How To Buy The Best 4k Gaming Monitors 2021

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Having the luxury to own the best 4k gaming monitors in the market right now can seem like a dream come true for some of you. But with so many models being released left and right by a huge number of brands and manufacturers, finding the right one for you can be a tricky and overwhelming task.

Every product and unit you see listed will offer unique features that make them stand out. Their designs are made so aesthetically to catch your eye. Some even contain confusing jargons that beginners will find confusing or complicated.

It can also be pretty easy to get lost or even worse, make an impulsive purchase right on the spot. Especially when you’re easily swayed by flashy advertisements or marketing tactics. Sometimes, the peer pressure of just wanting to get your hands on the latest tech or gaming equipment can be to blame too.

No need to be ashamed though! Trust me. We have all been there.

But not to worry! To help you out and make your shopping experience a lot easier, I wrote this simple buyer’s guide so you can get the best 4k gaming monitors for yourself. Now, every gamer out there can make an informed purchasing decision.

Interested in checking out 4k gaming monitors from different brands and manufacturers? Click here for our top recommendations of the best 4k gaming monitors in the market this 2021.

What is a 4K gaming monitor?

First off, let’s answer the most basic question you can ask in this article. What exactly is 4k?

After doing some research, a 4K resolution refers to a horizontal display resolution of approximately 4,000 pixels. These kinds of high resolutions can commonly be found on television screens and movie screens. These two formats also tend to use different types of 4K resolutions.

With that being said, it didn’t take long before companies found out that 4K resolutions can also be benefitted and enjoyed by the gaming community. And they weren’t wrong!

With games becoming more graphics-heavy and demanding, I find that the best way to enjoy them to their full extent is through a 4K gaming monitor.

Examples of such games that look amazing in 4k are the Witcher, Death Stranding, the latest Resident Evil games, and so much more. Of course, you have to keep in mind that you will also need the right setup and a really beefy GPU to run and support such demanding games.

When you’re using a 4K gaming monitor, you will notice right away details in your game that you never thought were there. Gamers used to high-res gaming know that it makes a world’s difference in quality and overall gaming experience. Once you go 4k, there’s really no going back. Anything else will be a huge downgrade.

How will a 4K gaming monitor benefit me?

To put it simply, a 4k resolution will offer the highest and best resolution possible you can get right now in any gaming monitor.

Just imagine a wide panel packing 8.3 million pixels (3840 x 2160)! That insane level of detail you are getting with your games will make it look incredibly sharp and as realistic as possible. Such razor-sharp details and amazing color accuracy will make any gamer instantly drool just by looking at their screens.

Aside from the stunning visual experience, a 4k gaming monitor also offers the ability to go past 20-inch screens. For some, a 27-inch screen is more than enough to get an immersive experience with any game. But as we continue to progress, more and more hardcore gamers are demanding bigger screens for their gaming setup.

I guess in this case, size does matter.

Another thing to keep note of, the latest high-end graphics cards being released by Nvidia’s RTX 30-series and AMD’s Radeon RX 6000 series also pair up nicely with a 4k gaming monitor. As I have previously mentioned, such high resolutions need the right amount of power to run them.

If you’re looking to get your hands on one of the best 4k gaming monitors in the market right now, come check out our dedicated product review of the LG-27GN950-B here.

Do I need a 4k gaming monitor?

The right answer to this question is completely up to you.

Though personally, a 4k gaming monitor is a luxury and not a necessity. At least not right now.

While 4k gaming monitors are amazing, the majority of the gaming community still prefer or use 1080p monitors. And for a lot of good reasons. Some find that the gameplay they experience is much smoother, most games run fairly well on 1080p, some can’t simply afford the upgrade, and etc.

However, that’s not to say that a 4k gaming monitor is not a worthy upgrade at all. I only say the aforementioned because 4k gaming monitors usually come in at a premium price tag as well as the needed specs to run games in 4k is an even more expensive upgrade if you don’t already have them in your arsenal.

So it’s a pretty huge investment and a big decision you need to ponder on thoroughly. Especially if you’re on a pretty tight budget.

To be fair, 4k gaming is still fairly new and rare in the community. But technology seems to progress at a rapid rate in today’s generation. You can expect that more and more companies and manufacturers will be pushing towards this resolution in the upcoming years or even months!

With the latest games are becoming more demanding than ever in terms of graphics, it’s only normal that the resolutions we use to keep up in order to provide us with the best gaming experience possible.

While 4k gaming is not an absolute necessity, it’s definitely something to consider. Maybe not now, but you can toy with the idea of gaming in 4k until it becomes the norm.

Not to mention, investing in a 4k gaming monitor will most likely give you a decade’s worth of the most immersive and realistic gaming experience right at the comfort of your home.

Feel like you’re ready to check out 4k gaming monitors now? Come read our top recommendations of the best 4k gaming monitors for you this 2021.

What To Look For And Consider In The Best 4k Gaming Monitors

Plan Your Budget

As you all know by now, 4k gaming monitors don’t come in cheap. Even the most budget-friendly options can still cost a pretty hefty penny. So it’s very essential to plan out a budget for the 4k gaming monitor you want or need.

Thankfully, there are so many 4k monitors in the market right now that you’re sure to find a unit in your desired price range. Though make sure that the ones you choose are perfectly suited for your gaming needs and gives you great value for your money.

Additionally, having a set budget when shopping for a 4k gaming monitor will also significantly narrow down your options so you can avoid the overwhelming process of checking every monitor on sight.

Know Your Graphics Cards

For those who are unaware, your graphics card in your gaming setup is the one responsible for accelerating the creation and rendering of images, video, and animations. It performs quick math calculations to free your CPU to perform other needed tasks.

Usually, these units are also the most expensive part of your setup. Depending on which one you buy. Keep in mind that the higher the number indicated on the graphics card model, the faster it can render your games. Also, the more high-end graphics card you’re using, the more demanding games you can play with ease too.

When it comes to correlating it to running games on 4k, your graphics card will need some heavy-duty specs.

GSync Vs. FreeSync

Speaking of graphics cards, some 4k gaming monitors are only compatible with a certain type of GPU. In a 4k monitor, this feature is known as adaptive sync.

These days, most 4k gaming monitors are either compatible with Nvidia’s GSync or AMD’s FreeSync. However, there are impressive 4k monitors in the market that can successfully use both.

To put it simply, these systems help avoid screen-tearing issues as well as graphic and refresh rate mismatches during your gaming sessions.

Monitor Size

As for monitor size, this is somewhat based on your personal preference. The standard size of 4k gaming monitors is usually 27 inches. But it can definitely go for a lot bigger than that.

Though keep in mind that larger screens usually mean added costs and you have to make sure that you have adequate space for it.

Refresh Rates

When it comes to a monitor’s refresh rates, most 4k gaming monitors are limited to 30-60 Hz of refresh rates. If you’re a professional and you’re planning to use your 4k monitor for work, I would highly suggest going for at least 60 Hz as the 30 Hz variant will feel a little slow.

However, there are high-end 4k gaming monitors that offer 144 Hz of refresh rates. That’s something almost unheard of and not very common when it comes to 4k resolutions. If you have the budget, this is the best option for you.

Want to check out a 4k gaming monitor with 144 Hz that’s only under $1000? Click here for our product review of the Asus ROG Strix XG27UQ.

Conclusion

So whether you’re looking for your new 4k gaming monitor right now or still pondering about it, I hope that this simple buyer’s guide was able to help you out or give you an idea of the things you need to keep in mind.

While it can be a pretty complicated process, shopping for any gaming equipment can also be a fun thing to do too. You learn more stuff with every purchase and each day, you’re more informed on the things that are essential for your gaming setup.

Was I able to help you out with your questions on 4k gaming monitors? Was this article insightful? Let me know if you have any suggestions, insights, or any more queries regarding 4k gaming monitors in the comments section below. I would love to hear and answer your thoughts and questions!