What is a computer monitor? Monitors are a major contributor to the performance of desktop computers. We may not even realize it, but there are several things we need to learn about them. Imagine your personal computer (PC) without a monitor. Sure, the keyboard and mouse will still work, the same goes for the speakers and the CPU.
But how are you going to see what you’re doing? It’s impossible to get work done without it, let alone call it a desktop or PC. So why and how is it important? How does a computer monitor work?
Table of Contents
What is a Monitor? and How does it Work?
A monitor is the main output hardware of a computer. It displays images, text, and videos in real-time, allowing the user to interact with the computer. It comes with a screen, a power supply, a button to adjust the screen settings, and a case that contains these components. But these are not the only features of a monitor.
Having a great gaming monitor often means that we want to use it for more than just gaming. I mean, why not? We tend to spend more money on monitors for gaming than for work, so they generally have more features, like better resolution and higher FPS. The question is, Can you Use a Regular Monitor for Gaming? Let’s find out.
How does a Computer Monitor Work?
Monitors work by displaying information processed by the computer’s video card. The result of processing displayed by the monitor is called output. The output provides instant feedback by showing you text and graphic images while you work or play. The earliest computer monitors used cathode ray tube (CRT) technology.
A CRT tube-type monitor uses a beam of electrons to generate images on the screen. The viewing end of the tube is coated with phosphors, which emit light when struck by electrons. On color monitors, CRTs have three separate guns, one for each color of phosphor.
Combinations of red, green, and blue phosphors can create the illusion of millions of colors. We’ll get to more modern monitors later.
When it comes to monochrome monitors, each phosphor is a single dot that varies in intensity. This creates a grayscale image using a series of individual monochrome phosphors.
To darken a phosphor dot, we apply fewer electrons to it. But if we want to have a lighter match, we do the opposite; we apply a flow of high-intensity electrons.
Basic Monitor Characteristics
A computer monitor has several features, this includes:
1. Size. Monitors come in different sizes, ranging from 19 to 34 inches (and sometimes even more). They are measured diagonally from corner to corner. The average user will be happy with 21-24″ screens.
2. Resolution. The number of pixels on the screen; the sharpness of the monitor image.
3. Broadband. The amount of data that can be transmitted in a given period. The network can transfer data between devices or the Internet in a period.
4. Update frequency. This refers to how many times per second the screen can draw a new image. Refresh rate is usually measured in hertz (Hz) or cycles per second.
5. Interlaced or non-interlaced. The technique for doubling the perceived frame rate of a video display without consuming additional bandwidth.
6. point step. The distance between the phosphor dots creates a single pixel.
There are Three types of Graphics Cards
1. VGA (Video Graphics Matrix)
This type of graphics card supports 16 to 256 colors depending on the screen resolution. For example, it can support 15 colors at 320 × 200 pixels and 256 colors at 640 × 840 pixels. VGA is also called 4-bit color.
2. SVGA (Super Video Graphics Array)
This graphics card supports 256 colors at a higher resolution than VGA. It also comes with two graphics modes: 800×600 pixels and 1024×768. It is the most common standard used today and is also known as 8-bit color.
3. XGA (extended graphics array)
XGA can support up to 16.7 million colors at a resolution of 1024×768 pixels. Supports 256, 65536, or 16777216 colors depending on the video display adapter’s memory chip. This type of graphics card provides the most sophisticated standard for color and resolution. It is also called 24-bit color or true color.
Also, check out Everything you Need to Know about Graphics Card, RAM, Core.
What is the Refresh Rate of a Monitor?
Refresh rate is the number of times a monitor updates the image on the screen. Bottom line: a higher refresh rate equals a smoother picture. This can make your game look and feel more responsive, so if you’re looking for a competitive edge, you’ll want a gaming monitor with a higher refresh rate.
Most monitors will support a refresh rate of 60Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz, or 240Hz. While these numbers may seem high, it still comes down to how fast the human eye can process the image being displayed.
The difference between 60 Hz and 144 Hz is very obvious; however, once you get past this, it’s pretty hard to tell the difference with the naked eye.
For more information on refresh rate and how it affects your gaming experience, check out the article on the best monitor refresh rates for gaming.
Also, check out How many GHz is Good for a Laptop? Expert Recommendation in 2022.
How do Refresh Rates Affect Games?
When you look at refresh rates and how they affect gaming, there are three main differences to focus on between the 60Hz to 240Hz range. These are improved motion resolution, reduced ghosting and tearing, and better responsiveness.
Below you will see that there is a big difference between the refresh rates. But which one is better to play? Again, this depends on the games you play and the overall gaming experience you’re looking for.
Here’s a breakdown of the most common refresh rates and what each one means for gaming.
1. 60 Hz: the “baseline”. Minimum required for any type of scenario: Not the smoothest experience when playing competitive esports titles.
