How big does a gaming monitor really need to be?

Having a good gaming computer is only half the battle – you also need a screen that makes the action clearly visible. Many people find it difficult to decide on the correct size. gaming monitor With sizes so large these days, you might think bigger is better. However, other factors are equally important, and large monitors also have disadvantages. We take a closer look at what’s important when choosing a size and how to find the right monitor for your purposes.

Further reading: 2025 will be the best year ever to buy a monitor. that’s why

Consider available space

When purchasing a monitor, you should of course also consider how much free space you have. A huge monitor won’t look good on a relatively small desk, and you should always leave enough space for your keyboard, mouse, and speakers. You should also make sure there is enough space between you and the monitor. A depth of approximately 60 cm is sufficient.

Which type is suitable?

You should consider what type of games you want to play on this monitor, as it plays an important role in the size of the display surface.

If you like cinematic, story-driven games that showcase all aspects and emotions of your characters, then showing action on a microdisplay isn’t appropriate. It breaks immersion. It’s also not a bad idea to use a model with as few edges as possible, preferably with a slight curvature. This will draw them more into the action. In this case, it is recommended to use a 27 to 32-inch monitor, preferably in ultrawide format.

When it comes to shooters, especially multiplayer games, the adage “bigger is better” holds true. This is because the changed size also gives you a larger field of view. A lot can happen on either side of the screen, so ultrawide is a better fit here.

It’s a completely different story for eSports games, especially ones like this StarCraft or MOBA games. You’ll often see monitors that are almost square or in a 4:3 format. These screens aren’t very big either. Here, a 24-inch monitor will suffice.

Pay attention to resolution and refresh rate

In addition to target size, resolution also plays an important role. For maximum detail and clarity, you should choose 4K resolution. However, as already mentioned, UHD and WQHD monitors are also suitable for many games.

Refresh rate is also important. If your monitor can only handle 60Hz but you need fast response times, a larger screen won’t help. For shooters and demanding games, 144Hz is a must.

Is it really only suitable for games?

You should also consider whether you’ll be using the monitor for other tasks, such as streaming media, watching movies, or web browsing. Even if you use your screen more frequently for work, you might still want a larger screen, especially if you’re multitasking with multiple windows. However, using a second screen might also be a good idea.

in conclusion

When it comes to monitors, no one size fits all. However, the most affordable is the 27-inch range. A larger model with higher resolution can make a significant difference, but so can upgrading to an expensive CPU or GPU.

Further reading: The best gaming monitors we’ve ever tested