Monitor
Everyone wants to appreciate the full potential of a gaming computer. What is the point of playing the latest shooter on an out of date 19" 1080P 60Hz screen when you have a system capable of say 4K or 165Hz? Here at UK Gaming Computers, we have tested rather a lot of monitors out there and have come up with the following recommendations.
When choosing a monitor the main things to check out is:
The resolution
How many pixels are displayed. More pixels = more detail - 1920 x1080 aka FHD is regarded as the "normal". A 2560 x 1440 aka 2K or QHD screen contains more or less twice as many pixels as a FHD (hence the 2K terming) meaning its able to effectively display twice the detail whilst a "4K" monitor which has a resolution of 3840 x 2160 has four times the resolution of a FHD screen and thus four times the detail.
The resolution of a monitor and displayed resolution directly impacts the performance requirements of a graphics card. More pixels = more work the graphics card has to do. Unlike the FPS/refresh link described below where double the refresh rate directly equals double the graphics card workload, doubling the resolution does not directly double the workload on the GPU thanks to something called "scaling". You can read the science behind it all here. For the purpose of simplicity doubling the resolution will add around and extra 50%-90% workload to the graphics card (depending on how well a game or program is optimized) so it is important to ensure your graphics card is good enough to support a higher resolution monitor to get the best from it otherwise you will find yourself turning some settings down for a smooth experience.
Refresh rate
Refresh rate is how many frames per second (FPS) will show on your screen. 60Hz is what us PC gamers would strive to achieve as a minimum - its regarded as the smooth buttery experience. However with the birth of eSports and competitive gaming PC gamers will look to have a higher refresh monitor and thus see more FPS when gaming to gain an advantage. Refresh rate and FPS is a direct 1:1 scale meaning if you go from say 60Hz/60FPS to 120Hz/120 FPS then you exert exactly twice the workload on your graphics card. The science is the same and it is important that if you plan to use a higher refresh rate monitor that your graphics card can handle it otherwise you will find yourself having to turn a few settings down.
Response time
Response time is the time it takes for pixel to change colour. Is almost a spec left over from the dark ages when flat panel TFT monitors first came out, once upon a time they were inferior to the old bulky CRT monitors however with the technology maturing, today anything under 10ms is considered perfectly good enough which of course all our monitors are and would be surprised to even see anything above on the market today.
Input
Simply put what connections are on the back of the monitor to connect to your PC. When ordering a monitor from us we will ensure you have the correct cables and adaptors to ensure it is compatible with your PC from us.
Special Features
Some screens deviate from the norm;
- G-SYNC & FreeSync - is a technology that reduces "screen tear", its not a must have as its relatively pricey but for the pros and competitive bunch, highly desirable.
- Curved screen - Some users like curved screens, its nothing more than a personal preference.
- Aspect Ratio - in other words, widescreens. Monitors that are wider on the edges, again its a personal preference.
- Panel type - VA/TN/IPS & OLED are the main ones. Most monitors are VA or TN and ultimately there is nothing wrong with a TA or TN panel type. IPS offers a few advantages like faster response times (almost redundant now), better viewing angles & better contrast levels. OLED better blacks and all of this is again personal preference and is not massively important.
- HDR - is a technology that produces images with a large perceptible difference between light and dark areas on a screen. Its fancy and again not the end of the world if you do not have it.
Closing
Since we have hand picked these monitors, they all perform well within what we would call the required grade and are all compatible with our systems, so all you have to do is simply pick how big you want it to be! If you are unsure of which monitor to pick with your system/graphics card as you are concerned about both resolution and refresh rate then simply drop us a line and we can advise you the best route to take.
