If you game often, you've probably thought about buying one of those cool curved monitors that appear in ads that follow you while you browse. If so, you're in luck, because we bring you one complete guide of what you should take into account when buying them, in addition to a preselection of some of best curved monitors so that you are always right.
Curved monitors to play yes or no? What should you take into account? What do all those incomprehensible features that appear when you search for one mean?
Quiet that We will answer all the questions you have about curved monitors in this comprehensive, quick and easy guide, as well as giving you several great options.
Let's get to it, starting with the most important question.
Are curved monitors worth it for gaming?
In general, if the monitor is of good quality (we'll see what will make it so) and if you use the computer to play mainly, so yesIt's worth it and we'll tell you why. But first, a warning.
If the main use of your computer is something else, such as programming, designing or writing, and you only use it to play games in a few spare moments, then choose a flat monitor.
The distortion of the angles and colors produced by the curve will make graphic design impossible for you and writing and programming rare. We do not recommend it in that case.
What are the benefits?
Several, starting with the fact that a more immersive in-game experience, similar to movie screens with a slight curve.
Besides that, you field of vision will be narrower, which is an advantage. This way you will better see that enemy who sticks his face out of a corner, without the need for your eyes to be scanning from one side to the other such a distance from one end of the monitor to the other.
That connects with another advantage, eyestrain will be less, because you don't have to look so far.
And the disadvantages?
Well, if it's to play and you don't do other activities, like the ones we've named, then the main disadvantage is the price. Curved monitors are more expensive.
Another disadvantage is that they can try to sneak in features that are inferior to those of a flat monitor at a higher price. But don't worry, because we'll explain how to easily figure out those features and know if you're looking at a good monitor.
How to know if a curved monitor is good for gaming
When you're looking at monitors, the first thing to do is look at what's called "the 3 R's". Refresh, Resolution and Response. Besides that, we'll consider a couple more things.
Let's go see them.
Refresh rate
the more the better. This number indicates the number of times the screen refreshes the image every second. It's measured in hertz (Hz), and until recently, all monitors were 60 Hz, but that's history.
This is similar to cinema, if you have 60 Hz, the image is updated 60 times per second, so 60 can fit. frames per second or FPS. If you have 120hz it refreshes 120 times. That means the image will be smoother, having less tearing and jerks, the nemesis of gamers.
Here is an illustrative video to see the differences.
Decision
the more the better again, but keeping in mind an important detail. This number is the number of pixels your screen can display at one time. A Full HD monitor will have 1920 x 1080 pixels and a 4K will have 3840 x 2160.
And the important detail?
The fact that higher resolution images will require more powerful graphics so that everything goes smoothly and you really take advantage of that refresh rate from before.
So take a good look at your benefits. If the GPU you have is not powerful, too much resolution will make everything jerky and a 12 year old with a bigger GTX will kill you and insult your mom in passing. Of course, you can always lower the resolution in games, but what fun is that?
Response time
the less the better. It is the time it takes for a pixel to change color and having a high response means ghosting or residual ghost images. If you are a gamer, you will already know that this is very unpleasant to experience.
Today they are usually around 4 ms (milliseconds) of response. More than that is not recommended.
Variable refresh technology
It is used to synchronize the refresh rate of the monitor with the one that the PC takes out. If they are out of step, the dreaded tearing, images that do not match and sensation of pulling.
If your gaming monitor has such technology, here's what to look out for:
- if your card is Nvidia, technology G-sync.
- if your card is AMD, technology freesync.
If the curved gaming monitor is even decent, it will support both.
The size
The more the better. Size matters in life, nothing you don't already know. If the monitor is curved, with a lot of size, you won't have that feeling of sitting in the front row of the cinema and having to look from one side to the other, missing out on part of the action.
Here it depends a bit on your preferences and the place you have in the room, but for now, although this kind of monitor usually starts at 27 inches (less doesn't make much sense, really, although there are 24's) aim for 34 inches to enjoy that more immersive experience.
Other things to consider in a curved monitor for gaming
The most important thing is what we have seen, but other things must also be taken into account:
- color fidelity. Someone is going to come and say that I have no idea, but the color fidelity It is not essential if you only play, it is so. No monitor goes so far into this that you see green as blue. This is a must if you do graphic design or video, but you don't need 100% Adobe fidelity if you play games.
- monitor technology. There are several, choose IPS, that's all you need to know, it's not like you're going to see many of another variety.
Curved monitor models: best options
Knowing all this, you can now go to your favorite store and be able to translate all those terms and abbreviations. However, we make it much easier for you with this shortlist of the best curved monitors to play.
Xiaomi Mi Curved Gaming Monitor, all the requirements at an excellent price
If you have stayed with something of what we have told you, you will see that this monitor practically meets all the ideals. 34 inches (with which the curve makes sense and is better used) WQHD resolution (3440 x 1440), refresh by none other than 144 Hz and AMD Freesync technology.
Don't worry about the latter if you have Nvidia, it also has G-Sync compatibility, even if it is not officially approved.
It is about 460 euros and, for that price, it's an excellent choice that has it all.
See offer on AmazonYeyian Sigurd, the good, beautiful and cheap option
We understand, you don't have a euro and neither do we. For those cases, there is this Yeyian Sigurd from 27 inches which is very good for just over 200 euros.
Ideal for getting started with a curved monitor, you obviously sacrifice things. Mainly, the resolution, it's only Full HD (1920 x 1080). In your favor the 165 Hz refresh rate (forget about both, it's actually 144 Hz, but it's plenty) and that it has Freesync and G-Sync.
See offer on AmazonSamsung C27F396FHR brand name curved monitor at low price
We get it, you don't want to take chances with brands you don't know. In that case, choose this 27-inch Samsung, knowing what you leave in the inkwell in addition to size, refresh rate and resolution.
It's a traditional 60 Hz monitor and its resolution is 1280 x 1024. You can't ask for more for the price either.
See offer on AmazonAsus ROG Strix XG349C, for the gamer without budget problems
If you have all the money to burn, go professional. This Asus ROG is a curved monitor to play that exceeds 1000 euros, but you take practically everything.
34 inches, WQHD resolution (3440 x 1440), technologies of all kinds to gain that microsecond advantage and make everything look sharper than reality and faster than a Tesla. In addition, it also has 180 Hz refresh. Almost nothing, you will be the envy.
See offer on AmazonNow you know, we will have given you long teeth, but if you are tempted by a curved monitor to play, you already know everything you need and you will not fail with any of the options that we have given you.