 400, HDR 600 e HDR 1000. The numbers refer to the peak brightness expressed in nits reached by the monitor and already finding a monitor with peaks of 400 nits today is not at all easy (or cheap). In addition to brightness, however, there are other factors that define the characteristics of an HDR monitor such as image processing (8 or 10 bit), global or local dimming for the contrast level, more or less extended color gamut and processing of video signals in HDR10 (for now let's forget about Dolby Vision).
One of the very first monitors to boast this certification is for example the Samsung QLED CHG90, a 49-inch beast in 32: 9 format DisplayHDR 600 certified that can count on a DCI-P3 color space coverage equal to 95% (sRGB at 125%) and, in fact, on a peak of brightness equal to 600 cd / m2-nits in HDR mode. A monitor, however, for a few also seen the price of 1200-1300 euros, but it is fair to make it clear how playing in HDR on PC with a dedicated monitor is not at all a foregone conclusion.
Maybe with the spread of the first DisplayHDR certified monitors things will start to improve, but for now the situation is this and a bit sorry, also because as regards the performance, the activation of HDR in the games that support it is almost completely irrelevant. frame-rate, although on some TVs the activation of HDR from a PC increases (and not a little) the input lag. Also for this reason an HDR monitor dedicated to gaming remains preferable, since we are talking about very low response times even in HDR as for the Samsung QLED CHG90 mentioned above.
Also because, if you want to use an HDR TV, this has to be anyway set as the main screen if not it is not possible to activate the HDR mode from the video settings of Windows 10. It also serves a suitable video card, or a GPU from the Maxwell or Pascal family if we talk about Nvidia (GTX 960, GTX 980, GTX 1070, GTX 1080 etc.), or a Radeon R9 card from the 300 series (which however holds HDR up to 2560 × 1600 pixels) or one of the 400 series and later if you want HDR even in 4K.
In any case, if you already want to throw yourself into PC / HDR gaming by aiming directly at a monitor, you can only choose from a small circle of models. In addition to the Samsung CHG90 there are the smaller model CHG70, a 1440 or 27-inch 32p monitor with a 144 Hz refresh rate and a price of around 600 euros, the BenQ SW320 (4 '' 31,5K monitor with a price of around 1500 euros) and some monitors from Acer (Predator X27, Predator X35) and Asus of the RoG series such as the Swift PG27UQ and the Swift PG35VQ, which, however, have yet to arrive in our country (or are arriving at this time) and they won't be cheap.
Is it the right time to buy a monitor? - Best monitors to buy
The sea of innovation in the display market it shows no signs of abating, with TVs on one side and smartphones on the other. New technologies such as curved screens and the panels OLED they promise speed, super-high contrast, viewing angles and color beyond any level seen so far. So maybe it's time to wait a while to choose your new screen. The best monitor today may not be the best monitor tomorrow!
Choose wisely, because the future is now.
Best monitors to buy: the complete list
After shedding some light on what aspects you need to consider before purchasing the best possible monitor to meet your needs, it's time to list and group the best monitors currently on the market.
