We Show You What the Perfect Gaming Monitor Needs!
If you’re in need of a new gaming monitor, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the considerations and technical jargon involved. But worry not, we’re here to assist you in finding the ideal monitor for all your League of Legends gaming needs. After all, you want to be able to spot Yasuo coming, right? Let’s dive into the key factors to look for in a gaming monitor.
The Best Size and Format for LoL
Most gaming monitors come in two common sizes: 24 inches and 27 inches, measured diagonally from the bottom left corner to the top right corner. Your preferred size depends on personal taste and how close you sit to your PC. If you sit about a meter away from the monitor, 27 inches is recommended. However, if you sit closer, 24 inches will suffice.
Now, let’s talk about the format. Ultrawide monitors have gained popularity among gamers for good reason. Their wider field of view allows you to see more of the action and truly immerse yourself in the game. Since League of Legends supports ultrawide resolutions, you might want to consider opting for one of these. Ultrawide monitors come in two main formats: 21:9 and 32:9. The latter is much wider and offers an even broader view of the map, giving you a competitive advantage when it comes to spotting ganks or other crucial moments in the game. If you’re after a super-wide monitor, Samsung’s Odyssey series is a great option.
However, it’s important to note that the ultra-wide format does have a downside. The mini-map in League of Legends tends to disappear in the bottom right corner, making it harder to spot pings and other signals from your team. Nevertheless, many gamers still prefer the immersive experience provided by ultra-wide monitors.
Resolution: How to Make League of Legends Crisp and Sharp
The resolution of your gaming monitor determines the overall visual quality of the game. A higher resolution means a sharper image. Luckily, League of Legends has relatively low system requirements, so you can play it even on modest hardware. For League of Legends, you have several resolution options to choose from.
The most common resolutions are Full HD (1920 x 1080), WQHD (2560 x 1440), and Ultra HD or 4K (3840 x 2160). For Full HD resolution, you’ll need at least a mid-range hardware configuration:
- Processor: Intel Core i5-3300 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200
- Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce 560 or AMD Radeon HD 8950
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 16GB SSD
Even if these specifications sound like gibberish to you, don’t worry. These are considered low-end requirements, so as long as you have a relatively modern computer, you should be able to run League of Legends without any issues.
On the other end of the spectrum, we have 4K resolution. While there are no official system requirements for this resolution, benchmarks have shown that even a mid-range graphics card like the GTX 1080 from 2016 can handle League of Legends at 4K resolution with over 130 frames per second. As a result, you don’t necessarily need high-end hardware to enjoy the game at its maximum visual potential. However, if you plan to play other demanding games that require more hardware power, a lower resolution might be a more suitable choice.
The Hertz Number: How Much FPS Can You Get?
The hertz number refers to the refresh rate of the monitor and indicates the number of frames per second it can display. While older monitors typically have a refresh rate of 60 hertz, it’s recommended to aim for at least 120 hertz for a smoother gaming experience. Many modern PCs can handle this without any issues. If you want an even better experience, consider a monitor with a refresh rate of 144 hertz. Anything higher than 144 hertz might not provide significant visual improvements, so it’s generally not worth the extra cost.
Which Panel is Best for LoL?
There are different types of panels used in monitors, and for League of Legends and other competitive games, a TN (Twisted Nematic) panel is considered the best option. TN panels offer the lowest response times, usually less than one millisecond, which is crucial for games like LoL. Additionally, TN panels tend to be more affordable compared to other panel types, making them a wallet-friendly choice.
However, if color accuracy is important to you and you plan to use the monitor for creative work such as photo editing with software like Photoshop, an IPS (In-Plane Switching) panel may be a better fit. IPS panels provide more accurate color reproduction and usually have response times ranging from 1-2 milliseconds. Another option is a VA (Vertical Alignment) panel, which offers the best resolution, but with higher response times of around 4-5 milliseconds, it may not be the most suitable choice for competitive gaming.
Other Things You Should Consider
While the aforementioned factors are crucial when selecting a gaming monitor for League of Legends, there are a few additional considerations worth mentioning:
- Ports: If you intend to play at high FPS on high resolutions, make sure the monitor has the appropriate ports. For 120 FPS at Full HD, HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.2 ports are recommended. For 240 FPS at Full HD, a DisplayPort 1.2 is essential, and if you plan to play at 240 FPS on WQHD or 4K, aim for at least a DisplayPort 1.3.
- G-Sync and FreeSync: Most monitors support either G-Sync or FreeSync technologies. The choice between them depends on your graphics card. Nvidia graphics cards are compatible with G-Sync, while AMD cards work with FreeSync. These technologies prevent screen tearing during gaming, resulting in smoother gameplay.
- Additional outlets: While not essential, having additional ports on the monitor can be convenient. USB or USB-C ports directly on the monitor can simplify device connectivity, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack is also handy for connecting your headset.
- VESA-compatibility: If you plan to mount your monitor on a wall using an appropriate mount, make sure the monitor is VESA-compatible.
Conclusion: The Perfect Monitor for League of Legends
Ultimately, the ideal monitor for League of Legends depends on your hardware specifications and personal preferences. Based on my expertise, I recommend a monitor with the following specifications:
- Format: 21:9
- Resolution: WQHD
- Refresh rate: 144 hertz
- Panel: IPS
Monitors such as the LG UltraGear-Monitor align with these specifications and offer an excellent gaming experience for League of Legends players.