Gaming Monitor Gift Guide
Table of Contents
As the discount season approaches, it's time to show appreciation to those who mean a lot to us and have been there for us all year. For those loved ones or colleagues who enjoy gaming, or even yourself, a gaming monitor is a great way to express gratitude.
The type of gaming monitor you have really affects how much you enjoy your games. A good monitor ensures your gaming feels realistic and smooth without breaking the bank. So, choosing the right one is important.
In this guide, we'll talk about why things like screen resolution, size, refresh rates, response times, and sync technologies are important when it comes to gaming monitors and how they can impact your gaming experience. Plus, we'll showcase a handpicked selection of the best gaming monitors from HP to suit your budget.
Be sure to check out our HP Holiday Gift Guide for deals on tech gifts and more this season. You’ll find everything from budget-friendly and family gifts to tech stocking stuffers and this year’s top holiday gifts. With our holiday gifts guide, you’re sure to find something for anyone – and at any price point, whether it’s desktops, laptops, printers, PC accessories, gaming gear, and more.
Understanding monitor resolutions
Resolution is all about the number of pixels that form an image on your screen. When a monitor has a higher resolution, it can display more pixels, resulting in better visual quality. This means sharper and more detailed images.
Let's explore some common resolutions you'll encounter in gaming monitors.
- High Definition (HD) - 1,280 x 720: Older monitor models often feature this resolution. However, it's not suitable for gaming and should be avoided.
- Full High Definition (FHD) - 1,920 x 1,080: For gaming, it's advisable to opt for monitors with at least FHD resolution, even if you're on a tight budget. These monitors provide reasonably good picture quality.
- Quad High Definition (QHD) - 2,560 x 1,440: QHD resolution has become the new standard for gaming monitors. It offers improved image quality and clarity compared to FHD without overwhelming your graphics card's performance.
- 4K or Ultra High Definition (3,840 x 2,160): 4K gaming monitors deliver stunning, lifelike visuals. Considering one of these monitors can help future-proof your gaming setup.
- 5K or Ultra-Wide Quad High Definition (UWQHD) - 5,120 x 2,880: Monitors with 5K resolution offer even better visual quality than 4K displays. However, they come at a higher cost and demand powerful hardware to run games smoothly in such settings.
Refresh rates explained
The monitor's refresh rate refers to the number of times per second it updates the image on the screen, measured in hertz (Hz). If a monitor has a refresh rate of 60 Hz, it means it refreshes the screen 60 times per second.
Monitors with higher refresh rates make your games run smoother. They can keep up with more frames per second (FPS) and reduce input lag. To get the best gaming experience, we recommend getting a monitor with a refresh rate of at least 144 Hz. For an even more fluid gameplay, aim for 240 Hz or higher.
What’s response time?
Response time refers to the time it takes for a pixel on the screen to change from one color to another. We measure this speed in milliseconds (ms), often using terms like grey-to-grey (GtG) or moving picture response time (MPRT). GtG tells us how fast pixels shift colors, while MPRT reveals the odds of seeing motion blur or ghosting.
Motion blur happens when pixels take too long to change, resulting in a blurry image. This can be frustrating in first-person shooter games, where split-second reactions matter. Ghosting occurs when pixels struggle to keep up with fast-moving objects in a game. You end up seeing faint after-images or shadows of moving objects. We recommend that you opt for a gaming monitor with a response time of 5 ms or lower to get the best performance, particularly in fast-paced video games.
Monitor panel types
The technology used to build the screen of your gaming monitor can affect how it performs. Let us look at some examples.
- Twisted nematic (TN) panels: These panels have super-fast response times, but they come with drawbacks like narrow viewing angles, poor color accuracy, and lower contrast ratios.
- Vertical alignment (VA) monitors: VA monitors offer high contrast ratios and decent color accuracy. They can show deep blacks, but their slower response times can result in ghosting and blurry images in fast-action games.
- In-plane switching (IPS) panels: IPS panels have the best wide viewing angles and good color accuracy, making them ideal for visually demanding games. They have slightly slower response times than TN panels, which can occasionally lead to ghosting.
- Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screens: OLED screens provide remarkably high contrast ratios, vibrant colors, and a true black display. However, these monitors tend to be expensive and can be susceptible to burn-in issues.
