updated: July 2017
Monitors Checklist
For Allrounders, I recommend:
(casual gaming, picture/video editing, office work, streaming, browsing, etc.):
This monitor is great for almost everybody, that spends a lot of time in front of their PC. Its size is perfect for getting things done and enjoying videos/pictures in great quality.
Personalize:
Gaming as first priority:
Hardcore Gamers, prefer Monitors with lower response times (1ms), more FPS (~144 Hz) with Free Sync/G-Sync (depends on your graphics card). IPS panels can't deliver these specs, so you have to get a TN-Display. They are cheaper, but their color reproduction and viewing angles are bad.
Maybe you even want to consider geting an ultrawide, so you see a little bit more on the sides.
Dell Gaming S27106DG (~549 $)
27" QHD (2560x1440) TN
144 Hz, G-Sync, 1ms
AOC Agon AG271QX (~400 $)
27" QHD (2560x1440) TN
165 Hz, Free Sync, 1ms
Budget
I've got to admit, that 400$ is a lot of money! But you always have to ask yourself, how much time you spend in front of your PC (e.g. working).
For those, who don't think it's worth:
You should at least get a monitor with FullHD resolution, a 24" display and if possible: get an IPS- or VA-panel. TN looks so lifeless, once you've seen the difference.
BenQ EW Series EW2775ZH (~190 $)
27" FHD (1920x1080) VA
Acer R240HY bidx (~129 $)
23.8" FHD (1920x1080) IPS
60 Hz
other preferences
Maybe you want:
♠ an ultrawide, for better multitasking
♠ 4k resolution for even better content creation
♠ over 30" display size, because you watch a lot of TV-Series with friends and have no TV in your room (this is pretty uncomfortable for the normal use though)
♠ touch? Maybe want a Wacom, because you draw a lot?
♠ double- or even tripple-monitor setup?
♠ ...
As always, think about what things you do on your PC and set a budget beforehand.
LG 34UM58-P (~349$)
34" FullHD+ (2560x1080) IPS
75 Hz, 99% sRGB, 5ms
The "34UM68-P" has FreeSync
LG 27UD68-W (~549 $)
27" 4K (3840x2160) IPS
60 Hz, IPS, 99% sRGB, 5ms
Samsung C49HG90 (~1500 $)
49" (3840x1080) VA - Quantum Dot Technology
144 Hz FreeSync 2, HDR 1ms (MPRT) 32:9 ratio
LG 38UC99-W (~1500 $)
38" UltraWide QHD (3840x1600) IPS
60 Hz, Free Sync (52-75Hz), 5ms
Professional
Depending, in what business you are working, you need different Color-Spaces (e.g. Adobe-RGB or DCI-P3). Also make sure, that you have the display calibrated correctly and the lighting next to your work space does not influence the picture quality.
16:9 vs 21:9 (ultrawide)
There is a lot of hype about ultrawide monitors. So here is my opinion:
16:9
- better for TV series
- better for "aerial view - games" (e.g. MOBA)
- most content is optimized for this ratio
21:9
- better for movies
- better for "first person view - games" (e.g. Shooter)
- great for movie/picture editing
I think both sides have their strengths. In the end, you should ask yourself, what is more suitable to you. Let's be honest. Ultrawides look extremely sexy, but they also come with a premium price.
Specs
Size in inches (")
Aspect Ratio (most common:)
- normal (16/9)
- ultrawide (21/9)
Resolution
- FullHD/1080p (1920x1080)
- QHD/1440p (2560x1440)
- UHD/4K (3840x2160)
- 5K (5120x2880)
Refresh Rate
(tells you how many frames per second can be shown, when everything is ideal)
- 60Hz
- ...
- 144Hz
Brightness in cd/m^2
Color Depth (Number of Colors)
HighDynamicRange
6 bit/8 bit/10 bit/...
Display Technology
- TN-panel (bad Viewing Angle Stability (TN-Film solves that), short Reaction Times, mediocre Color Precision, Cheap)
- VA-panel (high Contrast, better Colors, long Reaction Times)
- IPS-panel (extremely high Color Precision, high Viewing Angle Stability, high Contrast, good Reaction Times, little Expensive)
- LED Backlit Displays are the standard for most panels (thin and energy efficient)
- OLED (This Display Technology is not perfect yet and extremely expensive, so there are not a lot of PC-Monitors yet)
- Quantum Dot (new technology, which is not as vibrant as OLED, but has better reaction times, no burn-in.)
Ports
- HDMI (most common, but you need at least version 2.0 to get more than 30Hz@4K)
- Display Port (very common version 1.2 is enough for 60Hz@4K)
- DVI (not very modern, but still used pretty often)
- VGA (pretty old, analog)
- USB-C + Thunderbolt 3 (you can display 4K videos, transfer data and charge your compatible device, all at the same time)
Extras, that might matter:
- Height and Angle adjustable
- glare/nonglare/... display
- Anti-Tearing (NVIDIA G-Sync / AMD FreeSync)
- Integrated Speakers / AudioOut
- Standard Wall Mount Interface
- Switchable Modes / Color Rendering (e.g. sRGB, Adobe RGB, DCI-P3-Standard)
- Touch / ActivePen / ...
- Hub (USB-Ports, etc.)
- Pivot
- Screen-Split
- Comfort Eye
- Lots of professional Functions, like Self-Calibration...
- ...