2. 75 Hz: Slightly better than baseline, but only a marginal difference.
3. 120hz: Huge difference in gameplay and quality, but somewhat beaten by the more popular 144hz displays. This is more popular on ultrawide monitors than on 16:9 panels.
4. 144 Hz: Not that different from 120 Hz, but it is the most popular standard. Probably your best bet to buy a high refresh rate screen today. This is the foundation for competitive gaming, especially if you play titles like CS: GO and COD.
5. 240Hz: Despite the higher number, it’s not nearly as significant as the jump from 60 to 144. It’s also a bit unfeasible for most hardware currently on the market, best suited for the best competitive gaming scenarios.
6. 360 Hz: Recently released on modern monitors, 360 Hz is the new top-of-the-line spec for gaming displays. It will provide new levels of fluidity in gameplay, giving elite competitive gamers an edge over their competition.
Why is Build Quality Important in a Monitor?
The main reason it’s so important to look at the build quality of your gaming monitor is simply that you want to make sure you’re getting value for money.
Depending on the make, model, and specs you’ve chosen, a gaming monitor can be an expensive investment, and having to spend even more money to repair or replace it is a less than ideal situation.
The build quality of your gaming monitor will ultimately come down to the materials used in its construction. Flimsy plastic can cause ports to break, which will not only prevent you from establishing a secure connection but also cost you money to replace.
So the overall construction of your gaming monitor must be made of something incredibly strong, like ABS plastic.
This will help ensure that your gaming monitor continues to give you the best possible performance for years to come.
As you move up the theoretical refresh rate ladder, fast-moving visuals and fast-paced gameplay become much smoother.
However, by doing this, the total price of the monitor will naturally increase as well. That said, there is a sweet spot that takes both price and performance into account, and for me, that’s 144Hz.
While 144Hz was once considered high-end, that’s no longer the case as we enter a new decade. The latest gaming monitors almost always come with a 144Hz refresh rate, unless they’re using 4K display resolution.
Gaming Monitor
Specifications for gaming monitors and other computer components require sorting through a lot of numbers. It makes the process of buying anything computer-related extremely difficult.
Gamers may be a bit more tech-savvy than regular users, but still, monitors and their technology have become extremely complex.
Here’s a guide to help you understand the basics so you can find a monitor that helps you see everything you need when the game is on. A word before we start.
Computers are all limited by their slowest component. If you have the best graphics card in the world but a slow monitor with poor colors, gaming won’t be a seamless experience.
On the other hand, if you have an amazing display combined with an old graphics card, you won’t be able to take full advantage of it. Make sure your entire chain is solid before you spend any more money.
Monitors will generally outlast their cards, so there’s value in spending a little more to get a feature you might use after a future upgrade. Using the right monitor for your gaming sessions will have many benefits.
A gaming monitor can help you get better at your favorite game, take care of your eyes during long gaming sessions, and give you the most enjoyable gaming experience with the highest quality displays available on the market.
To get the most out of gaming on PCs and consoles, monitors need to have features and technologies designed specifically for gaming. Also, check out Top 10 Best Gaming Laptops Under $800 Dollars Expert Reviews in 2022.
At BenQ, we love gaming and we love making monitors. We know what it takes to make a display that is carefully tailored for games and gamers, covers all genres, and works across PC and console platforms.
What is a 4k Monitor?
4K monitors are quickly becoming the standard as more and more content becomes available in 4K resolution, from YouTube videos to movies and series on streaming services. But does this mean you should buy a 4K monitor for work or play?
If you work in photography or video editing, you almost certainly do, but the jury is still out on other uses. we’ll go over everything you need to know about 4K monitors, including the technicalities and an idea of how much you should pay if you want to upgrade.
If you’ve already decided to upgrade to a 4K monitor, check out our guide to the best 4K monitors for a range of great models to choose from.
Why you Should Buy a 4K Monitor?
The importance of those extra pixels may depend on what you’re going to use your screen for, but 4K screens are sharper than 1080p screens, similar to how HD screens offered an improvement in sharpness compared to SD screens. previous.
Full HD may offer enough clarity for many people to use as a computer monitor, but if you work in visual design, a 4K monitor is quickly becoming a necessity to allow you to see more detail.
Photographers in particular will see much more nuance in their images when viewed in 4K/2160p, as DSLRs shoot at even higher resolution. For example, a camera that takes 21-megapixel photos captures images at 5104 x 4092.
With 4K, what you see on the screen will be more detailed when you zoom out, while at 100 percent you can see more of the image on the screen at once, making work easier.
If you’re creating or editing 4K video footage, you’ll surely benefit from the ability to see the smallest details of what you’re working on in real-time.
Can you use a Regular Monitor for Gaming?
