A great monitor changes how every game and every edit looks. These are the specs that actually matter.
Resolution and your graphics card
Higher resolution needs a stronger graphics card. Pick a resolution your graphics card can drive at the frame rate you want, rather than the highest number on the box.
Refresh rate
A higher refresh rate makes motion smoother, which competitive and fast-paced games benefit from most. For creative work, colour accuracy usually matters more than raw speed.
Panel type
- IPS panels offer good colour and wide viewing angles.
- VA panels offer deeper contrast, often at a lower price.
- OLED panels offer excellent contrast and response, with different care needs for static content.
Colour coverage
If you edit photos or video, look for a monitor that states its sRGB or DCI-P3 coverage and ideally ships calibrated.
Connections
DisplayPort is usually the safest way to reach a monitor’s top refresh rate. Check the cable and the port both support it.