Best Gaming Monitors for PC in 2024: Top Picks from Acer, BenQ, and LG
In today's world of gaming, having a great monitor is just as important as having a powerful PC. A good gaming monitor can make your gaming experience smoother, sharper, and more enjoyable. With so many options out there, it can be hard to choose the right one. In this review, we’ll look at the best gaming monitors for PC in 2024. These picks come from top brands like Acer, BenQ, and LG.
Why a Good Gaming Monitor Matters
Before diving into our top picks, it’s important to understand why a good monitor is so essential for gaming. A quality gaming monitor provides:
- Better Refresh Rates: High refresh rates (like 144Hz or 240Hz) mean the screen updates more often. This reduces motion blur and makes fast-paced games look smoother.
- Low Response Times: A monitor with a low response time (like 1ms) ensures that there is less delay between your input and what happens on the screen.
- Vibrant Colors and Deep Blacks: Monitors with good color accuracy and contrast ratios make games look more realistic and immersive.
- Adaptive Sync Technologies: Technologies like G-Sync (NVIDIA) and FreeSync (AMD) prevent screen tearing and stuttering.
Now that you know why these features are important, let’s look at the top gaming monitors from Acer, BenQ, and LG.
Acer Predator X27: The Ultimate 4K Gaming Monitor
Acer has been a leader in gaming hardware for years, and the Predator X27 is one of their best offerings. Released earlier but still holding its own in 2024, this monitor is perfect for gamers who want top-tier performance and visuals.
Key Features:
- 4K UHD Resolution: The Predator X27 boasts a 3840 x 2160 resolution, providing incredibly sharp and detailed images. This is perfect for games with stunning graphics.
- 144Hz Refresh Rate: With a high refresh rate, games look smooth even during fast action scenes. This is crucial for competitive gaming.
- NVIDIA G-Sync: G-Sync technology ensures that the monitor’s refresh rate matches the game’s frame rate. This prevents screen tearing and stuttering.
- HDR Support: High Dynamic Range (HDR) makes colors more vibrant and improves contrast, making the game world look more realistic.
- IPS Panel: The In-Plane Switching (IPS) panel provides wide viewing angles and better color accuracy compared to TN panels.
Pros:
- Incredible Visuals: The 4K resolution combined with HDR support makes games look stunning.
- Smooth Performance: The 144Hz refresh rate and G-Sync ensure smooth gameplay.
- High Build Quality: The Predator X27 is well-built with a sleek design.
Cons:
- Expensive: This monitor is one of the pricier options on the market.
- Requires a Powerful PC: To fully utilize this monitor, you need a PC with a strong graphics card.
Conclusion: The Acer Predator X27 is perfect for gamers who want the best of the best. Its 4K resolution, high refresh rate, and G-Sync make it a top pick for serious gamers.
BenQ EX2780Q: A Great All-Around Gaming Monitor
BenQ is known for producing monitors that offer great value for money, and the EX2780Q is no exception. This monitor provides a good balance between price and performance, making it a great choice for many gamers.
Key Features:
- QHD Resolution: The EX2780Q has a 2560 x 1440 resolution, offering more detail than Full HD but without the heavy demands of 4K.
- 144Hz Refresh Rate: A high refresh rate ensures smooth gameplay, especially in fast-paced games.
- FreeSync Support: With AMD FreeSync, you get tear-free gaming, which is especially useful if you have an AMD graphics card.
- HDRi Technology: BenQ’s unique HDRi tech automatically adjusts the screen’s brightness and contrast to enhance your gaming experience.
- Built-In Speakers: While most gamers prefer external speakers or headsets, the EX2780Q comes with surprisingly good built-in speakers.
Pros:
- Great Value: This monitor offers a lot of features for its price.
- Sharp and Smooth Visuals: The QHD resolution and 144Hz refresh rate make games look sharp and smooth.
- Good for Both Gaming and Work: The EX2780Q’s features also make it great for non-gaming tasks like photo editing or watching movies.
Cons:
- Not as High-Resolution as 4K: If you’re looking for the sharpest possible image, 4K is better, but this QHD monitor is still very good.
- HDR Could Be Better: While HDRi is a nice feature, it’s not as advanced as the HDR found on more expensive monitors.
Conclusion: The BenQ EX2780Q is a versatile monitor that offers great performance for its price. It’s ideal for gamers who want good quality without breaking the bank.
LG UltraGear 27GN950: The Best 4K Monitor for Competitive Gaming
LG has made a name for itself in the gaming world with its UltraGear series. The 27GN950 is one of their standout models, offering a combination of high resolution, fast response times, and great color accuracy.
Key Features:
- 4K UHD Resolution: Like the Predator X27, the 27GN950 has a 3840 x 2160 resolution, delivering incredibly sharp visuals.
- 144Hz Refresh Rate: This high refresh rate is perfect for competitive gamers who need smooth gameplay.
- 1ms Response Time: A super-fast response time ensures that there’s minimal delay between your actions and what happens on screen.
- Nano IPS Technology: LG’s Nano IPS technology provides rich colors and better color accuracy, making games look vibrant.
- G-Sync and FreeSync Compatible: This monitor supports both NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, making it versatile for different gaming setups.
Pros:
- Excellent Image Quality: The combination of 4K resolution and Nano IPS technology makes for stunning visuals.
- Smooth and Fast Performance: The 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time ensure that games run smoothly with minimal input lag.
- Sleek Design: The monitor has a sleek, modern design that will look great on any desk.
Cons:
- Expensive: Like the Predator X27, this is a high-end monitor with a price to match.
- Requires a Strong PC: To fully enjoy 4K gaming at 144Hz, you need a powerful PC.
Conclusion: The LG UltraGear 27GN950 is a top pick for competitive gamers who want the best 4K gaming experience. It offers stunning visuals, fast performance, and a sleek design.
How to Choose the Right Gaming Monitor
Choosing the right gaming monitor depends on your gaming needs and your budget. Here are a few things to consider:
- Resolution: Higher resolutions like 4K provide sharper images but require more powerful PCs. QHD is a good middle ground, offering better visuals than Full HD without the heavy demands of 4K.
- Refresh Rate: A higher refresh rate (like 144Hz or 240Hz) makes games look smoother. This is especially important for fast-paced games like first-person shooters.
- Response Time: Lower response times (like 1ms) reduce input lag, making your actions more responsive.
- Adaptive Sync: If you have an NVIDIA or AMD graphics card, look for monitors with G-Sync or FreeSync to prevent screen tearing.
- HDR Support: HDR makes colors more vibrant and improves contrast, but not all HDR implementations are equal. Higher-end monitors generally have better HDR.
- Price: Gaming monitors can range from affordable to very expensive. Decide on your budget before choosing a monitor.
Final Thoughts
In 2024, gaming monitors have never been better. Whether you’re looking for a high-end 4K experience or a more budget-friendly option, there’s a monitor out there for you. The Acer Predator X27, BenQ EX2780Q, and LG UltraGear 27GN950 are all excellent choices depending on your needs.
- The Acer Predator X27 is perfect for those who want the best visuals and are willing to pay for it.
- The BenQ EX2780Q offers great value and is ideal for gamers who want a balance of performance and price.
- The LG UltraGear 27GN950 is the best choice for competitive gamers who need a fast, high-resolution monitor.
No matter which monitor you choose, upgrading your display can make a huge difference in your gaming experience.