best lcd panel type for gaming factory

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best lcd panel type for gaming factory

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best lcd panel type for gaming factory

So, why would anyone ever buy a TN panel? For starters, they’re cheap. They don’t cost a lot to produce, so they’re often used in the most budget-friendly options. If you don’t value color reproduction or need excellent viewing angles, a TN panel might be fine for your office or study.

TN panels also have the lowest input lag—typically around one millisecond. They can also handle high refresh rates of up to 240 Hz. This makes them an attractive option for competitive multiplayer games—especially eSports, where every split-second counts.

IPS technology was developed to improve upon the limitations of TN panels—most notably, the poor color reproduction and limited viewing angles. As a result, IPS panels are much better than TNs in both of these areas.

In particular, IPS panels have vastly superior viewing angles than TNs. This means you can view IPS panels from extreme angles and still get accurate color reproduction. Unlike TNs, you’ll notice very little shift in color when you view one from a less-than-ideal perspective.

IPS panels are also known for their relatively good black reproduction, which helps eliminate the “washed out” look you get with TN panels. However, IPS panels fall short of the excellent contrast ratios you’ll find on VAs.

While high refresh rates were typically reserved for TNs, more manufacturers are producing IPS panels with refresh rates of 240 Hz. For example, the 27-inch 1080p ASUS VG279QM uses an IPS panel and supports 280 Hz.

Previously, TNs exhibited less input lag than any other panel, but IPS technology has finally caught up. In June 2019, LG announced its new Nano IPS UltraGear monitors with a response time of one millisecond.

Despite the gap being closed, you’ll still pay more for an IPS panel with such a low response time than you would for a TN with similar specs. If you’re on a budget, expect a response time of around four milliseconds for a good IPS monitor.

One last thing to be aware of with IPS panels is a phenomenon called “IPS glow.” It’s when you see the display’s backlight shining through it at more extreme viewing angles. It’s not a huge problem unless you view the panel from the side, but it’s something to keep in mind.

VA panels are something of a compromise between TN and IPS. They offer the best contrast ratios, which is why TV manufacturers use them extensively. While an IPS monitor typically has a contrast ratio of 1000:1, it’s not unusual to see 3000:1 or 6000:1 in a comparable VA panel.

In terms of viewing angles, VAs can’t quite match the performance of IPS panels. Screen brightness, in particular, can vary based on the angle from which you’re viewing, but you won’t get the “IPS glow.”

VAs have slower response times than TNs and the newer Nano IPS panels with their one-millisecond response rates. You can find VA monitors with high refresh rates (240 Hz), but the latency can result in more ghosting and motion blur. For this reason, competitive gamers should avoid VA.

Compared to TNs, VA panels do offer much better color reproduction and typically hit the full sRGB spectrum, even on lower-end models. If you’re willing to spend a bit more, Samsung’s Quantum Dot SVA panels can hit 125 percent sRGB coverage.

For these reasons, VA panels are seen as the jack of all trades. They’re ideal for general use, but they either match or fall short in most other areas except contrast ratio. VAs are good for gamers who enjoy single-player or casual experiences.

When compared to CRT monitors, all LCD panels suffer from some form of latency issue. This was a real problem when TN panels first appeared, and it’s plagued IPS and VA monitors for years. But technology has moved on, and while many of these issues have been improved, they haven’t been eliminated entirely.

Uneven backlighting is another issue you’ll find on all panel types. Often this comes down to overall build quality—cheaper models slack on quality control to save on production costs. So, if you’re looking for a cheap monitor, be prepared for some uneven backlighting. However, you’ll mostly only notice it on solid or very dark backgrounds.

LCD panels are also susceptible to dead or stuck pixels. Different manufacturers and jurisdictions have different policies and consumer laws covering dead pixels. If you’re a perfectionist, check the manufacturer’s dead-pixel policy before you buy. Some will replace a monitor with a single dead pixel for free, while others require a minimum number.

Office or study use: Your budget should be your primary concern here. VA is the do-it-all panel, with superior viewing angles to TN, but either would do the trick. You can save some money because you don’t need high refresh rates or ultra-low latency. They’re still nice, though. You’ll see a noticeable difference in smoothness just when moving the Windows cursor on a monitor with a 144 versus 60 Hz refresh rate.

Photo and video editors/Digital artists: IPS panels are still generally favored for their ability to display a wide gamut of colors. It’s not unusual to find VA panels that also cover a wide gamut (125 percent sRGB, and over 90 percent DCI-P3), but they tend to exhibit more motion blur during fast-paced action than IPS panels. If you’re serious about color accuracy, you’ll need to properly calibrate your monitor.

Programmers who mount monitors vertically: You might think TN panels are great for programmers, but that’s not necessarily the case. TN panels have particularly bad viewing angles on the vertical axis. If you mount your monitor in portrait mode (as many programmers and mobile developers do), you’ll get the worst possible viewing angles from a TN panel. For the best possible viewing angles in this scenario, invest in an IPS display.

Competitive online gamers: There’s no question TN panels are still favored in the eSports world. Even the cheapest models have fast response times and support for high refresh rates. For 1080p gaming, a 24-inch will do just fine, or you could opt for a 1440p, 27-inch model without breaking the bank. You might want to go for an IPS panel as more low-latency models hit the market, but expect to pay more.

Non-competitive, high-end PC gamers: For a rich, immersive image that pops, a VA panel will provide a higher contrast ratio than IPS or TN. For deep blacks and a sharp, contrasting image, VA is the winner. If you’re okay with sacrificing some contrast, you can go the IPS route. However, we’d recommend avoiding TN altogether unless you play competitively.

Best all-rounder: VA is the winner here, but IPS is better in all areas except contrast ratio. If you can sacrifice contrast, an IPS panel will provide fairly low latency, decent blacks, and satisfactory color coverage.

As you probably know, you can usually get a monitor cheaper online than at a brick-and-mortar store. Unfortunately, buying online also usually means buying blind. And with a TV or monitor, that can lead to disappointment.

If you can, check out the monitor you’re interested in in-person before you buy it. You can perform some simple ghosting and motion blur tests by grabbing a window with the mouse and moving it rapidly around the screen. You can also test the brightness, watch some videos, and play with the onscreen display to get a feel for it.

best lcd panel type for gaming factory

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best lcd panel type for gaming factory

In this guide, we’ll go over the differences between the most common monitor panels. We’ve compared IPS panels, TN panels, and VA panels to help give you more insight on your upcoming purchase.

