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Big Vs. Small TV/Monitor For Gaming

I’m a passionate gamer and I recently went through the process of selecting a new TV/Monitor for my gaming setup. As an owner, I was initially frustrated with the number of options and the amount of research I had to do to determine what the best option would be.

After weighing the pros and cons and comparing the tips and tricks of each, I wanted to share my journey and the solutions I discovered with the gaming community.

The best gaming monitor size will depend on whether you are a console or PC gamer, the setup you want, and what games you wish to play. If you are a console gamer, any sized TV will work for you as you are further from the screen. PC gamers need smaller screens as they are closer to the action. 

Tips for selecting a gaming monitor size:
Consider whether you are a console or PC gamer
Take into account your preferred setup
Think about the type of games you want to play
TVs are generally large and have high resolutions, but lower refresh rates
Monitors are smaller than TVs, have faster refresh rates, and are ideal for PC gaming
Multi-screen setups generally use monitors between 36 and 42 inches
Dual-screen setups use average-sized monitors from 32-36 inches
Single-screen setups can use regular monitors or TVs
The size of the screen you need for gaming depends on your gaming style and your preferred setup

Monitors Vs. TVs For Gaming: Which One Is Better? 

Gaming has been happening for decades and has entertained and intrigued many people during this time. Many people use video games for entertainment after a long day, but gaming has evolved from just a hobby for some people to a method of making money for others. 

Gaming can now be your full-time job if you have the know-how and are good at certain games. You can even enter gaming leagues, where gaming is considered a sport, and you play in teams to win the match and receive prizes.

However, as technology has changed, so has game development and the equipment needed to play certain games, including the screens you need. 

When you look at different people’s gaming setups, you will see many variations, with some using TV screens and others using monitors, and some people may even be using both. 

This can leave you wondering which screen is the best to use for your gaming needs. So, let’s go through the differences between a TV and a monitor for gaming.

TVs For Gaming

TVs are generally quite large, with small TVs being around 42 inches. This size might sound good for some, but this size is not suited for a desk environment where you sit close to the screen. When looking for a gaming screen, you need to consider the screen’s resolution. 

TVs are available in FHD 1080p and 4K, and some TVs are coming out with 8K resolutions. While higher resolutions equal better picture clarity and sharpness, this diminishes the performance. Many games will run smoother at 1080 or 1440 due to their hardware. 

Refresh rates are also an important aspect to consider when choosing a screen. Most TVs don’t have an excellent refresh rate as they aren’t meant for fast-paced gaming, so this can slow you down. 

Monitors For Gaming 

Monitors are generally smaller than TVs, but you get ultra-wide options if you choose to have a bigger screen. When you look at the overall performance of monitors for gaming, they tend to do much better than TVs. 

Monitors have faster refresh rates and other optimized features that enhance your gaming experience. Monitors often have better response times and are much more affordable and accessible than TVs. 

So, even though they lack the contrast and brightness ratio that TVs have, they are the better option for PC gaming. If you are console gaming, the games are generally made with a TV in mind, so they will work well on TVs or monitors.

Should You Use A Big Or Small Screen For Gaming? 

Now that you know the contrasts between using a TV or a monitor for gaming and what your gaming experience will be like with each, we can now look at the sizing options and which size is best for gaming. 

The size of the screen you will need for your gaming will depend on how you are gaming. If you are a console gamer and play games from your couch a fair distance from your TV, then you can game with whatever sized TV you want. 

If you are a PC gamer, you will need to be slightly pickier with your screen size. As you are closer to the screen, you don’t need a large screen to have a good gaming experience. A screen between 36 to 42 inches is perfect for PC gaming for most people. 

Screen Setup Options For Gaming

As a gamer, you have a few options for a gaming setup that you can choose from. The setup you choose to have will affect the size of the screens needed for the gaming setup. There are three different gaming setups you can choose from.

These gaming setups are a multi-screen setup, dual-screen setup, and a single-screen setup. Let’s go through these different setups and the best screen sizes. 

Multi-Screen Setup

Multi-screen setups are an unusual gaming setup that only streamers and people that game for a living generally have. They have multiple screens to monitor their streaming, chat, and recording gear while they play. 

These setups generally use regular-sized monitors between 36 and 42 inches so that all the screens needed can be setup on one desk. 

Dual-Screen Setup 

Dual-screen setups are excellent for gaming and give extra screen space while playing. You can have one screen up with your gameplay and the other for your inventory, chat or have a play guide open if you get stuck. 

This is a great setup for most hobby gamers, as it gives you the space you want for your gameplay without taking up your entire desk. For this setup, most people use average-sized monitors, which are between 32 and 36 inch screens, giving more than enough space for a good gaming experience. 

Single Screen Setup

A single-screen setup is more practical if you have limited desk space and use your computer for work and gaming. This setup is also cheaper than the others as you only buy one screen. With this setup, you can use a regular monitor or a regular TV as your screen. 

However, you should keep in mind the distance you are from the screen, and the bigger the screen, the more difficult it will be to use for work and gameplay as you are quite close to it. 

Conclusion

The size of the screen you choose for gaming is determined more by your available space, the game graphics of your chosen game, and the screen setup you want to have. If you are a console gamer sitting on your couch far away from the screen, a large TV would be excellent for your gaming experience. 

However, if you are a PC gamer, you might want smaller screens to fit better on your desk, especially if you have a setup with more than one screen. Good luck with selecting your gaming screen!

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