Here is a point that we often tend to neglect, however, it is the window to your computer. The screen is a central element of the configuration of a PCan element which in recent years has seen a steep increase in prices notably with the arrival of OLED panels.
It is therefore absolutely essential not to make a mistake in choosing the screen that will accompany you for many years. Obviously, you need to know what technical characteristics are necessary to have the best, but also what will suit you best.
How to choose a PC monitor?
The size
Before thinking about the budget, this is probably the first question to ask yourself before buying a screen. With sizes generally oscillating between 24, 27, 32 and 34”, the choice of screen size will be a determining element. Although it often comes down to a matter of personal preference, you may be limited to a certain size by your office. Obviously this will also have a significant influence on the necessary budget when purchasing your monitor.
The Budget
Let’s use this opportunity to declare that budget is a matter of size. Of course, the budget is a crucial element to take into account, knowing that the size of the screen will greatly influence the necessary budget. Don’t worry, there is generally something for all budgets, even if gaming screens are particularly expensive, in often flirting with the limit of more than 1000 euros.
The Type of Panel
The technology used by the screen panel is absolutely crucial, this will greatly influence the price, the overall image quality, but also the possibilities of using the screen. Unfortunately, there are a lot of them and it’s quite easy to get lost, and that’s why we’re going to do a quick summary of the different technologies here.
The TN panel is a technology that people under 20 cannot know. Long used in most screens, it represents the “standard” panel from which we must now move away in the outdated proposal.
The VA panel is quite unusual and offers better viewing angles and higher contrast compared to the TN panel. This is not necessarily why the technology is much better than TN, and we can only advise you to at least go for IPS.
The IPS panel is the best solution offered in screens for people on a tight budget. It offers good color reproduction, good contrast and good viewing angles. We can criticize it for its slightly higher response time, averaging 2ms, which is only slightly prohibitive for casual players. Overall, IPS is the best technology at an affordable price.
Mini-LED backlighting allows a great improvement in contrast while being brighter than OLED screens. It also has good color rendering and avoids any concerns about the “burn-in” or afterimage imposed by organic light panels. However, monitors equipped with Mini-LED remain relatively rare, unlike OLED screens which are becoming a little more numerous at the very high end.
OLED is the technology that does not have the word compromise in its vocabulary. Infinite contrast, perfect blacks, magnificent vivid colors, almost non-existent response time and wide viewing angle, it’s the ultimate technology. The slab, however, has a weak point that should not be overlooked, its tendency to mark. Indeed, the phenomenon is called “burn-in”, which is explained by staying too often on an identical image with the risk that it marks the screen. A phenomenon that we explained in our article about the best gaming TVs here.
The Resolution
Now that the question of choosing the panel is out of the way, here is that of choosing the resolution. It’s quite simple, you will have to regularly seek the highest resolution in order to have the finest definition possible. The higher the number of pixels per inch, the better your image will be. Globally, the best screens have a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels (4K).
However, if your primary goal is to play in the best conditions, know that a high resolution proportionally requires high-end components and therefore a high price for your PC. Thus, it is sometimes necessary to make concessions and choose a screen with a lower resolution, but higher refresh ratesespecially for FPS aficionados.
Response time and refresh rate
For the most dedicated players, it is necessary to choose a screen that will have a minimum response time. Indeed, this data indicates how long it takes a pixel to change from one color to another, which affects the fluidity of moving images. For your information, the Alienware screen that we will discuss at the end of this guide has a ridiculously fast response time of 0.03 milliseconds.
Regarding the refresh rate, this is measured in Hz and allows you to determine how many frames per second are displayed by the screen. So, the higher it is, the smoother the image will be. A high refresh rate is particularly suitable for pro players, since the refresh rate will allow them to more easily adjust their aim depending on the positioning of their enemy, which will be updated more often with a high refresh rate.
We will also favor screens equipped with G-SYNC and Freesync technology, making it possible to avoid the phenomenon of image tearing, making it possible to adjust the output frequency of the graphics card to that of the monitor.
Connectivity
If this point is relatively incidental, it is not a bonus, especially for people who do not have easy access to their turn, or who have a laptop PC with very few USB ports. Thus, some screens offer a USB hub which will include ports, USB-A, USB-C.