Sync technologies
If you're an enthusiastic gamer, you might have noticed a horizontal line cutting through your screen sometimes. This line is called a screen tear, which happens when your monitor's refresh rate doesn't sync up with your graphics card's frame rate. Modern gaming monitors come equipped with sync technologies like NVIDIA® G-Sync or AMD FreeSync™ to tackle this issue. These technologies work to reduce screen tearing, stuttering, and input lag for more fluid gameplay.
AMD FreeSync works well with a wide range of graphic cards, including NVIDIA ones, and it often comes with more budget-friendly monitors. On the other hand, NVIDIA G-Sync is designed specifically for NVIDIA graphics cards, and monitors equipped with this sync tech tend to be pricier.
Monitor size and curvature
There's no one-size-fits-all answer when choosing the right size for your gaming monitor. It all depends on your needs and preferences. Here are some key points to consider.
- Desk space: Make sure your desk can accommodate your desired monitor size.
- Screen resolution: A high-resolution gaming monitor with QHD or higher should be paired with a bigger screen, like 27-32 inches, to maintain pixel density and image clarity.
- Viewing distance: If you sit close to your gaming monitor like esports gamers, 24-27 inches is good. It lets you see the whole screen easily. But a bigger monitor (27 inches or more) works better if you sit farther away.
- Curved vs. flat gaming monitors: Consider a curved gaming monitor if you want a big screen (over 27 inches). The curve wraps the screen around your vision, making you feel part of the game. Plus, It's also easier on your eyes and reduces head movement as you can see the whole screen without straining or turning your head, unlike with a flat screen.
Gaming monitor recommendations
Budget-friendly gaming monitors
Here are our top picks for HP gaming monitors that offer great value without straining your budget.
OMEN 24 Gaming Monitor
We’ve designed our OMEN 24 Gaming monitor with a high refresh rate to enhance your gaming experience.
Pros
- Native FHD resolution
- Quick 1 ms GtG response time with overdrive
- Anti-glare feature
OMEN 27 Gaming Monitor
We’ve equipped our OMEN 27 Gaming Monitor with AMD FreeSync technology to ensure smooth gameplay by reducing screen tearing.
Pros
- IPS panels
- 99% sRGB and 95% DCI-P3 color gamut
- Compatible with gaming consoles
Mid-range gaming monitors
These HP gaming monitors offer a balance between price and premium features.
OMEN 27qs Gaming Monitor
We’ve built our OMEN 27qs Gaming monitor with a wide color gamut and QHD resolution to bring life to your games.
Pros
- HP Eye Ease technology
- Compatible with NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync
- Impressive 240 Hz refresh rate
OMEN 27c Curved Gaming Monitor
We’ve designed the OMEN 27c Curved Gaming Monitor with a 1000R curvature for a wider field of vision and to reduce eye strain during long gaming sessions.
Pros
- VA panels
- A high contrast ratio of 3000:1
- Adjustable height for comfort
High-end gaming monitors
These HP monitors are top-of-the-line, perfect for gamers who demand the best.
OMEN 34c Curved Gaming Monitor
We’ve equipped the OMEN 34c Curved Gaming Monitor with fast response times and a high refresh rate to minimize motion blur and deliver fluid gaming.
Pros
- Native WQHD resolution
- Spacious 34-inch diagonal display with a 21:9 aspect ratio
- AMD FreeSync Premium technology
OMEN 27u 4K Gaming Monitor
We’ve designed our OMEN 27u 4K Gaming Monitor with customizable RGB lighting to give you more control over your gaming experience.
Pros
- HDMI 2.1 port for advanced connectivity
- SuperSpeed USB Type-A ports for your peripherals
- Impressive brightness level at 450 nits
Additional monitor features to look for
Here are some more features to keep in mind when choosing a gaming monitor:
- High Dynamic Range (HDR) Support: HDR technology enhances monitors to deliver brighter images with more vibrant colors and increased contrast. This makes it easier to spot even the subtlest enemy shadows.
- Customizable RGB lighting: Gaming monitors with this feature give you greater control over your lighting setup to personalize your gaming space.
- Ergonomic stands: A high-quality gaming monitor should have an ergonomic stand that allows you to adjust its height, tilt, swivel, or pivot. This flexibility allows you to find the perfect viewing angle to reduce strain on your neck and back, especially during long gaming sessions.
Summary
Before you buy a gaming monitor for your loved one, it's important to understand their needs and preferences. Consider asking them directly for their input. When you're ready to purchase, look for a high-quality gaming monitor with the following features for an immersive gaming experience: high refresh rates, high resolution, low response times, and adjustable height.
For more gaming monitors, visit our website.
