Best selling gaming monitors
What is a gaming monitor in the test?
In the PC monitor test, a gaming monitor is a screen that is specifically designed for the requirements that are required when playing computer games.
A 4K gaming monitor differs from a normal office monitor in that it has a high refresh rate. More than 144Hz are possible with the monitor. When it comes to gaming, every millisecond counts in multiplayer combat.
Especially in action-packed first person shooters (FPS). Every advantage, no matter how small, counts on the virtual battlefield. The Gaming Monitor Test 2018 also found that artefacts occur in the PC Monitor Test if the graphics card can output more images than the monitor.
So-called tearing occurs. Slower 60 Hz monitors cannot keep up with the speed of the graphics card.
The graphics card outputs the images faster, which means that you can see several images on the monitor at the same time in the test. V-Sync (vertical synchronization) is an option that can be switched on in this case. The graphics card is throttled and only displays as many images as the monitor can display.
However, in such a case you cannot fully utilize the expensive graphics card and you also suffer from a disadvantage in multiplayer mode due to the lower response times. A better alternative is to buy a gaming monitor with 144Hz, which is able to display over 144 frames per second.
How does a gaming monitor work in the test?
In the PC monitor test, it turns out that 4K monitor gaming is mainly based on the proven display technologies LED and LCD is set. The abbreviation LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display. LED, in turn, means Light Emitting Diode in English.
The liquid crystals are important for the LCD display. These are organic substances that crystallize and solidify at room temperature. Depending on the degree of heat, they can have different states of aggregation.
On the back of the WQHD monitor there are cold light diodes attached to the edges. They form the backlight for the monitor. The first polarization filter is in front of the backlight.
This has the task of controlling the flow of light in a certain way and throwing it forward. The process is supported by a scattering glass plate. A diffuser foil distributes the scattered light evenly over the display.
In front of this level is the plate with the liquid crystals, which has several circuit boards on its edge. The boards can now control light and color using the electrode layer that is on the inside of the glass plates.
Ultimately, the picture emerges from this process. The advantage over earlier cathode ray tube screens is that they are much thinner, consume less power and can display colors better.
A difference to a normal 27 inch monitor in the test is the high refresh rate of the gaming monitor with 144Hz. The image is constantly renewed, which allows a game to be displayed more smoothly. An LED screen works in the same way as an LCD screen.
With one important difference. With an LCD 144hz monitor in the test, the backlight is generated by fluorescent tubes, which are located on the edges of the monitor. The roar require more space and also consume more power than an LED display.
The LED screen, on the other hand, relies on a backlight consisting of a large number of light-emitting diodes that are installed across the entire screen.
Although these are more expensive, they have the advantage that the contrast is sharper. They use less energy and the light can be dimmed better.
Advantages & areas of application of a gaming monitor in the test
Computer Games
As the Gaming Monitor Test from 2017 showed, one of the biggest advantages when playing computer games is a high refresh rate. Game content is played back much more smoothly on a 144hz monitor in the test than on a 60Hz display. Especially with many multiplayer games you have a big advantage if you can react faster than your opponent.
In many first person shooters, milliseconds count. But even in sports games like FIFA, milliseconds sometimes make the difference between playing the crucial pass to the front or being blocked by the opponent.
In the gaming monitor test from 144, players could not do without a gaming monitor with 2018Hz if they wanted to win first place in tournaments.
For ambitious and passionate gamers, all output devices must be able to react within milliseconds. This ranges from the gaming mouse with extra buttons to the controller without input lag. The 144 Hz monitor only supplements the entire periphery of a high-end PC.
If you couple a slow 60 Hz monitor with an ultra-fast graphics card, you'll see on your screen Artifacts firmly. There is tearing or input lag. The graphics card displays several images at the same time on the slow monitor. The image appears to be cut through.
Tearing is therefore also referred to in German as tearing up a single image. Several lines run across the image and the objects shown appear to have been shifted on the single image. Fortunately, there is the V-Sync solution on the software side.
Vertical sync throttles the graphics card so it doesn't exceed the monitor's refresh rate. The two graphics card manufacturers Nvidia and AMD have their own sync variants that improve the cooperation between the monitor and graphics card.