Asus VA24EHF 23.8" FHD 100Hz IPS
ASUS VA24EHF Eye Care Gaming Monitor features 23.8-inch IPS panel with Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution, providing 178° wide viewing angle panel and vivid image quality. With fast 100Hz refresh rate and Adaptive-Sync technology to eliminate screen tearing and choppy frame rates for the smoother-than-ever experience. It also features TÜV Rheinland-certified Flicker-free and Low Blue Light technologies to ensure a comfortable viewing experience.
| Screen Size | 23.8" |
|---|---|
| Screen Resolution | 1920x1080 |
| Response Time | 1ms |
| Refresh Rate | 100Hz |
| Connectivity | HDMI v1.4 |
| Special Features | IPS Panel |
Asus VA27EHF 27" FHD 100Hz IPS
AOC's 27B2AM is equipped with a 27", Full HD VA panel with true-to-life colours. VGA and HDMI connections offer flexibility in source devices. The 27B2AM is a good contender for multi-monitor setups thanks to VESA mount support, 3-side borderless design and wide viewing angles. Plus, it is equipped with LowBlue and FlickerFree technologies.
Besides looking modern and attractive, frameless designs enable seamless multi-monitor setups. Your cursor/windows will not be lost anymore in the dark abyss of bezels, when many displays are placed side by side.
| Screen Size | 27" |
|---|---|
| Screen Resolution | 1920x1080 |
| Response Time | 1ms |
| Refresh Rate | 100Hz |
| Connectivity | HDMI V1.4 |
| Special Features | IPS Panel |
AOC Gaming CG32G4VE 31.5" 2K 180Hz
The 32" QHD curved display offers an unparalleled gaming experience, with a brilliant 2560x1440 resolution and a fluid 180Hz refresh rate. This monitor features a 1500R curvature with a fast VA panel with 1ms GtG and HDR10 compatibility, resulting in spectacular graphics and rich colors. With a 0.5ms MPRT and a small input lag, you may experience near-instant responsiveness and G-Menu customization allows you to personalize your settings. This monitor is your ticket to dominating the competition.
| Screen Size | 31.5" |
|---|---|
| Screen Resolution | 2560x1440 |
| Response Time | 1ms |
| Refresh Rate | 180Hz |
| Connectivity | 2 x HDMI, 1 x Display Port |
| Special Features | 1500R Curved |
AOC Gaming U27G3X 27" 4K 160Hz
The U27G3X is an absolute powerhouse that delivers stunning 4K UHD resolution at 3840x2160, ensuring every detail comes to life with incredible clarity. Combining a lightning-fast up to 1ms GtG response time and a high 160Hz refresh rate, this monitor guarantees seamless motion and reduced ghosting, providing you with the competitive edge. With HDMI, the U27G3X offers versatile connectivity options for your gaming devices, making it a comprehensive choice for immersive and responsive gameplay.
| Screen Size | 27" |
|---|---|
| Screen Resolution | 3840x2160 |
| Response Time | 1ms |
| Refresh Rate | 160Hz |
| Connectivity | HDMI 2.1 x 2, DisplayPort 1.4 x 1 |
| Special Features | AMD FreeSync |
AOC AGON AG251FZ 24.5" FHD 240Hz Esports Monitor
The AOC AGON AG251FZ is a 25" premium gaming monitor that offers intense on-screen action without tearing, stuttering or motion-blur, thanks to a 240 Hz refresh rate suitable for the eSports pro gamer, Freesync Premium and a 1 ms response time.
| Screen Size | 24.5" |
|---|---|
| Screen Resolution | 1920x1080 |
| Response Time | 1ms |
| Refresh Rate | 240Hz |
| Connectivity | VGA, DVI, HDMI, DIsplayPort |
| Special Features | 240Hz, Freesync Premium, G-Sync, Headset holder |
AOC AGON Q27G2E 27" 155Hz QHD FreeSync
The AOC Q27G2E/BK offers a 27” VA panel with QHD resolution, ShadowControl and super contrast ratio of 3000:1. Enjoy the most responsive gameplay and fastest battles with its stutter-free Adaptive Sync, 144 Hz overclocked to 155 Hz refresh rate, 1ms MPRT and low input lag to decrease motion blur and input-output delay. Gaming has never been so fun and intense.
| Screen Size | 27" |
|---|---|
| Screen Resolution | 2560x1440 |
| Response Time | 1ms |
| Refresh Rate | 155Hz |
| Connectivity | HDMI , DisplayPort |
| Special Features | FreeSync, G-Menu, VA Panel |
