Monitor Hunter's Fact Sheet.

Updated the 3rd July - 2026.

Monitor Hunter’s Fact Sheet

If you’re reading this you’re probably on the hunt for a new monitor, the purpose of this document is to try and put together a fact sheet of all the things you might need to know to better pick out the monitor that’s best suited for your usage & budget.

Adam Simmons over at https://pcmonitors.info/ taught me a mantra that you should always keep in mind when hunting for a new monitor: "No monitor is perfect, It's always a compromise."

Meaning… know what you'll use your monitor for & if there are things you are sensitive to, then find a monitor that best fits that slot.

And if you need a monitor for two, or more, very distinct/different tasks, be prepared to buy a monitor for each task or settle for one that's good at one & average at the rest.

Panel Types:

OLED

(Organic Light Emitting Diode) is the first emissive panel type we have seen, emissive means that it does not have a backlight, the pixels are their own light source, what this does is that it eliminates quirks & issues related to the backlight and it also allows for much faster response times.

Because OLED can completely turn off each individual pixel they in theory have infinite contrast, this ability to control all the pixels individually also currently makes them one of the best option for HDR as they don’t need to rely on a complex Full Array Local Dimming (FALD) Mini-LED backlights to be able to display bright & dark areas in the same scene.

But no tech is perfect… OLEDs by their nature of having organic components will degrade over time and burn-in will likely always remain a risk.

Main reasons to pick an OLED based monitor?

They are currently the best you can buy for consumption of games and media, their response times and contrast/colour performance will give a responsive and immersive experience.

Pros

Significantly faster response times than LCD | No backlight related issues | Class leading HDR performance |

Cons

Risk of burn-in | Lower SDR brightness than LCD | Non-standard subpixel layout can cause subpixel fringing | Currently the most expensive panel type |

IPS

(In-Plane Switching) panels are the Jack of all Trades panels, their contrast ratio will usually hover around 1000:1 which will give decent blacks and their response times are usually fast enough for most usages; IPS panels when calibrated will also have good colour reproduction with good coverage of sRGB, DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB colour spaces so they are good options for colour critical workloads. Buying an IPS based monitor already puts you in a good spot if you use your PC for many different(daily) tasks.

IPS are the most expensive of the three LCD types to manufacture, a fact you'll especially see if you're looking at a higher-tier IPS based monitor, expect to see price tags in the 500-700$ range or beyond but good IPS options exist in more or less all price segments these days.

Main reasons to pick an IPS based monitor:

If you want a monitor that’s all round good at doing most things. If you do colour critical workloads for income but like to game in your spare time.

Pros

Good performance for most tasks | Colour accurate (photography) | Fast enough for 360Hz gaming |

Cons

Risk of backlight bleed & panel glow | Lower contrast than VA & OLED | Can cost more than VA & TN |

VA

(Vertical Alignment) panels are the contrast kings of LCD panels with a contrast ratio normally hovering around 3000:1, they can display nice deep blacks and vivid colours.

This does however come at a price, these deeper blacks cause most VA panels to have slow dark level response times, transition times involving blacks and darker shades ranging from 20 to 30ms is not uncommon. This means that they are bad options if you’ll be using your monitor for eSports titles or reaction based shooters where having a monitor that can keep up with your movements is important.

Some VA based monitors can suffer from black crush, where black and dark shades will "crush" together and you'll lose detail, this usually happens in shadows.

Main reasons to pick a VA based monitor:

Their deep blacks and vivid colour performance make them good options if you mainly play immersion/sightseeing games; these are games that tend to have a slower pace and where you’ll stop to admire the environments.

Pros

Best contrast ratio of the three LCD types | Vivid colours | Fast enough for 120Hz gaming | Slightly cheaper than IPS |

Cons

Slow dark level transitions | Worse viewing angles than IPS | Risk of backlight clouding | Risk of flickering |

TN

(Twisted Nematic) are the oldest of the the LCD panel types, these days they are mainly found in eSports focused 1080p models with refresh rates in the 240-480Hz range;

The main reason for their decline was that IPS panels became cheaper to manufacturer and have more or less replaced them in all categories.

TNs suffer from a quirk called vertical gamma shift, a video that nicely shows these differences can be found here: Video Link.

Their contrast ratio usually hovers around 1000:1 which is similar to IPS but quirks inherent to TNs adversely affect how they display blacks and their general colour reproduction compared to IPS.

So TN as a panel tech have more or less been replaced by better ones but they might still have some life left as later in 2023 there will be both TN and IPS based 480Hz+ models releasing, so I guess we’ll see if TN can still win a fight.

