Best 5 Accurate Monitors For Game Development

What Features You Need in Your Monitor To Develop a Game or Application?

Resolution- When you are developing a game or application, you will naturally want a monitor with high resolution as it allows you to fit a lot of applications in one space. You won’t have to increase the physical size to fit  2-3 applications properly.  1080p resolution serves as the best bait as you can comfortably accommodate a lot of applications side by side and you can also get great detailing of the 3D models. However, you can also go 1440p or 4K resolution if budget is not an issue.

Size – The monitor size ranging between 24inch to 30inch serves as the ideal range because you will be able to take a close look of different things from a safe distance. Most importantly you will be able to get a proper view of codes without going closer to the screen.

The Rundown!

Panel – IPS panel serves as the best option when you are looking to develop games or applications as it offers huge color depth and contrast. Most importantly it provides a good viewing angle which you won’t find in TN or VA panels. Although IPS panel has a response time of around 16ms and doesn’t have a high refresh rate. However, if your sole purpose isn’t only development, then you can opt for VA or TN which offers a better refresh rate and response time.

Refresh Rate – Refresh rate determines frames per second rendering capability of your screen, and for development, 60Hz refresh rate would do fine. However, if you are developing some high-end games, then you can opt for TN or VA panels as they are associated with 144hz or 240hz refresh rate. You should also check the availability of AMD FreSync or Nvidia G-Sync depending upon your graphics card as they will help you to view smooth visuals without tearing or ghosting.

Input Lag – While developing games, you will need a low input lag along with refresh rate and response time. The input lag of the monitor should stay around 20ms or low, and it comes in handy when you are designing any character movement or animation. Although it won’t matter much if you are only inclined to software development or writing codes.

You Should Use Two Monitors

Using two monitors during game development comes in handy as you know game development is a diverse process and you will have to create a lot of things. So working on a single monitor really takes a toll on the development process and makes things complicated.

You will have to write codes, design 3D models, build a game environment, etc and it is not easy to do all of them on one single screen. Most importantly you will have to sync the 3D model of the game with the codes but minimizing, and opening applications hinder the process. So by owning two monitors helps you to diversify the work and operate on different aspects of the game all at once.

Using a dual monitor during game development not only allows you to enhance productivity but also check the flow of the game’s code while you are testing the game. You won’t stack editor tools in one place as you will be able to put the editing tool on the primary screen and set the 3D model on the secondary.

Dual monitor setup comes handy especially when you are designing various characters and while coordinating the 2D/3D character with a batch of codes. While working on high-end gaming engines, you will need two or more monitors because you will need to assess the interaction of characters, environment settings and code flow.

Apart from codes, using a dual monitor setup, you will be able to compare characters and codes which will ultimately help you to find out bugs. Keeping track of multiple applications during development serves as an essential aspect, so when you use two monitors, you can easily accomplish that task.

Along with game development, you can even use the two monitors for a new single-player gaming experience. You can also play co-op game games with your friend in your home which serves as a bonus.

Check this discussion from Quora.

List of top 5 computer monitors for game development:

Best 5 Ideal Monitors for Developing Games Review

1. HP N270H Full HD Edge-Edge LED Monitor

What We Liked Most About This Product

  • 27inch IPS HD panel.
  • Full HD native resolution.
  • 250 nit of brightness.
  • 76% coverage of NTSC color gamut.
  • 3-years warranty.

Features:

HP N270H is a state of the earth monitor that offers a superior gaming experience with the help of a 27inch screen size with Full HD resolution and 60Hz refresh rate. It cradles all the animation visuals with immense vividness and clarity, and all the credit goes to its 250 Nit along with a 5000000:1 contrast ratio. It reproduces almost every color from the game visuals as it is able to cover 72% of the NTSC color gamut.

However, the combination of WLED backlight technology and IPS panel makes a significant impact because it brings out the lifelike quality in the frames of games. Its Anti-glare surface, flicker-free, and low blue light allow you to comfortably enjoy a long gaming session without affecting your eye.

