How big does a gaming monitor really need to be?

Having a good gaming PC is only half the battle–you also need a screen that makes the action visible. Many people find it difficult to decide on the right dimensions. Gaming monitors are now available in such huge sizes that you might think that bigger is always better. However, other factors are just as important and large monitors can have disadvantages. We take a closer look at what is important when choosing a size and how you can find the right monitor for your purposes.

Further reading: 2025 will be the best year to buy a monitor, ever. Here’s why

Consider the available space

When buying a monitor, you should of course also consider how much space you have available. A huge monitor doesn’t look good on a relatively small desk and you should always leave enough space for a keyboard, mouse, and speakers. You should also make sure there’s enough space between you and the monitor. A depth of around 60 centimeters should be sufficient.

For which genre?

You should consider what types of games you’re going to play on this monitor, as it plays a significant role in how large the display surface should be.

If you’re into cinematic, story-driven games that showcase characters with all their facets and emotions, then it would simply be inappropriate to display the action on a tiny monitor. It destroys the immersion. It’s also not a bad idea to use models with as few edges as possible, preferably with a slight curvature. This draws them more into the action. 27- to 32-inch monitors are recommended in this case, preferably in ultra-wide format.

For shooters, especially multiplayer titles, the motto “bigger is better” applies. This is because the changed dimensions also give you a larger field of view. A lot can happen at the sides of the screen, so an ultra-wide format is more suitable here.

The situation is completely different for e-sports titles, especially with games like Starcraft or MOBAs. You’ll often see monitors that are almost square in shape or boast a 4:3 format. These screens aren’t very large, either. A 24-inch monitor is sufficient here.

Pay attention to resolution and refresh rate

In addition to the target size, the resolution also plays an important role. For maximum detail and sharpness, you should opt for 4K resolution. However, as already mentioned, UHD and WQHD monitors are also suitable for many games.

The refresh rate is important as well. If your monitor can only handle 60Hz, but you need fast reactions, then a larger screen won’t help. For shooters and demanding games, 144Hz is a must.

Really only for gaming?

You should also consider if you’re going to use the monitor for other tasks like streaming, watching movies, or web browsing. Even if you use the screen more often for work, you may still want to go a little bigger, especially when multitasking with several windows. However, it may also be a good idea to use a second screen.

Conclusion

When it comes to monitors, there’s no one size fits all. However, the most affordable ones fall in the 27-inch range. A larger model with a higher resolution can make a noticeable difference, but so can upgrading to an expensive CPU or GPU.

Further reading: The best gaming monitors we’ve tested