Selecting a monitor for work. What criteria should you use to choose a monitor for your computer?

Having finally collected the full amount to purchase a gaming configuration, many exhale with joy - a monitor, keyboard and other hard drives will no longer require large expenses. The average person exhales and... makes a mistake. A monitor worthy of a top-end configuration will also cost its owner a pretty penny. Is it worth buying a real gaming palantir for a tidy sum, or can you limit yourself to inheriting from an old configuration? Let's look into the details.

A Minute of Retrospect

Oldfags remember well the times when a monitor was bought along with a system unit, keyboard, mouse and speakers. An adult audience will probably remember this chimera from a work PC in the office or at home, while a younger audience will remember a computer bought by their parents exclusively “for study.” In those days, it was generally not customary to think about the frequency and resolution of the screen. Gamers killing hours playing the third Heroes or some Quake had no time for frame rate and response time - they were guided by the principle “A good computer, nothing slows down.” Under " good computer“implied the absence of very obvious drops in FPS. At that time, no one had measured them yet, let alone the monitor response time.

But as old Solid Snake once said, "War has changed" and now on the fields of multiplayer (and single-player) battles, some “ms” in the time between the mouse click and the display of the action on the screen are also taken into account. Yes, still the quantity RAM, video card and powerful processor, as they say, “decide”, but much more has become dependent on the monitor than ten years ago.

This is both picture quality and, no matter how trite and hackneyed it may sound, safety for the eyes. Here, rather, it is not the overall harm from screen flickering that will be taken into account, but the influence of different levels of technology on this indicator. A situation familiar to many - circumstances forced me to sit down at an old PC with a “box” monitor (CRT monitor), and after half an hour my eyes popped out of my head. Yes, and getting a frag, especially for a player in some top league, will be problematic if the game process is perceived with a slight delay.

Main characteristics of a gaming monitor

Now the hardware market is not suffering - of course, the crisis darkens the picture a little, but this is more likely for the buyer; dozens of new products can still be found on the windows. Let’s keep silent about online stores; Amazon alone is worth it. It’s very easy to get lost in the ocean of assortment; a sales consultant will most likely try to sell you the most expensive model, while the community on Amazon will try to sell you the most “average” one in terms of price and quality ratio. Let's try to understand the main characteristics of monitors and their properties, so as not to regret wasted money.

Monitor diagonal

Perhaps the very first factor that both buyers and manufacturers pay attention to. The size of the screen directly affects both its attractiveness for gamers and the cost of production for the developer company. For gamers, several main diagonals can be defined:

The mass audience is increasingly choosing 24-27-inch diagonals. If you want something exotic, then go ahead - 30" monitor to help. But it is worth considering that eyes are simply not able to capture such a wide screen, so approximately 20% of the space will remain useless. The manufacturer increases the price for every inch, so the choice is not the most profitable. How to get out of the situation - models with curved display. Curved just to cover the maximum space visible to the eye.

Screen resolution and aspect ratio

The second indicator of screen size, responsible for number of pixels in the image. The main principle is More is better. But it is worth taking into account the complete dependence of the level of productivity on established resolution.

The main layer of all modern media products is designed with an aspect ratio of 16:9, which replaced the outdated 4:3. This is a classic “rectangular” format, familiar to every modern user, perhaps the most relevant and popular of all those present on the market. In addition to convenient gaming, it also allows you to comfortably watch movies without black bars along the borders of the screen. The 16:10 monitor will be slightly taller than its predecessor and will be more suitable for working with office applications and media editors.

As for resolution, everything is much more transparent here:

• HD - 1366x768 pixels

Does not require large expenditures on hardware, but also the full potential modern graphics will not reveal.

• Full HD - 1920x1080 pixels

There is a standard high requirement for hardware with the graphics cranked up to the maximum, and, accordingly, a high level of that very “graphonia”.

• Ultra HD or 4k -2560x1440\3840x2160 pixels

The youngest standard presented. This standard is no longer a lordly luxury, but remains a representative of the premium segment. A number of top games already offer the opportunity to enjoy the game in 4K. For example, in Watch Dog 2 the screen of the gaming mobile phone looks clearer than mine in real life. And YouTube has long been ready to happily show cats in UHD - a reason to think about it.