However, the average consumer is clueless on the LCD panel technology used in their LCD monitor. A monitor’s panel type is a crucial feature that dictates how it performs as well as the kind of tasks it is best suited to accomplish. Therefore, it is important to understand panel technology so that you can be sure to choose the appropriate monitor for your gaming needs.

And, it is important for gamers to become familiar with these various panel technologies so that they can understand the variety of marketing buzzwords that companies use to describe the different LCD panel monitors on the market.

For instance, phrases like “grey-to-grey response time” and “contrast ratio” are important to understand. There are also other specifications such as “color bit-depth” and “input delay” that are good to know as well.

This is the first question you need to ask yourself. Because, if you’re working with a budget of $150 or less for your monitor, your options will be much more limited than if you were working with a ~$500 budget.

For instance, if you have $150 or less to spend, you’ll likely be forced to choose a TN panel. However, if you have more to spend, that doesn’t necessarily mean you will want to avoid a TN panel monitor, it just means that you will have more options.

This is an important question because the type of usage your monitor will see will be a big determining factor in which type of panel you can get. If you are going to use your monitor solely for competitive gaming—I’m talking CS:GO, LoL, COD, Dota 2, etc.—then a TN panel with a high refresh rate and low response time will be your best bet.

On the other hand, if you are more of a casual gamer, or you are planning on doing a lot of graphic design work on your monitor, you might want to look into a VA panel or an IPS panel. These panels don’t quite perform on the same level as a TN panel (in terms of response rate) and they cost a lot more for the same refresh rate. However, their picture quality is much better than TN panels and therefore, they are better-suited for graphics design work.

This kind of ties into the question above, but it is worth considering as well. As I mentioned above, if you are a serious gamer and you are playing competitive games where every split-second could be the difference between victory and defeat, you might want to forego better visuals for a better performing monitor.

And, for that, a TN panel is your best bet as they offer lower response rates and higher refresh rates (at least, for the price you pay) than IPS or VA panels.

On the other hand, if you’re not playing super competitive games and you really enjoy the visual aspect of gaming, you’d be better off going with a VA or IPS panel as they offer better technology for displaying richer and more detailed visuals.

The other bit you ought to understand is that it is quite difficult, if not completely impossible, to find a monitor that is the best solution for every individual.

Some display types are appropriate for gaming, while others are best suited for graphics design. Other monitors are good for gamers who want the best visuals, while a different set of monitor panels work better for competitive gamers who need the most performance possible.

In this guide, we have broken down the different panel types and have explained their key features, as well as have compared them to their counterparts to help you better understand which type of panel would best meet your needs.

If you are looking at a monitor and it doesn’t clearly state what kind of panel it is, it’s probably safe to assume it’s a TN panel. What I mean by this is that, in most cases, for IPS panels and VA panels, the monitor manufacturer will include the panel type in the name of the monitor in an effort to make them stand out.

As I mentioned above, TN Panels owe their popularity to low manufacturing costs.However, they are also known for being able to deliver much higher response rates than IPS or VA panels. However, they are also known for being able to deliver much higher response rates than IPS or VA panels.

Because of their affordability, Twisted Nematic Displays with higher refresh rates (a feature you will pay more for) are more readily available than competing panels with high refresh rates.

The viewing angles on a TN panel are touted to be 160 degrees vertical and 170 degrees horizontal: these angles are considerably lower than the viewing angles presented by other panel technologies

The eyes, for instance, will perceive a different viewing angle if you look at the center of the screen instead of the peripheral regions of the monitor. In this instance, a color shade can be represented to be a different shade depending on its position on the screen. It may appear darker when it is on the upper side of the screen or lighter when it is towards the bottom.

Because of these problems, the consistency and color accuracy on a TN panel will suffer in comparison to IPS and VA panels, which, ultimately, makes this panel type less ideal for color-critical work such as photography and design, or even for gamers who want the best visuals possible.

The most notable selling point of In-Plane Switching panels is their consistency, improved viewing angles, and superior color accuracy when compared to other LCD technologies. Every color shade retains its unique identity and distinctiveness regardless of its position on the monitor.

These factors make IPS panels suitable monitors for graphic design work, as well as for gamers looking for the best visuals possible (but who don’t mind a drop in response rate.)

Perhaps the greatest strength of a VA panel is its ability to block light from the backlight when it isn’t wanted. This ability results in higher contrast ratios and deeper blacks which are several times better than that of the other LCD technologies discussed in this guide.

As power users already understand, one problem with LCD monitors is light from the backlight. When an LCD monitor wants to display black, the color filter will be positioned in such a manner that very little light from the backlight will seep through. While they try to do a reasonable job, their filters aren’t always perfect, thus, incapable of rendering the blacks deep as they should be.

Thankfully, VA panels are magnificent at that task. And thanks to the fact that they are susceptible to clouding or bleeding towards the edges of the screen, the screens are often considered as ideal candidates for movie enthusiasts and suitable for general purpose work.

The VA panels also feature improved viewing angles and good color reproduction. Their excellent color reproduction abilities make the monitors ideal devices for color-critical work, or for gamers who want to play their games with the best picture quality possible.

A considerable drawback of the VA panel is its low level of responsiveness with its pixels transitioning from one state to the next. This can cause more noticeable blurring when gaming.

Thankfully, the more modern versions of VA panels use a superior pixel overdrive feature that is not susceptible to the problems of the earlier versions.

It is quite difficult to state definitively what LCD monitor is better in the battle of TN vs IPS. This is because both TN LCD displays and IPS LCD displays have a share of advantages and disadvantages.

The quick responsiveness of TN panels makes them suitable for competitive gamers who rely on every split-second to achieve victory. (Though there is a lot of debate surrounding this considering that some believe that the average human brain can just compute about 25 frames per second.) The response time of most TN Panels, save for the high-end and very exceptional ones, is between 2ms and 5ms. This quick response rate is why gamers love TN Panels, as they are perfect for fast-paced games.

IPS Panels, on the other hand, feature a rather sluggish response time compared with TN panels. But the good news is that IPS technology is improving with each new generation of monitors.

IPS Panels owe their popularity to superior viewing angles. They are also not susceptible to color washout when viewing at an angle, which is a problem that is very common with traditional TN panels.

TN panels suffer from limited viewing angles, especially when looking from a vertical position. Colors tend to shift if viewed from an off-perpendicular position. When viewing TN panels from vertical positions, colors will change so much that they’ll invert past a certain angle.

