Know About Refresh Rate & Response Time
Choosing the proper display for your gaming PC may appear simple at first glance, but appearances can be deceiving. It used to be as simple as selecting the appropriate resolution and cable. But now you have to consider the panel type, cable inputs, whether it offers FreeSync or G-Sync, and other factors.
If you're new to PC gaming, refresh rates and response time are two of the most critical monitor specifications to understand. We'll go over what each of those phrases means, how specs affect them, and how to get the best monitor for your system.
What Is the Refresh Rate?
Refresh rate is one of the marquee features of displays, especially since the advent of gaming displays with refresh rates higher than 100 Hertz (Hz). The greater the refresh rate, the more frequently the image may update per second. 144Hz was the de facto standard gaming monitor refresh rate for a long time, but now we're seeing 240Hz panels. In theory, the faster the refresh rate, the smoother the image will appear to the human eye.
What Is Response Time?
The time it takes for a pixel to change from one color to another is referred to as response time. It is intimately related to refreshing rate in the sense that a monitor can only truly refresh its image quickly if the pixels respond quickly enough. A response time of 16ms corresponds to a theoretical maximum refresh rate of 60Hz of 1s/60 = 16.6ms.
Does It Make the Gaming Experience Better?
Yes. When looking for a premium gaming experience or accessing a high-grade game mode, however, ultra-fast refresh rates are critical, which is why G-Sync and FreeSync are vital to consider if you're a passionate gamer. This is especially true when playing cutting-edge competitive games, although it may not be as significant for recreational gamers. Response time is critical while playing modern video games that represent quick motion and movement by utilizing frame rates. It is also useful while editing videos and performing other creative chores.
The gaming monitor, on the other hand, will almost certainly be connected through DisplayPort, so look for G-Sync or FreeSync support. The former is a proprietary standard developed by Nvidia, whereas the latter is an open standard developed by AMD. The compatibility between these two was at first shaky but has recently improved dramatically.
What Are the Fastest Types of Monitors?
There are three different kinds of LCD panels that cover 99% of the monitors sold. While monitors come in a variety of shapes and sizes, the majority use one of the three panel technologies. Modern display panel technologies include IPS (in-plane switching), VA (vertical alignment), and TN (Twisted nematic). Each of the panel technologies has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, with response times varying between the three.
When it comes to pixel response time, the following are the advantages and disadvantages of each:
TN screen panels are inexpensive yet have a limited color spectrum. In terms of response speed, these are among the fastest on the market, and gaming monitors often choose less colorful TN panels to be faster.
IPS screen panels are the most expensive, but they provide the greatest colors and the widest viewing angles. Graphic designers, photographers, video editors, and anybody who values true color will enjoy IPS monitors. Because of their faster response times than TN panels, they are rarely promoted as "gaming" monitors.
VA screen panels are a hybrid of the other two options on our list, falling somewhere in the middle in terms of color and response time. Because they provide good contrast and darkroom gaming, they are frequently paired with more immersive widescreen monitors. Pixel response time falls short of both IPS and TN competitors.
If you want a monitor that can keep up with even the fastest of games, get one with a TN or VA screen panel. IPS gaming monitors exist, but they're rare and expensive, and they're still not as fast as the alternatives.
The Best Monitors for Refresh Rate and Response Time:
The finest gaming monitor for you will be determined by your requirements and gaming habits. If you want to play games competitively, an ultra-fast refresh rate will come in handy. These high refresh rates are frequently referred to as "overdrive" or "overclocked."
Samsung produces some of the most visually appealing displays on the market. They've always looked gorgeous, but they've always lacked gaming-specific functions. The Samsung Odyssey G7 and Odyssey G9 are models that refute this assertion.
The Samsung Odyssey G7 has a 240 Hz refresh rate and a 1 ms response time, making it one of the most responsive monitors out there. This QLED display from Samsung has a breathtaking 1000R display curvature, and it's one of the most responsive monitors out there. It also features top-of-the-line performance for gaming and is a great purchase for casual gamers as well.
The Samsung Odyssey G9 gaming monitor is a 5120x1440 curved ultrawide IPS panel with G-Sync, a 240Hz maximum refresh rate, and a 1ms GtG response time. and this 49-inch monitor is enormous.
The Asus ROG Swift PG259QN, at 24.5 inches and 1920x1080 resolution, isn't the largest or highest-resolution panel. Regarding professional esports, a high refresh rate is more crucial than anything else, and the PG259QN boasts a whopping 360 Hz refresh rate with a 1 ms response time. It also has a crisp, color-accurate panel based on IPS technology. This display is also G-Sync compatible.
The Gigabyte G27F demonstrates how economical high-refresh gaming can be. The 27-inch, 1920x1080 IPS display has a 144Hz refresh rate and a GTG reaction time of 1ms, making it one of the best affordable gaming monitors available.