The Importance of Response Time in Gaming Monitors: What Gamers Should Know
Response Time Makes the Difference in Gaming.
As all gamers know, response time is an essential factor to consider when purchasing gaming monitors.
It refers to the time it takes for a pixel to change from one colour to another. It is measured in milliseconds (ms), and a lower response time is better for gaming.
A fast response time is crucial in gaming because it helps to reduce motion blur and ghosting.
Motion blur occurs when there is a delay in the image displayed on the screen, causing images to blur during fast-moving scenes – not ideal in the heat of battle!
Ghosting occurs when a previous image is still visible on the screen while a new image is displayed.
These effects can be distracting and impact gameplay not in your favour.
Gaming monitors with a lower response time can provide a smoother and more immersive gaming experience.
It allows you to react faster to in-game events, giving you a better chance to give the opposition something to think about!
Response Time
As this article’s title alludes to the importance of response time, let’s break down the basics of why it is so important to ALL gamers.
It refers to the time it takes for a pixel to change from one colour to another, and a lower response time is better for gaming.
A fast response time can reduce motion blur and ghosting, providing a smoother and more immersive gaming experience.
Other factors to consider include:
- Resolution
- Refresh Rate
- Input Lag
A higher resolution can provide sharper and more detailed images.
In contrast, a higher refresh rate can provide smoother and more responsive gameplay.
Input lag is the delay between pressing a controller button and seeing the screen’s action. A lower input lag is better for gaming.
In addition to these factors, it is also essential to consider the size of the monitor, the type of panel (such as TN, IPS, or VA), and the price.
Choosing a monitor with a size and panel type that suits your gaming needs and budget is what you want to be researching and considering before you get going.
Action Games
For example, a lower response time can be the difference between winning or losing a gunfight in first-person shooter games.
You won’t be a popular team member if you can see someone sneaking up on every time and blowing you away when you are supposed to be diffusing the bomb!
Racing
It can also be beneficial in racing games, where quick reflexes are necessary to avoid obstacles and overtake opponents.
Response time is crucial for competitive gaming.
In e-sports, every millisecond counts, and a fast response time can give players a significant advantage over your opponents.
Professional gamers often use monitors with response times as low as 1 ms to ensure they have the fastest reaction times possible.
A fast response time can reduce motion blur and ghosting, ensuring images and videos are displayed accurately and without distortion.
Considering these factors is a good idea when purchasing a gaming monitor.
Your Checklist
Use this as a basic checklist as the sign of a good monitor can impact:
- Your Gaming Experience
- Motion Blur
- Ghosting
- Reaction Time
- PLUS your CONFIDENCE!
A fast response time gives you a more immersive gaming experience and a BIG advantage in competitive gaming.
A higher resolution can provide sharper and more detailed images.
Choosing a monitor with a size and panel type that suits your gaming needs and budget is more than recommended.
TIPS
As a gamer, whether you are experienced or new to it, you should look for a gaming monitor with the following:
- A Fast Response Time
- High Resolution
- High Refresh Rate
- Low Input Lag
Plus, a size and panel type that suits your needs and budget. Also, remember to bring your A-game to the table, too, as the monitor can’t do everything for you!
So, when you are looking to drop a few bucks on a gaming monitor, think about these factors, and then you can go into live gaming with confidence, which, let’s be honest, is the backbone of ANY sport.
If you know you’ve got the kit, your mentality is ‘BRING IT!’ And gaming is becoming a global sport, where people are now making careers out of it.
When you’re young and feeling your way into it, naturally, the most expensive kit on the market can be out of your reach, but as you get into it, you’ll understand the difference between premium spec equipment and general equipment.
It’s a learning process like every game, but as long as you keep the basics in mind, it’ll help you grow into it.
SUMMARY
New gamers should look for gaming monitors with a fast response time, high resolution, high refresh rate, low input lag, and a size and panel type that suits your needs and budget. Once you’ve got the information, your gaming experience will improve, and if you weren’t competitive before, you will be now!