The reason is that higher resolution monitors typically cost more and, so, if you’re going to pay all of that money for an ultra high definition monitor, you might as well get the panel that is best suited for displaying high-end visuals.

Of course, if you want a balance between higher resolutions and lower response rates, you might be better off sacrificing some in the visual department and going with a TN panel to get a monitor with a better response rate.

Both VA and IPS panels are commonly used in LED-backlit TVs today. Though they are both Liquid Crystal Display types, there are vast differences between their performances. The differences touch on contrast, viewing angle, response time, and black uniformity.

IPS Panels are a clear winner when it comes to viewing angle. IPS Panels, as already explained, have a wide viewing angle without any noticeable drop in image quality on the monitor.

VA panels recoup their losses when it comes to contrast. Contrast, as you might be aware, is one of the most important factors when it comes to picture quality. VA surpasses IPS panels when it comes to contrast.

When in a dark environment, black images or shades will appear gray on an IPS panel, considerably undermining the experience. VA contrast ratios are usually in the range of 3000:1 to 6000:1 while IPS contrast ratios are around 1000:1.

Neither VA panels or IPS panels are ideal if one of the main features you are looking for in a monitor is response rate. However, of the two, VA panels offer a slightly faster response time than IPS panels.

VA panels, on the other hand, were built specifically to address the deficiencies in both TN Panels and IPS panels. Their response time is slightly faster than the response time of IPS panels yet considerably lower than the response time of TN panels.

There have been improvements on TN panels to make them more suitable for color-critical work such as photo editing, but even with the said improvements, TN panels are still far from ideal when it comes to these types of tasks.

From a visual standpoint, VA panels are better than TN panels as they are capable of 8-bit color depth as well as wider viewing angles. They also feature better black uniformity and high contrast ratios as compared to TN panels.

In my opinion, though, the choice between a TN panel and VA panel is somewhat similar to the choice between a TN panel and an IPS panel: choose an IPS panel if you are mostly into competitive gaming and pick a VA panel if you want better visuals.

If you are a competitive gamer, nothing will serve you better than a TN panel. TN panels might have weaker images, low contrast, and limited viewing angles, but they offer very fast response times.

However, if you are into the best visuals possible and you want images that are more crisp and detailed while you game, then the ideal panel for you is an IPS panel. IPS panels are excellent in reproducing color. They also come with a wide viewing angle, which is a feature well-suited for graphic design artists.

VA panels are the compromise panel. They offer accurate colors and wide viewing angles, almost comparable to IPS panels. Their response time is a little slower than that of TN panels, but also a little faster than IPS panels. So, if you want to get a monitor that brings balance to what a TN panel and IPS panel bring, VA panels are the way to go.

At the end of the day, TN panels are probably the most popular option for serious gamers. They are more affordable and perform better in competitive scenarios.

best lcd panel type for gaming factory

Gaming monitor options keep growing with new brands, features, and ever-growing capabilities. It"s an exciting time to be a PC gamer, but that also means that selecting the best gaming monitor for your rig is growing more complicated every day. The selection can be overwhelming, from screen-smoothing technologies (Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync) to ultra-fast refresh rates that can reach a mind-blowing 360 Hz.

For pixel addicts, there are dense 4K screens that are just as hard on your wallet as they are on the latest graphics cards. Thankfully, we have plenty of excellent picks for you to upgrade your tired old monitor.

Why you can trust Tom"s HardwareOur expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

When seeking the best gaming monitor for your rig, there are different panel types vying for your eyeballs — IPS(opens in new tab), TN(opens in new tab), VA(opens in new tab) and even OLED(opens in new tab)— each with its own pros and cons. You can"t forget about screen size and aspect ratio, which affect your views, desk space and, again, bank account. And we haven"t even discussed bonuses, like speakers, RGB or port selection. How"s a gamer to choose with all of these options?

For a deep dive into how to pick the best monitor--gaming or otherwise--check out our PC Monitor Buying Guide(opens in new tab). Below is a list of the best gaming monitors out there right now, based on our own tests.

G-Sync or FreeSync? G-Sync only works with PCs with Nvidia graphics cards, while FreeSync only works with systems using AMD ones. You can technicallyrun G-Sync on a FreeSync-only monitor, but performance isn"t guaranteed. FreeSync monitors tend to be cheaper, but performance is comparable. For a detailed comparison of the two technologies’ performance, see our Nvidia G-Sync vs. AMD FreeSync comparison(opens in new tab) article.

For image quality, TN < IPS < VA. Generally speaking. Typically, TN monitors are the fastest but cheapest, due to weaker viewing angles. IPS displays have slightly slower response times but better color than VA monitors. The best gaming monitors for contrast are VA, but VA also has slower response times.

Refresh rates: bigger is better. This number explains the number of times your monitor updates with new information per second — stated in hertz (Hz) — and, therefore, how many frames per second (fps) the monitor can display. Bigger numbers mean smoother images. Refresh rate is especially important for gamers, so you’ll want to shoot for a monitor with at least 75 Hz (most gaming monitors offer at least 144 Hz), combined with the lowest response time you can find.

Resolution: Full HD, QHD, 4K. The most popular screen resolutions for gaming monitors are Full HD (1920 x 1080), QHD (2560 x 1440) and 4K (3840 x 2160). The more pixels a screen has, the sharper its image should look. So a 4K monitor will be able to show a more crisp image and more detail than a lower resolution Full HD monitor. Generally speaking, the lowest resolution monitors push the fastest refresh rates, reaching upwards of 360Hz. Because they have to push many more pixels, 4K monitors usually top out at a 144Hz refresh rate.

The Dell S3222DGM is just a great, all-around pick as the top gaming monitor thanks to its excellent image quality, plentiful features and typical solid build quality. At the heart of this display is a 2560 x 1440, curved VA panel that supports both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync at up to 165 Hz.

The S3222DGM"s delivers an enviable contrast ratio thanks to its 1800R curved VA panel. While the IPS competition often struggles to break much past 1,000:1, the S3222DGM"s VA panels shot to 4209:1 in our tests. The display also reproduced 122 percent of the sRGB color gamut and 85 percent of the DCI-P3 gamut on our tests along with an incredibly accurate gamut error rate of 2.07dE.

Desktop-class OLEDs used to be a rarity in the gaming monitor segment, but over the years, prices have come down, and more entries have entered the fray. The latest comes to us from Alienware, and it’s the jaw-dropping AW3423DFW.