Matrix type

The main parameters of the monitor depend on the type of matrix:

• Color rendering level

The quality of transmitted colors and their “reality” are in accordance with real analogues. This parameter is especially important for working with photos and videos, but in the case of games, let’s not forget it either. Every year the graphics become more realistic, which means the number of colors and shades increases. And on a 10-year-old monitor, a fresh Battlefield will not look very “fresh.”

• Response time

The time during which an image point changes in brightness is usually 2-5 ms. A length longer than 6ms is fraught with blurring in dynamic scenes.

• Contrast

Everything is clear here - the ratio of the brightness of the lightest point of the screen to the darkest.

• Viewing angle

The minimum distance at which various “artifacts” on the screen become noticeable.

Without going into long technical descriptions- table with main characteristics various types matrices

Refresh rate

The indicator responsible for the number of frames per second is called fps. It is set manually in the game settings. Stable gaming “classics” were considered 60 frames per second at 60 Hz, respectively. But, like any gaming hardware, gaming monitors are several steps ahead, and therefore 120 -144 Hz is considered normal. This hardware allows you to display the most dynamic scenes more realistically than their 60 Hz counterparts. The price also increases with increasing frequency, and without a powerful video card, a 144 Hz monitor will be of little use.

Available video connectors

The quality of the resulting image depends not only on the matrix installed in the monitor, but also on the video connector. The presence of an additional video connector will provide you with the ability to connect a second image source - be it a laptop or a TV. In modern monitors you can find the following video connectors (both individually and several at once):

• HDMI

A digital connector that allows you to connect modern audio and video equipment, as well as laptops, to image output devices. The main advantage is the transmission of the audio track over one cable with the video stream.

• DisplayPort - DP

Digital connector, the most “progressive” of those presented. Provides ample opportunities for audio transmission, surpassing the popular DVI. It is expensive and occurs quite often. If you are already thinking about buying a monitor with such a connector, then only for the long term. It is worth considering that the fact that the old type Display Port does not support HDR.

• AV, SCART, S-Video

Analog connectors typical for TV monitors with built-in TV tuners. In addition, it allows you to connect outdated audio and video equipment such as cassette players.

TOP 10 best gaming monitors

Below we will present the best, in the opinion of our editors, monitors that a gamer can find on the market in the spring of 2017. We can only correct your course and protect you from completely useless purchases. But you will still have to choose the most suitable one yourself - be guided by personal preferences and financial status.

Best 144Hz Monitor - ASUS VS278Q

Asus has established itself in the market as a supplier of high-quality equipment at relatively inexpensive prices. What do we have in this model for ~18 thousand rubles?

27 inches

Full HD 1920x1080

144Hz refresh rate

Built-in speakers

Response time 1ms

Connectors: DP, VGS, 2xHDMI

Web camera: 2 MP.

Not every PC monitor can boast an excellent price range and, at the same time, sufficient equipment for both gaming and ease of use. However, ASUS introduced new model, which includes amazing color reproduction and refresh speed. Let's look at the main features of the device.

Diagonal. The wide diagonal will provide the user with a vast picture, and the high definition Full HD will give the image not only brightness, but also a natural color gamut. However, you will have to spend a sufficient amount of time to calibrate the preset modes.

Number of colors: 16.7 million It is worth considering that it may be difficult to adjust the color palette in relation to natural colors. The problem lies in the matrix itself: TN has begun to become outdated in comparison with IPS matrices.

Viewing Angles can also spoil the impression a little. The vertical viewing angle is 160 degrees and the horizontal viewing angle is 170 degrees.

Let's move on to the monitor itself.

The first thing that catches your eye is the good design and build quality, but the black glossy plastic will require special care. It is worth paying attention to the fact that the control is push-button, not as convenient as touch control. The device has connectors such as: HDMI, Display Port. There are also built-in speakers with satisfactory sound levels.

Sound power - 4W. The built-in components include a web camera, a light sensor, and 4 interfaces. It is possible to install the monitor directly on the wall. The presence of a “web”, but the absence of a microphone and vertical adjustment introduces serious inconvenience.

From of this device mixed impressions arise. On the one hand, this is a sufficient diagonal and brightness, but on the other hand, the location of individual buttons and a rather long time to set up certain modes bring a lot of inconvenience. Despite these incidents, the monitor in its price category can become an integral device in your work and leisure.

