Choosing a PC Monitor

PC monitors are familiar devices for DTM users and gamers alike, but are you choosing one just based on price? While price is certainly an important factor, resolution, refresh rate, and other specs can vary greatly depending on how you plan to use the monitor.
So, “Which one should I choose?”
If you’re asking yourself this question, this guide is for you! Below, we’ll go over the key points you should focus on when buying a monitor. We’ll also introduce some recommended products, so be sure to read to the end!

Key Points When Choosing a Monitor!!

1. Resolution

Monitor resolution refers to the number of pixels that can be displayed on the screen. A pixel is one tiny dot that makes up part of an image, and resolution is expressed as “horizontal pixels × vertical pixels.” For example, a resolution commonly known as Full HD is 1920×1080, meaning there are 1,920 pixels across and 1,080 pixels down.

■ What Happens When the Resolution Is High?

Image quality becomes sharper

→ With the same screen size, a higher number of pixels means higher pixel density, resulting in finer and more beautiful images.

This is a key point for those who play games with impressive graphics (like Monster Hunter or GTA)! However, it depends on your computer’s specifications, so your choice will vary based on how much visual quality you want to enjoy.

■ Main Resolutions and Recommended Users

Full HD (1920×1080)

→ For those who play games like FPS or action games where graphics aren’t heavily prioritized, or for those who want to purchase a standard resolution PC monitor at a relatively low cost.

Recommended

SONY / INZONE M3K

WQHD (2560×1440)

→ For people who want to enjoy beautiful game visuals but aren't confident in their PC specs, or those who play games that require allocating performance beyond graphics. Also recommended for those who want to watch videos in slightly better quality.

Recommended

I-O DATA / LCD-CQ270SA

4K (3840×2160)

→ For people who want to fully enjoy the best game visuals and own a high-performance PC, or for those who want to enjoy not only graphics but overall high-quality gameplay. Recommended for those who want the ultimate visual experience, even at a higher cost.

Recommended

I-O DATA / LCD-GCU321HXAB

* When watching videos, the highest resolution supported by the video takes priority over the monitor’s resolution.
* Depending on your PC specs, you may not be able to utilize the monitor’s full performance.

2. Refresh Rate

The refresh rate of a monitor indicates how many times the screen is refreshed per second. This value is expressed in hertz (Hz).

■ What Happens When the Refresh Rate Is High?

Screen motion becomes smoother

→ The more times the screen updates per second, the shorter the interval between frames, resulting in smoother visuals.
This is especially important for gamers! Since it affects gameplay as shown below, it’s a key point for games like FPS and action games where every second counts.

Image ghosting is reduced

→ Even with fast-moving visuals, the screen is less likely to become blurred or distorted.

Visibility improves

→ In intense games like FPS, you can track enemy movements more accurately.

Responsiveness increases

→ Mouse movements and in-game actions are reflected on the screen more quickly, allowing for more intuitive gameplay.

■ Main Refresh Rates and Recommended Users

60Hz：

→ For general PC tasks.

Recommended

GREEN HOUSE / GH-LCW24L-BK

120Hz/144Hz/160Hz：

→ For those who want to enjoy gaming in a better environment. Many cost-effective models available.

Recommended

GREEN HOUSE / GH-GLCC238AZ-BK

240Hz and above:

→ For eSports players and those who want to enjoy gaming in the best possible environment.

Recommended

SONY / INZONE M10S

*Depending on your PC specs, you may not be able to utilize the monitor’s full performance potaential.

3. Screen Size

The monitor’s screen size is usually indicated in inches.

■ How Does Screen Size Affect Use?

If you don’t choose an appropriate monitor size based on what you want to do, even a high-performance monitor can feel difficult to use.
For example, a gamer playing FPS with a 30-inch monitor may find the screen too large, making viewpoint movement difficult and preventing them from performing at their best.
On the other hand, a DTM user with a 23-inch monitor might find a 30-inch monitor too large and unnecessary, requiring more zooming and adjustment in their work.

In other words, you need to purchase a monitor size that’s optimal for your intended use!

