Do you enjoy playing video games for leisure? If yes, are you looking to upgrade your gaming monitor any time soon?
Whether you are using an old desktop computer or rocking the best affordable laptop in the market, using an up-to-date gaming monitor is unbeatable.
For the highly competitive folks, opting for the best gaming monitors will provide you with a responsive gaming experience, thus putting you at an added advantage over your opponents.
Gaming monitors come in different shapes and sizes. They are useful in providing a great display, transforming your experience into reality.
You could probably be wondering how much money do you need to set aside before purchasing a gaming monitor that works best for you.
We have researched the average price of a gaming monitor and essential components that go into the cost. Read on to find out!
Average Cost of a Gaming Monitor – Price of a Gaming Monitor
A typical gaming monitor will cost anything between $50-$1500. But if you are looking for higher resolution displays like a QHD or 4K, you will need to invest at least $250.
As technology like 4K resolution and 144Hz refresh rates become affordable, the prices of a gaming monitor are dropping significantly.
If you are simply after the best budget buys, you will find a range of cheap gaming monitors online.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Gaming Monitor
There are a number of things to consider when buying a gaming monitor.
Here are some important factors to consider when searching for a gaming monitor that meets your needs.
Panel Size
The panel size used for gaming should not be more than 27 inches. A smaller panel size will enable you to stare up the pictures and ensure you capture everything.
If you are a competitive gamer, this aspect increases your reaction time, thus enabling your success at winning the game.
Resolution
The most important factor to consider when choosing a gaming monitor is its resolution. A higher resolution means there will be more pixels on the screen resolution, resulting in clearer pictures and a smooth gaming experience.
It is crucial to consider your hardware limitations. If the graphics processing unit cannot process a high resolution, it will lag the game.
Refresh Rates
The refresh rates measure how many times the monitor can refresh the displayed image per second.
Invest in a gaming monitor with a high refresh rate only if your graphic processing unit can run games with such high refresh rates.
Type of Graphics Card
The graphics card you have will determine the type of monitor you are able to acquire.
If you intend to purchase a better gaming monitor, then you will need to pair it with a powerful graphics card.
Panel Technology
If you intend to get a gaming monitor for the purpose of competitive gaming, investing in a Twisted Nematic panel type will do you good. It offers the best refresh rates and response times. However, this panel type does not come with good color reproduction, contrast ratios, and viewing angles.
Quad HD or 4K
The quality of the 4K display gives you is unrivaled. You can enjoy playing your favorite games in a Quad HD, even if they are made available in 4K. Choosing between the two depends on your preference.
HDR
High Dynamic Range will make a huge impact on your image compared to more resolution. The true HDR requires a specific maximum brightness and minimum brightness to guarantee the dynamic range it promises. Unfortunately, many affordable displays cannot reach these targets.
Shopping for a Display HDR 400 or higher is a worthy investment as it will give your images a more vibrant feel.
Inputs and Outputs
The most popular inputs are HDMI and Display Ports. Over the years, the display port has been more efficient because it has granted better refresh rates and resolutions.
You are likely to find a display port 1.4 and HDMI 2.0. Both have enough throughput for high resolutions of 4K and refresh rates of 60 Hz, or even more if you are using lower resolutions.
On the outputs, you can use USB to transmit data, video, and power using a single cable. Audio outputs will help in connecting the headphones or speakers directly to the monitor.
Adaptive Sync
To avoid screen tearing while playing games, you should consider either Free-Sync or G-Sync. Most gaming monitors of today have either two of these, so it is advisable to keep an eye out for that.
AMD Free Syncs adds no price to the final cost, but it’s only compatible with the AMD graphics cards. NVIDIA Sync adds a premium charge of $100-$150 to the cost of a gaming monitor, but only compatible with NVIDIA cards.
Budget
You should expect to pay more for a gaming monitor if you want perks like an adjustable stand, USB Hub, multiple digital video inputs, and either Free Sync and G-Sync technologies.
A 27-inch model with 3D and either Free Sync or G-Sync technology can cost up to $600 while a 30-inch UHD monitor will cost you between $2,400- $3,500.
Plan on spending over $1,100 if you are looking to get an ultra-wide monitor with a curved panel.
Conclusion
To get the most out of fast action games, you will need to invest in a gaming PC that has powerful graphics resolution and a monitor that displays action without exposing you to blurred images and tearing e.t.c.
This article has narrowed down everything you need to know before making that purchase. You can now make an informed decision by investing in the best gaming monitor that will give you an immersive gaming experience.