Some screens have a particularly useful function which consists of plugging a laptop into one of the USB-C ports which is used not only to transfer the image, but also to power the computer without needing the block usual charging. It is also important to have a port.
Ergonomics
The last point to consider when purchasing a monitor is to check its ergonomics. It is much more practical to have a screen that can be adjusted on different axes rather than a screen that can be placed without being able to adjust its height or viewing angle.
The Best Office Screen
Obviously, here, there will be no need to have an exceptional screen, contrary to the needs of the players. However, it is important to have high resolution, advanced connectivity as well as good ergonomics for working in the best conditions.
Dell U2723QE: The Rolls of work screens
If you don’t use your PC for gaming, here is the best screen you can get for working and carrying out office activities in the best conditions. The U2723QE is a screen of 27” having a 4K resolution, which gives it an exceptional pixel-per-inch ratio, and therefore great display finesse in texts.
Presenting an IPS panel has good viewing angles, but more generally features that are particularly useful for having an organized office.
Indeed, the Dell monitor offers a hub with 5 USB-A ports and 3 USB-C ports as well as an Ethernet port, allowing you to connect numerous peripherals in order to have as few cables as possible in your workspace. In addition, one of its USB-C ports gives the possibility of transmitting the image coming from a laptop PC and providing it with a 90W charge with this single cable.
Finally, its ergonomics which lets us orient the U2723QE in every possible way imaginable is flawless here. It is available at a price of $505 here at the time of writing this guide.
The Best Gaming monitors
The Alienware AW3225QF: the ultimate gaming solution
Whatever your use, the Alienware AW3225QF is the universal answer to every need. It has a panel with technology QD OLEDan OLED screen with Quantum Dots offering impressive brightness.
Alienware’s monitor ticks all the possible boxes for gaming with its refresh rate of 240Hz, its HDMI 2.1 ports which will also be associated with the latest generation consoles, but also such a low response time which is almost instantaneous.
Showing infinite contrasts and astonishing image finesse, it will also be the ideal companion for playing in HDR or watching multimedia content in the best possible conditions with Dolby Vision.
However, we will criticize two points, the fear of burn-in in the event of prolonged use on identical images, as well as its price which is strongly in line with all the criteria which the best possible screen meets. It is currently only available on the Dell website at a price of $1,199,99.
LG Ultragear 27GR95QE-B: smaller and less demanding, but just as good
Rather close to Alienware in its functionalities, the LG Ultragear 27GR95QE-B decides to be more reasonable than his friend with the head of an alien. Indeed, This OLED monitor has chosen the 27-inch size with a QHD resolution, thus not destroying your graphics card.
It also has a refresh rate of 240Hz for a response time of 0.03 ms, is G-SYNC compatible, and offers an anti-reflective filter which makes it the ideal companion for bright rooms. Requiring a less demanding configuration, it is also at a lower price of $799.99 which still remains a significant amount for a monitor.
LG C3 42”: the TV at the service of the PC
You don’t want to choose between PC screen and TV? After all, in a bedroom it can make particular sense to combine the two without having to double the expense. LG has understood this well and now offers Smaller sized OLED TV to suit PC and console gamers.
So, the 42” LG C3 OLED represents the perfect opportunity to use as a large monitor at a relatively low price in comparison to what is offered as a PC screen of this size. Featuring all the necessary technologies such as HDMI 2.1 ports, 120Hz refresh rate and reduced response time, we will be amazed by its impeccable image and colors.
The 42” LG C3 is currently available at a price of $897 right now on Amazon making the TV the best value for money currently for an OLED monitor.
LG UltraGear 27GP850P-B: For tight budgets
If you’re on a tight budget, there’s also a good chance you don’t own a PC capable of running your games in 4K. So, having a 27” screen with QHD resolution is the best possible compromise.
For that, The LG UltraGear 27GP850P-B is an excellent gaming screen, with a refresh rate of 165Hz with a response time of only 1 ms, compatibility with NVIDIA G-SYNC technology, and its in-house Nano IPS panel. An excellent choice that is available at Amazon for just $295.
