Best Gaming Monitors To Play MMOs

A crisp screen is one of the finest additions to any gaming PC and, sometimes, can enhance gameplay more than the latest overpowered graphics card. The following is a list of some of the best gaming monitors for playing MMOs, and will hopefully at least get started in upgrading your station.

Image by artubr, title: "Team YouPorn, Gamergy 2014".

ASUS VG248QE

Price: $267.99
Resolution: 1920x1080
Hz: 144 Hz
Size: 24/27 inches
I am personally rocking two Asus VG248QE monitors, because of its 144 Hz 1ms display. It’s so smooth. The first time you up your display to 144 Hz dragging your mouse across your desktop is like gliding your hand above water’s surface. At $267.99 it’s a reasonable price, but remember you’ll need a DisplayPort cable to push your framerate higher, and make sure your graphics card supports one; they look almost exactly like HDMI cables. I highly recommend this monitor if you’re sticking with 1080p and want to see what buttery smooth frames per second looks like.

LG 29UM58-P 29IN


Price: $276.98
Resolution: 2560 x 1080
Hz: 60 Hz
Size: 29 inches

If you ever wanted a screen that takes up your entire peripheral vision with a crisp display then the LG 29UM58-P is the affordable ultrawide monitor for you—it’s model number appropriately sounds like a spaceship. Colors are vibrant thanks to its IPS display, making sure games look bold and detailed as they should. For the resolution and price it’s hard to beat the LG 29UM58. If you really want to be a pro, get two, and never look at analog reality again. One thing to watch out for, LG claims the monitor can run at 75 Hz, but that requires overclocking the refresh rate; it is a 60 Hz display.

ASUS ROG SWIFT PG278Q


Price: $767.98
Resolution: 2560x1080
Hz: 144 Hz
Size: 27 inches
The ROG Swift is not a cheap monitor, but I’m including it because I’m typing on one right now, and I have no regrets. Almost all higher Hz monitors in the 2560x1080 category are going to cost you; you’ll need a new credit card to go into debt for one. Are they worth it? If you’re a PC hardware enthusiast, rocking the latest graphics card, playing the highest fidelity games, it’s a huge addition to your setup. The 27 inch display shows off games beautifully, and at 144 Hz it’s hard to beat. The ROG Swift is for people with cash to blow, or for the frugal saver.

Acer Predator 34-inch Curved UltraWide QHD


Price: $1,299.99
Resolution: 3440 x 1440
Hz: 60 Hz
Size: 37 inches
I figure why not show off a few monster monitors. The Acer Predator is a high-end, entry-level 4k monitor, and I consider it entry because by default it displays at 60 Hz, though Acer self-reports it can be overclocked to 100 Hz. Not a monitor for players on a budget. Got to save your allowance, or put those pay stubs in a manila envelope. The Predator is a curved monitor, but subtle enough to not be a distraction. If you’re looking for a high-end 4k monitor you probably already have a high-end graphics card; if you don’t then 4k is not for you. Pushing games at such high resolution requires bestial power.

Asus ROG PG348Q


Price: $1,299.99
Resolution: 3440 x 1440
Hz: 100 Hz
Size: 34 inches
One more 4k monitor because why not?—maybe I’m subconsciously showing off my own desires. The Asus ROG is slightly smaller than the Predator at 34 inches, but it natively supports 100 Hz out of the box; remember you need a DisplayPort. If you decide to put out for the Asus ROG you’ll never go back to gaming on anything smaller. Your desk probably wont have room to fit anything smaller anyway. If you’re computer has the horsepower, and you’re wondering what your next upgrade is then turn your eyes to the Asus ROG.

I've been playing games before I could walk, and MMOs since Earthlink 5.0, a terrible way to play. I bounce around between games a lot, from EVE Online back to Vanilla and forward to whatever Indie title can keep my interest.