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It’s also supremely practical, with a two-port USB-A hub joining that remarkable stand to strengthen this monitor’s productivity credentials. Only a USB-C port would have sweetened the deal. On test, the PG32UQ performed very well indeed, producing a very wide gamut of colours with good accuracy. It’s a great monitor for gaming, with strong motion handling and good viewing angles. Vibrant to the point of excess and obnoxiously large, the PG32UQ is one of the best monitors we’ve tested for sheer immersion. HDR: High dynamic range isn’t a huge consideration unless you have a big budget – most gaming monitors struggle to deliver anything resembling true HDR. If you want that, however, start by looking for monitors with a DisplayHDR 600 certification and some kind of local dimming.
In terms of sheer bandwidth, HDMI 2.1 48Gbps easily handles 4K 120Hz with full HDR and no compromises on color. It is also capable of 4K 144Hz with tweaked settings if you prefer a higher framerate. Key specs – Screen size: 38in; Resolution: 3,840 x 1,600; Screen technology: IPS; Refresh rate: 144Hz; Response time: 1ms G2G; Curvature: 2300R; Video inputs: 1 x DP, 2 x HDMI, 1 x Thunderbolt USB-C; Other ports: 2 x USB-A, 1 x 3.5mmKey specs – Screen size: 27in; Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440; Screen technology: VA; Refresh rate: 165Hz; Response time: 1ms; Video inputs: 2 x HDMI 2, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4; Other ports: 2 x USB-A 3.0, 1 x USB-B 3.0, 1 x 3.5mm LG’s unusual UltraGear Ergo has been a favourite of ours for some time. It’s a traditional 27in, 1440p, 144Hz gaming monitor with a twist: the stand is an ergonomic arm mount that can rotate, swivel, pivot, rise/sink and tilt to just about any conceivable angle. This saves desk space and keeps you in good posture at the same time. The G27QC is 27in across the diagonal with a moderate 1500R curve that mitigates the poor viewing angles caused by the VA panel. It’s bright and colourful, with excellent contrast (3,100:1 out of the box) and decent colour accuracy for the price. This is a gaming monitor for casual players who enjoy a good RPG, rather than esports professionals looking for the most responsive panel around.
We’ve tried to include monitors that fit into all of the above categories on our list. How much should I spend?This depends on the resolution you choose. Assuming you’re after a 1440p monitor to enjoy the “sweet spot”, anything from 24in-27in is ideal, although this is applicable to 1080p monitors too. 4K monitors usually sit in the 27in-32in range. Think about how close you sit and how much screen real estate you need (if for example, you’re going to work on the same monitor). What other specifications should I look out for? The panel is excellent. It’s remarkably colour-accurate and produces a wide gamut for vivid colours both in and out of HDR. Speaking of which: this monitor has an HDR 600 certification with 16-zone edge-lit local dimming, which means you can expect a slightly higher standard of HDR performance from the 279M1RV than most gaming monitors. This is a vibrant monitor capable of detailed shadows and responsive, fluid gameplay – and believe it or not, it’s usually pretty decent value, too (although the price has shot up recently for reasons unknown).
Although the LG UltraWide 38WN95C isn’t a gaming monitor per se, it has all the necessary credentials, including a 144Hz refresh rate, a 1ms response time and support for both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync. It’s a 38in curved ultrawide monitor with a high resolution and a price tag to match, but that’s okay: this monitor earns its keep. With Thunderbolt USB-C support, a two-port USB-A hub and a versatile stand with height adjustment and swivel, there’s very little the 38WN95C can’t do. Don’t limit your search to a single panel type: we include this information simply so you know what to expect from the monitor you choose.This is the most important consideration here, as it will inform your budget and your choice of screen size. For the unaware, these are your options: The BenQ Mobiuz EX2710 is a well-equipped 1080p monitor that will suit anyone with a low-to-mid-range gaming PC, a fairly tight budget and a desire to hit 144Hz. At 27in, this is as big as you’d want a 1080p monitor to be. It’s bold, bright and colourful, with low response times and good motion handling and viewing angles courtesy of its IPS panel. It nailed our in-house colour accuracy tests and proved enjoyable to use both in work and on the virtual battlefield. Key specs – Screen size: 32in; Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160; Screen technology: IPS; Refresh rate: 144Hz; Response time: 1ms; Video inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4; Other ports: 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB-B 3.0
Nowadays, the best 144Hz monitors aren’t what you might expect. It used to be the case that 1440p at 144Hz was widely recognised as the so-called “sweet spot” for PC gaming, the optimum output for the average gaming rig. As a result, 144Hz and 1440p walked hand-in-hand incredibly often. The average PC gamer might want to consider a 165Hz monitor over a 144Hz one, at least at 1440p. The difference isn’t particularly noticeable but you’ll have much more choice, because many manufacturers are opting for 165Hz these days.
It also covers the more mundane stuff, with a versatile stand and two USB-A ports for peripherals. But we all know that’s not why you’re eyeing up this beast of a display. At 27in, the Philips Momentum 279M1RV is a nice compromise for gamers who are cash rich but space poor. It’s another gorgeous 4K monitor built for Xbox Series X/S and PS5, with HDMI 2.1 support alongside the usual DP 1.4 port for PC. It’s ridiculously well-connected, with four USB-A ports and even a USB-C port for power delivery and video transmission, and it sits on a stand with height adjustment and swivel. It’s even got Philips Ambiglow lighting on the rear, so the wall behind the monitor is illuminated while you play. x 2,160) is the high-end option. Only buy a 4K monitor if you have a top-of-the-line gaming PC or next-gen console, or you’ll be wasting the 144Hz refresh rate.
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