Are you looking for the perfect monitor with WQHD, 4K, 144Hz, G-Sync, FreeSync, 24″, 27″ and more? We clarify the most important questions about screens – including guides!
The agony of choice: If you want to buy a new screen, you are faced with the following questions: Do I mainly want to game or surf the internet? And what resolution do I want? Moreover, there are various technologies like FreeSync and G-Sync that also raise questions for buyers.
Therefore, we would like to explain what to consider when buying a screen, so that the new monitor does not turn out to be a bad purchase and you have not thrown your money out the window. We explain:
- Which screen suits you best
- Which is the most popular monitor on Amazon?
- What technologies are available for screens?
- What are refresh rates, tearing, and FreeSync/G-Sync?
- Response time vs. input lag
- Which screens are recommended?
Which screen is right for me?
If you buy a new screen or monitor, you fundamentally need to think about what you want to use it for. Am I mainly working on my PC or gaming fast-paced, responsive games? We present the most important groups:
Office and internet users: If you mainly use your PC for work or browsing, a cheap Full HD monitor is completely sufficient.
Photo editing: If you edit photos or want to see them in full resolution, then resolutions like WQHD and 4K may be worth considering. If the images are too large for the screen, they will be scaled down. This means that the images can no longer be displayed in their full resolution.
Gaming: For gaming, high refresh rates and high resolutions are particularly advantageous. The biggest issue is usually the PC itself. For high resolutions beyond Full HD, you need powerful performance with a strong CPU and a fast graphics card.
Many new graphics cards, such as AMD’s 5000 series or Nvidia’s Super series, can now handle WQHD without significant performance losses.
For people with weak hardware, a Full HD monitor might actually be enough, as here the graphics card can achieve higher refresh rates than on a WQHD or 4K monitor.
Which monitor is the most popular on Amazon?
The most popular monitor on Amazon is the Samsung C27F396F. On Amazon, there are 1597 reviews with an average of 4.5 stars.
Why it is so popular: Many buyers like the curved design and the good build quality. The monitor comes with an HDMI cable and even a setup CD with the appropriate drivers. Some buyers criticize the limited adjustment options of the monitor, as only brightness and darkness can be adjusted.
What do the testers say? The testers from Prad.de refer to the Samsung C27F396F as a “good all-rounder” with high contrast values and good picture quality. However, the response time of the screen is low and therefore not suitable for hardcore gamers.
| Size | 27 inches |
| Resolution | Full HD |
| Frequency | 60 Hz |
| Sync | FreeSync |
*Affiliate-Links. Wir erhalten bei einem Kauf eine kleine Provision von Amazon. Vielen Dank für Eure Unterstützung!
What types of monitors are there?
- TN (Twisted Nematic): Cost-effective to manufacture, but the picture quality depends heavily on the viewing angle: The liquid crystal molecules align in a predetermined but rigid direction.
- VA (Vertical Alignment): The liquid crystals of the LCD stand vertically to the monitor surface. This means that the picture quality is better even at oblique angles than with a TN panel.
- IPS (In-Plane Switching): The liquid crystals rotate with the display, thus reducing color and brightness loss at oblique angles compared to TN or VA.
Refresh Rate and FreeSync/G-Sync
The refresh rate of a screen describes how many times the image is redrawn per second. The higher the refresh rate, the smoother games feel while gaming. For those who mainly watch movies or edit images, a 60Hz screen is completely sufficient. For those who are predominantly gaming and especially play responsive games like shooters, more than 60Hz is recommended.
FreeSync/G-Sync
If the graphics card cannot produce 60 frames per second, tearing effects occur.
Tearing occurs when the building and display of images are not synchronized with the monitor. The viewer then sees several individual frames simultaneously. It feels like the images are torn apart (in English “tear”).
This is where V-Sync, FreeSync, and G-Sync help: They adjust the refresh rate to match the speed of the graphics card. This way, the monitor always displays an image when the graphics card has finished rendering it. However, it must be noted that AMD relies on FreeSync, while Nvidia uses the proprietary standard G-Sync.
Meanwhile, some Nvidia graphics cards also support FreeSync. This mainly depends on the Nvidia driver: The 10-Series, 16-Series, and 20-Series from Nvidia with driver version 417.71 or higher now support FreeSync as well.
How can I find out if my monitor supports FreeSync/G-Sync?
When buying a monitor, it is usually clearly stated which standard the monitor works with. FreeSync and G-Sync can also be easily distinguished by their symbols.
Alternatively, Wikipedia now offers a comprehensive list that outlines which monitor supports which standard. There are separate lists for FreeSync and G-Sync.
