Gaming Monitor Buying Guide

A gaming monitor is a computer display which has enhanced effectiveness for playing games. Nearly all the new displays available today can be used to play games but getting the correct monitor can really make a difference in gaming experience. A good gaming monitor can have an encouraging effect on the game play. So, if you are planning to get a gaming monitor, the gaming monitor buying guide opened below will definitely help you.

Types of Gaming Monitors

1. CRT Monitors- These monitors, also called Cathode Ray Tube monitors are the best for gamers because of their good color range, quick response and low cost as compared to LCDs.

2. LCD- Past few years have witnessed improvement in LDC technology. They are slimmer than CRT monitors and provide bigger screen sizes, analogous image quality and higher resolutions. There is a significant drop ion cost of LCD panels that have made them as affordable as CRTs.

Features to Look for while buying Gaming Monitor

1. Contrast Ratio-High contrast ratio is beneficial for computer games as it creates scenes with deeper blacks that are more immersive.

2. Response Time- Fast response time is necessary. If monitor responses quickly, it enhances gaming experience.

3. Brightness- A 400cd/m2 panel is good for playing games.

4. LED and CCFL Backlighting-Today, placing CCFLs behind the monitor screen is in vogue. But LED backlights are now replacing them.

Screen Size to be Bought


Common LCD display sizes today range from 19”-24” with higher-end offerings reaching as big as 30”. Though 17” panels are available but come with older onboard technology. 19”-20” panels are the best bet if desktop space is inadequate. For best value of your money, it is wise to go for monitors having decent features at a reasonable cost between 22”-24” screen real estate are now being offered.

Cost for Buying Gaming Monitors

Cost is definitely among the key concerns while buying a gaming monitor. Buying bigger size of LDC monitor will be expensive. But don’t settle with the biggest display that is affordable.

Native Resolution

Big screen is not a surety of best quality image. LCDs perform perfectly at a certain resolution, commonly known as the native resolution. So, to get best results, match the display resolution to be used with that of the monitor you want.

Basically, larger monitor offers higher native resolution. You can find common screen resolutions in the current lineup of LCD monitors. They are: 1,680 x 1,050 pixels (or 1,600 x 900 pixels) for 19”- 22” panels and 1,920 x 1,200 pixels (or 1,920 x 1,080 pixels) for 22”-24” displays.

You can find GA and Digital Visual Interface on maximum LCD displays today. Latest panels come with HDMI. Ensure that your monitor supports connectivity options found on your graphics card for good compatibility. Some monitors also have built-in speakers but external pair of speakers is far better, especially when playing games. So, with this gaming monitor buying guide, you can get the best gaming monitor according to your requirements.

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