When it comes to choosing the best monitor size and resolution for gaming, there are a few key factors to consider. As an avid gamer myself, I have tested out various monitor configurations over the years and have found the optimal setup for my needs. In this article, I will provide an in-depth look at the most important criteria for selecting the ideal gaming monitor.
Monitor Size
24-inch Monitors
24-inch monitors are a popular choice for many gamers. They offer a good balance of screen real estate and desk space efficiency. With a 24-inch screen, you get enough display area for immersive gaming while still having a monitor that can fit well on most desks.
Some key advantages of 24-inch gaming monitors:
- Compact and space-saving – Good fit for cramped desks or multi-monitor setups.
- Affordable pricing – 24-inch monitors tend to be very reasonably priced. Good value for the size.
- Light and portable – Easy to transport to LAN parties or move around your room.
However, for more serious gaming, a 24-inch monitor can feel a bit small, especially when sitting close to the screen. The limited screen space may detract from immersion in certain games.
27-inch Monitors
For me, 27 inches is the ideal monitor size for gaming. 27-inch monitors provide ample display real estate for fully immersive gaming, while not being overly huge where they dominate your entire desk space.
Benefits of 27-inch gaming monitors:
- Highly immersive experience – The larger screen fills more of your field of view compared to 24-inch.
- Enough space for multi-window gaming – Comfortably fit multiple game windows when streaming.
- Detailed visuals – Graphics and textures appear sharper thanks to higher pixel density.
I’ve found 27-inch monitors strike the best balance for an all-around excellent gaming experience. They are my personal recommendation for most gamers.
32-inch+ Monitors
32-inch and even larger monitors have become popular options as well for gamers who want expansive screens. The main advantage of monitors this large is they provide a super immersive, cinematic gaming experience that makes you feel like you’re right in the action.
Some considerations around oversized monitors:
- Require deep desks – May not fit or feel comfortable on desks less than 30 inches deep.
- Pixel density suffers – Graphics can appear more pixelated and fuzzy on lower resolution 32-inch monitors.
- Very expensive – 32-inch+ gaming monitors carry premium pricing, especially at higher resolutions like 4K.
While massive monitors can be amazing for immersion, I find the size impractical for many desk setups. A 27-inch monitor provides nearly as immersive an experience in my opinion at a more accessible size.
Resolution
Resolution determines how sharp and detailed the image appears on a monitor. For gaming, you’ll want to look for a monitor with at least a 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) resolution. However, higher resolutions like 2560 x 1440 (QHD) and 3840 x 2160 (4K) have also become popular choices.
1080p
A 1920 x 1080 resolution provides a sharp image on monitors 27-inches and under. It is the baseline resolution I would recommend for PC gaming:
- Affordable pricing – 1080p monitors are very reasonably priced, especially at smaller sizes.
- High frame rates achievable – The lower resolution makes it easier to achieve high FPS in games with mid-range graphics cards.
- Esports ready – 1080p resolution is preferred by esports players who prioritize high frame rates over visual fidelity.
The downside is on larger monitors, a 1080p resolution can make images appear more pixelated and fuzzy. For monitors 27-inches and up, I would suggest looking for a higher 2560 x 1440 resolution.
1440p
A 2560 x 1440 resolution provides extra sharpness and detail compared to 1080p. 1440p is considered the gaming sweet spot:
- Highly detailed visuals – Everything from text to textures appears crisper at 1440p. Games look stunning at this resolution.
- Immersive experience – The extra pixels add to the sense of immersion and reality in games.
- Good balance of visuals and performance – You can still achieve solid frame rates at 1440p with mid to high-end graphics cards.
I recommend a 2560 x 1440 resolution for any monitor over 27-inches. It provides beautiful visuals that take full advantage of the larger screen real estate.
4K
With resolutions of 3840 x 2160, 4K monitors provide the sharpest image quality available. While visually stunning, 4K comes with some challenges:
- Require high-end graphics card – You’ll need at least an RTX 3080 or Radeon 6800 XT to maintain smooth frame rates in 4K.
- Not viable for competitive gaming – 4K monitors are limited to 60Hz refresh rates currently, which isn’t ideal for high-action competitive gaming.
4K monitors are best suited for single-player games where you can appreciate the visual splendor. I would only recommend 4K for gaming if you have a top-tier graphics card and play more cinematic, story-driven games. For esports and competitive genres, a 1440p monitor is likely the better fit.