Movie
However, a high refresh rate not only has a positive effect on computer games, but also applies to all media products. Movies are displayed in high on a 1440p monitor Resolution play smoothly.
A 4K monitor for gaming can also be used as a Multimediascreen can be used to watch the latest movies in 4K quality with friends or family. A 27-inch monitor has a large screen diagonal in the test, making it well suited for watching movies.
What do I have to look out for when buying a gaming monitor in the test?
Before you decide to buy a new gaming monitor, you should do a thorough check of your own system. Is the graphics card still sufficient to play current games in a higher resolution? Does the new WQHD monitor support functions such as G-Sync from Nvidia or Free-Sync from AMD?
If you are planning to buy a new 1440p monitor from the test for certain games, you should first check what frame rate you can achieve with your graphics card in the resolution of these games.
After all, a brand new 144hz monitor from the test is of little use if the respective graphics card cannot display the targeted resolution smoothly. Once you have clarified the questions about the peripherals, you should find out about the existing connections on the 144 hz monitor.
Newer graphics cards almost always support DisplayPort and sometimes only have one HDMI Connection. This is the case with Nvidia's RTX 2070 Super, for example. Most models in the Gaming Monitor Test 2017 had a DisplayPort connector.
If this is not available, you can have one Adapter buy, which serves as a bridge between the ports.
Screen diagonal: Enough space on the desk
One criterion when deciding to buy a 4K gaming monitor is the screen size. This is given in inches. It measures the distance between the two opposite corners of the screen. A large 27-inch monitor in the test requires the appropriate space on the Desk.
If you want to connect more than one display, you should consider this before buying and think about the placement of the monitors. The higher the screen resolution, the sharper and better games look.
However, this is associated with increased effort for the graphics card. This has to be considered with current game titles if you plan to use the entire resolution of the 4K gaming monitor.
refresh rate and color depth
In order to be able to play games as smoothly as possible, you not only need a good graphics card, but also a gaming monitor with 144hz. This can display up to 144 frames per second, as long as the game and the graphics card allow it.
A 240Hz gaming monitor appeared for the first time in the 2017 test with the BenQ, which is primarily aimed at the growing eSports sector. If you want to use gaming with 144 Hz in applications apart from games, it makes sense to choose a variant with a larger one color depth zu kaufen.
Color depth indicates the number of gradations that are possible with a given color. This is given in bits. In the 144Hz monitor test, many of the cheaper models only have a color depth of 6 bits with FRC (Frame Rate Control).
Last but not least, before making a purchase, you should find out whether the model in question is height-adjustable. Then you can easily bring the display into a position that suits you best and at the same time allows a good sitting posture.
FAQ on the gaming monitor in the test
How to calibrate a WQHD display?
For color calibration, you either use the free software from the respective graphics card manufacturer or use a professional tool like Spyder X Elite. The contrast can be adjusted with a test image.
What to look for in a gaming monitor for PS4 and Xbox?
Many console games support a maximum of Full HD. Not all consoles support HDR (PS4/PS4 Pro and Xbox One S/X). A 4K gaming monitor can be worthwhile for upscaled 4K content.
What does WQHD stand for?
The abbreviation WQHD stands for Wide Quad High Definition. What is meant is a 1440p monitor with a maximum resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels.
Can you use a gaming monitor for other applications?
Of course you can use a 144hz monitor for purposes such as image processing, programming, office applications and much more. However, the high refresh rate is not as important for many applications as it is for gaming.
How to connect a PC monitor in the test?
A 144hz monitor usually has connections on the back. These are usually HDMI, or DisplayPort DVI-D There you connect the appropriate cable. There is a corresponding connection on the back of the computer at the level of the graphics card.
Connect the cable to this port and the monitor is connected.
Is a gaming monitor even worth it?
In many games, multiplayer counts in milliseconds. If you want to play competitively, it is worth buying a gaming monitor with 144hz. You also avoid tearing and lag input.
What types of gaming monitors are there in the test?
Full HD gaming monitor
With 1920 x 1080 pixels it is Full-HD Monitors have been an integral part of the PC equipment in many households for more than 10 years. It is still highly appreciated by many players because of its affordable price. This is supported by the fact that even current graphics cards can stumble with brand new titles in 4K monitor gaming.