This is a 34-inch ultra-wide monitor with a 1800R curve and a resolution of 3440 x 1440. However, the most important spec is its use of a Quantum Dot OLED (QD-OLED) panel, which offers an extremely wide color gamut and the blackest blacks you’ll find in a gaming monitor.

The QD-OLED “heart” of the AW3423DFW gives it unmatched contrast and excellent color saturation and we felt no need to calibrate the panel further out of the box. Throw in premium build quality – as we expect from Alienware – and top-notch video processing and the AW3423DFW hit all the high notes without any demerits worth mentioning for enthusiast gamers.

With a price tag of around $250, the Monoprice Dark Matter 42770 is an easy to recommend 1080p gaming monitor with a wide color gamut, excellent contrast ratio for an IPS display and solid build quality. At this price, you"re getting a relatively barebones monitor, but Monoprice spent its time throwing in the features that matter most to gamers on a budget.

Although the monitor doesn"t support HDR, its native dynamic range is excellent, and it features a wide color gamut and excellent gamma tracking. Its deep blacks are welcome here given that this is an IPS panel, with its color and contrast on part with monitors that costs hundreds of dollars more.

The Gigabyte G27F2 represents a revamp of theG27F we first reviewed in late 2020. While the original monitor was highlighted by a 144Hz panel, the new G27F2 revision ups that figure to 170Hz. While that might not be as fast as more high-end Full HD gaming monitors, we have to remember that the G27F2 has a bargain basement price of just over $200.

However, that low price doesn"t mean that Gigabyte skimped on quality. You"ll still find low response times and input lag compared to others in this segment. In addition, the build quality throughout is excellent, as is color accuracy and contrast (which is somewhat of a revelation given that the G27F2 uses an IPS panel instead of VA).

The Dell G3223Q is a stellar entry in the 4K gaming monitor segment, offering a 32-inch panel size, low total input lag (measured at just 30ms) and an excellent balance between response and motion resolution. As you might expect for a 4K gaming monitor, we have a 144Hz refresh rate with support for both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync Adaptive Sync technologies.

One thing that makes the Armada 27 stand out (along with its smaller Armada 25 sibling) is the inclusion of a gaming mount for attaching the monitor to your desk instead of a traditional stand. This gives customers greater flexibility in positioning the Armada 27 for height, swivel and tilt.

If you like your games to look extra colorful, the MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD is the best gaming monitor for your rig. This monitor posted the widest color gamut we’ve ever recorded: 112.19% of DCI-P3 after our recommended calibration. 90% of DCI-P3 would be impressive, so this is one color-saturated screen.

Contrast is also strong for an IPS panel, hitting 1,129.1:1 after our calibration. And for those concerned about speed, this 165 Hz screen kept up with the 170 Hz Gigabyte M27Q in our testing

Color purists, however, will lament the lack of an sRGB mode, considering the MAG274QRF-QD’s sRGB coverage is at 166.33%. Its backlight strobe for fighting motion blur is also a disappointment. You can’t use Adaptive-Sync with it, the brightness goes down by about 50% and it created ghosting that resulted in a parallax effect with fast motion. In addition, this is yet another gaming monitor to offer HDR but without any noticeable image boost over SDR.

The Viotek GNV34DBE is a well-performing and affordable curved gaming monitor. Its 1500R curve proved to add an immersive touch while gaming, helping to fill our peripheral vision. Despite its tight curve, we still found the GNV34DBE fit for working. There was no distortion, and we enjoyed having multiple windows open for boosted productivity.

But it’s not just about the GNV34DBE’s curve. You also get a 144 Hz refresh rate and response times and input lag that kept up with 144 Hz rivals during our testing. On the battlefield, we realized the high pixel density of a 1440p screen and smooth gaming without any screen tearing, thanks to FreeSync. Color and contrast were competitive with pricier gaming displays too.

Gigabyte’s Aorus CV27Q is the best 1440p gaming monitor when it comes to high-speed gaming performance. With its impressive specs, it shined in our input lag and response time tests when pitted against 144 Hz rivals. Sure, you could get slightly better performance from the 1080p version, the Aorus CV27F, but then you wouldn’t be getting that sharper QHD resolution or higher pixel density (109ppi).

With a VA panel offering 3,000:1 contrast, image quality is no joke either. The CV27Q has a low black level that made image depth look great, particularly with HDR titles. But as far as HDR goes, this monitor only goes up to 400 nits brightness; we prefer HDR displays that hit at least 600 nits.

If you have extra room in your budget and want to squeeze out that additional drop of performance from your 1440p screen, the Asus ROG Strix XG27AQ may be the best gaming monitor for you. This screen is ready to compete with the speediest of screens, competing well against other 165-170 Hz screens in our response time test and falling just 1-3ms behind in our input lag test.

The Razer Raptor 27 is the best gaming monitor for 144 Hz refresh rates. It"ll make any gamer you know jealous with premium touches, like an RGB stand, flat green cables for cable management and drool-worthy build quality. Plus, HDR delivery is some of the best we’ve seen in an edge-lit panel yet.

For speed demons, a 240 Hz monitor hits the spot. Up until recently, that level of speed required two things: settling for 1080p resolution and a TN panel. But the Asus" 27-inch ROG Swift PG279QM is the best gaming monitor in this class. It manages that speed with a color-accurate IPS panel. Not only does it deliver a huge color gamut, but it also has excellent video processing and premium build quality.

The 32-inch Samsung Odyssey G7 is in a class all its own. It’s one of Samsung’s 1000R screens, meaning it’s one of the curviest gaming monitors you can find on the market. If you’re a fan of the immersive feel of a curved monitor, the 32” Odyssey G7 will elevate this experience even higher.

At 32 inches, the Odyssey G7’s amazing 1000R curve drew us in, whether we were playing games or doing work. With this curvature, we could view productivity apps without any image distortion, and when gaming our vision was filled with action. The 32-inch, 16:9 build offers ample height for productivity and, coupled with 1440p resolution, hits a sweet spot for gaming.

In terms of image quality, the 32-inch Odyssey G7 proved accurate before we even calibrated it while boasting a 2,121:1 contrast ratio, according to our testing.

The 27-inch gaming monitor competition is crowded, but the Viotek GFI27DBXA stands out with an incredibly colorful image that’s also bright and sharp. The 1440p panel covers 101% of the DCI-P3 color space, according to our testing. Contrast, meanwhile, proved comparable to your typical IPS panel, but the dynamic contrast feature helped when gaming. Combined with the wide color coverage, the image impressed during gaming.