There is absolutely no reason why you can’t use a gaming monitor for everyday use. But A regular gaming monitor can be used if your monitor meets the required specifications and is capable enough to serve the purpose.
However, some people use a regular pair of monitors to cover their gaming needs. However, the thing about gaming monitors is that they have more features, customization, and generally offer a better experience.
Are Gaming Monitors Worth it?
Yes, gaming monitors are worth it, but this is something that depends on what you need and what you want to get out of the monitor. It also depends on how much you want to spend. If you’re a gamer and want to use it well for everyday use, that further justifies the price and justifies its value.
The Top 5 Best Gaming Monitors for everyday Use
1. Dell S3222DGM
The Dell S3222DGM is the best gaming monitor for many gamers. This follow-up to the highly-rated S3220DGF features a 32-inch VA panel, QHD resolution, and 165Hz refresh rate with Adaptive-Sync support. Other pluses in its favor include 85 percent DCI-P3 coverage and an 1800mm radius display curve.
However, Dell really knocks it out of the park with the S3222DGM’s contrast ratio. VA panels are known for their excellent contrast, but the S3222DGM has an impressive 3000:1 rating, easily beating IPS competitors.
But our sample managed to improve that figure by a third, reaching 4000:1 in instrumented tests.
This 32-inch monitor offers plenty of vertical screen space without scrolling and 1440p resolution, today’s sweet spot between picture quality and gaming performance.
And while the S3222DGM is aimed primarily at gamers, we found it’s also great for general productivity and anything in between.
While the S3222DGM lacks HDR support, its excellent contrast doesn’t detract from that missing “sweet spot” and its overall performance is hard to beat at this price point.
Add in the usual solid Dell build quality, and this represents a great monitor for enthusiasts looking to build a mid-to-high budget gaming PC.
2. MSI Optix MPG321UR-QD
The MSI Optix MPG321UR-QD offers an excellent combination of good performance backed by a host of features at a price that is just under $900. To its credit, the 4K gaming display has excellent color saturation, is well calibrated right out of the box, and offers amazing HDR quality at this price point.
Additionally, it features HDMI 2.1 and a 144Hz refresh rate along with a GTG response time of 1ms. We measured a maximum SDR brightness of 424 nits and over 700 nits with HDR content. Also, its color gamut reached 117% of DCI-P3.
While the Optix MPG321UR-QD was one of the most colorful monitors we’ve ever tested, we wish that monitor had gamma presets, and properly calibrating the display resulted in drops in contrast and light output.
3. MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD
If you like your games to look more colorful, the MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD is the best gaming monitor for your rig.
This monitor recorded the widest color gamut we’ve ever recorded: 112.19% DCI-P3 after our recommended calibration. 90% DCI-P3 would be impressive, so this is a color-saturated display.
Contrast is also strong for an IPS panel, coming in at 1129.1:1 after our calibration. And for those concerned about speed, this 165Hz screen held up well to the 170Hz Gigabyte M27Q in our tests.
However, color purists will bemoan the lack of an sRGB mode, considering the MAG274QRF-QD’s sRGB coverage is 166.33%. It’s strobe backlighting to combat motion blur is also a disappointment.
You can’t use Adaptive-Sync with it, the brightness is reduced by about 50% and it created a ghosting effect which resulted in a parallax effect with fast motion.
Also, this is another gaming monitor that offers HDR but without any noticeable image boost over SDR.
4. Asus ROG Strix XG279Q
If you have extra space in your budget and want to squeeze that extra drop in performance out of your 1440p display, the Asus ROG Strix XG27AQ may be the best gaming monitor for you.
This display is ready to compete with the fastest displays, competing well against other 165-170Hz displays in our response time test and falling just 1-3ms behind in our input lag test.
Out of the box, we recorded a solid IPS contrast ratio (1158.4:1). Of course, you’ll want to calibrate to get rid of some visible grayscale tracking errors, but our recommended settings can help.
This is also an excellent HDR monitor, thanks to a dynamic contrast feature that boosts contrast to a whopping 22,506.9:1.
Not only does it have the sharpest resolution of your dreams, but it’s one of the rare monitors that lets you run blur reduction along with Adaptive-Sync which fights side screen tears.
Alternatively, the Asus ROG Strix XG279Q is another fantastic 1440p option with similar performance.
But for slightly less money at the time of writing ($500 versus $570, respectively), the XG279Q features one of the best motion blur implementations we’ve seen and the rare ability to run motion blur in conjunction with Adaptive-Sync.
5. Razer Raptor 27
The Razer Raptor 27 is the best gaming monitor for 144Hz refresh rates. It will make any gamer you know jealous with premium touches like an RGB stand, flat green cables for cable management, and decent build quality. of slime Also, HDR delivery is some of the best we’ve seen so far on an edge-lit panel.
