Want to play your favorite game with stunning graphics on PC? If so, it's time to upgrade to 4K! Ultra high definition on PC is now within reach of even the most budget-conscious gamers, so you have no excuse not to take the plunge!
Comparison of the 5 best 4K monitors for PC
Enough talk, let's get right to the must-have 4K PC monitors of the year. For gamers who'd like a little help making the best choice, you'll find a buyer's guide and a complete FAQ below! So let's go! 👍
1. SAMSUNG U28E590D:
Features and Reviews
Ideal for PC setups, as well as for consoles, the Samsung U28E59OD is one of the best 4K PC monitors currently available! Its sRGB monitor reproduces over 95% of the color gamut and offers you a high-definition image.
The HDMI interface, compatible with all UHD systems, provides a 60Hz refresh rate for smooth, lag-free 4K images. Its AMD FreeSync technology adjusts the screen resolution based on the frame rate and content, reducing stuttering.
The built-in special game mode enhances the dark areas of the image so that your screen is visible in all circumstances.
2. ASUS VP28UQG
Features and Reviews
With exceptional image quality, the Asus VP28UQG offers gamers the opportunity to play on a 4K screen.
Its 1ms response time puts it among the fastest in its class, blurring the lines between the real and virtual worlds. Thanks to Asus GamePlus technology, in-game improvements will be made to deliver the best possible performance.
Blue light is no longer a problem during extended use thanks to Asus' ultra-low blue light technology, which effectively filters it. Its Flicker-free system also reduces image flicker to minimize eye strain throughout the day.
3. BenQ EL2870U
Features and Reviews
With its 4K capability, the BenQ EL2870U delivers high-quality images while maintaining a sleek and minimalist design. Its Brightness Intelligence Plus technology sensor enhances your viewing comfort by automatically adjusting brightness and color temperature.
Thanks to its High Dynamic Range, you can enjoy high-end image quality by adjusting the contrast of your graphics, whether for personal or professional use. AMD FreeSync eliminates stuttering and delivers smooth images with optimal refresh rates.
Your eye comfort is ensured thanks to fast action and high-quality transitions. Its two HDMI ports allow you to connect it to multiple devices simultaneously.
4. LG 32UK550-B
Features and Reviews
Are you someone who appreciates quality? This monitor is for you. With a curved stand for enhanced stability, the LG32U combines elegance and simplicity.
Its various features offer excellent value for money. Like its competitors, its 4K resolution provides access to exceptionally sharp and high-quality images. You'll be able to immerse yourself in your activities in no time.
Its FreeSync technology prevents stuttering and ensures a high-quality refresh rate. Its stereo system delivers comfortable, clear sound. OnScreen Control lets you quickly organize your display.
5. Samsung U32R594CWU
Features and Reviews
With its higher than average price, the SAMSUNG U32R is essentially aimed at a range of professional users.
Its curved 4K screen guarantees a high-quality experience thanks to its exceptional resolution and a palette of over one billion colors. It's one of the most responsive screens on the market, with a response time of less than 4 milliseconds.
Featuring Flicker-Free technology to significantly reduce screen flicker and Eye Saver Mode to block blue light, your visual comfort is guaranteed. MagicBright and MagicUpscale, meanwhile, increase image resolution without any noticeable degradation on your screen.
6. LG 34WK95UW
Features and Reviews
The LG 34WK95UW impresses with its image quality, both in terms of resolution and color. The screen measures 34 inches and has a resolution of 5120 x 2160 pixels. It features a 5K Ultra HD system and incorporates LED display technology in a 21:9 aspect ratio. The screen's power output is 85 watts, and its standby power consumption is only 1.2 watts!
Furthermore, the LG 34WK95UW monitor offers a 178° horizontal viewing angle and a 178° vertical viewing angle. This is very convenient for video editing, desktop publishing, or watching movies! The image quality is exceptionally sharp, and the monitor's speaker delivers good sound. The LG 34WK95UW monitor has two HDMI ports and one USB 2.0 port.
Buyer's guide to choosing a 4K gaming monitor
Having a good PC setup is one thing, but you'll agree that playing on a high-resolution screen is another . If you haven't yet invested in a 4K monitor, our guide will help you find the one that best suits your needs based on various criteria.
Our team will therefore present you with tips for choosing the best technological marvel and answer all the questions you may have before making your purchase. Enough talk, let's get straight to the point.
What is the difference with a 1080p screen?
If you're not yet convinced by 4K technology , it's probably because you're not yet familiar with its advantages. Of course, the difference between a 1080p screen, also known as Full HD, and a 4K screen won't be as striking as the jump from 480p to 720p. That's undeniable.