Speed-wise, the GFI27DBXA is ready to play. In our benchmarks, it showed a competitive 6ms response time. With a 180 Hz refresh rate, it fell behind 165 and 170 Hz screens from more premium brands but only by 2-6ms. Plus, its overdrive is one of the best we’ve seen, ensuring zero perceivable delays for mainstream players. Plus, the monitor feels strong and reliable, despite its lower price.

The Dell S2422HG might be small in stature at just 23.6 inches across, but it packs quite a punch at a very attractive price point. Not everyone has the cash to drop $400 or $500 on a gaming monitor, so it"s nice to see Dell providing a value-conscious entry here.

The S2422HG has a 1920 x 1080 resolution and a relatively fast refresh rate at 165 MHz. Dell uses a VA panel here, so you get excellent contrast at 3,000:1 (we measured better at 3,261.8:1) and a factory-rated brightness of 350 nits (although we only measured 324 nits). We also commend Dell for including both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility in this budget-oriented monitor.

Video processing for the S2422HG was good in our testing, and the low input lag was appreciated. However, we did have to knock the motor for its lack of sRGB mode, no integrated speakers, and a lack of USB hub functionality.

The Samsung 49-Inch Odyssey G9 is one of the most extreme monitors on this page. Not only is it a massive 49 inches diagonally, but it also carries a 1000R curve, the most dramatic curve offered on a gaming monitor today. From a 2-3-feet distance, this panel will fill your view. It’s like having two 27-inch, 1440p monitors in one. You"ll need nearly 4 feet of desk width and 17 inches of depth to accommodate it, but if you do, you’ll enjoy a wraparound gaming environment without image distortion. Are you looking for a smaller ultrawide? The Acer Predator X38is also excellent.

Currently going for $660(opens in new tab), the ViewSonic Elite XG350R-C is cheaper than many other 35-inch ultrawides and ultrawides with fewer features (there’s even RGB lighting on the back of the XG350R-C). But what you’ll really love about the XG350R-C is its vivid and accurate color that makes textures pop, skin tones look natural, and everything looks more realistic.

If you’ve wanted to try out an HDR monitor but can’t afford the best HDR monitors with FALD backlights, the ViewSonic Elite XG270QC (available here(opens in new tab)) is worth a look. Admittedly, it’s not quite FALD-quality, but with edge-lit backlighting, the runner-up, and a VA panel, this monitor’s HDR performance will give you a noticeable upgrade over SDR.

The Asus TUF Gaming VG259QM isn’t the only 240 Hz monitor here, but it’s the only one that overclocks to an impressive 280 Hz so impressively. It’s not only about the high refresh rate, though. It’s also the ability to incorporate FreeSync (despite lacking certification) or G-Sync Compatibility alongside Asus’ Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) feature that bests any monitor’s overdrive. With those features and 280 Hz, our inputs almost felt predicted. This is the kind of monitor that could help your game. Asus’ VG259QM topped our response time test and did admirably in terms of absolute input lag.

One of the downsides of this monitor is its HDR capability. Using an IPS panel with 1,000:1 contrast and only DisplayHDR 400 certification, HDR won’t look much better than SDR content. And, of course, you’ll need a decent graphics card to make the most out of this high-refresh screen.

Our benchmarking recorded the NXG253R’s absolute input lag at 17ms, 1ms faster than the next fastest 360 Hz monitor (Asus’ PG259QN). The NXG253R matched the other 360 Hz screens with a 3ms result when it came to response time. You also get Nvidia’s Reflexlatency analyzer, plus G-Sync all the way down to 1 Hz. Nothing is missing for gaming performance here.

There are some things missing, though. Despite the high price (especially for a 1080p monitor), the NXG253R doesn’t have speakers. And its color gamut is sRGB, rather than the more colorful DCI-P3 that’s increasingly popular among gaming monitors. But this is still a bright screen with decent contrast (1,190.6:1) for an IPS panel. HDR is aided by a variable backlight, which brings contrast to a high 7,972.5:1 with HDR content.

For most, the CRG5 is in the sweet spot for a 240Hz monitor. Its 1080p resolution will require less graphics power than the 1440p PD27. When it came to our speed benchmarks, the PD27 was 1ms faster than the CRG5 in the response time test and 2ms slower in the absolute input lag test. So performance there is comparable, but the PD27 is also in a different style class.

With a unique metallic stand reminiscent of a racecar’s roll cage, LED lighting, including a projector that casts a customizable Porsche Design logo, and even its own remote, this monitor is as much about premium looks as it is about premium performance. If you want a little bit of it everything, it’s tough to beat this stylish monitor.

When shopping for any gaming monitor, including those above, you may save some money by checking out our lists of best computer monitor deals, Dell Coupon Codes, Lenovo coupon codes, LG coupon codes or Newegg coupon codes.

best lcd panel type for gaming factory

Gaming monitors have started to hit their stride. Whether you"re looking for a 4K gaming monitor for the sharpest picture or a 240Hz gaming monitor for the smoothest experience, you"ll be able to find something to cater to your exact style of gaming and loaded with all the latest technology you could want. Aside from those extremes, you"ll also find tons of value in our picks. And, we"re not just talking about budget gaming monitors, we mean the majority of monitors now feature VA or IPS panels for great color depth, while offering up fast response times, and all of them are 60Hz or faster. These monitors can change the way you game.

The plethora of options is a boon and a curse though. There are almost too many good options to churn through, but luckily for you, we"re experts in this field and have reviewed or witnessed the majority of the options in action. We"ll save you the trouble of having to pour through all the specs and compare models by simply serving up the best gaming monitors on the market – and click here to see them in the UK.

38See on AmazonScreen size: 34" 3800R | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440 | Panel type: Nano IPS Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate | HDR compatibility: DisplayHDR 600 | Brightness: 600cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 144Hz (180Hz OC) | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4

There’s a new leader of the pack, and that’s the LG UltraGear 34GP950G. You’ll find greatness around every corner on this display. Its big, 34-inch display provides a spacious viewing area for your games with a cinematic, 21:9 aspect ratio. It stays sharp at 3,440 x 1,440 and it keeps your visuals clear with a fast response time and Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate, so you won’t suffer from screen tearing, stutter, coronas, or ghosting. This display is going to keep you immersed in the game no matter what you"re playing.

