Your Monitor Might Be Holding You Back
Something most people don’t think about: if you’ve got a nice GPU but you’re still gaming on a 60Hz monitor, you’re wasting performance. I upgraded from a 60Hz to 144Hz last year and games felt completely different. Smoother, more responsive, just better.
The good news is you don’t need to spend $800+ anymore to get something great.
Quick Comparison
| Monitor | Resolution | Refresh | Panel | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG 27GP850-B | 1440p | 165Hz | Nano IPS | [Check Price] |
| Samsung Odyssey G5 | 1440p | 165Hz | VA | [Check Price] |
| ASUS VG27AQ1A | 1440p | 170Hz | IPS | [Check Price] |
| Dell S2722DGM | 1440p | 165Hz | VA | [Check Price] |
| AOC 24G2 | 1080p | 144Hz | IPS | [Check Price] |
Top 5 Picks
1. LG 27GP850-B
This is the one I ended up buying for myself. 1440p, 165Hz (you can push it to 180Hz), and the colors are actually good enough for photo editing on the side.
The Nano IPS panel covers 98% DCI-P3, which sounds like marketing speak but it means colors pop without looking oversaturated. I’ve had it for about 8 months now and no complaints. G-Sync and FreeSync both work fine.
There’s some IPS glow in the corners if you’re in a dark room, but I’ve stopped noticing it. The HDR400 certification is basically useless though - just ignore that spec. Stand is pretty basic too, I swapped it for a monitor arm eventually.
2. Samsung Odyssey G5
My roommate got this one because he wanted the curved screen experience without spending a fortune. The 1000R curve is pretty aggressive and takes some getting used to, but he swears by it now for single player games.
VA panel means the blacks are actually black, unlike IPS. Great for horror games or anything with dark scenes. The contrast ratio is noticeably better.
The downside is VA smearing - fast motion in dark areas leaves trails. It’s not terrible but it’s there. Also the curve isn’t for everyone. Some people hate it.
3. ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ1A
This is the “does everything pretty well” option. 170Hz, decent colors, ELMB Sync for motion clarity, even built-in speakers that are… functional. They’re not good but they work in a pinch.
I tested this at a friend’s place for a few weeks. It handles gaming and regular work fine. Not the fastest response time ever, and the stand takes up a lot of desk space, but it’s versatile.
If you use the same monitor for work and gaming, this makes sense.
4. Dell S2722DGM
Dell doesn’t get much love in gaming circles but this monitor is sneaky good. 1440p, 165Hz, curved VA panel, and Dell’s 3-year warranty is actually useful.
My cousin has one and honestly I was surprised by the quality. Input lag is low, colors are decent for a VA panel, and it cost him less than most competitors.
The stand is wobbly which is annoying, and it has the same VA smearing issues as other VA panels. But for the price? Hard to beat.
5. AOC 24G2
Sometimes 1080p is all you need. If you play competitive shooters like Valorant or CS2, higher resolution won’t make you aim better. It just makes your GPU work harder.
The AOC 24G2 is what a lot of budget esports setups use. 144Hz, IPS colors, frameless design, and it costs significantly less than everything else on this list.
Build quality is nothing special and you “only” get 144Hz instead of 165Hz, but for competitive gaming this does the job just fine.
Panel Types - Quick Guide
| Panel | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| IPS | Great colors, wide viewing angles | IPS glow in corners, usually costs more |
| VA | Deep blacks, high contrast | Smearing in dark fast motion |
| TN | Fastest response times | Colors look washed out, bad viewing angles |
For most people, IPS is the way to go. VA if you play a lot of atmospheric or horror games in the dark.
Specs That Matter
Resolution
- 1080p: Still fine for esports, easier on your GPU
- 1440p: Sweet spot right now - noticeable upgrade without being too demanding
- 4K: Honestly overkill for most gaming, and you need a beefy GPU
Refresh Rate
- 60Hz: Just don’t. Not for gaming in 2026.
- 144Hz: This is the baseline now
- 165Hz-240Hz: Diminishing returns but nice to have
Response Time
Every monitor claims “1ms” but those specs are usually measured in ways that don’t reflect real-world use. Read actual reviews that test response times properly - the marketing numbers are mostly useless.
What I’d Recommend
Most people: LG 27GP850-B - it’s great at everything
Best value: Dell S2722DGM - better than you’d expect for the price
Esports players: AOC 24G2 - save your money, 1080p 144Hz is all you need
Prices change all the time, check current deals before buying.