From the 16-bit era when we saw the first Super Mario Bros on screen in the ‘90s, to the latest 4K resolutions at 144Hz hyperrealism that we experience today, video game graphics have certainly evolved over the years. And at the current rate that gaming tech is constantly improving, it’s hard to imagine what games will look like ten or even twenty years from now. Our computers are becoming more powerful, while display technologies are also rapidly improving. With an estimated 3.24 billion (yes, billion) gamers across the globe, we are sure to see the gaming industry only get bigger and better from here.
But with all the advances in gaming graphics, some gamers are still stuck in the past with either a gaming rig that can’t handle next-gen graphics, or a gaming monitor that simply doesn’t do the latest games any justice. Fortunately, this Black Friday is the perfect opportunity for gamers to find some incredible deals and take their gaming experiences to the next level. So, if you’re considering treating yourself to a new gaming display this year, here are some feature you should look out for.
The more you see, the more you get
A monitor is your window to the world of gaming, and if you’re looking for truly immersive gaming experiences, resolution should come to mind first. The formula is quite simple: the more pixels you have, the more you see. And in fast-paced competitive games, like first-person shooters where you can’t shoot what you can’t see, on-screen detail is everything.
Anything below full HD resolution, which is 1920×1080 pixels, and you won’t really experience everything that today’s next-gen games truly have to offer. And when you compare full HD to the latest 4K monitors (that’s 3840×2160 pixels), 4K has eight times more pixels – which roughly translates to eight times more detail.
When reaction times matter
Lag is the bane of every gamer’s existence. While you can always turn your graphics settings down, or troubleshoot connectivity issues, there isn’t that much you can do when you’re being held back by your own gear. This Black Friday might be a chance to fix that.
Screen stuttering and ghosting is essentially lag caused by your gaming monitor, and it can have a significant impact on both your performance and overall gaming experience. That’s why refresh rates and response times should always be the monitor specs to look out for after resolution. The higher your refresh rate (measured in Hz), the more frequently your monitor matches the frames-per-second generated by your graphics card. The lower your response time (measured in milliseconds), the faster your on-screen pixels will shift from one colour to another.
The difference between a 60Hz refresh rate and the latest 144Hz monitors is something you have to see to believe. A low response time also means that gameplay will feel much more responsive to your inputs. LG’s range of UltraGear gaming monitors have set a new standard for competitive gaming by offering the world’s first 4K Nano IPS 1ms GTG gaming display. With an impressive response time of 1 millisecond – the lowest in the industry – and a 144Hz refresh rate, these monitors provide both unparalleled speeds and stunning picture quality.
When in doubt, choose IPS
UltraGear monitors also feature the latest Nano IPS panels, which use a layer of nanoparticles in the backlighting to deliver better image quality with faster response times. Nano IPS offers better colour reproduction than most twisted nematic (TN) panels, resulting in a colour range that’s 35% greater than SRGB 100%. IPS panels also have better view angles than TN panels, and they’re a lot more responsive than most vertical alignment (VA) panels out there.
Sync tech is essential
If you’re going to buy a new gaming monitor, there’s more to consider than just the hardware specs. A good gaming monitor will come with built-in adaptive syncing technologies, such as AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync. These two technologies were designed to improve displays for gaming specifically and help dynamically synchronise your monitor’s refresh rate with your graphics card, resulting in much a smoother gaming experience.
Let the games begin
The age of gaming is upon us, and what an age it is! The release of Unreal Engine 5 has made it easier than ever for gaming developers to deliver next-gen graphics that blur the line between the virtual and the real, and it’s only going to get better from here. If you’re looking for a display that will step up your game, don’t miss your chance this Black Friday.
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