LG has used a Nano IPS display on this model that comes with impactful color with a 10-bit color depth, and those visuals will really pop thanks to the 600-nit peak brightness and HDR capabilities. It’s enough for the monitor to almost completely cover the expansive DCI-P3 color space. These specs surpass most monitors on the market, so you"re going to be blown away by the picture. And, all of that visual quality can cruise at 144Hz, or you can enable the overclocked mode to boost it up to 180Hz. You"ll be getting some super-smooth gameplay. There’s even content-responsive bias lighting built into the monitor with an RGB light ring on the back. This monitor truly means business, if your business is gaming.

17See on DellScreen size: 27" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | Panel type: VA FreeSync and G-Sync Compatible | Brightness: 350cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 144Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs:2 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort, 1 x Headphone out

Even if you’ve spent a good deal of your budget on other gaming peripherals, you can still snag a solid monitor on the cheap. The Dell 2721HGF offers up a 1080p display with a 144Hz refresh rate for under $250. These specs, along with the support of both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync, give you ample visual and motion fidelity, allowing you to see all the action in your games. A 1080p resolution is also easier for modern graphics cards to drive at high frame rates, making it an excellent pairing for any budget gaming builds.

The Dell 2721HGF has a 27-inch screen with a slight curve to wrap around your field of vision, immersing you further in a game’s action. This isn’t the brightest display out there for features like HDR, but the 350 nit VA panel is easy on the eyes and offers a decent contrast ratio. The color accuracy makes games vibrant, though there is a bit of ghosting behind dark objects. A height and tilt adjustable stand is also included to ensure you get the perfect viewing angle.

18See on AmazonScreen size: 28" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Panel type: IPS FreeSync Premium | HDR compatibility:DisplayHDR 400 | Brightness: 300cd/m2 (400cd/m2 in HDR) | Refresh rate: 144Hz (170Hz overclock) | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x USB-C

Jumping up to a 4K resolution is one way to improve your gaming experience, as it"ll deliver a crisper picture with more fine detail than lower resolutions. But, that high resolution is only a small piece of the picture. For a monitor that delivers 4K as well as upgrades in just about every other department, the Acer Nitro XV282K is hard to beat. This 28-inch option puts that impressive 4K picture on a shiny IPS display with 400-nit peak brightness, giving you a vibrant and colorful 4K HDR experience, as you find on the best gaming TVs. It’s important to note when using gaming consoles, you can’t switch user modes and are stuck in HDR, which can be a bit taxing on your eyes.

Unlike most gaming TVs, the Acer Nitro XV282K is built for speed. The panel delivers a 144Hz refresh rate, though, you can overclock up to 170Hz for silky-smooth gameplay on your PC. Even if you"re not able to hit 144fps at 4K in some games, the support for AMD FreeSync — G-Sync support is not official, though we tested the monitor and found it works without flaw — ensures you"ve got clean, full frames on display instead of a torn-up picture. The multiple HDMI 2.1 ports and DisplayPort make this monitor great for taking advantage of the latest gaming consoles and high-end PC builds.

40See on AmazonScreen size: 27" 1000R | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 | Panel type: VA QLED G-Sync, FreeSync Premium Pro | Brightness: 600cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 240Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 1 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x DisplayPort 1.4

If you don"t think 4K is all it"s cracked up to be, then there"s plenty to be gained by sticking with old faithful: 1440p. This resolution will be able to run your games better. And, the Samsung Odyssey G7 offers up a solid 1440p display with a fairly tight curve. That"s a good start for gaming, but this monitor is ready to take as much graphical horsepower as you can throw at it thanks to a super-fast, 240Hz refresh rate. Those are the kinds of speeds usually reserved for 1080p monitors.

5See on AmazonScreen size: 24.5" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | Panel type: TN G-Sync compatible |Brightness: 400cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 280Hz | Response time: 0.5ms (GtG) | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2

People might be clamoring over 4K displays, and 1440p has a home in the hearts of many gamers trying to balance visual quality with value, but 1080p still has its place. The Asus TUF Gaming VG258QM is a prime example where FHD fits in because, for under $300, you get a screen that delivers an overclockable 280Hz refresh rate, 0.5ms response time, and low input lag, which will see your games run as smooth as hot butter. You even get G-Sync compatibility, ensuring your monitor and graphics card play nicely with each other.

The Asus TUF Gaming VG258QM stretches its 1080p picture across a 24.5-inch TN panel, and at 400 nits, it’s plenty bright for easy viewing. The contrast ratio isn’t the best, but a shadow boost feature while gaming helps to expose enemies lurking in the shadows. Some other quality-of-life boxes can get ticked off, too, with a height-adjustable, pivoting stand, two HDMI ports, and one DisplayPort for ample connectivity opportunities

14See on AmazonScreen size: 28" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Panel type: IPS FreeSync |Brightness: 350cd/m2 | Refresh Rate: 60Hz | Response time: 5ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2

4K doesn"t always mean you have to spend a fortune, and the Asus TUF Gaming is proof. By putting down a little over $300, you"ll be getting that impressive resolution and a whole lot more. First, we’re talking about HDR, as the Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q1A supports a 10-bit color depth to show substantially more shades of color than your typical monitor. The IPS panel on this monitor also gets brighter than the typical monitor to let highlights pop. It can boost shadows, too, so you won’t struggle to see what’s going on in darker scenes of your games.

Now, because this monitor only boasts a 60Hz refresh rate, it may not be ideal for competitive gaming where a higher refresh rate can offer a competitive edge. But, the high resolution on a 28-inch panel will offer exceptionally crisp visuals for you to enjoy the detail in story modes. And, thanks to FreeSync support, you won’t have that perfect 4K picture marred by screen tearing.

12See on AmazonScreen size: 31.5" 1800R | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 | Panel type: VA FreeSync Premium | HDR compatibility: DisplayHDR 400 | Brightness: 400cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 165Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 1 x DisplayPort 1.2, 2 x HDMI 2.0

Curved monitors sometimes give you leg up against competitors, as the screen pairs perfectly with your field of vision. Our favorite happens to be the Asus TUF Gaming VG32VQR, which offers a little bit of everything, including a slight 1800R curve to keep every bit of the screen facing you. This 31.5-inch display totes a 1440p resolution with a fast 165Hz refresh rate that"s good for delivering super-smooth gaming at a crisp level.

It"s not just the resolution, refresh rate, and slight curve that help you keep track of your enemies, but also the 400-nit brightness and high contrast on the VA panel. That type of performance means the monitor has DisplayHDR 400 certification. You also get support for FreeSync Premium to ensure the picture remains tear-free whether you"re hitting high or low frame rates. However, the best part of ​​Asus TUF Gaming VG32VQR might be the low cost, especially when considering all its features.