Particularly demanding game titles come up with bombastic graphics and unique visual effects. The latest graphics cards can sometimes not render the minimum number of 60 frames per second with 4K monitor gaming.
However, more than 60 frames are still achieved on Full HD. For this reason, the full HD gaming monitor is still very popular in the 2018 test.
WQHD
If it is a 1440p monitor, it is referred to as a WQHD in the monitor test. The abbreviation WQHD stands for Wide Quad High Definition. Occasionally, this is also referred to as 2K or Quad HD for a gaming monitor.
A WQHD monitor has a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. To be considered a gaming monitor, the WQHD must also be a 144 Hz monitor. The high refresh rate on this display ensures that the content is not only displayed in high contrast and true to color, but also fluidly. The image can be refreshed up to 144 times per second.
The 1440p monitor is particularly interesting for many gamers, as even current titles can easily be played at over 60 frames per second in this resolution. This is very often not the case with 4K monitors in gaming, for example.
In contrast to the Full HD display, you have a much higher number of pixels, which means that images can be displayed sharper and more lifelike.
4K gaming monitor
In the Gaming Monitor Test 2017, many graphics manufacturers were still extremely optimistic when it came to 4K gaming. This has not changed significantly, but expectations have become more realistic.
If you look at the graphics card benchmark of the trade magazines die Performance of the currently best graphics cards and measure how they perform in current game titles in 4K, you have to draw a mixed conclusion.
The 144hz monitor with 4K supports a resolution of up to 3840 x 2160 pixels. The gaming content can only be displayed on the 4K monitor in the highest details if you use the best graphics cards from AMD or Nvidia.
Graphically complex game titles that are two or three years older, on the other hand, are played back smoothly on a 144 Hz monitor with current hardware. In the 27-inch monitor test, some older titles come up with unimagined magnificent graphics.
This is thanks to the active modding community on the PC, which provides older games with high-resolution textures. A major shortcoming of the 4K gaming monitor for many gamers is the very high price, which can cost as much as the best graphics cards with a good display.
This is how a gaming monitor was tested in the test
The testers from the trade magazines receive a wide range of different monitors in different price ranges and from different manufacturers in the monitor test. From the WQHD to the 4K monitor and Full-HD monitor, several resolution variants are also represented. The monitor test is divided according to the size of the screen diagonal.
The first test level in the 144Hz monitor test is the assessment of a still image via HDMI. This is done by an eye test by the experts. It is then checked how well the gaming monitor can display films and video games with 144Hz.
A simple monitor test can be carried out with an open web browser. If you drag it across the screen, streaks should not form on a good 144Hz monitor. This effect is known in English as ghosting. In this case, the monitor only has an insufficient response time.
The experts from the specialist magazines test the color coordinates of the 27-inch monitor at various points on the 1440p monitor. Are there differences in the color representation? Is the brightness even?
Are there major deviations in the representation of the gray values? The speed of the 144Hz monitor in the test is checked by switching from black to white. The monitor test can also be carried out with different gray levels.
Viewpoint display
If you want to show friends or colleagues something on the screen, you need a WQHD monitor with good viewing angles. In the eye test, the experts at PC Magazine test how clearly the image can still be recognized when viewed from different angles. It is recorded whether the monitor reflects strongly. Good handling is an important criterion for every electronic product.
The gaming monitor test from 2017 already addressed the question of how easy it is to set up a 1440p monitor. Can the orientation of the monitor be changed? Programmers sometimes prefer the vertical orientation because it allows for a better visualization of the code.
This does not play a role for 4K monitor gaming, but many users also want to use a PC monitor for other applications in the test.
Great flexibility in alignment is therefore rated as a positive feature in the monitor test. It is essential for the assembly that the instructions for use are clearly described. Even a layman must be able to set up the WQHD monitor in just a few steps.
representation of games
No criterion could be more important for a gaming monitor than the actual display of computer games. For this reason, the experts play several current game titles and compare the performance of the various models in the PC monitor test.
The Gaming Monitor Test from 2018 also found that a large number of different connections and additional functions such as Loudspeakers or RGB-Lighting are a plus in the rating.
