The differences between monitors for esports players and casual gamers
A fitting monitor is essential for any gaming set-up. But it can be overwhelming to find the right model that perfectly fits all your needs. Manufacturers offer a wide range of displays. An experienced esports player will naturally search for a different monitor than a casual gamer who enjoys all types of video game genres. But how do you know which model you should buy, and what are the differences?
The technical specs with their overabundance of numbers and terms can be confusing, so let’s break down the major features of your potential new console monitor:
Refresh rate: The refresh rate gets measured in Hertz (Hz) and specifies the speed at which the monitor changes the image. A higher refresh rate means the image is smoother.
In a top esports match, it is crucial that everything loads as fast as possible and nothings lags even a millisecond behind. So, for aspiring esports pros, a refresh rate of 144Hz and up is important – but not necessary if you just want to hop on a relaxing gaming session. When casually playing, a refresh rate of 60Hz is completely enough.
Response time: Many people confuse response time with refresh rate but it covers another area. Refresh rate refers to the time it takes your monitor to shift from one colour to another, usually measured in the time to change from black to white to black again.
To shorten the response time to be as fast as one millisecond, gaming monitors often take a slight loss in the brightness and colour saturation. A lightning-fast loading time is not required in everyday gaming, whatsoever, so any monitor under 10ms will do your passion justice.
Panel type: There are three different kinds of LCD panels, each catering to different needs.
IPS (In-Plane Switching) panels have a higher response time, but a beautiful colour gamut. Therefore, they are perfect for casual games and cineastes.
TA (Twisted Nematic) monitors, on the other hand, focus on being as fast as possible, while providing a lower colour range.
VA (Vertical Alignment) displays combine the best of both worlds with the advantages of TA and IPS panels. As technology advances and VA monitors sport an extremely low response time today, these models are the preferred go-to for esports enthusiasts.
Esports specific vs allrounder monitors
Casual gamers don’t benefit from the high-end specs that esports pros need for their top performance. Some gamers simply want to enjoy some Triple A titles, hop on the couch, turn on the console and start a relaxing gaming session. You won’t notice higher response times or the slightest ghosting. An example of an allrounder monitor with a constant solid performance in every kind of game is the Philips 27” Momentum 278M1R/00 LCD-monitor.
On the other hand, if you want to succeed in the competitive gaming scene, an upgrade to a high-performance monitor can greatly improve your skill. If you want to play competitively on the highest level possible, the Philips 55” Momentum 558M1RY/00 4K-HDR-Display is the perfect tool to be on top of your game.
Overkill for every day, perfect for esports
As esports is more of an umbrella term, there is a plethora of games and genres which all require different hardware if you want to perform on the highest level. Some monitors are specifically tailored to an esports genre, as there are models that excel in sim racing, while others are specialized for shooters and so on. Monitors can also feature a headset stand, swivel or tilt function and presets for different genres – All these features may be overkill for a casual gamer, but nifty benefits for competitive pro players.