Best budget FullHD monitors
Samsung Monitor CF39 (C24F396), Curvo (1800R) , 24", 1920x1080 (Full HD), VA, 60 Hz, 4 ms, FreeSync, HDMI, D-Sub, Ingresso Audio, Eye Saver Mode, Nero Size: 23,5 ″
Aspect Ratio: 16: 9
Resolution: 1920 × 1080
Panel type: VA
Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
Elapsed time: 4 ms
Static contrast level: 3.000: 1
Brightness: 250 cd / m²
AMD Free-Sync / Compatibile Nvidia G-Sync
172,00 EUR Buy on Amazon
Philips 278E9QJAB Gaming Monitor Curvo LED da 27", Freesync 75 Hz, Full HD 1920 x 1080, Pannello VA, 4 ms, HDMI, Display Port, VGA, Casse Audio Integrate, Flicker Free, Low Blue Light, VESA, Nero Size: 27 ″
Aspect Ratio: 16: 9
Resolution: 1920 × 1080
Panel type: VA
Refresh Rate: 75 Hz
Elapsed time: 4 ms
Static contrast level: 3.000: 1
Brightness: 250 cd / m²
AMD Free-Sync / Compatibile Nvidia G-Sync
Buy on AmazonBest FullHD 144Hz monitors
4.757 Reviews Samsung C27FG73 27 "VA Curved Gaming Monitor Full HD, QLED, 1920 x 1080, 144 Hz, 1 ms, 125% sRGB, Height Adjustable, Pivot, Black Size: 27 ″
Aspect Ratio: 16: 9
Resolution: 1920 × 1080
Panel type: VA (QLED)
Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
Elapsed time: 1 ms
Static contrast level: 3.000: 1
Brightness: 350 cd / m²
AMD Free-Sync / Compatibile Nvidia G-Sync
Buy on Amazon
Predator XB271HAbmiprzx Monitor Gaming G-Sync, 27", Display Full HD, 144 Hz, Lum 400 cd/m2, 1 ms, HDMI 1.4, DP 1.2, USB 3.0, Audio Out, Speaker Integrati, ZeroFrame, Cavi DP, USB3.0 Inclusi Size: 27 ″
Aspect Ratio: 16: 9
Resolution: 1920 × 1080
Panel type: TN
Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
Elapsed time: 1 ms
Static contrast level: 1.000: 1
Brightness: 400 cd / m²
Nvidia G-Sync
Buy on AmazonBest FullHD 240Hz monitors
19 Recensioni Alienware AW2518HF 24.5" Full HD TN Matt Black, Monitor PC 62.2 cm (24.5"), 1920 x 1080 pixels, LCD, 1 ms, 400 cd/m², Nero, Argento Size: 24,5 ″
Aspect Ratio: 16: 9
Resolution: 1920 × 1080
Panel type: TN
Refresh Rate: 240Hz
Elapsed time: 1 ms
Static contrast level: 1.000: 1
Brightness: 400 cd / m²
AMD Free-Sync / Compatibile Nvidia G-Sync
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ASUS ROG SWIFT PG258Q 25" (24.5") FHD (1920 x 1080) eSport Gaming Monitor, 1 ms, 240 Hz, DP, HDMI, USB 3.0, G-SYNC Size: 24,5 ″
Aspect Ratio: 16: 9
Resolution: 1920 × 1080
Panel type: TN
Refresh Rate: 240 Hz
Elapsed time: 1 ms
Static contrast level: 1.000: 1
Brightness: 400 cd / m²
Nvidia G-Sync
689,99 EUR Buy on AmazonBest 1440p monitors
Samsung C27H711 Curved Quantum Dot and Ultra WQHD Monitor, Resolution 2560 x 1440, Refresh Rate 60 Hz, Response Time 4 (GTG), White / Silver, 27 '', VESA Size: 27 ″
Aspect Ratio: 16: 9
Resolution: 2560 × 1440
Panel type: VA (QLED)
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Elapsed time: 4 ms
Static contrast level: 3.000: 1
Brightness: 300 cd / m²
AMD Free-Sync / Compatibile Nvidia G-Sync
1.659,00 EUR Buy on Amazon
Samsung LC27HG70QQUXEN 68,4 cm (26,9 inch) monitor (HDMI, USB, 1ms response time) black Size: 27 ″
Aspect Ratio: 16: 9
Resolution: 2560 × 1440
Panel type: VA (QLED)
Refresh Rate: 144Hz
Elapsed time: 1 ms
Static contrast level: 3.000: 1
Luminosità: 350 cd/m² – 600 cd/m² in HDR
AMD Free-Sync / Compatibile Nvidia G-Sync
HDR 600
390,00 EUR Buy on Amazon
Predator XB271HUbmiprz Monitor Gaming G-Sync, 27", Display IPS 2K QHD, 144 Hz, 165 Hz overclock (DP), 4 ms, HDMI 1.4, USB 3.0, DP, Lum 350 cd/m2, ZeroFrame, Speaker Integrati, Cavi DP, USB3.0 Inclusi Size: 27 ″