Modern graphics cards usually rely primarily on a DisplayPort connection these days. The VGA connection is seen less and less and even an HDMI connection is less and less common in the best graphics cards. Finally, it is checked how high the energy consumption of the respective 4K gaming monitor is.
For this purpose, the display is operated for several hours in the 144Hz monitor test. Not only the current operation is measured, but also the power consumption in standby mode. Last but not least, the testers draw a conclusion and present the price-performance winner, as well as a budget and top model.
Information on leading brands in the gaming monitor test
MSI
MSI is an international electronics group based in the Taiwanese capital of New Taipei. The abbreviation MSI stands for Micro-Star International. The founders of MSI worked together for electronics giant Sony.
When he cut numerous jobs in the mid-1980s, the former Sony employees decided to found MSI. Since then, the company has experienced rapid growth and is now one of the best-known manufacturers of PC hardware.
MSI manufactures motherboards, graphics cards, servers, monitors and laptops for demanding gamers. The company's products regularly receive good ratings in the tests of specialist magazines. The company is now one of the largest sponsors in the eSports scene.
Iiyama
Iiyama Electric Corporation has decades of experience in manufacturing monitors. The company was founded in 1972 by bank clerk Kazuro Katsuyama.
Early on, Iiyama specialized in the manufacture of cathode ray monitors, which initially were mainly made for Mitsubishi. The company was named after the city of the same name in Nagano Prefecture.
Iiyama expanded in the mid-1980s, opening offices in Germany, Poland, the UK, Sweden, the Czech Republic and the US. The international headquarters are in the Netherlands.
By 1993, Iiyama had become the leading manufacturer of monitors in Japan, with a 21 percent market share. The first LCD monitor was manufactured by Iiyama in 1997. In the Gaming Monitor Test 2018, Iiyama stands for very good budget monitors, but also has high-quality displays in its product range.
Acer
The Taiwanese company Acer got its start as a spare parts manufacturer for electronic devices. The company was founded in 1976 in the capital Taipei. Just a few years after the company was founded, the decision was made to shift production to microprocessors. In the early 2000s, the company's focus shifted from manufacturing to design and sales.
As a result, the BenQ subsidiary was separated and went its own way from then on. Company founder Stan Shih came out of retirement in November 2013 to put the company back on the road to success as Managing Director.
Two years later, Acer has re-established itself at the top as the sixth largest PC retailer in the world. In recent years, the company has increasingly focused on cloud services and the manufacture of wearables and smartphones.
Acer is a well-known monitor manufacturer whose gaming monitors cover the entire range of possibilities, from the price-conscious budget model to the expensive all-rounder.
BenQ
BenQ once belonged to the Taiwanese electronics group Acer. After difficult years, Acer decided to reorient itself. The subsidiary Acer Periphals left the company in 2001. It rebranded as BenQ.
Since then, the company has been producing video projectors, scanners, notebooks, DVDdrives, TVs and monitors. Like MSI and Acer, the company's headquarters are in the Taiwanese capital, Taipei.
BenQ has more than one 144 Hz monitor in its product range. The monitors are easy to use and offer good value for money.
Viewsonic
ViewSonic Corporation is an American-Taiwanese electronics manufacturer whose core area is the production of LCD displays, projectors and digital whiteboards. The company generates over $XNUMX billion in revenue annually.
The multinational's headquarters are located in Brea, California and New Taipei, Taiwan.
ViewSonic was founded in 1987 by businessman James Chu. ViewSonic focused on producing excellent color calibration monitors in the 1990s. In 2002, ViewSonic was one of the first companies to produce a 22-inch monitor with a resolution of 3840 x 2400 pixels.
Asus
With over 100.000 employees, the Taiwanese company Asus is one of the largest companies in the computer hardware sector. AsusTek Computer Inc derives its name from the winged horse Pegasus from Greek mythology.
Asus was founded in 1989 by hardware engineers Tung, Hsu, Hsieh and Liao, all of whom had previously worked for Acer. Asus has made a name for itself as a manufacturer of mainboards, graphics cards, tablets and touchscreens. The ROG product line is one of the leading premium brands in the gaming sector.
