Beginner's Guide to Gaming Monitors: Everything You Need to Know

Choosing your first gaming monitor can feel overwhelming. With manufacturers throwing around terms like refresh rate, response time, panel type, and adaptive sync, it's easy to get lost in the technical jargon. This comprehensive guide will break down everything you need to know in plain English, helping you make an informed decision that matches both your gaming style and budget.

Whether you're building your first gaming PC, upgrading from a basic office monitor, or transitioning from console gaming, understanding these fundamentals will ensure you get the best possible experience from your new display.

Understanding Resolution: How Sharp Is Your Image?

Resolution refers to the number of pixels that make up your display. More pixels mean sharper images and more detailed visuals. The three most common gaming resolutions today are:

• 1080p (Full HD / 1920×1080) – The most affordable option, perfect for competitive gaming where frame rate matters more than visual fidelity. Your graphics card won't have to work as hard, meaning higher frame rates are easier to achieve.
• 1440p (QHD / 2560×1440) – The sweet spot for most gamers. Offers noticeably sharper visuals than 1080p while remaining achievable for mid-range graphics cards. This is our most recommended resolution for general gaming in 2026.
• 4K (UHD / 3840×2160) – The sharpest option with four times the pixels of 1080p. Ideal for cinematic single-player experiences, but requires a powerful GPU to maintain playable frame rates.

Refresh Rate: The Smoothness Factor

Refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), indicates how many times per second your monitor updates the image. A 60Hz monitor refreshes 60 times per second, while a 144Hz monitor refreshes 144 times—resulting in significantly smoother motion.

The difference between 60Hz and 144Hz is immediately noticeable, even in everyday desktop use. For gaming, higher refresh rates provide smoother camera movements, reduced motion blur, and a more responsive feel. Here's how different refresh rates typically suit various gaming styles:

• 60Hz – Adequate for casual single-player games, but considered outdated for modern gaming.
• 144Hz – Excellent for most gamers. Provides a substantial improvement over 60Hz and is achievable by most modern graphics cards.
• 240Hz – Designed for competitive esports players who need every possible advantage. The jump from 144Hz to 240Hz is less dramatic than 60Hz to 144Hz.
• 360Hz+ – Reserved for professional esports and enthusiasts. Diminishing returns set in, but every millisecond counts at the highest levels of competition.

Response Time: Eliminating Ghosting

Response time measures how quickly a pixel can change from one colour to another, typically expressed in milliseconds (ms). Lower response times reduce motion blur and "ghosting"—that smearing effect you might notice behind fast-moving objects.

You'll often see response time advertised as "GtG" (grey-to-grey), which measures the transition between two grey shades. Some manufacturers also quote "MPRT" (Moving Picture Response Time), which measures perceived motion blur. These measurements aren't directly comparable, so it's important to know which specification you're looking at.

• 1ms GtG – Standard for gaming monitors, suitable for all but the most demanding competitive players.
• 0.5ms or faster – Found on high-end IPS panels and most OLED displays. Provides excellent motion clarity.

Panel Types: IPS, VA, and OLED

The panel type significantly affects your viewing experience. Each technology has distinct characteristics:

IPS (In-Plane Switching)

IPS panels offer excellent colour accuracy and wide viewing angles. Colours remain consistent even when viewing from the side. Modern IPS panels have largely addressed their historical weakness of slower response times, making them a popular all-around choice for gaming.

VA (Vertical Alignment)

VA panels excel at contrast ratio, delivering deeper blacks than IPS. This makes them ideal for gaming in dark rooms or playing horror games where atmosphere matters. However, VA panels typically have slower response times, which can cause noticeable smearing in fast-paced games.

OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode)

OLED represents the current pinnacle of display technology. Each pixel produces its own light, enabling perfect blacks and infinite contrast. Response times are essentially instantaneous. The main drawbacks are higher cost and potential for burn-in with static elements displayed for extended periods.

For a deeper comparison of these technologies, check out our complete panel type guide.

Adaptive Sync: G-SYNC and FreeSync

Adaptive sync technology eliminates screen tearing—that visual artifact where parts of different frames appear simultaneously, creating a horizontal "tear" across the image. When your graphics card's frame rate doesn't match your monitor's refresh rate, tearing occurs. Adaptive sync solves this by dynamically adjusting the monitor's refresh rate to match your GPU's output.

• NVIDIA G-SYNC – Works with NVIDIA graphics cards. G-SYNC Ultimate offers additional HDR and quality certifications.
• AMD FreeSync – Works with AMD graphics cards and most modern NVIDIA cards. Available in standard, Premium, and Premium Pro tiers.

Most modern gaming monitors support at least one form of adaptive sync, and many support both through "G-SYNC Compatible" certification.

Screen Size and Viewing Distance

Bigger isn't always better. The ideal monitor size depends on your viewing distance and desk setup:

• 24 inches – Ideal for competitive gaming at close range. Easy to see the entire screen without moving your eyes.
• 27 inches – The most popular size, offering a good balance for desk viewing distances of 60-80cm.
• 32 inches – Best suited for 4K resolution to maintain pixel density. Requires a larger desk or greater viewing distance.

Additional Features to Consider

Beyond the core specifications, several additional features can enhance your gaming experience:

• HDR (High Dynamic Range) – Expands contrast and colour range for more lifelike visuals. True HDR requires specific brightness and colour specifications.
• Curved displays – Provide a more immersive experience, especially on larger or ultrawide monitors.
• USB-C connectivity – Convenient for laptops and modern devices, some even deliver power while transmitting video.
• Adjustable stand – Height, tilt, and swivel adjustments help achieve ergonomic positioning.

Setting Your Budget

Gaming monitors in Australia span a wide price range. Here's what you can generally expect at different price points:

• Under $300 AUD – Basic 1080p 144Hz monitors. Good for budget builds.
• $300-600 AUD – Quality 1080p or entry-level 1440p options with good features.
• $600-1000 AUD – Premium 1440p monitors with high refresh rates and excellent panels.
• $1000+ AUD – High-end options including 4K, OLED, and premium features.

Remember that your monitor is often the longest-lasting component of your gaming setup. Investing in a quality display now can serve you well through multiple GPU upgrades.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a gaming monitor comes down to understanding your priorities. Competitive players should prioritise high refresh rates and low response times. Visual enthusiasts might prefer higher resolutions and superior panel technologies like OLED. Most gamers will find an excellent balance in the mid-range 1440p 144Hz category.

Take your time to consider how you'll use your monitor, what games you play most, and what your system can realistically handle. With this knowledge, you're well-equipped to find the perfect gaming monitor for your setup.