Choosing a monitor is the one upgrade you will see every time you play. The right screen makes motion look smoother and gives you a clearer view of the action.
Start with refresh rate
Refresh rate is how many times per second the screen updates. A 144 Hz panel shows far more frames than a 60 Hz one, which matters most in fast shooters and racing games.
Match resolution to your graphics card
Higher resolution looks sharper but asks more from your GPU. As a rule of thumb:
- 1080p is easiest to run at high frame rates.
- 1440p is a good balance for most players.
- 4K looks stunning but needs a powerful card.
Panel type matters
IPS panels offer accurate colour and wide viewing angles. VA panels show deeper blacks and better contrast. TN panels are fast and cheap but have weaker colour.
Spend more on the panel and the refresh rate than on extra features you will never use.
Check the response time, sync support and the number of ports before you buy. A monitor that matches your PC and console setup will save you headaches later.