Product lines of the manufacturers of gaming monitors from the test at a glance
Asus
Republic of Gamers (ROG)
The premium brand Republic of Gamers is distributed by Asus and is primarily aimed at demanding gamers who want to get the last bit of performance out of their hardware. In addition to a 144hz monitor, the brand sells gaming keyboards, gaming mice, headsets, mainboards, graphics cards and notebooks.
A striking feature of the ROG products is the RGB lighting, which can be controlled using Asus Aura Sync. This gives your home PC an unmistakable look. The Full HD monitor ROG Swift has a small projector that emits a light signature.
The light projection effects can be adjusted at any time. An unprinted cover is included with the monitor. This way you can design your own logo and project it onto the base. On the back of the monitor there is circular RGB lighting, which can also be adjusted individually.
The control of the lighting effects conjures up an appealing and unique room ambience. Another feature of the ASUS ROG monitors is a very slim frame. A multi-monitor configuration is thus possible without visible transitions.
To help with setup, there is Gameplus technology that can overlay multiple lines on the edges. This allows you to perfectly align the adjacent monitor to create an almost seamless transition.
MSI
Optix series
The Optix series among the MSI monitors is aimed specifically at eSports enthusiasts and passionate gamers. Fast response times of 1 millisecond, more than 144 Hz, RGB lighting under the name Mystic Light and FreeSync should be able to satisfy the highest demands.
The WQHD monitor displays even the finest details and, thanks to its high color fidelity, gives even older game worlds a whole new shine. With a high refresh rate of over 144 Hz, you can play racing games, first person shooters and sports games without tearing or input lag.
You can even control the monitor remotely using a smartphone. This is useful if you just want to relax and have to switch off the monitor. You can use the panel to change certain settings in the game, such as the brightness, in a matter of seconds with the push of a button.
Iiyama
G Master Red Eagle
The Japanese brand Iiyama sells its gaming monitors under the name G-Master. For beginners there are the cheaper Black Hawk models. Demanding gamers should in turn rely on the advantages of the Red Eagle series. This has gaming profiles specially set for strategy, FPS or sports games. From the high quality Loudspeakers the game sound sounds clear and understandable.
A headset can be connected directly to the monitor if you want to communicate with your friends in multiplayer mode. The high refresh rates of up to 144 Hz ensure that games can be enjoyed smoothly and smoothly.
Where is the best place to buy the gaming monitor in the test?
Online trade: Inform, compare, order
The fact that online trading is so popular these days is not due to a miracle, but to the countless advantages that customers can take advantage of. The process of buying a 144 hz monitor on the Internet shows how quickly and easily you can order on the Internet. The first thing that stands out is the wealth of information that the Internet offers.
If you are interested in a specific gaming monitor with 144hz, you can read individual test reports on the display on the Internet. On the websites of the online retailers you can find helpful reviews from verified buyers.
These explain the advantages and disadvantages of the products. You can sometimes learn more from some reviews than from a specialist test. The gaming monitor test from 2018 indicates the color depth that can be expected from the display and summarizes all important information in one place.
If you are interested in more than one WQHD monitor, you can use the comparison pages on the Internet to compare all the essentials with a table. From the pixel density to what panel technology was used and whether the display has a blue light filter, you can compare every detail at a glance. A look at the neighboring column shows the points in which the displays differ from each other.
If you want to see what is actually included in the scope of delivery, you can even watch an unboxing on video portals such as YouTube. You can also see how the 144hz monitor is set up and how much space it takes up on the Desk occupies.
Set price alert
Another great advantage of internet trading is that you can set a price alert with the help of an app. Without having to check the price development of a 27 inch monitor test every day, the app informs you in good time from which dealer you are currently getting the monitor at the cheapest price.
You can set up an alarm if the desired monitor falls below a certain price limit and you will be informed immediately via smartphone notification.
Another advantage that already played a role in the 2017 gaming monitor test is the huge selection when shopping online. A local dealer can only offer a limited number of monitors in the specialist market.
On the other hand, you can find a huge selection of screens from different brands and with different screen diagonals on the Internet. The function is useful in many online shops, so that you get suggested other items that the customers also bought.
Among them are accessories that you might not have thought of yourself. For example, from the right connection cable to the right monitor stand and care products. You don't have to make a trip to the specialist shop or fight for the last parking space.