Best PC Monitor - BenQ RL2755HM

Still the same Full HD, but a more budget model from BenQ. It offers slightly worse performance, but for an acceptable amount - for example, this 27-inch model will cost approximately 14,990 thousand rubles. See for yourself:

27 inches

Full HD 1920x1080

Refresh rate 75 Hz

Response time 1ms

Connectors: HDMI (2x), HJ (headphone jack)

Several interesting details can be noted. First - technology Black eQualizer, problem solving too dark scenes in games: the brightness in them will be automatically adjusted. Also pleased with the technology Flicker-free, which ensures that the picture does not flicker at any brightness. AND RTS Mode, designed for comfortable play in you guess what genre. The only thing that stands out in the design is the unusual protruding leg-stand.

Budget monitor - ViewSonic VX2452MH

Another budget model that will cost the owner 7,790 thousand rubles. Its main characteristics:

24 inches

Full HD 1920x1080

Refresh rate 75 Hz

Response time 2ms

Connectors: HDMI, VGA, DVI

Available similar to Black eQualizer mode Game Mode , which also solves the problem of game scenes that are too dark. By the way, the main difference from the previous model is contrast. Here it is a little higher, which affects the detail. Everything looks very juicy and fresh, both in the brightest and darkest scenes.

Monitor 27 inches - ASUS MX279H

First, let's briefly go over the main characteristics of the model:

27 inches

Full HD 1920x1080

76Hz refresh rate

Response time 2ms

Connectors: 2xHDMI, D-Sub

Built-in speakers

ASUS presented an ultra-thin monitor model MX279H for ~23 thousand rubles. , which is distinguished not only by its stylish design, but also by high-quality images thanks to AH-IPS technology. The LCD panel has wide viewing angles and good color rendering, which allows it to be used for various purposes. Thanks to this, the picture on the screen looks the same from any angle at 178°, both vertically and horizontally.

The first thing that catches your eye is the absence of a frame around the display. But if you take a closer look, you will notice an 8 mm border, which is not noticeable at all when the monitor is off. On the lower part of the front panel there are touch buttons management. At the same time, the sensor response is very fast; you just need to touch the buttons and you immediately get to the selected menu to adjust the image settings. Despite the excellent operation of the touch buttons, the menu is not very convenient, that is, it is not intuitive enough, so at first you may miss the desired option.

Availability of technology in the ASUS MX279H modelASUS Smart Contrast Ratio, which serves to automatically change the brightness during operation, allows you to achieve high image quality, especially when watching video. Although the relatively low resolution (1920 x 1080) for this diagonal leads to the fact that there is slight grain in the picture, especially when viewed closely. Despite this, the 27-inch matrix with Full HD resolution reproduces black shades well without a gray reflection. But the backlight uniformity is not entirely ideal and you can find lighter areas at the top of the screen. But since this error is present in many models, in general, LED backlighting can be considered successful.

Good quality The images are complemented by good sound, although they do not impress with high sound quality. Built-in SonicMaster audio enhancement technology delivers more powerful volume without any extraneous noise , which is especially important for gamers. Despite the rather thin body, the monitor has built-in 32mm speakers.

The ASUS MX279H monitor is aimed at a wide audience of users thanks to fast connection to PCs, game consoles and media players. The MX279H is a prime example of how you can make an inexpensive monitor that offers the following benefits:

modern stylish design without pronounced display boundaries;

wide viewing angles of 178°;

high picture and sound quality for this price category.

In general, the model is not bad for this price category and fully copes with all the assigned tasks, according to its technical characteristics.

Review from a real buyer I can only recommend this option to those who can correctly adjust the backlight and color. If you don't do this, you definitely won't like the screen. Nothing bothers me, I calmly set everything up and recommend it for purchase.

Best Eye Monitor - Dell Computer Ultrasharp U2415

Monitor specifications:

24 inches

Full HD 1920x1080

Refresh rate 60Hz

Response time 5ms

Dell has once again pleased lovers of clear images by releasing a 24-inch Ultrasharp U2415 model in a modern frameless style for ~21 thousand rubles. The screen aspect ratio is 16:10, which makes it more comfortable to do not only office functions, but also watch videos and play games. For the most comfortable work, the model is equipped with a matte IPS screen with LED (WLED) backlighting.

Despite the fact that the U2415 model has a narrow screen border of 6.9 mm, the front surface looks like a monolithic block without restrictions. Only at the bottom of the screen can you notice a small frame, which gives this model sophistication and modern style. On the bottom panel of the screen there are touch control buttons and a power icon.

