How to Choose a Gaming Monitor

The right gaming monitor is an essential ally. It bridges the gap between a cramped laptop screen and the real world, and offers a host of features that can improve both your play and your overall experience.

The best gaming monitors offer a good balance between resolution, refresh rate and other key factors like response time. They can be found in a variety of sizes, but the sweet spot is 24 to 32 inches. That's big enough to provide a lot of screen space while not overwhelming most desks. You should also look for a TN or VA panel, which are generally better than IPS panels in terms of quality.

Refresh rate and response time are important because they determine how fast or slow the monitor can draw new frames of animation. The higher the refresh rate, the smoother the gameplay will feel. Most modern games support up to 144Hz, which is much faster than the standard 60Hz. You can also find a few monitors with super-fast response times that can approach 1ms, which is great for esports and other fast-paced games.

When Alienware unveiled what was arguably the first ever OLED gaming monitor, it caused a sensation. The company's 34-inch AW3423DW model isn't perfect, but it still packs an exceptional level of performance into its stunningly beautiful design. It's a true powerhouse that boasts outstanding contrast, HDR and pixel response capabilities.