Despite its 144 Hz refresh rate, the Raptor 27 was able to remain competitive with 165 Hz monitors in our benchmark.
There was no significant motion blur, but meticulous pro-level gamers will have to choose between dealing with that or turning on the backlight strobe.
Which limits it to 120Hz, reduces brightness by 40%, and dims FreeSync support and G-Sync. If you like the design of the Raptor 27 but want more speed, the 2021 Razer Raptor 27 has a 165Hz refresh rate for $100 more.
People Also Asked
Is a 4k Monitor Worth it?
4K resolution is quickly becoming the norm in digital video content, streaming, gaming, and computing. While some people initially can’t tell the difference with HD, which already provides a very clear picture, most will notice the difference if they get used to watching in 4K and then switch back to HD.
While the higher resolution than 4K monitors offer is most crucial for those working in digital design, photography, or video, there are benefits for non-designers as well. On a 4K screen, everything is clean and sharp, especially the text.
So if you like to supercharge work, splitting your screen so you can see multiple windows at once say, your browser, email, Slack, and a spreadsheet or other document the extra resolution can help keep everything readable.
If you only have desk space for one monitor, it makes sense to choose one that allows you to multitask.
When it comes to gaming, some will want a faster refresh rate than 4K usually offers right now, but more graphics cards are emerging that can handle 4K gaming.
What does 144hz Mean?
144Hz offers a noticeably smoother gaming experience compared to 60Hz displays. The increased refresh rate allows the monitor to output 144 frames per second (fps) in fast-moving sequences, so you get the most responsive experience.
You’ll get an edge over 120Hz screens as you get closer to how games are meant to be played. Monitors with a 144Hz refresh rate are blazing fast for the best competitive gaming experience.
Most feature AMD FreeSync™ technology to reduce image tearing and stuttering for an even smoother gaming experience, giving you the edge in FPS, racing, RTS, and more. sports titles. What’s even better? A 240hz monitor!
Do you need High FPS for 144Hz?
Yes. As the 144Hz refresh rate is quite high, I highly recommend getting the same frame rate to avoid stuttering and image tearing.
Is it better to have 4K or 144Hz?
4K is a very high resolution and can be hard to achieve by games with low FPS numbers (unless you have a very expensive graphics card in your system costing over $900). 1080p at 144Hz or even 2560 40 at 144Hz is much easier to get in terms of performance needs.
Which is Better 4K 60Hz or 1080p 120Hz?
A 1080p high refresh rate monitor will look smoother and more responsive than a 60Hz 4K monitor, but the latter will look sharper and more detailed. Choosing between the two depends entirely on your preferences and games.
Which is Better 4K at 60Hz or 1440p at 120Hz?
If you play competitive FPS, or just want your gameplay to be as smooth as possible, choose 1440p 120hz. If you think 60fps is enough and you prefer to improve your graphics, go for 4K. Some people prefer higher resolution to frame rate, some people prefer higher frame rate to resolution.
What is the main difference between Gaming Monitors and Regular Monitors?
Gaming monitors, unlike regular monitors, will have a higher refresh rate and response time compared to regular monitors. Gaming monitors will run games much smoother than regular monitors for the same reasons.
However, this does not mean that gaming monitors are better than regular ones in every way. This article will also talk about the ways that regular monitors are just as good as gaming monitors.
Is a 60hz Monitor Enough for Gaming?
This would depend on how demanding the game you are playing is. Battlefield 4, Counterstrike, or any other intense first-person shooter probably feels like it could be a smoother experience.
If you can afford it, I’d recommend getting a monitor that’s no slower than 75Hz. With this refresh rate and more, you won’t have to think twice about jumping into more demanding games if you see that happening in the future.
The smoothness of your games will also depend on the hardware of your gaming PC. If you have a graphics card like a GTX 1070 or equivalent, and you’re playing on a 1080p monitor, your PC will crush any game in terms of graphics and smoothness.
Is Hertz the Same as FPS?
They are not two separate things. Remember that FPS is how many frames your gaming computer produces or draws, while refresh rate is how many times the monitor updates the image on the screen.
Can you use the Dell Monitor for Gaming?
Yes, the Dell is a great gaming monitor, with a great response time at maximum refresh rate, fantastic low input lag, and a fast refresh rate. Ultra-wide aspect ratio offers a more immersive gaming experience.
Conclusion
I know that gaming monitors can be quite expensive, and you might be considering that they are not worth the price. If I had to give you one piece of advice, I would say that gaming monitors should be the only type of monitor released because they offer so much more value than their counterparts.
I just want to add that gaming monitors look cool. In most cases, they often come with slimmer bezels, a nifty little RGB lighting mostly on the back, and they make work feel a lot less daunting and more exciting.
Whether it’s for work, school, or gaming, having a gaming monitor not only gives you much more freedom, customization, and features, it also gives you a better experience overall.