Apart from casual games, HP N270H by utilizing its 5ms response time will also amaze you with multiplayer gaming performance as you will be able to react in real-time.  Whether you are sitting in the middle or on the side, you won’t miss a thing as is 178-degree viewing angle offers an extensive wide view.

It packs a decent set of connection facilities, and it comprises HDMI ( HDCP) and VGA. Surprisingly it provides a fascinating backlight lamp longevity, and it can last around 30000hours.

Things We Like
  • Totally value for money.
  • The IPS panel offers lucid visuals.
  • High color accuracy with razor-sharp clarity.
  • It doesn’t harm the eye.
  • It offers a good response in online games.
Things We Didn't Like
  • The absence of any audio port.

2. Acer XFA240 bmjdpr – 144Hz Monitor for Game Development

What We Liked Most About This Product

  • 24inch screen size.
  • 1920 X 1080 native resolution.
  • 350 cd/m2 brightness.
  • 144Hz refresh rate with AMD FreeSync.
  • 1ms response time.
  • VESA mount.

Features:

Acer XFA240 is a game developer prescribed 24inch screen that makes use of 1920 X 1080 native resolution and 350 cd/m2 to produce an incredible gaming visual output. The performance offered by its Full HD resolution and TN panel has helped it establish a reputation of being one of the best monitors for developing games.

You won’t be able to frown on its color output or black depth while you are playing any game as it uses a 100000000:1 contrast ratio along with 16.7m displayable color. Having a 170-degree viewing angle at your service, you won’t ever get a blurred view from any standpoint.

Testing your games in high resolution will be a treat to the eye because it creates an ultra-smooth visual by utilizing a 144Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync technology. Not only, but the 1ms response time also makes a huge impact in both single-player and multiplayer games.

See Related Topic: Best Monitor for Eyes for 2020

With its VESA mount, you can easily adjust the height up to 5.91inch, swivel 60-degree or tilt between -5 and 35-degree. Many game developer has commended it for its comfortable viewing experience, and all the credit goes to its Flicker-less technology, a Blue light filter, and Acer EyeProtect technology. Lastly, you won’t face any regarding connectivity as it houses HDMI (MHL), Display Port, and Dual-link DVI port.

Things We Like
  • It offers a real-time response in multiplayer games.
  • Fluidic visuals without smearing or ghosting.
  • VESA mount compatibility.
  • A lot of adjustment options.
  • An impressive ratio of size to pixel count.
Things We Didn't Like
  • Poor speaker quality.
  • The color output could have been better.

3. Acer G276HL Kbix VA Monitor

What We Liked Most About This Product

  • 27inch Full HD resolution.
  • 4ms response time.
  • VA panel system.
  • 300 nit of brightness.
  • Acer eColor management.

Features:

Acer G276HL is a gem in the gaming industry that utilizes a 27inch widescreen display and Full HD resolution to ooze out theater-like gaming visual output. Many gamers will agree to the fact that it is one of the finest monitors for gaming and the performance it put out with 300 nit and eColor management is partly responsible. Clarity and black depth won’t be an issue during game design as it bags a 1000:1 static contrast ratio.

Despite having some exclusive gaming features, it only manages to house a standard 60Hz refresh rate. Like every other gaming monitor, it also gets a 178-degree viewing angle which ensures an optimum viewing experience from the side of the monitor.

Acer G276HL Kbix is geared with a vertical alignment panel which is widely known for its both competitive and single-player gaming experience. In addition, it also gets a 4ms fast response time which elevates the gaming experience by a large margin.

If you don’t have a headphone or speaker, you do not need to worry because it gets a dual 4-watt speaker which yields decent sound clarity. It houses HDMI and VGA ports in the lower section, and Acer has also given a VGA cable in the package. If you wish to mount this screen on the wall, you can easily do it because it comes with 100 X  100m VESA mount compatibility.

Things We Like
  • The VA panel offers good visual output.
  • The right amount of vividness in every frame.
  • VESA mount compatibility.
  • Wide viewing experience.
Things We Didn't Like
  • The OSD menu is little complicated.
  • The absence of height adjustment or swivel.

4. Asus VS278Q-P Full HD Monitor

What We Liked Most About This Product

  • 27inch Full HD monitor.
  • 8000:1 static contrast ratio.
  • 1ms super-fast response time.
  • Splendid Video Intelligence technology.
  • Asus exclusive QuickFit.
  • VESA mount compatible.

Features:

Asus VS278Q-P is one of the highly-rated gaming monitors that is coupled with Full HD resolution and 0.311mm pixel pitch to create a splendid visual output on its 27inch screen. It is also designed with 300 cd/m2 brightness and 800000000:1, and together they ensure a high amount of clarity and vividness in the visuals.

However, its exclusive Splendid video intelligence technology takes things to a whole new level by optimizing every image with intelligent color, brightness, and sharpness. It doesn’t lag behind in the color department, and with the assistance of 16.7m displayable color, it offers excellent color accuracy during the animation.

Competitive gaming is all about fast reflexes, and that is why Asus VS278Q-P treats you with 1ms quick response time so that you can react in real-time. Its 170-degree viewing angle offers a widescreen view thus you won’t have any issue even if you have a large gathering.

QuickFit serves as another highlight feature of this model, and it offers real size photo, grid, and document mode. Unsurprisingly it comes display port, two HDMI, and one VGA port, so you will have all types of options for connectivity. Apart from the standard stand, it also comes with a VESA wall mount 100 X 100mm compatibility which comes in handy for game developers.

Things We Like
  • A solid color performance with good vividness.
  • Rich contrast level.
  • Smooth gameplay with fast response time.
  • Highly energy efficient.
  • Decent amount of connectivity options.
Things We Didn't Like
  • Pixel fizzing issue after a few hours of usage.
  • It only gets a tilt option in stand adjustment.

5. Acer SB220Q bi IPS Full HD Monitor (cheap and best for 2nd monitor)

What We Liked Most About This Product

  • 5inch Full HD resolution.
  • 75Hz refresh rate.
  • Zero-frame design with an ultra-thin bezel.
  • AMD FreeSync.
  • 4ms response time.
  • The IPS panel with WLED display.

Features:

When you are searching for one of the best monitors for game development, then it is a good idea to buy a potent 2nd monitor like Acer SB220Q bi along with it. It is a widescreen 21.5inch monitor that offers a fantastic output with its 1920 X 1080 native resolution.

During game development, you won’t miss any detail on this LED-Lit display and all the credit goes to its 250 nits of brightness and 1000:1 static contrast ratio. With advanced IPS technology and 16.7m color support, it brings out premium color performance thus making it one of the finest choices for the 2nd monitor.

Acer SB220Q bi bags the combination of AMD FreeSync technology and 75Hz refresh rate which help developers to find out any error in fast-paced game scenes. Not only its 4ms response time also help it shed away in screen tearing and stuttering issues in fast-paced frames.

Whether you keep it in left or right along with the primary monitor, you would get a proper view, and it is due to its 178-degree viewing angle. Most importantly its zero-frame design ultra-thin bezel offers maximum viewing space during development. Even though it is a 21.5inch monitor but its 0.24inch thin depth allows it to save space and also goes well with any setup design.

Things We Like
  • Impressive sleek design with narrow depth.
  • Smooth gaming visuals with good clarity.
  • Availability of IPS panel and AMD FreeSync.
  • Praiseworthy response time.
  • Inexpensive price point.
Things We Didn't Like
  • Color and grayscale performance not up to the mark.
Andrew Wyatt

Andrew Wyatt

Andrew Wyatt has been a tech geek for as long as he can remember. Whether it's laptops, cameras, or projects, he's obsessed with it all. When he's not researching the latest tech products, he likes to go on long hikes with his dogs.

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