When asked to choose between a TV and agaming monitor, it’s not strange for players to stick with the more traditional monitor. This is because monitors are more responsive and pack a ton of top-tier features meant to enhance one’s gameplay.Gaming TVshave their strengths too, but monitors ultimately come out on top. Of course, choosing the right monitor for gaming depends on a couple of factors. As such, it pays to have an idea about screen size and resolution to help you find the right ones that meet your needs.
While you may know the right screen size and resolution that’ll make your gameplay enjoyable, how much do you know about display panel types? Monitors come with different panels that offer diverse performance levels that have pros and cons. Manufacturers typically use IPS and VA display panels in developing monitors that suit different needs, such asvideo editing, graphic design, programming, and more. Although both are pretty impressive, which is the best panel for gaming?
What You Should Know About IPS and VA Panels
Asus Tuf Gaming VG279QM1A
Asus TUF Gaming VG279QM1A brings a fast IPS panel for gamers who want no compromises in response time. Providing a 1ms GtG response time, this monitor is able to transition to the next pixel quickly without any ghosting. Furthermore, the 280Hz refresh rate makes gaming more fluid. Users will also get built-in speakers on a budget that can come in handy.
Acer Nitro KG241Y Sbiip Gaming Monitor
This Acer Nitro KG241Y gaming monitor features a fast 23.8-inch display panel. The monitor supports a refresh rate of up to 165 Hz, which is more than enough for fast-paced gameplay. The response rate of the monitor is also extremely fast at one millisecond. The ZeroFrame design allows the user to focus on the game instead of the monitor.Connectivity-wise the monitor supports both DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 2.0 with one of the former and two of the latter connector.
Before spotlighting the pros and cons of both display panels, here are a few things you should know about them.
Refresh Rate and Response Time
When picking a new gaming monitor for competitive titles such as Apex Legends or Fortnite, it’s worth adding a high refresh rate and low response time to the list of parameters used to narrow one’s choices. If you’re a competitive gamer, a refresh rate above 144Hz and a response time below 7 ms should be fine. For now, IPS monitors like the ASUS TUF VG27AQM1Ahave the edge in terms of refresh rate.
While the ASUS monitor is capped at a 260Hz refresh rate, other IPS models can go all the way to 500Hz. On the other hand, VA monitors like the Acer Nitro KG241Y offer between 144Hz and 240Hz. It’s worth mentioning that only a few VA monitors can reach the 240Hz threshold as most models are advertised between 144Hz and 165Hz. Judging by the refresh rate of both the ASUS TUF VG27AQM1A and Acer Nitro KG241Y, both monitors are pretty good for handling multiplayer titles like Helldivers 2. However, monitors with IPS panels are slightly better.
A monitor’s response time is just as important because it can affect performance depending on how high or low it is. When playing a racing game likeForza Horizon 5, gamers should ideally aim for low response times as it translates to less ghosting and more fluid gameplay. So far, IPS displays are known for their ultra-low response times that typically range from 1 to 3 ms. It’s no surprise that the Acer TUF VG27AQM1A offers a 1 ms response time which reduces motion blur by a wide margin. Although VA panels aren’t far off, with around 4ms and 6ms, there is a higher chance of experiencing ghosting and motion blur with a VA monitor. This makes IPS the clear winner.
Viewing Angles
Unless you’re comfortable facing the monitor screen directly, knowing what viewing angles mean is crucial to making a great shopping decision. A monitor’s viewing angles mean the number of angles that you can look at the screen without suffering major picture quality degradation. Looking at the tops and sides of a monitor screen tells you a lot more about its viewing angles instead of focusing on just the center.
IPS monitors have considerably better viewing angles that go up to 178 degrees. So, whether you’re facing the top, sides, or virtually any angle, the image quality is unblemished. The Asus TUF VG27AQM1A lives up to those high standards with wide 178-degree viewing angles that allow you to experience remarkable visuals no matter which position you choose to view the monitor from. The same can not be said for VA panels, though, as you may notice inferior picture quality when looking at the screen from an extreme angle. The Acer Nitro has a 170-degree viewing angle, which isn’t entirely bad, but doesn’t offer the same experience as its IPS counterpart. However, a bad viewing angle shouldn’t be a deal-breaker for buying a particular monitor unless you intend to view the screen from different angles at times.
Contrast Ratio
For clarity, contrast ratio refers to the difference between the brightness of a display’s darkest and whitest parts. The higher the contrast ratio the fewer the chances of experiencing washed-out images. This is an important factor to consider when shopping for monitors as it can determine how good the image quality is and how good a monitor’s visual performance will be. Despite their strengths in many areas, IPS displays have pretty terrible contrast ratios which typically sit in the 1000:1 range.
The Asus TUF monitor is a clear example as it comes with a 1000:1 contrast ratio, which means that playing a darkened scene in a game likeSenua’s Saga: Hellblade 2with this monitor won’t deliver the best experience. Compared to IPS monitor displays, VA panels offer a far better contrast ratio that ranges between 2000:1 and 3000:1. The Acer Nitro is a perfect example with its 3000:1 contrast ratio, which allows it to display deeper blacks.
Pricing
A key aspect of shopping for a gaming monitor is knowing what the available options cost and what each one offers. Just as their features are miles apart, so is the pricing for both IPS and VA monitors. Due to their wide viewing angles, high refresh rate, and low response times, an IPS monitor typically costs more than a VA monitor. For context, the ASUS TUF monitor costs $300, while you could get the Acer Nitro monitor, which has a VA panel, for $110.
VA monitors are known for being a perfect balance between performance and affordability, though intending buyers must be willing to make peace with their downsides. If you’re on a strict budget and desire peak performance, you may want to save up for an IPS monitor. However, if you need a monitor that delivers a decent performance without setting you back too much, then a VA monitor is a better pick.
The Verdict
Both IPS and VA panels are excellent for gaming monitors and just about any other activity you want. Judging by the above parameters, IPS panels offer a slightly better gaming experience than VA panels, though there is a significant trade-off. When viewing a dark scene, an IPS monitor may struggle to render a true black scene compared to its VA counterpart. However, IPS panels stand out because of their great viewing angles, high refresh rate, and low response times. That is unless you want to play games in a dark room. If you’re looking for a far better visual experience than both options, anOLED gaming monitormight just do the trick.
FAQ
Q: Is IPS or VA panel better for video editing?
IPS monitors are considerably better in video editing because they can generate a wider color gamut and the fact that they have wider viewing angles.
Q: Can I watch movies on an IPS monitor?
Definitely. IPS monitors offer stunning visuals, making them a great choice for watching movies and virtually any activity.
Q: What are the downsides of IPS monitors?
IPS monitors are prone to backlight bleeding. They also have a poor contrast ratio compared to VA monitors.
