PC gaming is a hobby that can offer a lot of fun and satisfaction, but it can also be quite expensive. Unlike console gamers, who can just plug their devices into the family TV, PC gamers need to invest in a dedicated monitor, which can add a significant amount to the total cost of their setup.

However, this doesn’t mean that you have to break the bank to enjoy a good gaming experience on your PC. There are ways to reduce the cost by choosing budget-friendly components, and one of the most important ones is the monitor.

In this blog post, we will explain what to look for in a gaming monitor, what are the different types of monitor technologies, and what are some of the best options available on the market for gamers on a budget.

What is a Monitor and Why Does it Matter for Gaming?

A monitor is a device that displays the video output of your computer’s graphics chip. It is essentially the window through which you see and interact with the virtual worlds of your games. Therefore, having a good monitor can make a big difference in your gaming experience, as it can affect the quality, clarity, and smoothness of the images on the screen.

There are various factors that determine the performance of a monitor, such as:

• Resolution: This is the number of pixels that the monitor can display horizontally and vertically. The higher the resolution, the sharper and more detailed the image. The most common resolution for gaming monitors is 1920 x 1080, also known as Full HD or 1080p. However, there are also higher resolutions available, such as 2560 x 1440 (QHD or 1440p) and 3840 x 2160 (UHD or 4K), which can offer more immersive and realistic graphics, but also require more powerful hardware to run smoothly.
• Refresh rate: This is the number of times that the monitor can update the image per second, measured in hertz (Hz). The higher the refresh rate, the smoother and more fluid the motion on the screen. The standard refresh rate for most monitors is 60Hz, which means that they can display 60 frames per second (fps). However, some monitors can support higher refresh rates, such as 120Hz, 144Hz, or even 240Hz, which can provide a competitive edge in fast-paced games, such as shooters or racing games, where every millisecond counts. However, to take advantage of these high refresh rates, you also need a graphics card that can output enough frames per second to match the monitor.
• Response time: This is the time that it takes for a pixel to change from one color to another, measured in milliseconds (ms). The lower the response time, the faster and more responsive the monitor. A high response time can cause ghosting, which is a phenomenon where the previous image lingers on the screen, creating a blurry trail behind moving objects. A good response time for gaming monitors is below 5ms, and some monitors can even achieve 1ms or less.
• Contrast ratio: This is the difference between the brightest and the darkest colors that the monitor can display. The higher the contrast ratio, the more vivid and realistic the colors. A low contrast ratio can result in washed-out and dull images, especially in dark scenes. A good contrast ratio for gaming monitors is above 1000:1, and some monitors can even reach 3000:1 or higher.
• Viewing angle: This is the angle at which you can view the monitor without losing color accuracy and brightness. The wider the viewing angle, the more consistent and uniform the image. A narrow viewing angle can result in color shifting and dimming when you look at the monitor from the sides or from above or below. A good viewing angle for gaming monitors is above 170 degrees horizontally and vertically.

What are the Different Types of Monitor Technologies?

There are several technologies that can be used to create the panel of a monitor, which is the part that actually displays the image. Each technology has its own advantages and disadvantages, and they can affect the performance and the price of the monitor. The most common types of monitor technologies are:

• TN (Twisted Nematic): This is the oldest and the cheapest type of monitor technology. It offers fast response times and high refresh rates, which makes it suitable for gaming. However, it also has poor contrast ratios, color accuracy, and viewing angles, which makes it less ideal for other tasks, such as watching movies or editing photos.
• VA (Vertical Alignment): This is a type of monitor technology that offers better contrast ratios, color accuracy, and viewing angles than TN, but still at a reasonable price. However, it also has slower response times and lower refresh rates than TN, which can cause ghosting and motion blur in fast-moving games.
• IPS (In-Plane Switching): This is a type of monitor technology that offers the best contrast ratios, color accuracy, and viewing angles of all the types, which makes it ideal for tasks that require high color fidelity, such as graphic design or photography. However, it also has higher prices, slower response times, and lower refresh rates than TN and VA, which can affect the gaming performance.
• OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode): This is a type of monitor technology that uses organic materials to create the pixels, which can emit their own light. This allows for the highest contrast ratios, color accuracy, and viewing angles possible, as well as infinite blacks and no backlight bleeding. However, it also has the highest prices, lower lifespans, and risk of burn-in, which is a permanent damage to the pixels caused by displaying static images for too long.

What are the Best Gaming Monitors on a Budget?