However, the changes are still noticeable to the naked eye for gamers, of course. To help you understand, an HD screen has 1920 x 1080 pixels, which is four times fewer pixels than a 4K screen. Indeed, a 4K screen has 4094 x 2160 pixels ; we'll let you do the math, but the difference is indeed enormous, and it's easier to understand why it's perceptible to the naked eye.
Of course, 4K offers unprecedented image quality, but that's not its only advantage, far from it. Playing on a 4K screen allows you to perceive your video game in minute detail . This will be particularly useful for gamers who enjoy immersive mode. In fact, a 4K screen lets you dive into the game's environment without any limitations; we have to admit, when it's presented like that, it's very appealing.
It's true that solo gamers , those who prefer shooting games for example, will have less incentive to switch to a 4K screen, although it's also possible. This is therefore a point you should consider before investing in any particular monitor.
Why pay attention to compatible content?
The answer is simple: if you invest in a 4K screen without being sure you can play compatible content, then this high resolution loses all its meaning since it will be impossible to take advantage of it…
Let's be clear, 4K isn't new. In fact, this resolution has been on our screens for quite some time, so much so that we're already hearing about 8K, which has also been available for a few years. All this to reassure you: yes, it's becoming increasingly easy for gamers to find video games compatible with 4K.
However, our editorial team would like to warn you. This is not yet the case for all video games. While the next-gen consoles that appeared last winter, namely the PS5 and Xbox Series X, are fully compatible, it's worth noting that the PS4 Pro, as well as the Xbox One X and S, were also compatible at the time.
As for PC gamers looking to invest in a 4K monitor, they should also pay attention to this criterion. As we mentioned, this criterion should become less important over the years as more and more games are developed to be optimized for 4K – yet another advantage for this high-definition format.
Technical specifications: what criteria should be taken into account?
As you might expect, choosing a 4K monitor isn't always straightforward, especially if your area of expertise isn't IT. Indeed, many criteria need to be considered before making a purchase. Our team simplifies the process for you by reviewing each of the important features to consider when buying a 4K monitor for gaming.
The screen size
Let's start with one of the most obvious criteria: screen size . Obviously, you can imagine that screen size is one of the essential points to consider, especially when the screen is used for gaming.
If you're a gamer on the go, you can find mini portable 4K screens , around 15 inches!
It's important to know that on the market, you can find screens ranging from 19 to over 85 inches . The inch is the unit of measurement used to calculate the size of your screen. It refers to the diagonal measurement of your screen. To give you a clearer idea, one inch is approximately 2 centimeters.
It's worth noting that the larger your screen, the more noticeable and enjoyable 4K will be. Regarding the ideal size for a gaming monitor , we recommend choosing one with a minimum of 24 inches. A 24-inch screen measures 61 centimeters diagonally, which is already excellent for gameplay.
Of course, if your gaming space (office, living room, etc.) and budget allow, you can invest in a 28-inch screen for even better quality ! For your information, 28 inches corresponds to a screen with a diagonal measurement of 71.1 centimeters.
Good to know: We invite you to check out our comparison of ultrawide PC monitors to discover large monitors that can reach up to 49 inches!
The scanning frequency
The refresh rate, also known as the scan rate , is a very important factor, especially for gamers. The higher the refresh rate, the more images your screen will display per second. PC gamers commonly refer to this as FPS (Frames Per Second).
It's important to know that this frequency is measured in Hertz , and the corresponding abbreviation is Hz . The standard in the gaming market is between 60 and 144 Hz , but for top-of-the-line monitors, these can reach up to 240 Hz ! Simply put, a monitor with a 60 Hz refresh rate will display 60 images per second (60 FPS), while a monitor with a 240 Hz refresh rate will display 240 images per second—quite a difference, isn't it?
A 144Hz screen already offers a very good refresh rate for PC gamers, which is certainly not negligible. However, it's true that once you've experienced the best 240Hz PC monitors , it's very difficult to go back. Apple users will tell you the same thing: "Once you're with Apple, it's hard to go back to Samsung!" It's a never-ending debate…
While some gamers and experts recommend choosing a 144Hz PC monitor for gaming , others don't necessarily see the point. However, we can confirm that the difference is noticeable for the eyes. Ultimately, though, it comes down to budget; money is the bottom line, after all.
The speakers
There's also a criterion that's sometimes wrongly overlooked: speakers. Indeed, some gamers don't want to use external speakers . In that case, it might be wise to invest in a monitor with built-in speakers.
It is true that PC monitors with speakers are becoming a little rarer, but it is not impossible to find them, we assure you!
The connectivity
This technical aspect should be carefully considered when purchasing your 4K screen. Indeed, depending on the model and manufacturer, the screen's connectivity options can vary . Therefore, the included cables are also something you should check. Some screens are sometimes sold without an HDMI cable…
Thus, a screen can have several ports:
- The HDMI port : 4K screens are generally equipped with one or more HDMI 2.0 ports. It should be noted that this port does not allow the transmission of sound;
- The DisplayPort : whether it is a DisplayPort 1.1, 1.2v or 1.4, it will carry the sound and will be compatible with G-Sync and FreeSync technology;
- The USB port : the USB port will be able to transmit audio, video as well as your USB data.