Response Time vs. Input Lag
Two numbers that are calculated in milliseconds (ms) are often confused, but they represent different things:
Response time: The response time of a monitor describes how quickly a pixel can change its color. If you move quickly in a shooter, the pixels must also change color accordingly quickly. Therefore, low times are advantageous.
Input lag: Latency describes the time it takes for the image to get from the graphics card to the monitor and then be displayed. Again, low times are advantageous.
A high latency eventually leads to input lag: If you move your mouse pointer but the movement only appears on the screen seconds later, then the game lags.
Guide for Monitors
Below, we will present which screens are best suited for which type of use. The monitors start at 23.5 inches and go up to 31 inches.
Monitor for Beginners
The testers from Prad.de rate the LG 24MB56HQ-B as a good monitor for beginners. The screen offers high viewing angle stability and balanced illumination. The usability and ergonomics are criticized. However, the monitor is well-suited for office applications and casual gamers.
| Size | 24 inches |
| Resolution | Full HD |
| Frequency | 60 Hz |
| Sync | FreeSync |
*Affiliate-Links. Wir erhalten bei einem Kauf eine kleine Provision von Amazon. Vielen Dank für Eure Unterstützung!
Monitor for the Mid-Range
The Asus VG248QE is described in the Gameswelt test as a successful gaming monitor. The screen offers great response times and a blur-free image at 120 and 144 Hz, providing vibrant colors. The lower image quality compared to competitors and poor viewing angle stability are noted as downsides.
| Size | 24 inches |
| Resolution | Full HD |
| Frequency | 144 Hz |
| Sync | FreeSync |
Keine Produkte gefunden.
Monitor for Enthusiasts and Professional Gamers
The GameStar refers to the Asus ROG Strix XG258Q as an “extremely fast gamer monitor.” The manufacturer primarily targets professional gamers. A very powerful PC is required for 240 Hertz. The screen benefits greatly from its good TN panel and high brightness.
The Asus ROG Strix XG258Q is currently available for around 460 Euros at Alternate.
| Size | 24.5 inches |
| Resolution | Full HD |
| Frequency | 240 Hz |
| Sync | FreeSync |
Which monitor is popular among streamers?
The LG 27GL850-B is particularly popular among streamers and eSports players in the USA. eSports teams like Cloud9 and Team SoloMid in League of Legends use this monitor.
Why it is so popular: For the testers from Prad.de, the LG 27GL850-B is especially suitable for shooter fans and is referred to as an “ultra-fast display device.” The monitor offers a high refresh rate, very low overall latency, and uses an extended color space.
| Size | 27 inches |
| Resolution | QHD |
| Frequency | 144 Hz |
| Sync | G-Sync |
*Affiliate-Links. Wir erhalten bei einem Kauf eine kleine Provision von Amazon. Vielen Dank für Eure Unterstützung!
Monitor with WQHD and G-Sync
According to PCWelt, the AOC Agon AG271QG is very well suited for gamers. The monitor offers a WQHD resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels, G-Sync technology, and a maximum frame rate of 165 Hertz. The monitor also provides good image quality with very fast frame rates and many ergonomic adjustment options. The testers identify high power consumption and high price as weaknesses.
| Size | 27 inches |
| Resolution | WQHD |
| Frequency | 165 Hz |
| Sync | G-Sync |
*Affiliate-Links. Wir erhalten bei einem Kauf eine kleine Provision von Amazon. Vielen Dank für Eure Unterstützung!
Monitor with WQHD and FreeSync
The AOC Q3279VWF is good for both work and gaming according to Mobilegeeks test. The monitor offers a great display for a reasonable price. The tester mainly criticizes the ergonomics of the monitor, as the height cannot be adjusted.
The AOC Q3279VWF can currently be bought cheaply at MediaMarkt.
| Size | 31.5 inches |
| Resolution | WQHD |
| Frequency | 75 Hz |
| Sync | FreeSync |
Price Tip for Photo Editing
As many screens for photo editing are very expensive, the LG 27UD58P-B is a price tip for photographers according to Chip.de. The monitor still covers an AdobeRGB color space of 74.0%, and the IPS technology is excellent. However, the monitor has limited special features and low brightness. This is likely to be completely fine for most photographers.
| Size | 27 inches |
| Resolution | UHD/4K |
| Frequency | 60 Hz |
| Sync | FreeSync |
*Affiliate-Links. Wir erhalten bei einem Kauf eine kleine Provision von Amazon. Vielen Dank für Eure Unterstützung!
If you are looking for a suitable graphics card in addition to a monitor, check out the reports on the RX5700 from AMD:
