Updated at: 10-04-2023 - By: Leo Hall

In the realm of gaming, you have more options than just different types of computer monitors, as not all displays are created equal.

A monitor or a TV can be used as a display for any gaming platform, whether it be a PC or a console. If you’d like, you can even use a projector.

In the end, which is better for gaming, a television or a monitor? I don’t know how to respond to that.

The good news is that we’ve put together a comparison guide to help you make an informed decision about whether to buy a monitor or a television set.

TV vs Monitor – How Do They Differ?

Screen Size

The size of the screen is the most visible difference between a monitor and a TV.

The majority of displays nowadays are in the 24-27-inch range, however monitors up to 32 inches are becoming more and more common. There are, of course, monitors of all sizes, some even as huge as televisions, but they aren’t very common. The most common size of television today is 32 inches to 65 inches, however there are both smaller and larger models available.

TV Vs Monitor: Which One Should Be Picked? - GEEKY SOUMYA

If you’re sitting far away from the screen, a larger screen makes it easier to appreciate games or any other entertainment. Specifically, it can enhance the experience of playing split-screen multiplayer games.

If you’re using a display at a desk, the situation changes. Most people agree that monitors larger than 27 inches are uncomfortable to use up close, but the aspect ratio also plays a role. Furthermore, just because a screen is large does not imply that it is of high quality, and this is where the question of resolution comes in.

Resolution

Display resolution is directly related to screen sizes. The resolution tells you how many pixels there are on the screen, which you probably already know. The more pixels in an image, the clearer it appears.

The following resolutions are common on modern monitors:

  • Full HD, or 1080p, is the technical term for high definition television.
  • 1440p, sometimes known as Quad HD or 2K, is a high-definition video format.
  • 2160p, often known as Ultra HD or 4K, is the most commonly used abbreviation.

When it comes to pixel count, these are only the most common resolutions, but there are a few others that may be found depending on the aspect ratio of the display.

An ultrawide 21:9 display would have a resolution of 3440×1440 pixels, whereas a 16:10 model would have a resolution of 2560×1600 pixels, and a 16:9 model would have a resolution of 2560×1600 pixels.

In the meanwhile, you may expect to see the following resolutions on TVs in 2022:

  • 720p, or HD Ready, is a resolution that you’ll only find in some inexpensive televisions (it has long been obsolete when it comes to gaming).
  • Full HD, or 1080p, has been overtaken by 4K, or Ultra HD.
  • The most popular TV resolution in 2022 will be 2160p or 4K, both previously mentioned resolutions.
  • 4320p, or 8K, is the highest TV resolution currently available.

Now that you know what your options are, which one should you make as a resolution?

When it comes to monitors, 1080p is still the most widely used resolution by far. Still, we think 1440p is the best resolution for most modern gaming setups. In 2022, most graphics cards will be able to handle it.

In addition, 4K is generally an overkill for smaller monitors, as the higher pixel density is less evident in smaller screens. Although it’s still superior than 1440p in terms of visuals, the additional hardware requirements make it less practical. In other words, unless you also have a high-end GPU, we wouldn’t recommend it for gamers.

The benefits of a greater resolution are more apparent when it comes to TVs that can easily have a diagonal of 40, 50, or even 60 inches, which is why TVs completely skipped 1440p and leapt directly from Full HD to 4K.

In terms of visual quality, 8K is unquestionably superior to 4K, but given that current GPUs are having trouble handling even 4K, we believe that 8K will be too much for gaming in 2022 and that it will be some time before this changes.

Here, we’ve collected our recommendations in terms of resolution if you need to buy a new TV or monitor.

1440p is the best bet for gaming in 2022, but if you’re on a tight budget, 1080p is still the best option. 4K displays can be found at a reasonable price, but the best ones can cost a lot of money. As previously said, they don’t give much in the way of value unless you have a high-end graphics card.

If you want to learn more about gaming monitors, check out this page.

However, for televisions, 4K is the clear winner. They’re in high demand right now, and they’ll be around for a long time to come. As previously said, 8K is not a realistic resolution for gaming, and 1080p is already obsolete as far as televisions are concerned, so 4K is a safe pick.

There is also a new PlayStation 5 and an Xbox Series X that both aim for 4K video playback. So, if you intend to get either of those, buying a 1080p TV now would really be a waste.

Response Time

There is also a new PlayStation 5 and an Xbox Series X that both aim for 4K video playback. So, if you intend to get either of those, buying a 1080p TV now would really be a waste.

In addition, the upcoming PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X also aim for 4K resolution as its primary goal. To put it another way, if you plan on getting any of those, a 1080p HDTV is a waste of money.

Depending on the type of panel, monitor reaction times typically range from 1 millisecond to 4 milliseconds. Although TN panels are the fastest, their visual quality is typically not up to snuff. When it comes to visual quality, IPS and VA panels have a distinct advantage, but they can’t match the speed of TN monitors. To learn more about this issue, please visit this link:

As a result, most TVs employ IPS or VA panels, which have response times that range from 5ms to 8ms, while some can reach 16ms. Consequently, the above-mentioned motion blur and ghosting can be more apparent on lower-resolution TVs, thanks to long response times.

Most people don’t notice the negative impacts of long response times until the response time reaches 10 milliseconds or more. You may notice the difference if you’re used to playing games on a 1ms monitor, but it is entirely up to you.

Refresh Rates

The monitor’s refresh rate is an additional consideration when selecting a display for gaming.

How many times the display refreshes the image each second is determined by its refresh rate, which is expressed in Hertz (Hz). Nevertheless, the refresh rate of a display also indicates the number of frames per second that it can display..

There are a number of benefits to running at a higher framerate. For the most part, the new version of the game offers improved responsiveness, fluidity, and overall enjoyment. A small but potentially significant advantage can be gained in multiplayer games by decreasing motion blur with this.

TV vs Monitor - Which Should You Pick For Gaming? [2020 Update] - Colorfy

However, how do monitors and televisions stack up in this regard??

The following are typical reaction times for monitors:

  • For a long period, 60 Hz was the standard refresh rate for most displays.
  • Much faster and more responsive at 144 Hz.
  • It’s perfect for competitive gaming because of its unmatched responsiveness.

There are some differences in reaction times, such as 75 Hz, 100 Hz, and 120 Hz, among others, just like with resolutions.

TVs, on the contrary, didn’t put that much stock in refresh rates. However, you can now get TVs that advertise 120 Hz and 240 Hz refresh rates, however the situation is a little more convoluted.

Refresh rates were less of a consideration in TVs. TVs with refresh rates as high as 120 Hz and 240Hz are already available, however the situation is more complicated.

In other words, when a TV advertises a 120 Hz effective refresh rate, its natural refresh rate is 60 Hz. In order to get the best picture, you’ll need a TV with a native 120 Hz refresh rate, which isn’t cheap.

However, monitors are your best bet if you want a quick and responsive display. Additionally, a high native refresh rate monitor is less expensive than an equivalent high native refresh rate television, making them superior in terms of speed and responsiveness.

Input Lag

An advantage of using a monitor rather than a TV for playing console games is reduced input lag, the amount of time it takes for a signal received by the screen to be processed and displayed on it. Filters like noise reduction and upscaling are commonly used in televisions to enhance picture quality, however this adds latency and degrades the viewing experience. When playing video games on a console, none of these enhancements will make a difference in terms of visual quality because the console and game engine have so much control over these aspects. Latency can be added by any additional processing on the television side.

A perceptible delay occurs between the time you push a button and the time you see the action on the screen because of lag or latency. When it comes to monitors, however, the input lag is not as bad. Directly from the console, they transfer the digital signal to the screen without any processing, resulting in a speedy visual reaction to button inputs on your controller. Lag can be reduced from 60 milliseconds to 20 milliseconds on some TV models, although this still falls well short of a monitor’s benchmark of 10 milliseconds.

When it comes to competitive gaming or getting the most out of your TV, monitors are the finest option. The rule is: the lower the input lag, the better, which is especially true for fast-paced games like shooters.

Image quality and HDR

When it comes to competitive gaming or getting the most out of your TV, monitors are the finest option. The rule is: the lower the input lag, the better, which is especially true for fast-paced games like shooters.

When it comes to competitive gaming or getting the most out of your TV, monitors are the finest choice. For fast-paced games like shooters, the rule is that the lesser the input lag, the better.

There is virtually no competition when HDR is taken into account. HDR (high dynamic range) has become a popular feature in gaming monitors, but it’s still widely available on televisions. If you’re playing on a PC, you won’t be able to enjoy most of your material in HDR, unlike the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X.

It’s no surprise that so many gamers are switching from televisions to monitors as HDR and IPS panels improve color reproduction and viewing angles.

Pricing

While gaming TVs exist, getting one with the desired features often comes with a price penalty. It’s because TVs are larger, more complicated, and more expensive to make due of their size and complexity.

While gaming TVs exist, getting one with the desired features often comes with a price penalty. It’s because TVs are larger, more complicated, and more expensive to make due of their size and complexity.

Comfort

While gaming TVs do exist, they may be very expensive if you want a model with all the bells and whistles you want. As a result, TVs are larger, more sophisticated, and more expensive to make.

Viewing distance

Playing video games on your couch or bed is much more convenient because to the greater screen size of a TV. With monitors, you’ll need to get closer to your screen because they’re so little. A high-end gaming chair won’t make you as comfortable at a desk as a comfy couch or bed would, so unless you have that kind of money, you’ll have to settle for a cheap chair.

Because of the increased responsiveness, PC gamers don’t mind spending their time hunched over a desk.

Curved versus flat TVs comparison chart may be found right here.

Viewing angles

In your living room, you may sit in a variety of positions without the colors changing, thanks to the vast range of viewing angles provided by televisions. Hardcore gamers should not invest in an IPS monitor, as they are more expensive and do not offer as many viewing angles as TN panels. The wide viewing angles and enormous sizes of televisions make them ideal for watching movies and television shows. When it comes to viewing angles, TVs may seem to have the upper hand over monitors, but remember that you’re more likely to be sitting in front of your monitor when you’re gaming.

TV vs Monitor | What is the Difference between TV and Monitor ? [HINDI] - YouTube

FAQS:

Is it better to game on a TV or monitor?

HDR is often better on a TV than on a computer display. But you should be aware of the fact that TVs aren’t terrific all-around monitors for computers. Similarly, if you have extremely specific wants and preferences, such as ultra-low latency for esports, or desire ultra-wide aspect ratios for that extra immersion, then it has to be a gaming monitor.

Is it bad to use a TV as a computer monitor for gaming?

Yes, that’s the quick answer. It’s possible that you’ll need a particular cable depending on the outputs of your PC and the inputs of your HDTV, but most recent PCs and HDTVs may be easily connected. HDMI ports are available on most new HDTVs.

Conclusion:

So, which is better for gaming: a monitor or a television?

This depends mostly on personal preference and the device on which you intend to play your games. We understand how difficult it may be to get the proper mix between resolution, performance, and price, so we’ve summarized our findings for your convenience:

Monitors are generally more responsive, and a high native refresh rate isn’t going to cost you too much. Designed for desktop PCs, they’re an excellent choice.

A bigger screen means that 4K TVs are ideal for gaming on the couch in the living room, but some may feel that the faster response times are too distracting.

It is possible to connect a console or PC to a TV without any problems, as long as both are connected to a monitor.