Main reasons to still pick a TN based monitor:

If you’re an avid user of backlight strobing &/or have a regular income from eSports where speed/reaction is paramount (CS:GO, Fortnite, Apex Legends etc.) or you have an unusually high sensitivity to motion clarity.

Pros

Slightly faster response times than IPS | Fast enough for 480Hz gaming | Best panel type for BFI |

Cons

Worst image quality of the four types | Vertical gamma shift | Bad vertical viewing angles | Risk of backlight bleed |

Monitor Specs:

When you think you know which panel type is best for your use case, you need to look at the main aspects of any monitor and choose the combination that best suits your preferences and needs.

Screen Size.

24", 27" & 32" are the most commonly used sizes for monitors.

Picking the right size with the right resolution, to give you a high pixel density, will give you a sharp & clean looking image.

Example: 24”/1080p has a pixel density of 91 pixels per inch, while 27”/1440p has 108. So a 27" screen running at 1440p will have the sharper image of the two.

Now... that said, 24”/1080p is still the default Size to Resolution combo and is still very much a comfortable image to look at, unless you are sensitive to pixel densities under a given value... see my first paragraph.
In the past few years UltraWide monitors have moved into the market in force, these range in size from 29” to 49” and for desktop workloads they can greatly increase screen real-estate & in games they give greater immersion and wider FoV (Field of View).

Resolution.

Videos to watch:
Which resolution to pick?

1080p(FHD/2K), 1440p(QHD) & 2160p(UHD/4K) are the three most common monitor resolutions. Which one you go for should be based on your other hardware, which one can you drive to a high enough amount of fps to have smooth gameplay? There are also UltraWide & Super UltraWide monitors, to which the same applies.

Good size to resolution combinations are: 24"/1080p(FHD/2K) - 27"/1440p(QHD) - 32"/2160p(UHD/4K); but that does not mean that a given resolution cannot be fine at other screen sizes.

One of the biggest advantages to going up in resolution is a higher pixel density which gives a sharper image and more screen real-estate, e.g. 1440p offers ~78% more screen real-estate compared to 1080p, for desktop/office related workloads that can make a big difference to workflow; UltraWides can then offer ~30% additional horizontal real-estate compared to 16:9 screens.

Basic resolution real-estate comparison.

At a given viewing distance a screen will appear to be "retina", i.e. A distance where the human eye is unable to distinguish between individual pixels.

Some examples of pixel densities in the most used size & resolution combos.

Screen Size	Resolution	Pixel Density	Retina at
24”	1080p(FHD)	92	94cm/37”
27”	1080p(FHD)	82	107cm/42”
27”	1440p(QHD)	109	81cm/32”
32”	1440p(QHD)	92	94cm/37”
27”	2160p(UHD/4K)	163	53cm/21”
32”	2160p(UHD/4K)	138	64cm/25”

Response Time.

Response time is basically how fast a pixel can transition from one colour/shade to another, you want a monitor with response times that are faster than the frame push rate (FPR) of its refresh rate, the FPR is how often a new image is pushed(rendered) for you to see on your monitor, this is governed by its refresh rate in Hz, for a monitor running at 144Hz this is 6.94ms (1000/144 = 6.94ms), this means that the monitor will push a new frame(image) every 6.94ms, so for a 144Hz monitor you’re looking for response times faster than 6ms to reduce/eliminate ghosting/smearing caused by slow response times.

A lot of reviews measure their response times in Grey to Grey (GtG), which is a way to measure the average response time of a monitor but recently several reviewers have started to measure in gamma corrected response times, which should more accurately show how your eyes will see it.

Note: Ideally you want response times as low as possible without overshoot &/or inverse anomalies.

Some examples of the most common refresh rates.

Refresh Rate	Frame Push Rate
60Hz	16.67ms
120Hz	8.33ms
144Hz	6.94ms
240Hz	4.17ms
360Hz	2.78ms
480Hz	2.1ms

Let’s put a thing to rest one more time, because I'm beginning to hate monitor marketing.

No current LCD based monitor, or due for release in the foreseeable future, can do 1ms of actual Grey to Grey (GtG), or gamma corrected, pixel response time without significant compromises… it's marketing buzzwords.

However, monitors that support Backlight Strobing(BFI) try to mimic/simulate 1ms response times through that; but that tech comes with its own list of compromises.
Video about BenQ’s Dyac+: Video Link

Even the current best 480Hz IPS monitors tend to hover around 3-4ms of actual pixel response time, if you try to push it lower by applying a stronger overdrive impulse you'll see a cascade of overshoot & inverse anomalies; most TN based monitors are in the 3 to 5ms zone before the same happens.

