Have an impressive gaming monitor can unlock the fruits of your PC building efforts, but to take full advantage of it you’ll need an even better PC.
2022 was an exceptional year in terms of image quality; this ultrawide curved monitor stood out with its outstanding color gamut, HDR functionality and incredible peak brightness levels.
1. Viotek GFI27DBXA
An ideal gaming monitor is essential to enjoying games to the fullest. A quality monitor will allow for higher frame rates with reduced lag, as well as stunning graphics that truly showcase your graphics card’s capabilities.
Viotek GFI27DBXA 1440p gaming monitor is an affordable choice with excellent panel specifications, such as 1ms response time and overdrive performance that eliminates motion blur and ghosting. Furthermore, this monitor covers well over 100% sRGB color coverage and approximately 99.7 DCI-P3 coverage.
As is common with most monitors, the GFI27DBXA requires calibration when first set up. Windows’ built-in color calibration tools should get you approximately 98% of the way there; further fine-tuning with NVIDIA or AMD software may be necessary depending on your preferences and setup.
GFI27DBXA stands out as a truly remarkable monitor by supporting FreeSync and G-Sync without needing an additional power supply or driver, as well as its built-in HDR option to make games look even more immersive. Unfortunately, however, its OSD menu can be cumbersome at times with joystick controls replacing traditional buttons and status LEDs for functionality.
The stand on this rock-solid monitor offers 5.1 inches of height adjustment, 45 degrees of swivel on either side, and an adjustable tilt. Although not as highly adjustable as some premium gaming monitors, its level of adjustability still surpasses that found on most budget models.
The GFI27DBXA features a wide viewing angle for maximum clarity from almost any position within its range, without losing focus. It comes equipped with two DisplayPort 1.4 ports and one HDMI 2.0 connector as well as one 3.5mm audio jack; unfortunately there’s no USB port on this model though it does feature an overdrive mode which reduces motion blurring and ghosting for improved PC gaming experiences.
2. Dell S3222DGM
The Dell S3222DGM 1440p display is an ideal option for those seeking an accurate and vibrant display that provides great contrast, making it enjoyable to use for gaming, movies, content creation and editing as well as content production and publishing. Built to withstand prolonged use before needing replacement is even considered.
This monitor utilizes a VA panel, giving it an impressive peak brightness of 350 nits and static contrast of over 3,000:1. Additionally, its black uniformity, SDR color gamut coverage and motion handling performance are outstanding; it even comes equipped with its own motion tracker! Unfortunately, however, like other VA panels it suffers from significant black smear when viewed at angles as well as poor image quality when viewed head on.
As is typically the case with gaming monitors, this issue can easily be remedied by simply adjusting their settings. This basic monitor focuses on what gamers need most: high refresh rate, low input lag and good contrast levels; though lacking features like HDR support or ergonomic design features found on more high-end models. Overall it remains one of the best budget choices available to gamers today.
As is typical for budget gaming monitors, the S3222DGM boasts an unassuming design reminiscent of Dell office ultrawide monitors with its black frame, vent design at the back, polygon-shaped stand and matte finish octagonal base that’s sturdy yet adjustable to suit different playstyles. It comes complete with a matte finish to avoid clashing with themed setups while offering matte contrast ratio. It can even be customized according to playstyle preferences via its adjustable octagonal base!
This monitor is an ideal choice for gamers in need of an affordable yet high-resolution gaming monitor that can support both faster-paced titles like Overwatch as well as high-resolution ones with its 144Hz refresh rate and 1440p resolution, offering gorgeous graphics that make playing enjoyable. You won’t regret your purchase of such an affordable monitor! Plus, its smooth motion creates the feeling that you are fast-moving precision killing machine! It can also be used with other genres, but to maximize its full performance potential requires a decent graphics card.
3. ASRock PG34WQ15R2B
When it comes to ultrawide gaming monitors, it can be easy to spend well over $1,000 on something with impressive specifications but ultimately falls flat in practice. But you don’t have to sacrifice quality for affordability – ASRock offers its Phantom Gaming PG34WQ15R2B as proof that high-end features don’t have to cost exorbitant prices.
This monitor features a 34-inch VA panel with 3440×1440 resolution and 1500R curve for immersive gameplay, offering wider field of view than flat panels while maintaining 1ms (MPRT) response time and 165Hz refresh rate for smooth animations and zero motion blur. AMD FreeSync technology helps keep image tearing under control, and the monitor is certified VESA DisplayHDR 400 for improved colour performance.
The PG34WQ15R2B’s stand features both VESA mounting capabilities – useful for many gaming builds – as well as tilt, swivel and height adjustments to make finding your ideal position easy. There’s also cable management built right into its base as well as USB and HDMI inputs.
ASRock stands out with this monitor by including an integrated Wi-Fi antenna – something they have not done previously. Positioned at the rear of the stand, this antenna placement helps keep its signal strength uninterrupted by other components like motherboards or back of PC cases, which could interfere with its signal. Wi-Fi connectivity can be easily enabled on a monitor by simply pressing a button on its OSD. An intuitive joystick makes navigating its submenus quick and simple, and there are also two control keys and a power toggle located along its bottom trim strip; use these buttons to set picture modes as well. We’re used to seeing gaming screens with multiple savable preset modes, but the PG34WQ15R2B offers just four. Each represents different picture settings – text (locked at 20% brightness), web, game, movie and sports; unfortunately you are unable to save your own presets.
4. HyperX Armada 27
HyperX’s first monitor entry into the market, the Armada 27, is an excellent option for high-speed gaming. Boasting a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time and HDR compatibility as well as a versatile arm for added physical flexibility – its only disadvantage may be its price which falls in line with most competitors on many specs.
The Armada 27’s clean aesthetic features slim bezels and inner borders on all sides, giving it a sleeker feel than many of the competing monitors we reviewed. It also has a nice matte black finish that complements both gaming and productivity setups well, while its C-Clamp stand won’t take up much desk space and won’t pull down on your setup due to being lightweight enough.
As with many gaming monitors today, the Armada 27 offers both G-Sync and Freesync technology for smooth play without tear and stutter. With its maximum resolution of 2,560×1,440 pixels and 95% coverage of DCI-P3 color gamut coverage in Standard mode without needing calibration; an alternative sRGB mode offers less gamut coverage for those wanting to fine tune color accuracy.
An interesting feature of the Armada 27 monitor is its option to add a crosshair in OSD for FPS games. While this addition can make aiming in-game easier, we would have preferred an independent crosshair mode instead. Unfortunately, speakers, headphones jack and any additional extras that differentiate it from similar monitors were left missing from its offerings.
The HyperX Armada 27 gaming monitor is an exceptional gaming monitor and is especially attractive given that it comes with a premium monitor arm. Known for its high-speed performance and stunning image quality under all conditions as well as support for features like HDR 400 support, its outstanding high-speed performance will certainly appeal to most gamers; but if articulating arms aren’t your cup of tea there are plenty of alternatives out there you should take into consideration.
