In several cases, I’ve included the “next step down” to give you an idea of the more popular resolution/refresh rate for that connection. Here are the most common types of connections and the maximum resolutions/refresh rates common to PC gaming monitors.

A 60Hz monitor, for example, will only ever display 60 FPS, even if your graphics card is capable of more than that. A monitor’s refresh rate (referred to as “Hz” or “Hertz”) is the maximum frames per second (FPS) it is capable of displaying regardless of the amount of frames a game may output. “If you’re completely new to monitors, there are two terms you need to know, resolution and refresh rate. Each of these has different limitations, so it’s important to know what type of connectivity, and capability, your new monitor has to offer. If you’re using one that’s a little older or more budget-oriented, it may also have VGA, DVI, and/or DVI-D connections. By the time you get to the end of this guide, you’ll be able to set up your monitor and dive into a game knowing you’re fully equipped and ready to dominate.Ĭonnections Aren’t Created EqualIf you buy a new monitor today, there’s a good chance it’s going to accept HDMI and DisplayPort for video inputs. Taking the time to properly configure your monitor, and knowing what each setting does is one of the most important aspects of owning a gaming monitor.

Likewise, features that sound great on paper may not even be that great for gaming. What if I told you that many of the biggest features on a monitor's product page probably aren’t even turned on by default? It’s true. Why Take the Time to Configure?If you’re building your first gaming PC or just upgrading your monitor, you probably did some shopping around before pulling the trigger. In this guide, I’ll be walking through the most common questions and settings to get you into the game fast and squeezing every ounce of performance we can from your new gaming monitor.

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