There are a lot of factors involved in a quality gaming setup. Building out the right specs ensures a fast, smooth gaming experience. Having the right gaming keyboard can mean reacting fast enough to get the win. And that is just the tip of the iceberg.
But being able to see things clearly is of the utmost importance as well. Though some will argue that a 24-inch monitor is the perfect size, there are some who prefer a 27-inch monitor. It comes down to personal preference, but generally, something a little smaller will be better accommodating for the more popular first-person shooters of today’s gaming world. It comes down to the resolution and refresh rate of the monitor that you buy.
Competitive Gaming
The world of gaming, particularly PC gaming, has come a long way in a short time. What was once a very niche hobby has now become a massive billion-dollar industry. There are millions who now build their own PC in an effort to have a better, more immersive gaming experience.
Part of competitive gaming means gaining incremental advantages over the competition. Faster reaction times are key, but there are more than a few factors that can impact your reaction times. Having the right keyboard and mouse is crucial but being able to see things clearly is also vital.
This means having the right monitor to accommodate your gaming setup. Keep in mind that it all comes down to personal preference. Some prefer much bigger monitors while others will swear that a 24-inch is about as big as you should go.
Why 27-inch Monitors are Considered “Too Big”
It is important to approach your monitor with more than size in mind. The size of the screen means more visible area, yes, but the specifics behind the monitor are what results in a better, clearer picture.
The optimal resolution for most gaming setups is 1920 x 1080 (or 1080p). This equates to a pixel density of around 91 PPI, which means that it can cover a lot of screen real estate and convey the details of the image better.
Though there are 1080p options available in 27-inch monitors, they are not the same. Typically speaking, 27-inch monitors are a bit too big to display 1920 x 1080, equating to about 81 PPI instead of the 91 PPI that you would get out of a 24-inch monitor. That means potentially blurry details, smudgy text, and an overall pixelated look.
What is the Best Resolution Rate for 27-inch Monitors?
Let’s say that you decide you like the 27-inch screen size best for your current gaming setup. It is important that you get the proper resolution to match the size increase, otherwise you will miss important details as you game.
The optimal resolution for 27-inch monitors is 2560 x 1440. This equates to 108 PPI, which is perfect when it comes to available screen real estate and picture detail clarity. Even better, it means that there is no scaling necessary.
It is also worth noting that 1440p means that you can have higher refresh rates than you would get out of 4k (provided your system can handle it).
If you opt for a 32-inch monitor setup, then you would want to have the same 1440p resolution. Having the 1080p resolution of a 24-inch screen will result in many of the similar issues that the 27-inch screen has.
What are the Most Important Features to Look for in a Monitor?
The one thing about building a gaming PC is that there are more options than you can shake a stick at. Whether you are completely new to the world of PC gaming or an experienced vet, it is important to find the right options for your particular setup.
There are a slew of features to consider when it comes to finding the right gaming monitor for you. The most important features include color, refresh rate, response time, resolution and screen size, panel types, ports, build quality, FreeSync and G-Sync, and (of course) budget.
Depending on your own personal preferences, one or more features may take precedence over others. They all play a role in creating the optimal gaming experience, however.
Screen Size and Resolution
Though we touched on it a bit above, finding the proper monitor for your gaming needs comes down to two important factors: size and resolution. There are a few other important factors that we will go over later, but this is the best place to start.
Bigger does not necessarily equate to better in the world of PC gaming. Finding the right fit and the right resolution capabilities are what is important. But when you are just starting out – or you are faced with a plethora of options – it can feel difficult to determine the best choice.
Which Resolution is Best for Gaming?
Resolution is determined by the graphics processing unit (GPU). The better the resolution and GPU, the more that you can expect to spend. For years, 1080p has been the standard for the vast majority of gamers. That said, with new technology and bigger sizes, 1440p and even 4K are becoming commonplace.
It is important to note that going from 1080p to one of the higher resolutions can substantially impact your PC’s performance. It reduces the number of frames that your PC will be able to drive in a single game which means needing to upgrade the hardware to accommodate.
The most common sizes and resolutions are 24- and 27-inch monitors with 1080p resolution. There are more and more 27-inch 1440p options becoming available though it requires mid- to high-end software to get the best use out of it. Anything bigger than 27 inches means 4K (or even 8K) technology, which is both more scarce and far more costly to deploy.
Other Factors Playing into Picture Quality
Now that we have tackled two of the more important aspects of picture quality, there are a few other things to consider when finding the right monitor. In this section, we will look at aspect ratio, widescreen/ultrawide, and even flat versus curved monitors.
To say that there are more than a few options would be putting it lightly. That is why you need this guide: it helps you from becoming overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices available.
Aspect Ratios
We tend to focus on resolution, but aspect ratios are one of those overlooked features that require a bit more attention. Think about it this way: the higher the resolution, the more pixels there are on the screen.
When there are more pixels, it means better clarity and better overall quality. The aspect ratio is the size of the screen available. Simply put, widescreen (which is 16:9) is considered the standard. This is partially because it can support the hardware but also because larger sizes like ultrawide are not yet really supported for gaming.
Just make sure that if you opt for a bigger screen, you have the proper video hardware to support the bump in size. More pixels means more of a workload for your GPU, which could drag down your FPS rate and even the performance of the computer as a whole.
Flat and Curved Monitors
With advancements in technology has also come a change from the norm. We tend to think of flat monitors, generally speaking. That said there are now curved monitor options out there that are becoming increasingly popular.
Curved Monitors
Curved monitors are still in their relative infancy for gaming. The rating system can also get a little confusing in that the curvature of the monitor is used in “R” measurements with the lower the number equating to the greater the curve.
So, if your monitor were an 1800r, it would have a larger curve than one that was 4000r. The reason that curved monitors are becoming so popular is that they mimic how our eyes see. Curved monitors offer us a much greater field of view, which can improve the overall gaming experience. And it means less strain as well, which can help prevent your eyes from feeling tired and fatigued.
Flat Monitors
Still the standard. They are familiar and come in both 16:9 and 21:9 aspect ratios. They are also a lot cheaper than curved monitors, which makes them a more preferable option. If you want to improve your field of view without spending the big bucks, an ultrawide monitor is the way to go. This is the best kind of monitor for playing multiplayer games.
Flat screens also still offer better refresh rates, response times, and a better color accuracy. There are distinct advantages to making the switch to curved. That said, for the time being, flat monitors will remain the standard. And with advancements in technology, it isn’t like there is a major gap in visual gaming experience between the two, either.
Make Your Monitor Yours
At the end of the day, there is no scientific measurement for determining the best monitor. It all comes down to your personal comfort and preferences while gaming. You will find that one monitor type works better for you than others, it just takes time and troubleshooting.
