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Buying Guide
How to Buy a Gaming Monitor
This short guide helps you pick a gaming monitor that matches your play style and setup. It covers the main buying factors, the common monitor types, key specs to prioritise, where to buy, mistakes to avoid, and quick expert tips so you can act fast.
Key factors to consider
Decide your primary use first: competitive esports, immersive single player, console play, or productivity.
Consider your graphics hardware: higher resolution and ultrawide panels need much more GPU power than standard QHD.
Measure your desk and seating distance to set a sensible screen size and curvature.
Set a realistic budget: you can find capable monitors from about $250 up to $700 and above depending on panel tech and features.
Consider your graphics hardware: higher resolution and ultrawide panels need much more GPU power than standard QHD.
Measure your desk and seating distance to set a sensible screen size and curvature.
Set a realistic budget: you can find capable monitors from about $250 up to $700 and above depending on panel tech and features.
- Use case: high refresh for fast shooters, ultrawide for immersion, higher resolution for detail work.
- System match: ensure your GPU can drive the chosen resolution and refresh rate.
- Ergonomics and ports: check stand adjustability, VESA mount, and required inputs.
Types and who they suit
- High refresh OLED or QD-OLED 27 inch QHD, 240Hz - Best for players who want top-tier contrast and ultra low response time for competitive play.
- Ultrawide 34 inch WQHD, 240Hz - Suited to immersive single-player gaming and multitasking, but needs a powerful GPU and wider desk space.
- QD-OLED tournament 27 inch 2K, 240Hz - Great colour accuracy and speed for pro-level play and content creators who also game.
- Curved 32 inch QHD, 165Hz - Good balance of immersion and value; curved panels wrap your view for single-player or console sessions.
Important features and specs to prioritise
- Resolution vs refresh rate: QHD (2560x1440) is the sweet spot for most PC gamers. Pick 240Hz only if your PC can produce high frame rates.
- Panel type: OLED and QD-OLED offer the best blacks and contrast. VA panels give deep contrast on a budget. IPS gives wider viewing angles and accurate colour.
- Response time: lower is better for motion clarity. Look for 1ms or better for competitive titles; some OLEDs advertise 0.03ms GTG for near-instant transitions.
- Adaptive sync: choose a monitor with FreeSync or G-Sync compatibility to remove tearing. Verify support on your GPU or console.
- Connectivity: HDMI 2.1 is required for high refresh rates on many consoles and high-bandwidth PC setups. DisplayPort remains essential for PC at very high refresh rates. USB-C with PD is handy but check wattage (some provide only 15W, fine for accessories but not for charging most laptops).
- HDR and brightness: HDR certification like HDR400 improves contrast but true HDR needs higher sustained brightness. Check colour gamut numbers such as DCI-P3 coverage for richer colours.
- Ergonomics and extras: tilt/height/swivel/pivot stands, VESA mount, built-in speakers, and warranties that cover bright pixel guarantees add real value.
Where to buy, common mistakes and expert tips
Online stores give wider selection and better pricing. Retail stores let you inspect panels for uniformity and test colours in person. Prioritise sellers with easy returns and strong warranty terms.
- Common mistakes to avoid: buying an ultrawide without verifying GPU performance or desk space; assuming HDR marketing equals true HDR; ignoring the required ports and cables; neglecting stand adjustability and VESA compatibility.
- Expert tips: match monitor specs to the weakest link in your setup - usually the GPU; if you play competitively, prioritise refresh rate and low input lag; for console-first setups check for full HDMI 2.1 support and VRR; expect basic HDR on midrange models and higher peak brightness only on premium panels.
- Practical checks before you buy: confirm included cables, check the dead pixel policy, and look for pixel-failure or burn-in coverage if choosing self-emissive panels. When possible test motion and colour presets, and plan for a calibration pass after setup.
Final Thoughts
Choose a monitor that matches your main use, your GPU capability, and your desk space. Prioritise the one or two features that matter most to you, confirm ports and warranty, and buy where you can return or inspect the screen if needed. With the right match you will improve both visual quality and gameplay performance.