IPS based monitors usually hover in the 4 to 8ms zone before the overdrive impulse causes overshoot &/or inverse anomalies. VA based monitors are doing their own thing when we’re talking average response time because of their slow dark level transitions.

We’re now seeing OLED monitors and those can be said to have 1ms of actual response times.

Adaptive Sync/VRR. (G-Sync, FreeSync & HDMI VRR)

For Adaptive Sync/Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) gaming you’ll want to limit your game’s fps below your monitor's refresh roof, in the driver control panel set V-Sync to ‘Off, unless application specifies’ and ‘Enable’ V-Sync in the games as needed. If you set the fps to the same as the refresh roof (e.g. 240 fps on a 240Hz monitor) it will simply run as if you were using V-Sync and have poor/increased latency(input lag).

As a general rule I like 3-5% below your monitor's refresh roof.

If we go for 3% you're looking at.

116 fps cap for a 120Hz refresh roof.

140 fps cap for a 144Hz refresh roof.

160 fps cap for a 165Hz refresh roof.

175 fps cap for a 180Hz refresh roof.

233 fps cap for a 240Hz refresh roof.

349 fps cap for a 360Hz refresh roof.

466 fps cap for a 480Hz refresh roof.

I suggest that cap because no game is 100% stable so if you set it to say 144 fps on a 144Hz monitor and the game flux by +3 fps you're pushing 147 fps and you're outside the refresh range... Adaptive Sync disables, the monitor tries to default back to another sync mode and if it can't it'll run unsynced... this might only last a few ms before the monitor bounces back down to 143 fps and Adaptive Sync kicks back in but this sequence will cause stutters, tearing, jittering, input lag and possible other annoying things. Hence I recommend a cap that's under the refresh roof by enough so that minor fps fluxing won't cause it to bounce outside the refresh range.

I recommend you watch this video from Techless: Video Link

G-Sync was a closed standard but it now also supports both AMD & Intel GPUs but only works over DisplayPort and uses a G-Sync module from nVidia, all G-Sync monitors’ Adaptive Sync runs to the same specs... which is good, but using the G-Sync module does increase the cost of a monitor so native G-Sync models will often be more expensive.

By 2019 nVidia announced a firmware update for their G-Sync modules that would allow them to work with VESA Adaptive Sync, this means that AMD cards will be able to make use of FreeSync on monitors using a G-Sync module. The G-Sync modules have been discontinued and are set to be replaced by a new one.

Note: NVidia says the firmware cannot be retrofitted to already deployed modules, so it will only apply to models released after the firmware goes live, at the time of writing there is no option to update older models.

FreeSync adds no real cost to a monitor, for better or worse... as it is a standard built into the scaler units, but that also means that you'll see a varying degree of good implementations; it can also work over both HDMI & DisplayPort on FreeSync certified monitors with AMD graphics cards.

Note: If you own a 10-series or newer nVidia GPU & use DisplayPort you can use G-Sync on FreeSync monitors.

This article also explains the two: G-Sync & FreeSync Explained

HDMI VRR is a feature that was introduced with HDMI 2.1, it’s HDMI’s answer to DisplayPort Adaptive Sync, and as it’s a native feature to the HDMI 2.1 hardware any graphics card and monitor that adhere to the HDMI 2.1 specs will support it.

While it’s different by name and sounds as though it’s not it’s essentially the same thing as Adaptive Sync, both features aim to do the same thing namely remove screen tearing, stutters & jittering by syncing up fps and refresh rate.

Console VRR

VRR on the current gen consoles is pretty straight forward, any display that has HDMI 2.1, or “hybrid HDMI 2.0”, will support HDMI VRR on all three of the current gen consoles (PS5, Series-X & Series-S).

In addition the XBox supports FreeSync over HDMI 2.0.

Extra Features.

Then you have features (e.g. KVM switch, Type-C PD, ) that some users will specifically look for in a monitor but if it's not something you know you'll need don’t go paying extra for it.

HDR especially is one thing that’s still a gimmick in many LCD monitors, very few can do worthwhile HDR and the ones that can still command a higher price in many cases, if good HDR is important to you buy an OLED.

Good monitor hunting.

Links:

Handy links.

*Lists should be up to date.

Pixel Density Calculator

Display Size Comparison Tool

Bias Lighting/ Ambient Backlight (YouTube)

Backlight Bleed Remedies (YouTube) Always be gentle with the panel.