On the Internet, you simply place the desired item in the shopping cart and order it. After a few working days, the item will be delivered directly to your front door.
Benefits
- Much information
- Simple comparison possible
- Set price alert
- There is no journey
- Gigantic selection
Disadvantage
- Waiting time due to shipping
Specialist trade: Good service, small selection
In contrast to the Internet, you will only find a small selection in specialist shops. For logistical reasons, this cannot be handled any differently. After all, the local electronics retailer cannot compete with the online retailers' warehouses.
The main argument for the local specialist trade is almost always that you can expect good service there. Customer-oriented advice should protect against a bad purchase. That is not always the case.
Especially with the electronics chains, the salespeople do not know every point. Your expertise may already be outdated at the time of purchase.
While you can find a test on the Internet in a matter of seconds or read current reviews, it is hardly possible to make a comparison in the shop. In some electronics stores, the device cannot be demonstrated.
Another disadvantage is that the desired monitor is not in stock. In this case, the trip was completely free. Shopping in specialist shops is not entirely free of charge, since parking fees and fuel costs have to be factored in.
Depending on the distance, shipping from the online shop can even be cheaper. Especially if the online retailer cuts the shipping costs from a certain value of goods.
Benefits
- Returning defective products easier
- Purchase can be made directly
Disadvantages
- travel expenses
- Opening hours
- Sales expertise may be outdated
- A comparison is hardly possible
- Hardly any information
Cleaning the gaming monitor in the test and the accessories
After a certain period of use, the purchased monitor no longer shines in its newest glory. With the right care products you can get to the bottom of the dirt. It is important that you disconnect the monitor from the power supply before cleaning it.
You should not do this while the monitor is running, but first switch it off. It is best to use a microfiber cloth to clean the display.
Because the vast majority of home remedies such as kitchen sponges, alcohol-based cleaners and shirt sleeves cause scratches on the sensitive display surface. Therefore, you should refrain from removing stubborn dirt with your fingernail.
Very wet cleaning cloths are also not suitable for cleaning. Otherwise, the moisture can penetrate into the monitor. For example through the ventilation slots. That would then cause a short circuit when connecting.
The coarsest dirt can be removed from the monitor with a dry or damp microfiber cloth. Cleaning should be done regularly. Dirt and dust particles should be removed from the monitor once a week or at least every two weeks.
You can buy a gentle cleaning solution on the market that is specially designed for cleaning monitors.
Avoid circular movements when cleaning. These only distribute the dirt. Instead, swipe from top to bottom. Hard-to-reach areas can be removed with a brush.
Accessories in the gaming monitor test
wall mount
The advantage of a wall mount is that you don't just have to mount the monitor on a stand, but can also set it up anywhere in the room. The monitor can then be used both lying down and sitting down.
Thanks to the swivel arm, the position of the monitor can be freely changed at any time. With many suppliers, the swivel arm can be swiveled steplessly up to 180 degrees, which gives you the greatest possible freedom when setting up.
graphic card
A very good graphics card is necessary if you want to fully exploit a 144 hz monitor. Only then is a smooth gameplay possible at all. The higher the resolution and the more up-to-date the game, the better the graphics card needs to be.
The mark of 60 frames per second is described as the critical limit when playing. If the performance falls below that, the input delay becomes noticeable at the latest below 24 frames per second.
A 144 Hz monitor can display up to 144 frames per second. Many current games can still be displayed with up to 80 and 100 FPS (frames per second) with good graphics cards. This value can change depending on the level of detail and resolution.
adapter cable
The latest graphics cards almost always use a DisplayPort connection. An HDMI connection is usually still available. DVI-D or VGA connections, on the other hand, are becoming rarer. Especially with older monitors, the corresponding connection type can be missing here.
You can use an adapter cable to bridge the connection to your home PC. The adapter is either mounted in front of the connection to the PC or has different cable connections for the monitor and graphics card.
TFT cleaner and microfiber cloth
If you buy an expensive monitor, you want to be able to enjoy it for as long as possible. For a gentle cleaning you need at least a microfiber cloth. This leaves no scratches on the surface of the display and gently cleans the monitor.
If you have stubborn dirt, we recommend using a special TFT cleaner.