How to correctly choose your monitor?

Several types of monitors are available to meet various needs. This is why choosing the right one is important. Here are the main features to consider:

• Type

• Size

• Resolution

• Frame rate

• Panel type

• Connectors

• Other important features

  • VESA mounts

  • Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync

    
    

It should be noted that each feature varies from one screen to another. Therefore, it's helpful to understand their differences and what they contribute to the monitor you're looking for.

Monitor Type

Three main types or formats of monitors dominate the market. Each has its own visual and practical characteristics. Note that some types can be combined.

Standard Monitor

These are the most common on the market and feature a flat, rectangular screen.

Moniteur standard

Curved Monitor

Curved monitors stand out with a screen that follows the field of vision for a more immersive visual experience.

Ultrawide Monitor

Wider than standard monitors, these allow you to display multiple windows at once while maintaining good comfort and visibility.

Moniteur grand format («Ultrawide») et incurvé

Size

Monitors come in various sizes. The industry uses the diagonal measurement from the bottom-left corner to the top-right corner. Standard monitor sizes generally range between 24 and 32 inches, while ultrawide monitors can go up to 49 inches.

Resolution

Resolution represents the level of detail a screen can display, expressed by the total number of pixels horizontally and vertically (e.g., 1920 x 1080). More pixels mean more image detail.

But resolution alone doesn’t determine display quality: we also use pixel density, often called PPI (pixels per inch). PPI indicates how many pixels are packed into one inch of the screen. A higher PPI means a sharper image, as pixels are smaller and closer together. For instance, two screens can have the same resolution, but if one is smaller, it will have a higher PPI and therefore a clearer image.

This is why resolution should always be considered in relation to screen size.

Here are some common industry resolutions:

HD - 1080p (1920 x 1080)

• Also called Full HD

• Contains 2.07 million pixels

• Suitable for gaming, office work, and streaming

• Good overall image quality

  
  

QHD/2K - 1440p (2560 x 1440)

• Contains 3.7 million pixels, about 78% more than 1080p

• Provides better sharpness and detail than Full HD

• Ideal for gamers who want a good balance between performance and image quality

• Commonly used in gaming monitors and some high-end smartphones

  
  

UHD/4K - 2160p (3840 x 2160)

• Also called Ultra HD

• Contains 8.3 million pixels, four times more than 1080p

• Exceptional image quality with ultra-sharp detail

• Recommended for graphic professionals, movie lovers, and demanding gamers

• Requires powerful hardware for gaming and content creation

  
  

Each resolution has its own benefits depending on usage. 1080p is accessible and efficient, 1440p strikes a good balance between quality and performance, while 4K offers superior image quality but demands more power.

Frame Rate

Frame rate plays a key role in visual comfort, especially by affecting the clarity perceived during fast motion on screen. A low frame rate can result in a sense of blur or stuttering, while a higher rate significantly improves the sharpness of moving elements.

Refresh rate, on the other hand, indicates how many times the image is updated each second. The higher the rate, the smoother the display.

Here’s a general scale of possible frame rates and their potential uses:

60Hz–75Hz

This range is the industry standard. It’s suitable for everyday tasks but may produce motion blur with fast-moving content.

120Hz–144Hz

Monitors in this range offer greater visual comfort and smoother motion. Generally favored by gamers seeking a visual edge, they also improve the overall viewing experience with better clarity and fluidity in motion.

165Hz and up

A frame rate above 165Hz is mainly aimed at gamers. Higher refresh rates further enhance fluidity and detail, especially in games where reaction time is critical.

Important! The monitor can only provide this comfort if your computer is capable of delivering that level of performance. Your computer’s power determines how many frames per second it can generate — the screen simply displays them. Here are two examples: Scenario 1 Your computer generates 80 frames per second on average, but your monitor supports only 60Hz. Result: Your screen will only display 60 frames per second, since it can’t support higher frequencies. Scenario 2 Your computer generates 120 frames per second, and your monitor supports 144Hz. Result: Your screen will display 120 frames per second, as the computer isn’t providing more than that.

Screen and Panel Type

In the monitor industry, two types of screens are most common: LCD and OLED. Each comes with its advantages and drawbacks, typically in contrast levels, color reproduction, response times, and viewing angles.

About the different characteristic Response time: How quickly a pixel changes state, affecting clarity in fast-moving images. Viewing angles: The angles from which you can view the screen without loss of image quality or contrast. Contrast: The difference between bright (whites) and dark (blacks) areas of an image. Color accuracy: The monitor’s ability to display a wide and true-to-life range of colors, with clear distinctions between shades.

LCD

LCD screens are very common. They feature a uniform backlight, filtered through the panel. It’s important to understand the different panel types used in LCD displays:

TN (Twisted Nematic)

Uses liquid crystals that twist to modulate light, allowing fast response times (1–3 ms), ideal for fast-paced gaming. However, it offers limited viewing angles and less accurate color reproduction.

VA (Vertical Alignment)

Aligns crystals vertically, delivering high contrast and deep blacks, with 4–6 ms response times. Viewing angles are narrower, and color accuracy is below that of IPS panels.

IPS (In-plane Switching)

Aligns crystals parallel to the screen, offering decent response times (4–5 ms), excellent viewing angles, and highly accurate colors — ideal for versatile use.

OLED

OLED panels offer the best color performance on the market. Each pixel emits its own light, enabling superior contrast and deep blacks. However, these monitors are expensive and rare. They are mainly targeted at visual professionals rather than gamers or productivity users.

Port Types

Here are the three most common types of digital ports found on today’s monitors. We recommend using these over analog ports (DVI-D and VGA), as analog standards are becoming outdated and less compatible.

• DisplayPort

• HMDI

• USB-C

Note: Connector standards are numerous and complex — a topic worthy of its own article. It's very important to consider this before buying to ensure compatibility and that your expectations are met.

VESA Mounts

VESA mounts are anchor points located at the back of a monitor, allowing you to mount it on stands or arms instead of using the included base. This feature is popular for freeing up desk space or for multi-monitor setups.

Two main VESA standards are available:

• VESA 75x75 (75 mm by 75 mm)

• VESA 100x100 (100 mm by 100 mm) (Most common)

G-Sync and AMD Freesync

These are industry-recognized standards found on monitors designed for gaming. Due to their unique and complex nature, they will be covered in a separate article. However, it’s worth noting that these technologies allow monitors to better adapt to gaming environments on PC.