Aspect Ratio: 16: 9
Resolution: 2560 × 1440
Panel type: IPS
Refresh Rate: 165 Hz
Elapsed time: 4 ms
Static contrast level: 1.000: 1
Brightness: 350 cd / m²
Nvidia G-Sync
Buy on AmazonMigliori monitor 4K
Samsung U28H750 Monitor 28'' 4K Ultra HD, 3840 x 2160, Pannello TN, Quantum Dot, 60 Hz, 1 ms, Nero Size: 28 ″
Aspect Ratio: 16: 9
Resolution: 3840 × 2160
Panel type: VA (QLED)
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Elapsed time: 1 ms
Static contrast level: 3.000: 1
Brightness: 250 cd / m²
AMD Free-Sync / Compatibile Nvidia G-Sync
Buy on Amazon
Acer Predator XB271HKbmiprz Monitor Gaming G-Sync da 27", Display IPS 4K Ultra HD, 60 Hz, 4 ms, 16:9, HDMI, DP, USB3.0, Lum 300 cd/m2, ZeroFrame, Speaker Integrati, Pivot, Cavi DP, USB3.0 Inclusi Size: 27 ″
Aspect Ratio: 16: 9
Resolution: 3840 × 2160
Panel type: IPS
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Elapsed time: 4 ms
Static contrast level: 1.000: 1
Brightness: 300 cd / m²
Nvidia G-Sync
Buy on Amazon
Philips Monitor Gaming 326M6VJRMB Monitor Console, 32", 4K, LED MVA, HDR 600, Adaptive Sync, Low Input Lag, Ambiglow, DTS Sound, 3 HDMI 2.0, Display Port, Hub USB, VESA, Nero Size: 32 ″
Aspect Ratio: 16: 9
Resolution: 3840 × 2160
Panel type: MVA
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Elapsed time: 4 ms
Static contrast level: 3.000: 1
Brightness: 600 cd / m²
AMD Free-Sync / Compatibile Nvidia G-Sync
HDR 600
411,78 EUR Buy on Amazon
ASUS ROG Swift PG43UQ DSC Gaming Monitor, 43" 4K UHD, 3840 x 2160, 144 Hz, G-Sync, DSC, DisplayHDR 1000, DCI-P3 90%, Shadow Boost Size: 43 ″
Aspect Ratio: 16: 9
Resolution: 3840 × 2160
Panel type: IPS
Refresh Rate: 144Hz
Elapsed time: 4 ms
Static contrast level: 1.000: 1
Brightness: 1000 cd / m²
Nvidia G-Sync
HDR 1000
Buy on Amazon
ASUS ProArt PA32UCX-K 32'' Professional Monitor, 4K Mini LED IPS Dolby Vision QuantumDot,HDR1000,1152 local dimming, 99.5%Adobe RGB/99% DCI-P3,E< 1,Thunderbolt3,HDMI 2.0b,Type C,X-Rite i1 Display Pro Size: 32 ″
Aspect Ratio: 16: 9
Resolution: 3840 × 2160
Panel type: IPS
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Elapsed time: 5 ms
Static contrast level: 1.000: 1
Brightness: 1200 cd / m²
HDR 1000/HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)/Dolby Vision
Buy on AmazonBest UltraWide FullHD monitors
LG 29UM68-P UltraWide Full HD IPS LED Monitor LCD Monitor PC, 29", Nero Size: 29 ″
Aspect Ratio: 21: 9
Resolution: 2560 × 1080
Panel type: IPS
Refresh Rate: 75Hz
Elapsed time: 5 ms
Static contrast level: 1.000: 1
Brightness: 250 cd / m²
AMD Free-Sync / Compatibile Nvidia G-Sync
Buy on Amazon
LG 34UC79G Gaming Monitor 34 ", Curved, 21: 9 UltraWide LED IPS, 2560x1080, 1ms, 144Hz, AMD FreeSync, Multitasking, Height Adjustment Size: 34 ″
Aspect Ratio: 21: 9
Resolution: 2560 × 1080
Panel type: IPS
Refresh Rate: 144Hz
Elapsed time: 5 ms
Static contrast level: 1.000: 1
Brightness: 250 cd / m²
AMD Free-Sync / Compatibile Nvidia G-Sync
Buy on Amazon
1.612 Recensioni Samsung Monitor Gaming CHG9 (C49HG90), Curvo (1800R), 49", 3840x1080 (Dual FHD), 32:9, HDR 600, VA, 144 Hz, 1 ms, FreeSync 2, HDMI, USB 3.0, Display Port, Ingresso Audio, HAS, PBP, Nero Size: 49 ″
Aspect Ratio: 32: 9
Resolution: 3840 × 1080
Panel type: VA (QLED)
Refresh Rate: 144Hz
Elapsed time: 1 ms
Static contrast level: 3.000: 1
Luminosità: 350 cd/m² – 600 cd/m² in HDR
AMD Free-Sync / Compatibile Nvidia G-Sync
HDR 600
799,00 EUR Buy on Amazon
