Why Select a Monitor Especially for Games?

Monitors for games require performance levels beyond those needed for general use. If you’re a gamer that enjoys high–speed games, like first person shooter games, or games with extremely detailed graphics, a high performance monitor will enhance your experience and give you the edge over competitors.

If you have been playing games on a typical monitor you may notice blurring, ghosting, delay or lags as well as jagged pixel edges. A monitor with good display ability and a fast response time will not exhibit these problems. Additionally, the monitors that display games without ghosting can present video real time or often have the technology to double as a television.

LCD vs. CRT

In the recent past, LCD monitors could not compete with the CRTs in display quality and response time. However, the newer LCDs, including many in this review, have a contrast ratio of over 1000:1, can display over 16 million colors, have scanning frequencies of over 85 kHz and quick response times of less than 8ms. The LCDs are now competitive with the CRTs and have the advantage of taking up less desk space.

So, it may be time to trade in the clunky CRT for a thin, super fast LCD.

In this site, you’ll find articles related to monitors for games, as well as comprehensive reviews and a side–by–side comparison to help you make an informed decision on which monitor is right for your gaming needs. At TopTenREVIEWS – We do the research so you don’t have to.™

What to Look for in a Game Monitor.

Monitors for games need exceptional display ability. Preferably a monitor for games should have a contrast ratio of 1000:1 or higher, a dot pitch of .255 mm or less, a brightness of 300 cd/m2 , a response time of 5ms or faster, a viewing angle of 170° or more and scanning frequencies of 85kHz or faster. We did not find the “ideal” monitor in this price range, but we rated highest the models with a combination of the best color dimension, lowest dot pitch and quickest response time.

Keep in mind that display and appearance is subjective. Finding the ideal monitor for you may require you to log out of your game and visit a real world retailer to look over the monitors before you buy. However, you may only be able to find a long line of general use monitors on display and not the high–end, super fast type. In addition, do not confuse “gaming monitors” with “monitors for games”; gaming monitors are those that have touch interactive display like those used in gambling machines. Monitors for games are those that have the technology to display games.

Once you find a few monitors with the performance ability you are looking for in your price range, look for extras that you may need, such as extra ports, speakers, the ability to run video or pivot technology.

Below are the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to evaluate 20.1–inch LCD flat panel monitors for games:

• Display – This rating criterion is the most important aspect of a monitor for games. We evaluated the contrast ratio, dot pitch, brightness, response time, viewing angles and scanning frequencies.
• Connectivity – All of these monitors have analog and digital inputs; nevertheless, it is tremendously useful to have S-Video and USB ports for game peripherals.
• Features – Besides excellent display, many monitors offer additional features such as pivot or picture-in-picture technology, speakers or even remote controls.
• Display Adjustments – We looked at front panel as well as user controls (OSM, OSD). It is useful to have quick adjustments such as brightness, menu, source and volume on the front panel and multiple color and position adjustments available through the user controls.
• Physical Adjustments – Since hours are spent in front of a monitor, it is helpful if it can be simply adjusted to comfortable viewing positions.

Product Support – Sometimes problems occur, so support should be easily accessible and product documentation ought to be comprehensive.