When you turn on the monitor for the first time, you will notice good color rendition, since the manufacturer carries out factory calibration, the proof of which is accompanied by a special report. But, even despite the built-in automatic brightness and color calibration function, you can notice that the black color is not quite deep. This shortcoming can be corrected by manual adjustment by opening the settings menu: Brightness, Contrast and Sharpness. Manual adjustment significantly improves color depth. Viewing angles are quite acceptable for viewing images at a distance of 60-70 cm. Moreover, the greater the distance from the monitor to the eyes increases, the more noticeable color rendering defects are. We also cannot help but note no flicker, or PWM– this is confirmed by almost all gamers who use this monitor.

Particular attention should be paid to the universal stand, with which the monitor can be positioned in the most convenient way for the user. The stand allows you to tilt the monitor up, down and to the sides. In addition, the screen can be fixed on a stand at any height, which gives maximum use of the monitor. These rotations of the stand, as well as the absence of clearly visible boundaries on the screen, allow you to use two monitors placed side by side to display the overall picture.

From all of the above, we can highlight the following advantages of the Ultrasharp U2415 model:

decent color rendition;

Russified menu;

convenient adjustment of the universal stand;

ability to rotate the screen to portrait position;

presence of four digital inputs.

Best monitor for gaming - AOC e970swn

The manufacturer gives the following description of the AOC e970swn monitor:

19 inches

HD 1366 x 768

Refresh rate 60Hz

Response time 5ms

Connectors: 2xHDMI, DP, mDP, 5xUSB

AOC e970swn 18.5-Inch LED-Lit Monitor is a very budget model, because its price is ~4.5 thousand rubles. Assembled in China. You can attach it to the wall, sit on a comfortable sofa and, of course, enjoy games.

The monitor displays 16.7 million colors. The brightness is 200 cd/m2, which is enough for most games. Monitor response time is 5 ms. Therefore, dynamic movements are reflected smoothly. A good option, for example, for football simulators, but not for shooters.

The normal contrast of the monitor is 700 to 1, the dynamic contrast is 20 million to 1, the brightness is 200 cd/m2. The monitor has an HD resolution of 1366 by 768 pixels. The diagonal of 19 inches is the average on the market. The width is to the length as 16 to 9. It is also equipped economy mode and e-Saver: these options allow you to reduce your energy consumption.

The design of the monitor is standard: the base of the body is black plastic, and the display has a matte surface that does not reflect anything except sunlight.

The device comes with:

instructions;

VGA cables that allow you to connect the monitor to your computer;

Power Cable - power supply device.

The monitor has a built-in power supply. The maximum power of the latter is 15 W/h.

Perhaps the most significant drawback of the monitor is its small viewing angle. The horizontal indicator is only 90 degrees, vertically - 65. It’s also not very pleasing that this model has a primitive menu with limited customization options. The English layout is well done, the Russian layout requires minor improvements.

The monitor reflects 2D graphics elements well, so it can be called a good choice not only for office workers, but also for gamers: fast response time, wide color gamut display and acceptable contrast levels will completely provide you with the desired level of play. In general, if you don’t demand too much from the picture, then it’s quite a decent option for a gaming monitor among its peers.

Review from a real buyer Appearance and the price pleased me, but the image quality is still a little blurry. I set the settings to maximum, but the quality did not improve. A couple of minutes and your eyes are already starting to hurt, and it’s not always possible to be at a distance from the PC. Even our old monitor showed a better picture. This screen is now just collecting dust.

Nya 27 inch gaming monitor - Dell UltraSharp U2715H

The characteristics of this model differ in many ways from those of other models:

27 inches

QHD 2560 x 1440

86Hz refresh rate

Response time 6ms

Connectors: 2xHDMI, 2xDP, 4xUSB

27" monitor Dell UltraSharp U2715H for ~33 thousand rubles. from a well-known manufacturer will appeal to those who love beautiful and high-quality pictures, since, one might say, the image clarity of this monitor is excellent: QHD quality (2560 x 1440) will appeal to both avid movie buffs and fans of various games, from MOBAs to exciting action games. The monitor's response time is 6 ms.

The dimensions of the monitor allow you to place on the screen large number information, in addition, this monitor can be used as part of a multi-screen configuration, for multitasking, for example, for streaming and other useful things. Behind the monitor there is a standard stand that allows you to tilt the screen block and lift it - extra convenience for your eyes. This stand allows you to stack multiple monitors in portrait orientation with narrow borders to each other.

