Gamers can choose to play video games on a TV screen, on a regular computer monitor, or on a gaming monitor. While there are many games that can be played well on just a regular monitor, using a gaming monitor can totally enhance the whole gaming experience.
The Pros of Using a Gaming Monitor
- Higher refresh rates
The refresh rate is the rate at which a monitor shows a new image on the screen every second and is expressed in hertz (Hz). The higher refresh rates signify that the gaming monitor’s panel can display more frames per second. What does this mean for the gaming experience? The visuals are way better.Regular monitors usually feature refresh rates of 60 Hz, which means that they can only display 60 frames every second. Most top-of-the-line gaming rigs with powerful processors generate far higher refresh rates than what regular monitors can handle, resulting in screen tearing and ruining the gaming experience.Gaming monitors can take on much higher refresh rates than regular monitors. As an example, the ASUS ROG Swift PG258Q has a refresh rate of 240 Hz. This rate is four times faster than the regular monitor’s refresh rate!
- Low response timesIn some forms of gaming, the response time of the monitor is critical to winning or losing in the game. Response time is expressed in milliseconds, and it measures the time it takes for a pixel to change back and forth from being fully active to fully inactive and vice versa.A gaming monitor provides low response time. This means that the monitor will display your actions almost in real time. You can then respond to in-game actions better and faster. Regular monitors cannot give you low response times.Low response times matter when you are playing such games as Street Fighter or Marvel vs. Capcom. In these games, gamers rely on counting frames. A gaming monitor’s low response time enables you to react very quickly to attacks by your opponents.In connection with low response times, using a gaming monitor enables you to avoid ghosting, the trails of movement that are left behind as you’re maneuvering around in-game. Ghosting can cause dizziness. Low response times not only improves your gameplay, but these also prevent dizziness while playing.
- Anti-tearing technology
Screen tearing happens when a regular monitor’s refresh rate is not synced to the video feed of the gaming rig. Literally, the image is torn or split on the screen when the monitor’s refresh rate is low. To avoid this, gaming monitors have developed anti-tearing technologies such as Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync. Regular monitors do not factor in and prevent screen tearing. - Quality color and black levels
Colors matter and enhance the whole gaming experience. Imagine playing Far Cry 4 or Skyrim on a gaming monitor that features an appropriate color range, as opposed to playing these games on a regular monitor. Games will come alive when the colors are as vivid as they can be. Space games such as Stellaris and Eve will look fantastic on monitors that can fully display the inky blackness of outer space.Gaming monitors feature a display panel technology that is more extensive than the display panel of regular monitors. - Improved positioning
When you think of gaming monitors, you don’t usually consider ergonomics. You usually consider this when you’re purchasing your gaming chair. When buying a gaming monitor, you should actually consider buying one that can be adjusted easily to prevent back and neck problems.Gaming monitors feature a wider range of movement than regular monitors. The wider range provides gamers with better flexibility to find the best position to suit their preferences while gaming. - Prevention of “computer vision syndrome”
Constant and prolonged exposure to your computers and smartphones can result in “computer vision syndrome.” This syndrome covers health issues that are all brought about by prolonged exposure to digital displays. Some examples of these health issues are eye strain and migraines triggered by bright lights or images. As a gamer, you spend a lot of time looking at digital images. You can be more likely to acquire computer vision syndrome than nongamers, more so when you play with just a regular monitor.High-tech gaming monitors now have built-in technologies that feature flicker-free and antiglare screens, as well as the choice to manage blue-light emission from the display on screen.
- Enhanced gaming experience with the use of a dual gaming monitor setup
Gaming can become even better when you use a dual monitor setup. There are specific games that you can only play better when you are using two gaming monitors. For example, you can use two monitors to play WW2 Dogfighting Sims. When you do, your two monitors can show the right and left peripheral. This lessens the need to pan your camera to see both sides better.Having a dual gaming monitor setup enables you to simultaneously play the actual game on one monitor and research online on information about your game on the other monitor.
The Cons of Using a Gaming Monitor
- Expense of purchasing a gaming monitor
It is but to be expected that a gaming monitor will not be cheap. If you are on a tight budget, purchasing and using a gaming monitor is not for you. A good gaming monitor usually costs between $300 and $500, so this is a purchase you have to think about carefully.
If you’re an avid gamer, the advantages far outweigh the expense of acquiring a gaming monitor. A gaming monitor that can give you high refresh rates and low response times boost your gaming experience. Anti-tearing features and high color resolutions enhance your immersion in the games you play. Most importantly, the ergonomics and eye care features of your gaming monitor make it worthy as you’re also investing in your health when you opt for a gaming monitor over a regular monitor. If you’re willing to shoulder the extra expense, it is even better to purchase dual gaming monitors.
Is a gaming monitor necessary? Given all the advantages, a gaming monitor is definitely worth the investment.