Now that you know what to look for in a gaming monitor and what are the different types of monitor technologies, you might be wondering what are some of the best options available on the market for gamers on a budget. To help you with your decision, we have compiled a list of some of the best gaming monitors that you can get for under £300, based on their features, performance, and reviews. Here they are:

• Best for all-round gaming: AOC AGON 27G2SAE – This is a 27-inch IPS monitor that offers a QHD resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, a 1ms response time, and a 1000:1 contrast ratio. It also supports AMD FreeSync, which is a technology that synchronizes the monitor’s refresh rate with the graphics card’s frame rate, to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering. It has a sleek and ergonomic design, with a height-adjustable, tilt, swivel, and pivot stand, as well as built-in speakers and a USB hub. It costs £150 on Amazon, and it has a 4.5-star rating from over 3000 reviews.
• Best for a step up from 1080p: Cooler Master GA271 – This is a 27-inch VA monitor that offers a QHD resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, a 1ms response time, and a 3000:1 contrast ratio. It also supports AMD FreeSync and HDR10, which is a technology that enhances the brightness and the color range of the image. It has a minimalist and elegant design, with a thin bezel, a metal stand, and a VESA mount. It costs £139 on Amazon, and it has a 4.5-star rating from over 1000 reviews.
• Best for 4K on a budget: Z-Edge 28 Inch 4K Monitor – This is a 28-inch IPS monitor that offers a 4K resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, a 1ms response time, and a 1000:1 contrast ratio. It also supports AMD FreeSync and HDR10, as well as Picture-in-Picture and Picture-by-Picture modes, which allow you to display two or four sources on the same screen. It has a simple and sturdy design, with a metal stand and a VESA mount. It costs £220 on Amazon, and it has a 4.5-star rating from over 500 reviews.
• Best for switching between PCs: Gigabyte G27F2 – This is a 27-inch IPS monitor that offers a Full HD resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, a 1ms response time, and a 1000:1 contrast ratio. It also supports AMD FreeSync and KVM, which is a technology that allows you to control two computers with one keyboard, mouse, and monitor. It has a gaming-oriented and ergonomic design, with a height-adjustable, tilt, swivel, and pivot stand, as well as RGB lighting, built-in speakers, and a USB hub. It costs £220 on Argos, and it has a 4.5-star rating from over 100 reviews.
• Best for the basics, done right: ViewSonic VX2718-P-MHD – This is a 27-inch TN monitor that offers a Full HD resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, a 1ms response time, and a 1000:1 contrast ratio. It also supports AMD FreeSync and has a low input lag, which is the time that it takes for the monitor to register your commands. It has a simple and functional design, with a tilt stand and a VESA mount. It costs £178 on Amazon, and it has a 4.5-star rating from over 200 reviews.

Best for a bargain: ASUS VA24EHE – This is a 23.8-inch IPS monitor that offers a Full HD resolution, a 75Hz refresh rate, a 5ms response time, and a 1000:1 contrast ratio. It also supports AMD FreeSync and has a flicker-free and blue light filter technology, which can reduce eye strain and fatigue. It has a slim and elegant design, with a tilt stand and a VESA mount. It costs £129 on Amazon, and it has a 4.5-star rating from over 6000 reviews.

• Best for work and play: BenQ GW2485TC – This is a 23.8-inch IPS monitor that offers a Full HD resolution, a 75Hz refresh rate, a 5ms response time, and a 1000:1 contrast ratio. It also supports AMD FreeSync and has a built-in webcam, microphone, and speakers, which can be useful for video calls and online meetings. It has a smart and ergonomic design, with a height-adjustable, tilt, swivel, and pivot stand, as well as a USB hub and a headphone jack. It costs £149 on Amazon, and it has a 4.5-star rating from over 300 reviews.
• Best for gaming immersion: MSI G27CQ4 E2 – This is a 27-inch VA monitor that offers a QHD resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, a 1ms response time, and a 3000:1 contrast ratio. It also supports AMD FreeSync and has a curved screen, which can create a more immersive and realistic gaming experience. It has a gaming-inspired and adjustable design, with a red LED backlight, a tilt stand, and a VESA mount. It costs £269 on Amazon, and it has a 4.5-star rating from over 200 reviews.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many options for gaming monitors on a budget, and you don’t have to compromise on quality or performance. You just need to know what to look for and what are your priorities and preferences. Whether you want a high-resolution, a high-refresh rate, a fast response time, a high contrast ratio, a wide viewing angle, a curved screen, or a built-in webcam, there is a monitor for you. We hope that this blog post has helped you find the best gaming monitor for your needs and budget.

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