For those who spend a lot of time in the gaming space, the Dell UltraSharp U2715H is a great companion. Thanks to the black anti-glare surface, limited by a plastic frame at the bottom, your eyes will not get tired.

Main advantages of Dell UltraSharp U2715H:

High quality color rendition, which will allow you to enjoy the game without eye fatigue.

Multifunctionality and wide possibilities: suitable for both beginners and avid gamers.

Supports MHL 2.0 (up to 1080p at 60 fps), viewing angle 178°/178°.

A simple menu in Russian that even a beginner can understand.

By using special program Easy Arrange allows you to organize windows on your desktop for more convenient work.

The disadvantages include the following:

Not the best fast time response. There are monitors with a response time of 2 ms.

Not the highest resolution (not 4k after all).

The price may seem significant.

The best 4k monitors

We decided to separately highlight the best gaming monitors with 4k (or Ultra HD) resolution. We present to you 2 models: one is more widespread, and the second is suitable for those gamers who agree only to the best picture.

28 inch monitor - Samsung U28E590D

Representative UHD(or 4k) at a higher price than other monitors in our top (~15,690 thousand rubles), and with more acceptable performance for gaming - a 1ms response and 60Hz updates feel very smooth, largely thanks to FreeSync from AMD, a higher quality (tailored for 4k) analogue of Gsync.

28 inches

UHD 3840 x 2160

Refresh rate 60 Hz

Response time 1 ms

Connectors: HDMI, DP, DVI

Of note - "eye saver" mode, which is important for such a diagonal. As a result, we have an excellent choice from the 4k category, which is suitable for online battles without suffering in response.

Review from a real customer The size of this screen is almost the same as that of a TV. It's a pleasure to look at him. Even when I'm working for a long time the eyes practically never get tired.

Gaming monitor - ASUS PB287Q 28

Let's study the main characteristics:

28 inches

UHD 3840 x 2160

Refresh rate 60Hz

Response time 6ms

Connectors: HDMI, DP

The appearance of the monitor is traditional for the "PB" series. Black matte plastic, strict design, straight lines, absence of roundness and metal inserts - in general, the design of the monitor resembles a typical office model, with the exception of the diagonal - 28" is rarely seen on an office desktop. The slightly rough plastic body does not create an expensive feeling that is somewhat reduces the joy of the purchase, taking into account the cost of the model at ~34 thousand rubles.

For a monitor that is far from a budget class, it is surprising that there is no built-in USB splitter and webcam. At the same time, the user was provided built-in speakers with good sound. The model also has an audio output for headphones. Signal transmission is carried out via DisplayPort 1.2 or HDMI 1.4. The settings control buttons are located on the rear side of the monitor. The user will have to press the buttons blindly, since there are no identification marks on the front side.

It uses a 28" diagonal TN matrix with a resolution of 16:9 and a resolution of 3840x2160. The viewing angles are not as wide as those of PLS, IPS and OLED monitors - in any case, they cannot be called narrow. Possibility of flexible adjustment of screen position very important. In this regard, the manufacturer has nothing to blame. Rotating the display around a vertical axis, adjusting the height, tilt angle and switching to vertical mode can be done without hassle.

High resolution looks very good in games, but gamers will have to pay for a super-detailed image with low performance. Many modern gaming systems are unable to fully provide normal FPS in games at maximum graphics settings.

Best curved gaming monitor

Let us present to you very cool monitors, which, due to their current price, cannot yet become a mass product, but are the embodiment of a gamer’s dream.

Large 144Hz monitor - BenQ XR3501 35-inch

Best 2k monitor

Curved Gaming Monitor - MSI Optix

Known primarily for its laptops, MSI clearly intends to conquer the gaming monitor market, fortunately, it is growing at a high rate. Another device designed to help her with this has the following characteristics:

• 27 inches
• WQHD 2560x1440
• 144Hz refresh rate
• Response time 1ms
• Connectors: 1×DVI-D; 1×HDMI 2.0; 1×DisplayPort 1.2a

All parameters are impressive: from response time and refresh rate to picture brightness and clarity. In short, nothing will distract from the gameplay or interfere with your enjoyment - the monitor will withstand the test of the most dynamic shooter. But the main trump card is the latest SVA matrix, which has a radius of curvature of 1800R. The curvature of the screen provides the effect of enlarging the image on it and total immersion, and at the same time comfort for the eyes.

