Best Gaming Monitor to Buy in 2017
Offline Mobile Appreneur
When putting together a gaming rig, we as PC gamers usually spending the most time obsessing over high-end graphics cards. But without a quality screen to go with it, we're not going to be getting the best visuals out of that GPU. So what makes a "gaming" monitor worth the money? What makes it better than the average LCD? We tested more than a dozen monitors to find the best, with the right balance of resolution, refresh rate, color quality and viewing angles.
In this guide, we will present you the best gaming monitors currently available, including 144hz monitors, 1440p monitors, top 4k monitors, best ultrawide monitors and more. Monitor technology has matured drastically in the past two years. PC gaming displays can range widely both in price and features. It can be difficult to know which of them are worth buying. That is why we have extensively researched hundreds of gaming monitors in forums, customer reviews, expert reviews and tested all of the monitors we recommend in our list below.
Acer’s Predator line of displays is some of the best gaming products you can get on the market. Currently, the company is trying to catch up to Asus, the worldwide leader in this regard, but you can’t consider their products to be secondary. The Acer Predator XB241H is one such product, and we can compare it as an equal to the amazing PG248Q from Asus. This model also has a maximum refresh rate of up to 180Hz, G-Sync and an aggressively styled exterior making it worthy to sit next to your uber-powerful gaming rig.
One big point to consider the XB241H over the Asus option is that most enthusiasts and the gaming community know Acer to have better quality control over its competitor. If you can get this model for a lower price, you can’t go wrong since it is one of the best products your money can buy in this category.
There are compromises, of course; the monitor uses TN panel technology in order to get those super-fast refresh rates, so viewing angles and colours don’t quite match the best screens on this list. And we weren’t huge fans of the red highlights ViewSonic’s added as a form of go-faster stripe.
If you're in the market for a curved gaming experience, the Samsung C24FG70 is an impressive monitor that offers a plethora of features. Its most impressive standout feature is its quantum dot display, which provides extremely impressive colour reproduction. With a Delta E of only 0.45 and 99.6% sRGB gamut colour coverage, the monitor is ideal for those looking to professionally edit photos and videos.
It goes without saying that the monitor is aimed at gamers, and with an impressive 144Hz, low perceived input lag and an extremely impressive response time for a VA panel, the C24FG70 is ideal for competitive gamers.
To complement its panel, Samsung has included an accessible joystick button to use the onscreen display, a beautifully designed monitor arm and a low-profile bezel design.
Starting with that design, the primary feature is the use of a panel with a super-slim bezel, resulting in a display that looks far sleeker than chunky-bezelled rivals. The overall build quality and styling of the black plastic chassis also looks great – in a slightly aggressive, gamer-style way.
There’s an illuminated ring around the base of the stand and a ROG logo on the base itself. You can set the brightness – or choose to turn it off entirely – but you can’t change the colour from red.
The only obvious limitation of this screen is connectivity: since G-Sync can handle only two inputs, you get only one HDMI and one DisplayPort. You do get a four-port USB 3.0 hub for your peripherals, too.
When it comes to image quality, this display really delivers. Right out of the box it produces accurate colours, offering great contrast and viewing angles. Only professionals needing the very best in colour accuracy will need to look elsewhere.
There are a couple key items of note, though. One is the price: at around £700 it’s expensive, nearly double that of the Acer XF270HU, for instance. It’s worth considering your priorities, since a few compromises could result in substantial savings.
More importantly, there have been quality control issues widely reported concerning backlight bleed. The two samples we’ve seen displayed acceptable levels, but many users have reported needing to return several samples before finding a satisfactory one.
Despite having a TN panel, I found its colours to look rich and vibrant, something I'd expect from a slower IPS or VA panel. The panel's 1ms response time and very low input lag, make this monitor ideal for games such as CS:GO.
The ZOWIE monitor is also well built with a sturdy stand. It can rotate, pivot and has full height adjustments. It also comes with BenQ's S Switch, a small handy remote control that allows you to quickly cycle through the OSD settings.
If you're looking for a gaming monitor for eSports, look no further than the XL2720. It might be expensive, but its performance is worth the premium.
7. Dell S2716DG | $448.98
The Dell S2716DG is plain and simple one of the cheapest 27in monitors available featuring Nvidia’s G-Sync technology. It also happens to be Dell’s first ever attempt at a gaming monitor. That might all suggest the S2716DG is riddled with compromise – but in fact, it has plenty going for it.
