New Computer? Don’t Forget About the Monitor

There are many things to consider and budget for when planning a custom PC build. At the heart of this process is the usage scenario. What exactly will your PC be doing most of the time? If you’re gaming, what kinds of games will you be playing? Besides the internal hardware of your PC, you must also carefully consider the display that you will use. Computer monitors vary greatly, and just like the PC itself, the monitor you will need depends primarily on the usage scenario.

When looking at a monitor, the two most impactful factors on the viewing experience are a) the refresh rate and b) the screen resolution. The refresh rate is the rate at which the pixels refresh to display an image, and the higher that rate is, the smoother the viewing experience. This is especially beneficial for faster paced games that require lightning reflexes. The screen resolution of a monitor is the density of the pixels in a length times width format. Some common resolutions are 1080p (1920 x 1080), 2k (2560 x 1440), and 4k (3840 x 2160). A higher screen resolution means the display image will be more crisp and exact.

The most important quality to remember is balance. What monitor you purchase will be determined by the hardware in your PC, primarily between the processor and graphics card components. The expectations that you have for a monitor should match the power of the hardware in your PC. For example, you shouldn’t expect a budget gaming computer build to run modern games at 4k with a smooth 60 fps. Understanding the components in a computer will help you to choose the correct monitor for your new build.

Ready to plan your new setup? By consulting with experienced builders, you can be sure to balance your computer with your display monitor, making your overall gaming experience more enjoyable and maximizing the use of your budget as efficiently as possible. Be sure to contact us for information about any current or future PC builds.