■ Main Screen Sizes and Recommended Users

24 inches

→ The most standard size chosen by many people.
Because it’s easy to see the entire screen with minimal eye movement, this one is recommended for general desk work and games that require quickly taking in information from all corners of the screen. This one is especially recommended for people who play eSports and FPS games.

Recommended

GREEN HOUSE / GH-GLCC238B-BK

27 inches

→ Larger screen than 24 inches, popular among those seeking a comfortable work environment.
Recommended for multitasking with multiple windows, creative work such as video and photo editing, and enjoying immersive visuals on a large screen, making it also suitable for movie watching and gaming.

Recommended

GREEN HOUSE / GH-LCW27WB-BK

30 inches

→ The screen is very large, making it an ideal size for movie watching and multitasking.
Recommended for those who want to enjoy multitasking, creative work, and movies on a larger screen than 27 inches.

Recommended

GREEN HOUSE / GH-LCW32WA-BK

4. Response Time

The monitor’s response time refers to how quickly the screen’s colors change, and it’s measured in milliseconds (ms). The smaller this number, the faster the color change, which reduces motion blur especially in fast-moving images.

■ Importance of Response Time

Response Time is particularly important for fast-paced games. A faster response time makes enemy movements and projectiles clearer, giving an advantage in games like FPS and fighting games that require split-second decisions. Generally, gaming monitors recommend a response time of 1 ms or less.

■ Difference Between Response Time and Refresh Rate

Response time and refresh rate are often confused but they are different measurements even though they’re closely related.

Response Time:

→ The time it takes for a pixel on the screen to change from one color to another.

Refresh Rate:

→ The number of times the screen updates per second. The higher the number, the smoother the image.

For example, a monitor with a refresh rate of 144Hz updates the screen 144 times per second. In this case, the time for one update is about 6.9ms (1000 ÷ 144). To display without ghosting on this monitor, the response time should ideally be 6.9ms or less.
Therefore, to make the most of a high refresh rate, a corresponding fast response time is necessary!

Recommended

I-O DATA / LCD-GC253U

5. Other Features

Here are additional points that can be decisive when purchasing, such as gaming-specific functions and monitor shapes beyond the four points mentioned above.

■ Variable Refresh Rate Technology (Prevents Tearing and Stuttering)

• NVIDIA G-SYNC (Function compatible with NVIDIA’s GeForce graphics cards)
• VESA Adaptive Sync (Function established by VESA, the video electronics standards association)

By synchronizing the monitor’s refresh rate with the graphics card’s frame rate, this technology reduces image distortion and enables smooth, comfortable gameplay. Recommended for those who play FPS and action games!

Recommended

I-O DATA / LCD-GD241JD

■ Display HDR

A function that enhances the expression of light and dark, producing more realistic and vivid images. It suppresses blown-out whites and crushed blacks, expressing the brightness of light and the depth of darkness, thereby increasing immersion in the game world. Especially recommended for those who play games that emphasize graphics, such as RPGs and adventure games!

Recommended

I-O DATA / LCD-GDQ271JA

■ Included Stand

Generally, an included stand is standard with computer monitors. Stands with a large arm may get in the way when placing a keyboard or mouse pad in front of it, so smaller stands or separately purchased monitor arms are recommended.

Also, those who want to freely adjust the monitor to a height and angle, I recommend free-stand models or separately purchased monitor arms!

Recommended

I-O DATA / LCD-D272SA-F-AG

■ Monitor Frame

Most monitors have a frame of a few millimeters, but for those using dual monitors, frameless monitors are recommended because they appear connected like a single monitor.
Also, if the frame bothers you when watching videos, consider frameless monitors.

Recommended

SONY / INZONE M9 II

To sum things up

How was it? I hope you now understand that there are many types of PC monitors. Depending on what you want to do and the environment you will use it in, your choices will vary, so I hope you’ll find a PC monitor to your liking!
As a side note, monitor arms are very convenient, so consider getting one with your monitor when you go to buy it!

⇒ Monitor Arm