Amp Up Your Gameplay with Micro Center’s Monitor Madness

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Looking for the edge in online games? Or maybe you just want your games looking the best they can. There are a lot of reasons to upgrade your gaming monitor and a lot of options to choose from. If you need help figuring out which model is right for you, we’ve got you.

Go For High Refresh Rates

Refresh rate refers to the number of times a screen can change in a single second. If you are into fast-paced games like DOOM Eternal, or esports titles like Apex Legends, Valorant, or Rocket League, a strong refresh rate can do wonders for your reaction time. And the Acer Predator XB273U is a fantastic high-refresh-rate monitor.

 With a “mythic speed” of 270 Hz with regards to refresh rate, there is no videogame that would prove a match for this high-quality screen. Additionally, the monitor’s NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility and .5ms GTG response time ensure smooth gameplay throughout.

What does G-Sync compatibility mean?

NVIDIA’s exclusive G-Sync is a frame synchronization technology that uses “dedicated monitoring processing” to match the refresh rate of your monitor to the refresh rate of whatever is running on your screen.

Although this would not work if the refresh rate of your game or application is higher than the one of your monitor, it does prevent the unsightly lags that could occur if your monitor is able to run faster than what it is trying to display, keeping you gaming as smoothly as possible.

If you’re looking to truly optimize your experience with NVIDIA G-Sync, it’s worth checking out the ASUS ROG Swift PG32UQX. This monitor offers a staggering a 32” screen and runs the ultimate G-Sync tier. As the first mini-LED gaming monitor, it boasts a lifelike gaming experience like none other.

The AMD Alternative: FreeSync

If you’ve got a fancy AMD build, you can still take advantage of adaptive synchronization with FreeSync. Like G-Sync, but for AMD GPUs, FreeSync offers a similar feature set.

 Namely, check out the Gigabyte M27Q. Ranked one of the best FreeSync monitors on the market, it offers splendid color and incredible refresh rates, all wound up in a beautiful thin-bezel 27” 2K screen.

What is GTG Response Time?

GTG response time, or gray to gray response time, refers to the amount of time that it takes pixels to go from one gray level to the next. Although this has not been standardized across computer vendors yet, it can be a measure of how quickly your picture will move on a given screen.

Many suppliers advertise a 1m GTG rate, which is considered quite excellent. For a good monitor that fits this bill, consider the LG UltraGear 34N850-B.AUS. Coming from the top monitor brand for gaming design, this monitor certainly does not fall short. It carries NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility, like many of the monitors mentioned above and rocks an unparalleled color display.

Go with the panel choice that’s right for you

For what feels like forever, gamers have debated whether or not TN or IPS displays are the best for their needs. There are truly pros and cons to both.

TN, or twisting nematic, panels boast strong refresh rates and high response times, along with a key metric–affordability. However, users often report struggles with varied viewing angles and lackluster color. So, if you’re fairly static in your gaming location and want as high a refresh rate as possible, a TN monitor is the way to go. The ASUS VG248QEZ offers full HD resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate, perfect for scoring high-FPS wins.

On the other hand, IPS, or in-plane switching monitors, are known for their vivid color and graphic accuracy. As a result, they can be a bit more pricey than their TN counterparts. But if you’re looking for a more vivid graphic experience without sacrificing frames, IPS might be the best option for you. Like the LG Ultragear 27GL83A, which comes with a gorgeous 2K display and a 144Hz refresh rate, ensuring you’re seeing all the action as crisp as you can.

Check your connections: DisplayPort vs. HDMI

At the end of the day, all digital connections come down to bandwidth. It’s important to select a bandwidth amount that will run your monitor’s resolution, color depth, and refresh rate.

 Additionally, you have to select options that are compatible with the hardware you already own. For example, if you are an NVIDIA gamer, you’ll want to opt for a DisplayPort connection to hook up to your G-Sync.

 If you’re looking for a monitor with DisplayPort options, the MSI Optix G273QPF might be the right fit for you. Designed to work with G-Sync and built with high frame-rate 2K gaming in mind, it offers a variety of graphic features that will ensure you have the best visual gaming experience on the market.

 On the flip side, if you're ready for a monitor with HDMI connections, take a look at the ASUS VP248QGC. With high speed offerings and even higher response times, this FreeSync monitor won’t just connect the way you need it to, but it will run your graphics at exactly the right speed needed to optimize your experience.

Other considerations to account for when purchasing a monitor

First and foremost, you’ll want to check out GPU scaling, which refers to the graphics setting that lets you adjust the aspect ratio of games to the ideal ratio for your monitor. This matters the most if you want to play a game that has a different ratio than the monitor you are using to play it on. Ideally, to keep up with the games that are currently on the market, you’re looking for a ratio of 16:9 here. Thankfully, unless you’re looking at Ultrawides, you’re probably good.

HDR: an industry alternative to high resolution

Although we would argue that high resolution is critical, HDR, or high dynamic range, adds an extra pop of vivid colors that will render your gameplay experience like none other. This offers brighter highlights and deeper shadows to increase all of the visual details of your game. However, HDR installation requires all parts to be compatible, so ensure that you check each portion of your setup to ensure that HDR will work for you.

Colors and lighting to up your experience

If you want to keep up with the latest, you’ll need to do some digging into the RGB experience. Although backlit monitors are largely a cosmetic feature, adding some lighting behind your monitor can reduce eye strain while you play and improve the overall visual contrast of your graphics.

Display your monitor in the best way possible

Finally, consider how you will mount your monitor and what additional hardware you might need to make your dream set up come true. For example, if you don’t plan to mount, you might consider a standing desk option, that will allow you to move the monitor height up and down to match the positioning that makes you most comfortable. On the other hand, if you are considering mounting to the wall or to the desk itself, you will want to ensure your monitor is VESA compliant and you pick up the right size mount so that your monitor is well-protected wherever you choose to place it.  

More from the Micro Center Community:

Want even more tips, tricks, and buying guides for Monitors and PCs? We’ve got PC Build Guides as well as articles on How to Choose The Best Monitor, The 2022 Monitor Madness Buying Guide, Product Reviews, and Part Comparisons. And if you can’t find what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to post a new discussion and the Community will be happy to help!

What is the best refresh rate for monitors? Click here and answer our poll!