7See on AmazonScreen size: 48.8" 1000R | Aspect ratio: 32:9 | Resolution: 5,120 x 1,440 | Panel type: Mini LED QLED VA, FreeSync Premium Pro, G-Sync compatible | HDR compatibility: HDR10, HDR10+, Quantum HDR 2000 | Brightness: 2,000cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 240Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4

With the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9, you get a super ultrawide display, and it’s not just “super” because of how wide it is, but also because of how powerful it is. Samsung delivers an insanely stretched-out 48.8-inch display panel that’s effectively two 1440p monitors side by side without a gap in between. The display has an incredibly tight 1000R curvature that keeps it nice and close to your eyes from one side to the other.

Samsung has stuffed this thing to the gills, too. The display is lit with intense Mini LED backlights that deliver a 2,000-nit peak brightness — something you’ll be hard-pressed to find on just about any other screen. That brightness pairs with the strong contrast and broad color of the QLED panel in front of those Mini LEDs. You can take all the gorgeous gaming visuals this monitor can display for a high-speed cruise thanks to the monitor’s 240Hz refresh rate. And, since 5,120 x 1,440 won’t be the easiest resolution for any computer to drive, FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync compatibility will help keep the visuals neat and tidy.

2See on AmazonScreen size: 47.5" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Panel type: OLED FreeSync Premium, G-Sync Compatible | HDR: HDR 10 | Brightness: 135cd/m2(typ) | Refresh rate: 120Hz (138Hz overclockable) | Response time: 0.1ms | Inputs: 3 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4

If you’re looking to use your new consoles on a monitor rather than a 4K TV or 8K TV, you’ll want to do it with the LG UltraGear 48GQ900. This monitor brings some high-end gaming chops, like VRR, a 0.1ms response, and a 120Hz refresh rate (overclockable to 138Hz) for some of the smoothest, blur-free action out there. And you won’t need to swap around cables when switching between PS5, Xbox Series X, or a gaming PC thanks to its inclusion of three HDMI 2.1 ports and a DisplayPort connection.

The LG UltraGear 48GQ900 offers a massive 47.5-inch OLED panel, so you’ll enjoy all the benefits of true blacks, infinite contrast, and eye-popping color for deep immersion in all of the action. The only area where this display struggles is brightness in certain scenes, but it’s still a brilliant display to enjoy 4K gaming on your next-gen console.

Screen size: 27" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 | Panel type: IPS G-Sync | Brightness: 350cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 165Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2

The capabilities of this monitor extend beyond gaming as well. That"s thanks to its colorful display, which supports up to 1.07 billion colors and covers enough of the sRGB, Adobe RGB, and DCI-P3 color spaces to offer an excellent visual experience in whatever you do.

0See on AmazonScreen size: 27" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 | Panel type: IPS FreeSync Premium, G-Sync Compatible | HDR compatibility: HDR 1000 | Brightness: 120cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 165Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2

The Cooler Master Tempest GP27Q is the perfect companion to your AMD graphics, as it’s packing FreeSync Premium to ensure your monitor and GPU are playing nicely. Given how hard it’ll be to run games at the speedy 165Hz/1440p that this monitor is capable of, FreeSync Premium comes into play to keep each frame intact. For more insurance that you’ll enjoy some butter-smooth gameplay, there’s also a 1ms response time.

Using an IPS panel with mini LED technology, the Cooler Master Tempest GP27Q delivers a wild contrast ratio and impressive HDR performance thanks to its 576 local dimming zones. You’ll be immersed in deep blacks and vibrant color with its wide color gamut and 10-bit color support. This 27-inch monitor even pumps out brightness hitting 1200 nits in HDR mode.

Screen size: 27" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x ,1440 | Panel type: IPS FreeSync, G-Sync Compatible |Brightness: 470cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 170Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2

G-Sync can be pricy, but it gets a lot more affordable when you just use a quality FreeSync monitor that"s been officially vetted for strong G-Sync compatibility. That"s what the Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A offers. You"ll get a bright, sharp, and fast experience from this monitor thanks to its combination of a 1440p resolution, a 470-nit peak brightness, and a 170Hz refresh rate. However, you"ll be limited to 144Hz when using G-Sync.

This display can handle some HDR gaming, and it even supports 10-bit color, letting you get a great picture in and out of games. This monitor is also a strong option for anyone looking at the Xbox Series S, as it can support that console"s 1440p and 120Hz specs alongside FreeSync.

36See on DellScreen size: 24.5" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | Panel type: IPS FreeSync, G-Sync Compatible |Brightness: 400cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 240Hz | Response time: 1ms Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2

When it comes to esports, there are a few things you need to consider beyond speed. The Alienware 25 Gaming Monitor (AW2521HFL) has speed on lock with a 240Hz refresh rate that"ll let you cruise through maps while catching all the visual detail you need to get the drop on your opponents.

The Alienware 25 Gaming Monitor keeps things fairly simple by using a 1080p display panel that will make it easier for your system to push the full 240fps you need to take advantage of the display. And, when you can"t keep a constant frame rate, FreeSync and G-Sync support ensure you won"t run into tearing. A nice extra perk of this monitor is its use of a fast IPS panel, which can help ensure your viewing angle won"t impact your ability to see enemies in games.

We"ve mentioned several brilliant screens on this list, with up to 14 different options to choose from. These range from the most affordable all the way up until the juggernaut sets for those who love to take in every single detail. Thankfully, all of the displays mentioned can be found in UK retailers, and we"ve just so happened to track them down to save you the trouble of a time-consuming Google search.

Below we go over the three essential things you should consider including screen size, resolution, and aspect ratio. We’ve also briefly explained a few of the more technical aspects of computer display such as panel types, refresh rate, and the variable refresh rate technologies available today.

Screen size: “How big?” Will probably be the first thing you’ll ask yourself, and the answer really comes down to your unique situation. Are you in a tiny dorm with barely any room or are you looking to get a 43-inch gaming monitor to replace your TV?

Aspect ratio: The aspect ratio of your monitor is closely related to its size because it determines which form factor your display will have. The majority of monitors fall into the widescreen category with their 16:9 aspect ratio. Ultrawide displays have been rising in popularity recently, and these screens often feature the 21:9 aspect ratio you would typically see at the movie theater. If you can believe it, modern displays have only been getting even wider and there’s a growing crop of 32:9 displays as well.