Response time
Here's a relatively technical criterion. If you weren't aware, response time measures how quickly a pixel can change from black to white, or from one shade of gray to another. Naturally, the higher the response time, the slower your screen will display this pixel change.
For some games, this won't have a significant impact; however, fans of shooters and/or fast-paced games will likely agree that this criterion is important. During gameplay, if the response time is too slow, phenomena such as ghosting or motion blur , resulting in relatively blurry lines behind rapidly moving objects or characters.
We would like to reassure you, however, that response time is given in milliseconds and 4K gaming screens generally have response times of less than 5 milliseconds.
The type of slab
Last but not least: the panel type. In the gaming world, three categories are generally in contention. You'll have the choice between IPS, VA, and TN panels. Here's what you need to know:
- The IPS panel : this panel has the best color range and a wide viewing angle, but its refresh rate is often the lowest. It generally hovers around 75 Hz;
- The TN panel : this screen has the lowest color gamut and also lacks a wide viewing angle. However, the refresh rates are excellent and often reach 144 Hz or more;
- The VA panel : the color gamut on this screen is wider than on a TN panel but narrower than on an IPS panel. It's actually the perfect middle ground. As for the refresh rate, it's generally 60 Hz or even 120 Hz depending on the model.
FAQs!
What screen functions should be taken into account?
We've covered the technical specifications of 4K screens, but that's not all you need to know. Depending on the model you choose, your future screen may have several additional features.
Brightness : not all screens allow you to adjust the brightness, which is an important factor, especially if you tend to play in the dark;
General settings : also consider the screen's ease of use. If you're not tech-savvy, it's best to choose a simple, user-friendly model;
Screen adjustment : It's also important to check that the screen and its stand are adjustable. This will allow you, for example, to adjust the height of your screen for comfortable gameplay.
Depending on the 4K screen model, not all of the above features may be available. It's up to you to decide whether these features are essential or not.
Should you opt for a curved screen or not?
When purchasing your 4K monitor, you'll have the choice between a flat or curved screen . For comfortable gaming, we recommend opting for a curved PC monitor . This will guarantee you the ultimate gaming experience!
significantly increases your field of vision the entire screen without having to strain your eyes—pretty convenient, right? Another advantage of a curved screen is undoubtedly the near-total absence of reflections due to its curvature.
In short, the verdict is clear: curved screens are very popular with gamers! Of course (and once again), the curved model is more expensive than the flat screen.
Which should you choose: GSync or FreeSync technology?
We mentioned these terms earlier, but it seemed essential to revisit them. G-Sync (from NVIDIA) and FreeSync (from AMD) are technologies that allow you to adjust your monitor's refresh rate to that of your graphics card .
These technologies help combat image distortion during gameplay. This is known as screen tearing. V-Sync technology, found on most monitors, serves the same purpose but is considered less effective than NVIDIA and AMD technologies.
As you can imagine, G-Sync technology is not compatible with an AMD graphics card and vice versa. If your PC is already built and you only need to invest in a monitor, this is therefore a crucial factor!
Some manufacturers claim that the two are compatible; however, no official information has been released on this subject. We therefore recommend that you pay close attention to this criterion.
Should you choose a 4K LED or LCD screen?
When buying your screen, you may find yourself wondering which technology to choose, and again, that's no easy task…
For optimal gaming quality, LED technology is recommended. LED screens are significantly more energy-efficient, offering up to 30% energy savings compared to LCD screens. Furthermore, LED screens are known for their superior display accuracy.
The LCD is generally a slightly heavier model but will cost less than the LED model.
Conclusion: how to differentiate between all these criteria?
After reading this article, you're probably wondering how you're going to manage with such a long list of criteria. Admittedly, it's not the easiest thing to do. Choosing a 4K screen seems more complicated than you imagined.
Our first piece of advice is to take stock . As a PC gamer, what criteria are essential for you, and which ones could you overlook? Indeed, every gamer has a personal perspective, and ours is entirely subjective as well.
Of course, when making your choice, don't hesitate to set a budget . This will allow you to eliminate some criteria quite easily. Indeed, as we have explained throughout this article, the budget often determines what you can and cannot afford.
It's therefore impossible to say which criterion is most important. Each criterion can have its own advantages and disadvantages. We therefore advise you to consult various 4K screen comparisons . This can help you make your choice, as we know it's not always easy to decide, especially when you want the best!
We conclude this guide hoping to have answered all the questions you may have had before purchasing your 4K gaming monitor .
