What to consider when buying a monitor for your computer

For most computer users, the monitor is not the priority when it comes to setting up the right system. While they may not have a huge impact on the performance of the entire system setup, they will significantly influence how you use the system. They are the windows to your computer contents and will guide you through every operation. Also, since you are going to spend hours staring into them, it is very crucial that you choose the perfect monitor. Even if your desktop computer came with a monitor that wouldn’t meet your need, you can upgrade easily.

Things you must consider when buying a computer monitor

Just like other hardware components of your computer, monitors are of different types. You will find lots of options on the market and choosing one can cause you serious selection headache. Here, however, are some of the most important things to look for in order to get the perfect monitor for your computer:

1. The Right Connection Type

The first and most important thing to find out about any monitor you are considering to buy is whether it can hook up to your PC. Unless it is compatible with your computer, it will be hard or impossible to set up with the monitor. You just need to check the output of your computer first to know the kinds of ports it has. If your video card outputs in Digital Visual Interface (DVI), you should consider a monitor with this port for easy connection without an adapter. High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is very common and convenient: if your computer supports it, you will find top quality monitors to buy.

2. The Right Size

The size of the monitor is another important factor to consider when it comes to monitors. The size you will need will depend on what you want to achieve with your setup or the tasks you perform regularly. Larger monitors, for instance, are great for graphic related purposes. It is very likely that you already have a size in mind: go for the right size for your need and can comfortably fit in the space you have planned for it. Bigger monitors are generally more expensive than smaller ones, though other features influence the price.

3. Good Aspect Ratio

The aspect ratio defines the shape of your monitor: it is the ratio of the width of the screen panel to its height. While older models of monitors used 4:3 aspect ratio, most models you will find on the market today use 16:9, which is the same as modern televisions. 16:9 is preferred for graphics works because it is most ideal for full-screen video viewing. Some monitors feature 16:10 aspect ratio, which is a little taller but also great for professionals. For computers that will be used for multitasking, there are special types of monitors with 16:9 aspect ratio that works great. These are ultrawide monitors that are mostly expensive.

4. Great Resolution

The screen resolution is another important spec to consider when choosing the perfect monitor for your computer. A great screen resolution makes pictures and images on the monitor appear sharper. Modern display devices create images with pixels and the resolution of a monitors expresses the total number of pixels it can display, expressed as a number value of horizontal by vertical. The standard for modern monitors is 1920×1080, which means they display over two million individual pixels. They are simply referred to as 1080p. There are monitors with higher resolutions including 3840 x 2160, which are commonly called 4K resolution because they are four times and sharp as 1080p. You should choose according to your specific need and what you can afford.

5. Color Display

The number of colors a monitor can display will greatly influence the quality of images you will see. You need to consider only monitors that can display the full 16.7 million colors (24 bit) possible from an RGB color space. Almost every modern monitor you will find on the market will be 24-bit color capable so this is not something you should worry so much about. It is important, however, that you pay attention to this if you are buying a budget monitor.

6. Good Refresh Rate

Refresh rate is something you should seriously consider is you want to use your monitor for gaming. It describes how often the monitor refreshes images on the screen. It is an important factor when it comes to how smooth the motion will be and is expressed in hertz. The standard for LCD monitors is 60 hertz and you shouldn’t consider any monitor with a lower refresh rate. Gamers who want the best gaming experience should consider monitors with better refresh rate. Some gaming-branded monitors may feature between 120 and 240 hertz.

7. Brightness

Brightness is not one of the major things to consider as most modern monitors put out enough light to make the screen bright enough. Brightness is measured in units of candela per square meter, commonly expressed as nits. You need to make sure that the monitor you want to buy has a rating that is greater than 200 nits. You will find many monitors that are rated up to 300 nits, and they allow for better display of color and better contrast ratios. If you are going to use the monitor for gaming or graphics designing, brighter monitors will be better.

8. Reasonable Price Range

While most top quality monitors are always a little expensive, it is possible to find great models at a reasonable price range. You should do your homework properly to identify great deals on the market. It can be helpful to decide on a budget and find a good monitor with the right features that fit in the price range. It is important, however, to spend more to get the right monitor when you need it for professional tasks.

9. Other Important Features

There are several other important features to look for in a good monitor for your computer. Touchscreen technology is one of such features to consider. If you need it and can afford it, go for such monitors. Other features to look for include USB hub, curved screen, adjustable stand, VESA compatibility, display chain, integrated speakers, as well as multiple inputs.

Wrapping up

The monitor you use for your computer will significantly influence your overall experience. By looking at the important specs and features discussed here, you will be able to find the perfect monitor for your computer system.

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