As a passionate gamer, I’m sure I’m not the only one who has asked this question: do I really need a monitor for a gaming PC? After all, you can play games on a laptop or tablet screen. I was curious to find out if the extra investment in a monitor was worth it, so I did some research and testing. In this blog post, I’ll share what I learned and provide some tips on what to look for when picking out the best monitor for your gaming PC.
Technically, you don’t need a monitor for a gaming PC to work, as you can simply connect your computer to any compatible output device that can transmit a video signal, such as TVs.
| Situation | Description | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Is a monitor mandatory for a gaming PC? | No, you can connect your gaming PC to any display device that supports HDMI or DisplayPort inputs. | ||
| Advantages of gaming monitors | |||
| 1. Excellent resolution and pixel density | Gaming monitors offer higher pixel density due to their smaller size compared to TVs, resulting in clearer images. | Super crisp display. Better clarity. No fuzzy images. | |
| 2. Higher refresh rate and adaptive sync | Gaming monitors provide higher refresh rates (144 to 320 Hz) and adaptive sync technologies like G-sync and Freesync. | Smoother gameplay at high frame rates. Reduced screen tearing. | |
| 3. Lower latency | Gaming monitors have lower input lag and latency compared to TVs because they process frames faster without extra TV steps. | Enhanced gaming experience. Faster response time. | |
| 4. Better field of view and immersion | Smaller gaming monitors (24 to 27 inches) allow you to keep track of all essential gaming elements simultaneously. | Increased competitive advantage. Better focus on essential elements like minimaps and player status. | |
| Who should buy a gaming monitor? | Ideal for competitive gamers, especially those who play fast-paced games where frame rate heavily impacts the gaming experience. | ||
| Can casual gamers use a regular monitor/TV? | Yes, casual gamers who prefer laid-back gaming from a distance can get away with a regular monitor or even a smart TV. | Less competitive advantage. Lower refresh rates. |
Table of Contents
Is a Monitor Mandatory for a Gaming PC?
Although a monitor is a part of the average computer set, it’s not actually a mandatory part, as you can simply connect your gaming PC to any display device that supports HDMI or DisplayPort inputs.
In other words, you can actually use a regular or a smart TV as a display screen for your computer, which is getting more and more common among computer users with the development of smart TV technology.
With that being said, computer monitors typically have better response times and refresh rates than the average TV, so they usually offer better display specs at the same price range.
In fact, gaming monitors give such a huge edge to competitive players that even some console users will prefer them over most TVs.
Why Gaming Monitors Are Critical for Competitive Gamers
Now that you know that a monitor is not technically necessary, you might be wondering what gaming monitors bring to the table so that they’re that popular. Here’s a quick look at some of the advantages of a gaming monitor:
1. Excellent Resolution and Pixel Density
The resolution of a monitor or a TV has an incredible impact on the clarity of the display. In fact, modern graphics and ultra fast processing powers allow players to enjoy gaming at remarkably high resolutions while maintaining a framerate of 60 FPS or higher.
For that reason, it’s very important that you use a display device that matches this high quality. Although TVs are also capable of achieving UHD 4K and even 8K resolution, the pixel density on gaming monitors is much better because these monitors are usually smaller in size.
As a result, gaming monitors allow for a super crisp display with no fuzzy images no matter how close you sit.
2. Higher Refresh Rate and Adaptive Sync
Another aspect where gaming monitors are simply superior to TVs and regular monitors is the refresh rate.
A higher refresh rate means that the monitor is capable of displaying a lot more frames in one second, which is measured in Hertz (Hz).
Most TVs and regular monitors have a maximum refresh rate of around 60 to 120 Hz at 4K, which leads to screen tearing effects at very high frame rates.
On the other hand, most gaming monitors offer a refresh rate between 144 to 320 Hz at 4K, which offers an incredibly high response time and smoother gameplay at high frame rates.
Gaming monitors also have adaptive sync technologies like G-sync and Freesync to match the refresh rate with the frame rate for smoother gameplay.
3. Lower Latency
Another aspect that gives an incredible advantage to monitors over TVs is the input lag and latency time.
This describes the amount of delay between giving a command, sending a frame to a monitor, and displaying it, which is measured in milliseconds.
While this is an extremely small time, higher input lag is enough to disrupt your gaming experience.
Between TVs and monitors, monitors have a much smaller input lag and latency because they process the frames a lot faster and don’t need to do extra TV steps like upscaling or pixel noise cancellation.
4. Better Field of View and Immersion
When it comes to competitive gaming, bigger isn’t always better. In fact, a smaller 24 to 27 inch screen allows you to keep track of all the necessary elements at the same time.
This includes aspects like the minimap and the player status, which gives you a higher competitive advantage.
Who Should Buy a Gaming Monitor?
A gaming monitor is ideal for someone who spends a lot of time playing competitive games, especially those who play fast-paced games where frame rate heavily impacts the gaming experience.
However, if you’re a casual gamer who would prefer laid-back gaming from a distance, you can get away with a regular monitor or even a smart TV.
Final Thoughts
This concludes today’s guide about monitors’ advantages and whether you need them for a gaming PC.
As you can see, monitors, especially gaming ones, have a remarkably high refresh rate and response time when compared to other display devices, such as most standard monitors and smart screens.
For that reason, they can give you a major advantage in competitive gaming and allow for an incredibly immersive experience.