8. LG 27UD68P | $470
This model does not have VRR tech installed in its innards, but one of LG’s Game Modes incorporates a Dynamic action sync feature which works in unison with the black stabilizer resulting in deep contrast output, with some degree of image smoothening. The LG 27UD68P is meant for a mix of usages, so the model includes PbP and PiP modes with 14 split options enabling multi-input display capabilities. The many signal input ports complement this characteristic so that users can maximize every bit of the LG 27UD68P’s features. For users looking for a perfect mix of versatility which enables users to enjoy both gaming and productivity in an affordable and sleek 4K package.
The Lenovo Y27G is a gaming monitor that includes a curved screen with its regular 16:9 aspect ratio, which gives you some added immersion while you're playing. The 1080p resolution is a little on the low side, but it does mean there's less strain on your graphics card, making this an excellent gaming monitor for people who don't have the budget to buy the latest and greatest GPUs. It also means that, with the relatively low resolution, your GPU can concentrate on pushing high frame rates, with the Lenovo Y27G coming with a 144hz refresh rate and available with either Nvidia G-Sync or AMD FreeSync anti-screen tearing technology.
If you're a competitive gamer looking for the fastest gaming monitor, this isn't it. But, if you're not fussed about the response time and want something competent for games such as Battlefield 1 or Project Cars, this is the best curved gaming monitor for under £500.
The Most Powerful with Incredibly High Refresh Rates Monitor's
Offline Mobile Appreneur
1. Acer Predator XB241H | $350
Acer’s Predator line of displays is some of the best gaming products you can get on the market. Currently, the company is trying to catch up to Asus, the worldwide leader in this regard, but you can’t consider their products to be secondary. The Acer Predator XB241H is one such product, and we can compare it as an equal to the amazing PG248Q from Asus. This model also has a maximum refresh rate of up to 180Hz, G-Sync and an aggressively styled exterior making it worthy to sit next to your uber-powerful gaming rig.
One big point to consider the XB241H over the Asus option is that most enthusiasts and the gaming community know Acer to have better quality control over its competitor. If you can get this model for a lower price, you can’t go wrong since it is one of the best products your money can buy in this category.
2. Viewsonic XG2401 | $259.98
ViewSonic’s gaming screen is a virtual checklist of all the essential features for an eSports gamer. Not only do you get a super-fast 144Hz panel with 1ms response times, you don’t have to compromise on practicality thanks to the fully adjustable stand. AMD’s excellent FreeSync is also built in, so if you have an AMD graphics card you can enjoy tear-free gaming at super-smooth frame rates.
There are compromises, of course; the monitor uses TN panel technology in order to get those super-fast refresh rates, so viewing angles and colours don’t quite match the best screens on this list. And we weren’t huge fans of the red highlights ViewSonic’s added as a form of go-faster stripe.
3. Samsung C24FG70 Curved | $199
It goes without saying that the monitor is aimed at gamers, and with an impressive 144Hz, low perceived input lag and an extremely impressive response time for a VA panel, the C24FG70 is ideal for competitive gamers.
To complement its panel, Samsung has included an accessible joystick button to use the onscreen display, a beautifully designed monitor arm and a low-profile bezel design.
4. Asus MG248Q | $208.99
If you're looking for a budget gaming monitor, and don't mind making a few compromises (it features a 1080p resolution and twisted-nematic, or TN, panel rather than IPS), then you'll be very pleased with the Asus MG248Q. It makes up for any shortcomings with lightning fast response times and Adaptive Sync, making this the best budget gaming monitor in 2017. Adaptive Sync is of interest to gamers, as it reduces screen tearing if you have an AMD graphics card, a clear demonstration that the MG248Q tailors to the budget gamer. On the other hand, even Nvidia fans can rejoice at the 144Hz refresh rate. But, without the right GPU equipped, you might be better off saving for the G-Sync equivalent Asus ROG Swift PG248Q.
5. Asus ROG Swift PG279Q | $799
Arguably the most sought after 27-inch display of the past year or so, the PG279Q packs it all in and delivers where it counts. With G-Sync, a 165Hz IPS panel and a premium design, there’s little else it could include.
Starting with that design, the primary feature is the use of a panel with a super-slim bezel, resulting in a display that looks far sleeker than chunky-bezelled rivals. The overall build quality and styling of the black plastic chassis also looks great – in a slightly aggressive, gamer-style way.
There’s an illuminated ring around the base of the stand and a ROG logo on the base itself. You can set the brightness – or choose to turn it off entirely – but you can’t change the colour from red.
The only obvious limitation of this screen is connectivity: since G-Sync can handle only two inputs, you get only one HDMI and one DisplayPort. You do get a four-port USB 3.0 hub for your peripherals, too.