But there are other important indicators when choosing:

• matrix type;
• diagonal;
• screen rotation;
• permission;
• scan;
• viewing angles;
• backlight brightness and contrast;
• response time;
• curvature;
• availability of connectors;
• safety.

Matrix

A matrix is ​​a monitor element that forms a picture. The following types are distinguished:

• OLED.

They have the same basis - liquid crystals. The specifications for the monitor indicate the letters LED or WLED (light emitting diodes) - this is just the type of backlight that everyone uses modern displays. It is characterized by low energy consumption and takes up little space.

TFT TN is an obsolete technology that appeared as a replacement for ray tube screens. The main advantages are low cost and fast response time. But they are offset by mediocre picture quality, which is affected by poor viewing angles.

The screens of most devices are built on the basis of IPS (in-plane switching) matrix. Their main advantage is large viewing angles, but the cost of such panels is much higher than budget types. Previously, the price gap was more catastrophic, but now everything has settled down, even the response time has returned to normal.

VA (Vertical Align) matrices were developed as an alternative to more expensive IPS models, allowing them to reduce price and response time. They are divided into MVA and PVA, differing only in the companies developing this technology. The latter was developed by Samsung, which reduced the brightness of black. VA have better contrast and color rendering, which ensures black uniformity over the entire area, without visible highlights. Gaming monitors of this type have a response time of up to 1 ms. But at a higher angle, the picture becomes slightly yellowish and slightly less contrasty - when working in close proximity this is not so noticeable. Therefore, VA panels are the most versatile and affordable.

PLS is a pure copy of IPS - careful examination will not reveal any differences. Price is the main factor in this case.

OLED is the most advanced technology in matrix development. They have recently appeared at astronomical prices. It lacks the concept of black brightness, and the contrast is close to infinity. Response time is measured in tenths of milliseconds. An important problem is fragility due to the rapid burnout of pixels.

Screen size

We select the diagonal of the monitor based on the distance to the workplace and the tasks the user solves. The most common sizes are 21.5”, 24” and 27”. It is better not to take a longer length if you are sitting close, since your neck will be constantly strained to cover the necessary part of the screen with your gaze. On a 27” panel, we stop at 4K resolution; for Full HD, a smaller diagonal is sufficient.

Ergonomic design

The tilt angle and change in screen height are some of the important characteristics. After all, adjusting the height of a computer chair does not always lead to a comfortable view of the picture. Moreover, if the monitor does not have the best viewing parameters.

Most panels are characterized by flexible ergonomics. The ability to rotate the screen 90º allows you to better adapt to reading e-books or viewing photos in portrait mode.

Permission

Today the following types of resolutions are popular: Full HD, 2K, Quad HD, Ultra HD and 4K. Most of the monitors on the market are of the first type (1920x1080 pixels). They have a low price and do not require a modern computer configuration.

2K (2048x1080) and QHD (2560 x 1440) are somewhere in between and not so common.

The difference between the last two is small (3840 x 2160 pixels versus 4096x2160). More and more films and games are being released in this resolution, which is only compatible with latest models PC components. There is no need to be afraid of such resolutions, as the situation is gradually changing: tablets with 4x nuclear processor They already provide a high-quality picture via an HDMI cable.

Monitor scan

This parameter is more important for extreme gamers than for ordinary users. Ignore it unless you're a gaming fan, as the standard 60Hz screen refresh rate is more than adequate. On the market you can find panels with a frequency of 120 or 144 Hz - not every video card can produce it at high resolution, and the difference in cost is large.

Viewing Angles

This is an essential characteristic for a monitor with a lack of ergonomics, or if you use it to watch movies with a large family. Ideal values ​​are 178° horizontally and 178° vertically. Only in this case the colors are not distorted and the contrast is not disturbed.

Brightness and Contrast

The specification focuses on backlight brightness (200 cd/m 2, 250 cd/m2 or 300 cd/m2 ) and contrast (static and dynamic). Dynamic is not very interesting to us, since it tells how many times the monitor is brighter when turned on than when it is turned off. Therefore, we are looking for a static contrast value, that is, with the same backlight level. For a VA matrix it is equal to 3000:1.

These two indicators are closely related. We pay attention to displays with maximum brightness and static contrast values, which will provide the best image richness.

Response time

At the monitors personal computers there is a delay (lag) in information visualization. For example, 2 ms GtG (Grey-to-Grey) means that during this time a pixel on the screen changes the brightness of the gray color from 10% to 90%. It affects the speed at which the picture changes on the display, which is especially important for fast-paced games. Ordinary users won't notice this. Typically monitors have a response time between 1 and 8 ms. If you use a TV as a screen, then 20 ms is considered a good level.