Screen resolution: This determines how sharp your gaming monitor will be and, for the most part, there are three choices: Full HD (1,920 x 1,080), Quad HD (2,560 x 1,440), and Ultra HD or 4K (3,840 x 2,160). Like screen size, as the numbers go up so does the price, plus they"ll require a higher-end graphics card if you hope to maintain a high frame rate.

Panel type: Although most monitors might look the same on the surface, there are a few different panel types that offer specific benefits and shortcomings. Twisted Nematic (TN) panels are the most basic and common panel you’ll come across as they deliver the fastest response times of 1ms often at the cost of duller colors, grayer black levels, and poor viewing angles.

In-Plane Switching (IPS) is the next most prevalent type of display and it’s basically the opposite of a TN panel. Rather than focusing on speed, IPS panels are known for rendering excellent colors and contrast while offering wider viewing angles in exchange for slightly slower response time, usually hovering around 3-5ms.

If you want a responsive experience, it’s best to pick one with a fast response time, which is a measure of how quickly a pixel can change from the brightest to the darkest (white to black) color.

Response time: Competitive shooters and MoBAs demand the quickest response times, so it’s best to play these types of games on monitors that offer a 1ms response time. Playing Indie games and most single-player experiences shouldn’t be a problem on a display with a response time between 3-5ms – and it"s pretty much impossible to find a monitor that is slower than this.

Refresh rate: This is another important measure of how responsive the display is, and it defines how often your screen can display a completely new image — so it essentially dictates your frame rate. 60Hz is the standard refresh rate for silky smooth PC gaming, but there’s a long list of options that feature even higher refresh rates of 120Hz, 144Hz, and, so far, up to 240Hz.

G-Sync vs FreeSync: Variable refresh rate (VRR) technology is a fairly recent invention and it ensures you have a consistently smooth and responsive gaming experience. Currently, there are two flavors of VRR, Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, and they’ll require a prerequisite that you own a compatible graphics card from the corresponding brand. Nvidia GeForce cards do allow you to enable VRR on any FreeSync monitor, but your results will vary.

Our only other piece of advice when buying a gaming monitor is to make sure your video card can handle the resolution and refresh rate of the display you’re considering. It would be a waste of money to buy a 4K monitor when your GPU can only handle 1080p gaming.

best lcd panel type for gaming factory

If you’ve ever begun searching for a new computer screen, chances are you’ve probably come across the term IPS. It’s at this point that you may be asking yourself, what is an IPS monitor? And how do I know if an IPS monitor is right for me?

So, why is this important? A monitor’s panel technology is important because it affects what the monitor can do and for which uses it is best suited. Each of the monitor panel types listed above offer their own distinctive benefits and drawbacks.

Choosing which type of monitor panel type to buy will depend largely on your intended usage and personal preference. After all, gamers, graphic designers, and office workers all have different requirements. Specific types of displays are best suited for different usage scenarios.

The reason for this is because none of the different monitor panel types as they are today can be classified as “outstanding” for all of the attributes mentioned above.

Below we’ll take a look at how IPS, TN, and VA monitors affect screen performance and do some handy summaries of strengths, weaknesses, and best-case uses for each type of panel technology.

IPS monitors or “In-Plane Switching” monitors, leverage liquid crystals aligned in parallel to produce rich colors. IPS panels are defined by the shifting patterns of their liquid crystals. These monitors were designed to overcome the limitations of TN panels. The liquid crystal’s ability to shift horizontally creates better viewing angles.

IPS monitors continue to be the display technology of choice for users that want color accuracy and consistency. IPS monitors are really great when it comes to color performance and super-wide viewing angles. The expansive viewing angles provided by IPS monitors help to deliver outstanding color when being viewed from different angles. One major differentiator between IPS monitors and TN monitors is that colors on an IPS monitor won’t shift when being viewed at an angle as drastically as they do on a TN monitor.

IPS monitor variations include S-IPS, H-IPS, e-IPS and P-IPS, and PLS (Plane-to-Line Switching), the latter being the latest iteration. Since these variations are all quite similar, they are all collectively referred to as “IPS-type” panels. They all claim to deliver the major benefits associated with IPS monitors – great color and ultra-wide viewing angles.

When it comes to color accuracy, IPS monitors surpass the performance of TN and VA monitors with ease. While latest-gen VA technologies offer comparative performance specs, pro users still claim that IPS monitors reign supreme in this regard.

In the past, response time and contrast were the initial weakness of IPS technology. Nowadays, however, IPS monitor response times have advanced to the point where they are even capable of satisfying gamers, thus resulting in a rising popularity in IPS monitors for gaming.

With regard to gaming, some criticisms IPS monitors include more visible motion blur coming as a result of slower response times, however the impact of motion blur will vary from user to user. In fact, mixed opinions about the “drawbacks” of IPS monitor for gaming can be found all across the web. Take this excerpt from one gaming technology writer for example: “As for pixel response, opinions vary. I personally think IPS panels are quick enough for almost all gaming. If your gaming life is absolutely and exclusively about hair-trigger shooters, OK, you’ll want the fastest response, lowest latency LCD monitor. And that means TN. For the rest of us, and certainly for those who place even a modicum of importance on the visual spectacle of games, I reckon IPS is clearly the best panel technology.” Read the full article here.

IPS monitors deliver ultra-wide 178-degree vertical and horizontal viewing angles. Graphic designers, CAD engineers, pro photographers, and video editors will benefit from using an IPS monitor. Many value the color benefits of IPS monitors and tech advances have improved IPS panel speed, contrast, and resolution. IPS monitors are more attractive than ever for general desktop work as well as many types of gaming. They’re even versatile enough to be used in different monitor styles, so if you’ve ever compared an ultrawide vs. dual monitor setup or considered the benefits of curved vs. flat monitors, chances are you’ve already come into contact with an IPS panel.

TN monitors, or “Twisted Nematic” monitors, are the oldest LCD panel types around. TN panels cost less than their IPS and VA counterparts and are a popular mainstream display technology for desktop and laptop displays.

Despite their lower perceived value, TN-based displays are the panel type preferred by competitive gamers. The reason for this is because TN panels can achieve a rapid response time and the fastest refresh rates on the market (like this 240Hz eSports monitor). To this effect, TN monitors are able to reduce blurring and screen tearing in fast-paced games when compared to an IPS or VA panel.

On the flip side, however, TN panel technology tends to be ill-suited for applications that benefit from wider viewing angles, higher contrast ratios, and