Resolution Bandwidth Calculator

Multi Monitor Calculator

List of FreeSync Monitors

List of G-Sync Monitors

Good review sites.

RTings Monitor Reviews

TFTCentral Reviews

PC Monitors Reviews
PC Monitors (YouTube)

Monitors Unboxed (YouTube)

MoreleTV (YouTube) -Polish

KitGuruTech (YouTube)

Techless (YouTube)

TotallydubbedHD (YouTube)

Certified interface cables.

Europe

DisplayPort	HDMI
Club 3D - 2m DP <> DP	Club 3D - 2m HDMI 2.1
Club 3D - 3m DP <> DP	Club 3D - 3m HDMI 2.1
Club 3D - 2m mDP <> DP
Club 3D - 1.8m Type-C <> DP	Club 3D - 10m HDMI 2.1
Cable Matters - 1.8m DP <> DP
Cable Matters - 3m DP <> DP
DeLock - 1.5m Type-C <> DP

United States

DisplayPort	HDMI
Club 3D - 2m DP <> DP	Club 3D - 2m HDMI 2.1
Club 3D - 3m DP <> DP	Club 3D - 3m HDMI 2.1
Club 3D - 2m mDP <> DP
Club 3D - 1.8m Type-C <> DP	Club 3D - 10m HDMI 2.1
Cable Matters - 1.8m DP <> DP	Nixeus - HDMI 2.1
Cable Matters - 3m DP <> DP
Nixeus - 3m DP <> DP

Testing Methods Update.

Notice: Hardware unboxed & others have updated their testing methods for understanding how their testing has changed please watch this video: YouTube Link

This does not mean that their results are in any way invalid, in fact they are more accurate and more reviewers are going over to a similar method of response time testing but because the older Grey to Grey (GtG) method can’t be directly compared this newer gamma corrected one you might see slightly different response time result from different review sources; if this is the case the most correct results will likely come from this newer method.

Monitor Recommendation List.

Note: I try to only recommend monitors that have been reviewed, so I know how they perform. All the monitors on this list are in my book a worthy purchase in their spec class.

Discontinued but worthwhile.

BenQ EX240 [IPS] Discontinued

Techless Review (YouTube)

TotallydubbedHD Review (YouTube)

Asus TUF VG259QM [IPS] Discontinued

Bijan Review (YouTube)

Rtings Review

Gigabyte M32Q [IPS] Discontinued

(KVM Switch, Type-C with ~15W PD)

(Console Ready[PS5]: 1080p/1440p 120Hz & 2160p 60Hz downsampling.)

(Console Ready[XBox]: 1080p/1440p 120Hz & 2160p 60Hz downsampling.)

Hardware Unboxed Review (YouTube)

MoreleTV Review (YouTube) -Polish

Rtings Review

TotallyDubbed Review (YouTube)

LG 27GR83Q [IPS] Discontinued

(HDMI 2.1 bandwidth - 48 GBit/s.)

(Console Ready[PS5]: 1080p/1440p 120Hz & 2160p 120Hz downsampling.)

(Console Ready[XBox]: 1080p/1440p 120Hz & 2160p 120Hz downsampling.)

Panel Types:

OLED

IPS

VA

TN

Monitor Specs:

Screen Size.

Resolution.

Response Time.

Adaptive Sync/VRR. (G-Sync, FreeSync & HDMI VRR)

Console VRR

Extra Features.

Links:

Handy links.

Good review sites.

Certified interface cables.

Testing Methods Update.

Monitor Recommendation List.

Discontinued but worthwhile.

Entry-level models.

1080p(FHD) 120Hz+ models.

1080p(FHD) 240Hz+ models.

1080p(FHD) 480Hz+ models.

1440p(QHD) 120Hz+ models.

1440p(QHD) 240Hz+ models.

1440p(QHD) 360Hz models.

1440p(QHD) 480Hz+ models.

2160p(UHD/4K) 60Hz models.

2160p(UHD/4K) 120Hz+ models.

2160p(UHD/4K) 240Hz+ models.

HDR capable monitors.

1080p(UW-FHD) UltraWide models.

1440p(UW-QHD) 120Hz+ UltraWide models.

1440p(UW-QHD) 240Hz UltraWide models.

1440p(UW-QHD) 360Hz UltraWide models.

1600p(UW-XXX) UltraWide models.

2160p(UW-UHD) Ultrawide models.

Office & Entertainment monitors.

Portable monitors.

Post Purchase Checklist.

Backlight bleed & Panel glow.

Basic Monitor/TV Maintenance.

Screen Cleaning.