Curvature

A couple of years ago curved panels appeared. Nowadays there is more variety, since, following Samsung, other companies are making such models, for example, LG, Philips, HP, Asus, Iiyama, BenQ, Acer, Dell.

Is there any sense in these innovations? Manufacturers claim that this provides the most comfortable conditions for viewing content on the screen, and the radius of curvature is comparable to a cinema screen. But immersion in the reality of what is happening can only be felt on a large diagonal, from 27”. And this costs a lot of money. The dimensions are also increasing: it is difficult to make thin frames and a compact back wall. Therefore, everyone decides for themselves whether they need it.

Connectors

On at the moment The following ports are relevant for communication with the computer system unit: DVI, HDMI and DP. VGA cable ( analog signal) are not taken into account due to the low quality of the image.

Display Port version 1.4 has the highest throughput. (7680x4320 @60 Hz). But now this is redundant: 8K monitors cannot be found on the market.

If the number of points per unit area is 4096 by 2160 at 60 Hz, then the HDMI 2.0b connector is used, version 1.4 operates at a frequency of up to 30 Hz.

DVI-D Dual Link is suitable for resolutions up to 2560x1600 at a refresh rate of 60 Hz or 1920x1080 at 120 Hz.

You should refer to the graphics adapter specification to determine which digital port is appropriate to use.

Safety

The main thing when working behind a monitor is to protect your eyes as much as possible. You can take a few minutes away from it every hour. Additionally, several automatic modes have been developed. For example, “Eye-saver” and “Eye Saver Mode” reduce blue light from the screen, and “Flicker Free” technology neutralizes flicker, resulting in reduced eye strain.

A more curved screen will also come to the rescue. It was designed based on the shape of the human eye, following its contour. This way, less fatigue is achieved by focusing less frequently on the image.

So, based on the price-quality ratio, the choice fell on a monitor with:

• VA type matrix;
• 24” diagonal;
• It is possible to rotate the screen;
• Full HD resolution;
• refresh rate from 60 Hz;
• maximum viewing angles of 178º;
• brightness 300 cd/m2;
• static contrast 3000:1;
• minimum response time (1-2 ms);
• curved panel;
• there is a connection via an HDMI cable;
• Blue light protection technology available;
• minimum flicker.

It’s even better if, before purchasing, you come to the store yourself with a program recorded on a flash drive to check for dead pixels and evaluate the quality of the transmitted image. Well-known stores provide this opportunity.

Monitor resolution is the size of the resulting image in pixels. The higher the resolution, the more detailed the image you can get and the higher the cost of the monitor (all other things being equal).

Typical resolutions of modern monitors are given below:

Separately worth mentioning Full resolution HD and 4K.

Built-in speaker system

If you do not have serious demands on the sound quality of your audio system, you should consider purchasing a monitor with built-in speakers. If you connect such a monitor using an HDMI or DisplayPort connector, you will not need a separate cable for audio transmission, which is very convenient.

Headphone output

If you use headphones frequently (for example, listening to music at night or in the office), then a monitor equipped with a headphone audio output would be a smart purchase. This will make them more convenient to use.

3D image support (3D-Ready)

The 3D format is gradually gaining popularity. First it conquered cinema screens, and now it is penetrating the household appliances market. Some monitor models already support 3D content. These monitors have high frequency screen updates (144 Hz and higher) and can alternately display images for the left and right eyes. To ensure that each eye sees its own picture, the kit includes special glasses with “shutter” technology.

To summarize, we can roughly divide monitors into several price categories:

monitors costing from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles. Inexpensive monitors for office or home use. They have a diagonal size from 17 to 21 inches. As a rule, they are equipped with TN-type matrices, or an inexpensive variety of VA or IPS matrices. Maximum resolution is FullHD or less. Equipped with VGA or DVI connectors. Additional adjustments to the screen position are rare.

monitors costing from 10,000 to 20,000 rubles.  Monitors for everyday home use fall into this category. They have a diagonal size from 22 to 27 inches, equipped with good TN, VA or IPS matrices with FullHD resolutions. Equipped HDMI connectors or DisplayPort. May have USB hubs, built-in speakers and screen position adjustments.

monitors costing over 20,000 rubles.  More advanced monitors with diagonals from 24 to 35 inches and higher, with matrices with resolutions from FullHD to 5K with good response speed and color reproduction. In this category there are models with a curved screen or 3D image support. They also have on board a wide range of different connectors for connecting system units and other devices, USB hubs, and audio outputs.