When it comes to image quality, this display really delivers. Right out of the box it produces accurate colours, offering great contrast and viewing angles. Only professionals needing the very best in colour accuracy will need to look elsewhere.
There are a couple key items of note, though. One is the price: at around £700 it’s expensive, nearly double that of the Acer XF270HU, for instance. It’s worth considering your priorities, since a few compromises could result in substantial savings.
More importantly, there have been quality control issues widely reported concerning backlight bleed. The two samples we’ve seen displayed acceptable levels, but many users have reported needing to return several samples before finding a satisfactory one.
6. BenQ ZOWIE XL2720 | $379
By just looking at its specs, the XL2720 seems like an overpriced Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) TN monitor that runs at 144Hz. Without the inclusion of AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync too, there's very little going for the BenQ monitor, until you set your eyes on it and play competitive games like CS:GO or Overwatch.
Despite having a TN panel, I found its colours to look rich and vibrant, something I'd expect from a slower IPS or VA panel. The panel's 1ms response time and very low input lag, make this monitor ideal for games such as CS:GO.
The ZOWIE monitor is also well built with a sturdy stand. It can rotate, pivot and has full height adjustments. It also comes with BenQ's S Switch, a small handy remote control that allows you to quickly cycle through the OSD settings.
If you're looking for a gaming monitor for eSports, look no further than the XL2720. It might be expensive, but its performance is worth the premium.
For a start, it’s one of the smartest-looking monitors you can buy. Its simple silver and black colour scheme and clean design means that it will happily look at home in a swanky boardroom or your home office. It also has one of the latest panels with a super-slim bezel, giving the display an even sleeker look.
When it comes to gaming, it’s very capable too. The fast TN panel can keep up with the quickest of movements, while the addition of G-Sync keeps everything smooth and tear-free.
The panel is also true 8-bit colour, so it’s technicalily more capable than the cheapest TN options in terms of colour accuracy.
The panel is also true 8-bit colour, so it’s technicalily more capable than the cheapest TN options in terms of colour accuracy.
However, there are two key things of which you should be aware. The first is the obvious poor viewing angles of TN panels. Far more important is that Dell has completely messed up the gamma setting on this display, so that dark colours always look grey and washed out. It’s fine for competitive gaming, but is poor for general desktop work and watching video. You can tweak the setting in software, but that can make for blocky-looking colours.
LG is a very prominent brand in the screen industry, and their presence includes the OEM manufacturing of high-quality panels, which then moves into the monitor category. One our favorite products from the big-name Korean corporation is the LG 27UD68P which features a sleek, no-frills design with its borderless screen and 27-inch 4K IPS panel. The product’s 10-bit interface has an amazing color gamut coverage of 99% of the sRGB spectrum, producing vibrant and lively colors plus deep and rich oily blacks.
This model does not have VRR tech installed in its innards, but one of LG’s Game Modes incorporates a Dynamic action sync feature which works in unison with the black stabilizer resulting in deep contrast output, with some degree of image smoothening. The LG 27UD68P is meant for a mix of usages, so the model includes PbP and PiP modes with 14 split options enabling multi-input display capabilities. The many signal input ports complement this characteristic so that users can maximize every bit of the LG 27UD68P’s features. For users looking for a perfect mix of versatility which enables users to enjoy both gaming and productivity in an affordable and sleek 4K package.
9. Lenovo Y27G Curved | $459
The Lenovo Y27G is a gaming monitor that includes a curved screen with its regular 16:9 aspect ratio, which gives you some added immersion while you're playing. The 1080p resolution is a little on the low side, but it does mean there's less strain on your graphics card, making this an excellent gaming monitor for people who don't have the budget to buy the latest and greatest GPUs. It also means that, with the relatively low resolution, your GPU can concentrate on pushing high frame rates, with the Lenovo Y27G coming with a 144hz refresh rate and available with either Nvidia G-Sync or AMD FreeSync anti-screen tearing technology.
10. AOC AG322QCX | $549
The AG322QCX is a big 31.5in curved gaming monitor that has all the right specs for gamers who aren't looking for the fastest response time. For £500, the monitor offers a lot of features: It has a 1440p MVA panel that runs at 144Hz, Adaptive-Sync, a curved 31.5in screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a fantastic build quality. There's very little to dislike about this monitor other than its size, which won't fit on all computer desks.
If you're a competitive gamer looking for the fastest gaming monitor, this isn't it. But, if you're not fussed about the response time and want something competent for games such as Battlefield 1 or Project Cars, this is the best curved gaming monitor for under £500.
Comments
Post a Comment
LEAVE A COMMMENT