The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Monitor for Gaming and Work

Last updated: 28/09/2025

Choosing the right monitor can transform your daily experience — in games, creative work, and productivity.
Below is a simple, decision-focused guide with only the essentials.

1) Screen Size & Resolution

For gaming, 24–27″ at 1080p (FHD) or 1440p (QHD) balances clarity and performance.
For design/productivity, 27–32″ at 4K delivers more workspace and finer detail (watch scaling in apps/OS).

Quick tip

If you sit ~60–80 cm from the screen, 27″ QHD is a sweet spot. For 32″ 4K, ensure enough desk depth to reduce eye strain.

2) Refresh Rate & Response Time

Competitive gamers benefit from 120–165Hz+ with <5ms response.
For office/creative workloads, 60–75Hz is usually fine, though higher refresh feels smoother when scrolling.

3) Panel Types: IPS, VA, TN (and OLED)

IPS: best overall color accuracy + wide viewing angles — great for design and everyday use.
VA: higher contrast/black levels — nice for movies; response can be slower on some models.
TN: budget and very fast, but weaker color/angles — niche for esports rigs.
OLED: superb contrast/response; check brightness, ABL, and burn-in mitigation for desktop use.

4) Connectivity & Ergonomics

Ensure you have the right inputs: HDMI (consoles), DisplayPort (PC high-refresh),
USB-C (video + power for modern laptops). An adjustable stand (height/tilt/swivel/pivot) helps with comfort.

Watch out

Not all USB-C ports provide charging. If you want single-cable laptop setups, check the monitor’s PD (e.g., 65W/90W) and your laptop’s requirement.

5) Color, Brightness & HDR

True HDR needs high peak brightness and local dimming. Many “HDR-ready” labels are basic. For general work and casual content,
consistent SDR performance with good calibration matters more.

Final Thoughts

Start from your use case, then match size/resolution, refresh/response, panel type, and ports. A well-chosen monitor
outlasts several PC upgrades and pays off every single day.

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