I hope this small guide will help you choose the right monitor for your computer.

Display size and resolution are the most obvious characteristics that have a decisive impact on cost. As the most available device we recommend 21-22-inch models with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels (Full HD) with an IPS matrix at a price of 8,000 rubles.

Cheaper displays tend to not be worth the money spent on them. Instead of a digital HDMI or DVI input, some only have analog VGA. This alone causes a fuzzy picture to be displayed, the contrast and color intensity of which are even more lost on a cheap TN matrix.

Monitors: how many inches to take?

Really good universal devices need to be looked for in the 24-inch models category high definition with an aspect ratio of 16:9 or 16:10. The 16:9 aspect ratio monitor displays movies and TV shows without black bars. A monitor with an aspect ratio of 16:10 has more vertical space, which is very useful when surfing the web and working with programs.

The elite of mid-class monitors include devices with larger diagonals: from 27 to 29 inches. Most 27-inch 16:9 models have a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels. They are convenient because they provide a lot of space for working with several programs at once.

In terms of the number of dots per unit of screen surface area, 27-inch displays are superior to 24-inch Full HD (110 ppi versus 95 ppi), so icons or fonts are slightly smaller on larger monitors. But this does not mean that you have to change Windows settings to scale fonts and symbols to a suitable size - this will only need to be done on 4K monitors.

29-inch monitors with a resolution of 2560x1080 pixels seem a little unusual at first due to their ultra-wide 21:9 screens. In daily use, this feature is useful for those users who need to view multiple images while working. open windows simultaneously.

Watch movies at this format- a pleasure. In addition, ultra-wide 29-inch displays use exclusively high-quality IPS matrices, so you can safely choose any model based on design and budget.

For just 15,000 rubles you can purchase a 4K monitor with a diagonal of 27 inches and a resolution of 3840x2160 pixels. However, we do not recommend spending money on such cheap models. Firstly, they have TN matrices installed, which causes the contrast to change at the edges of the image. Secondly, such monitors have a low frame rate, which negatively affects vision, and some games and videos may simply not start.

If you follow our recommendations and limit your choice to modern IPS matrices, and also exclude older models with low screen refresh rates, you will ultimately choose a 27-inch device with support for Full HD, QHD or 4K at a price of 20,000 rubles.

Monitors: only IPS matrices are good enough

Low quality TN matrices are almost gone. They could only be found on monitors and laptops in the lower price category, but, as luck would have it, they are experiencing a rebirth in 4K monitors. Unlike high-quality IPS panels, each subpixel of a TN matrix uses one transistor instead of two, which significantly reduces the cost of manufacturing high-resolution monitors.

The disadvantages are expressed in a decrease in contrast and, at a certain viewing angle, even inversion of the picture. These phenomena are very annoying on monitors with a diagonal of 24 inches or more. Even if you sit in the center of the screen and look at it directly perpendicularly, changes in contrast will be noticeable closer to the edges of the image.

Along with the dependence on the viewing angle, image quality is also determined by other parameters. The brightness level and uniformity of illumination distribution depend on the backlight. Modern models use white LEDs as light sources, which should emit light with a brightness of 250 cd/m² or higher.

Only very cheap devices distribute brightness really poorly. If you frequently edit photos, you should pay attention to the gamut of color space. Monitors with the highest value will suit you Adobe coverage RGB. For gamers, pixel response time and related features play an important role. In this regard, TN matrices are to some extent superior to IPS.

If dynamic display of gameplay without artifacts is of paramount importance to you, take a closer look at devices with support for technology AMD FreeSync And NVIDIA G-Sync. They ensure that the monitor's refresh rate is synchronized with the video card's frame rate, thereby eliminating side effects such as tearing, which occurs when a new frame is superimposed on an old one before it disappears from the display. This happens because the monitor is not synchronized with the video card.

If you follow these recommendations, you won't end up choosing the cheapest monitor. And then your device will most likely be equipped HDMI interfaces(optimally 2.0), DVI and DisplayPort 1.2. From an ergonomic point of view, it is important to consider the height adjustment of the monitor. And last but not least, pay attention to the warranty. She should be two years old, or even better, three years old.