Refresh Rate
The refresh rate determines how many frames per second (FPS) a monitor can display. A higher refresh rate translates to smoother motion clarity and responsiveness.
- 60Hz – The standard for most monitors. Fine for general use but can cause motion blur in games.
- 144Hz – The current sweet spot for gaming. Provides smooth, tear-free animations in fast-paced games.
- 240Hz – Primarily for esports gaming. Let’s you fully take advantage of frame rates above 200 FPS for ultra-smooth competitive play.
For most gamers, I think a 144Hz refresh rate hits the ideal balance between smoothness and value. While 240Hz monitors provide slightly more fluid animations, the difference is minor and not worth the significant price increase in my experience.
The higher refresh rates really only offer a competitive edge in super fast-twitch games like CS:GO or Valorant where every millisecond counts. For casual and story-driven games, a 144Hz monitor provides excellent motion clarity.
Panel Type
For gaming monitors, you’ll generally encounter three main panel types:
TN Panels
TN (twisted nematic) panels offer the fastest response times and refresh rates. Key attributes:
- Low response time (1ms) – Results in less ghosting and motion blur.
- High refresh rates – TN panels currently reach all the way up to 360Hz.
- Affordable pricing – Among the most budget-friendly panel technology.
However, TN panels also have poorer viewing angles and color reproduction compared to other technologies. I only recommend TN monitors for competitive esports gaming where speed is the top priority.
VA Panels
VA (vertical alignment) panels provide an excellent contrast ratio for deep blacks. Benefits include:
- Vibrant contrast – Excellent 3000:1+ contrast ratio. Makes dark scenes really pop.
- Good color reproduction – VA panels can achieve over 90% of the DCI-P3 color gamut.
- Curved options available – VA is the most common panel type used in curved gaming monitors.
The main drawback is slower response times around 4-5ms. Motion clarity trails IPS and TN panels. VA is best for single-player experiences and not fast-twitch competitive gaming.
IPS Panels
IPS (in-plane switching) panels offer the best overall image quality. Strengths of IPS technology:
- Vivid, accurate colors – IPS panels achieve over 95% coverage of the sRGB color space.
- Wide viewing angles – Colors and brightness remain consistent even viewing the monitor off-angle.
- Fast response time – IPS gaming monitors now have response times matching TN at 1ms (GTG).
With excellent color reproduction, viewing angles, and quick response times, IPS panels are my top choice for gaming. The technology provides a great mixture of visuals and performance.
My Gaming Monitor Recommendations
Based on years of testing different gaming monitors and factoring in the criteria above, here are my specific monitor recommendations:
Overall Best Gaming Monitor
- Monitor: LG 27GL850 27-inch IPS Gaming Monitor
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Response Time: 1ms (GTG)
With a 27-inch 1440p IPS panel and 144Hz refresh rate, the LG 27GL850 provides the best overall blend of immersion, image quality, and responsiveness for gaming. It’s my personal monitor and top recommendation for most gamers.
Best Budget Gaming Monitor
- Monitor: AOC 24G2 24-inch IPS Gaming Monitor
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Full HD
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Response Time: 1ms (GTG)
For those on a budget, the AOC 24G2 still provides a speedy 144Hz refresh rate and fast IPS response time. The 24-inch screen is compact, but provides a very affordable entry into high-refresh rate gaming.
Best Huge Screen Immersive Gaming Monitor
- Monitor: Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 49-inch VA Curved Gaming Monitor
- Resolution: 5120 x 1440 DQHD
- Refresh Rate: 240Hz
- Response Time: 1ms (MPRT)
With an expansive 49-inch dual QHD screen, 1000R curve, and 240Hz refresh rate, the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 envelops your peripheral for truly immersive gaming. It’s expensive but the ultimate monitor for single-player gaming immersion.
Closing Thoughts
The ideal monitor size and resolution for gaming depends on your priorities around screen space, visuals, and performance. For most gamers, I suggest a 27-inch monitor paired with a 2560 x 1440 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate. This provides an excellent mixture of screen immersion, detailed graphics, and smooth frame rates for both single and multiplayer gaming. Experiment with different monitor setups and see what works best for your gaming needs. The display you game on makes a big difference in your overall experience.
