Whenever you go shopping for a monitor, you have two choices. Buy a regular 60Hz monitor, or level up and choose the more versatile gaming monitor with higher refresh rates and many more options. Gaming monitors are designed to offer the best visual performance for gamers.
However, they can also be used for other purposes, such as browsing the web, watching videos, or working on documents. In fact, there are many benefits of using a gaming monitor as a regular monitor.
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We will explain what a gaming monitor is, how it differs from a regular monitor, and why you should consider getting one for everyday use.
What is a Gaming Monitor?
As the name suggests, a gaming monitor is a type of monitor that has features and specifications that are optimized for gaming. Some of the characteristics of gaming monitors are:
- High resolution: Gaming monitors typically have higher resolutions than regular monitors, such as 1080p (Full HD), 1440p (QHD), or 2160p (4K). Higher resolutions mean more pixels on the screen, which result in sharper and more detailed images.
- High refresh rate: Gaming monitors usually have higher refresh rates than regular monitors, such as 120Hz, 144Hz, 240Hz, or even 360Hz. Higher refresh rates mean more frames per second (FPS) on the screen, which results in a smoother and more fluid motion.
- Low response time: Gaming monitors generally have lower response times than regular monitors, such as 1ms, 2ms, or 4ms. Lower response times mean less delay between the input signal and the output image, which results in less ghosting and blurring.
- Adaptive sync: Gaming monitors often have adaptive sync technologies, such as AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync. Adaptive sync synchronizes the monitor’s refresh rate with the GPU’s frame rate, eliminating screen tearing and stuttering.
- Curved screen: Gaming monitors sometimes have curved screens, which create a more immersive and panoramic viewing experience.
Can You Use a Gaming Monitor as a Regular Monitor?
The short answer is yes, you can use a gaming monitor as a regular monitor. Gaming monitors are compatible with normal PCs and laptops, as long as they have the correct ports and cables. For example, if your gaming monitor has an HDMI port and your PC has an HDMI port, you can connect them with an HDMI cable. However, there are some potential issues that you may encounter when using a gaming monitor as a regular monitor:
- Scaling: If your gaming monitor has a higher resolution than your PC’s native resolution, you may need to adjust the scaling settings in Windows to ensure everything looks sharp and clear on the screen. Otherwise, you may see blurry text or icons that are too small or too large.
- Color accuracy: If your gaming monitor has a high color gamut or contrast ratio, you may need to calibrate it to guarantee the colors look accurate and natural on the screen. Otherwise, you may see colors that are too saturated or too dull.
- Power consumption: If your gaming monitor has a high refresh rate or brightness level, you may need to lower them to save power and reduce eye strain when using it for non-gaming purposes. Otherwise, you may see flickering or glare on the screen.
Reasons Why a Gaming Monitor Can be Used as a Regular Monitor
Now that we have established that you can use a gaming monitor for daily use, let’s look at some of the reasons why you should do so. According to us, there are five benefits of using a gaming monitor as a regular monitor:
Better Display Quality
One of the main advantages of using a gaming monitor as a regular monitor is that you will enjoy better display quality for any content that you view on the screen. Whether you are watching movies, browsing photos, or reading articles, you will appreciate the high resolution and refresh rate of your gaming monitor. You will see more details and clarity in every image and video. You will also experience less eye fatigue and headaches because of the reduced motion blur and flicker.
Faster Response Time
Another benefit of using a gaming monitor as a regular monitor is that you will experience faster response time for any input you make on your PC. Whether you are typing documents, editing videos, or scrolling web pages, you will notice less lag and latency between your actions and their effects on the screen. You will also avoid ghosting and blinking altogether while shifting to gaming monitors.
More Versatility
A third advantage of using a gaming monitor as a regular monitor is that you will have more versatility in terms of connectivity and functionality. Gaming monitors usually have multiple ports and inputs, such as HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C, USB-A, audio jack, and more. This means you can connect your gaming monitor to various devices and sources, such as your PC, laptop, console, smartphone, tablet, camera, speaker, and more. You can also use your gaming monitor as a hub or a docking station for your peripherals and accessories.
Gaming monitors also have additional features and settings which enhance your user experience. For example, some gaming monitors have built-in speakers, webcams, microphones, or RGB lighting. Others also have gaming modes, picture-in-picture (PIP), picture-by-picture (PBP), blue light filters, flicker-free technology, HDR support, and more. These features can help you customize your gaming display according to your preferences and needs.
More Value Per Dollar
A fourth benefit of using a gaming monitor as a regular monitor is money savings in the long run. Gaming monitors are definitely more expensive than a simple monitor at first glance. However, they are reasonable when you consider their value for money. Gaming monitors comparatively offer more features and performance than regular monitors for a slightly higher price. Gaming monitors also last longer and have better warranties than your average monitors.
If you think about it, buying a gaming monitor is like buying two monitors in one. You can use it for gaming and non-gaming purposes without compromising quality or functionality. You don’t need to buy separate monitors for different tasks or scenarios. Simply switch between modes or inputs with a click of a button.
Future-Proofing
A fifth advantage of using a gaming monitor as a regular monitor is that you will future-proof your PC setup. Gaming monitors have the latest technology and standards compatible with new devices and software. Gaming monitors can support higher resolutions, refresh rates, color depths, and adaptive sync technologies than regular monitors. Gaming monitors can also handle more demanding games and applications than regular monitors.
By using a gaming monitor as a regular monitor, you will be ready for any changes or upgrades that may come in the future. You won’t need to replace your monitor anytime soon because it will still be able to deliver excellent performance and quality for years to come.
Final Takeaway
As you can see, there are many reasons why a gaming monitor can be used as a regular monitor. Gaming monitors offer better display quality, faster response time, more versatility, cost-effectiveness, and future-proofing than regular monitors. Gaming monitors are not only suitable for gamers but also for anyone who wants to enjoy a superior visual experience on their PC.
For more analysis on gaming monitors, you can check out this post where we disect the usability of a 165Hz gaming monitor, or check out the 5 important principles we laid down for buying a gaming monitor in this post.