Gaming monitors: the best choices for MMOs and RPGs

The Japannext team is happy to offer you its expertise to make your life easier in choosing a monitor that will be closest to your real needs. This week, in the broad category of gaming monitor , we explore the best possible choices between MMO and RPG for gamers.


MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) and RPG (Role Playing Game) video games require total immersion to provide the best possible experience. For this, choosing a quality monitor is essential. Japannext looks into it for you with the key aspects to consider when selecting the best gaming monitors for this type of game by presenting a detailed comparison of resolutions and refresh rates, as well as different models to guide your choice.


Resolution: what impact on the gaming experience?


The resolution of a screen determines the clarity and precision of the images displayed. For MMORPGs and RPGs, where graphics play a crucial role in immersion, a high resolution allows you to take full advantage of the detailed visual content offered by these games.


1080p: Full HD as standard for MMO and RPG?


A lot of gamers still settle for 1080p resolution, also known as Full HD. Here are some of its advantages:

  • Cheaper compared to other higher resolutions
  • Offers good performance for average PC configurations
  • Sufficient level of detail for the majority of games

However, this resolution can show its limits in modern MMOs and RPGs which benefit from greatly improved graphics.


1440p: QHD for MMO and RPG details


Upgrading to 1440p resolution, or Quad HD, significantly improves visual quality while remaining accessible for most gaming configurations. The benefits include:

 

  • Sharper images compared to 1080p
  • Interesting compromise between performance and visual quality
  • Excellent for commonly available graphics cards

This resolution is gradually becoming the new standard among gamers looking for a better experience without sacrificing too much in terms of performance.


4K: Ultra HD for gaming purists


For those seeking ultimate immersion, 4K resolution offers images astounding in their sharpness and clarity. Some highlights include:

  • Extremely fine detail, ideal for the vast, richly detailed landscapes of RPGs
  • Compatible with the latest graphics innovations in modern games
  • Exceptional immersion thanks to high pixel density

But be careful, playing in 4K requires a high-end graphics card and a high-performance configuration to maintain satisfactory fps rates.

 

Refresh rate: fluidity above all

The refresh rate, measured in hertz (Hz), indicates how many times per second the screen is able to refresh. A higher rate means a smoother image, essential for responsive and immersive gaming experiences.

60 Hz: the essential minimum

Germinated from acceptable fluidity, a refresh rate of 60 Hz remains the minimum threshold for decent gameplay in MMOs and RPGs. Advantages and limitations include:

  • Suitable for less powerful machines
  • Powerful for games that do not require extreme responsiveness
  • Can show its limit for intense action games

Using a 60Hz monitor is often enough for the casual gamer, but can frustrate those accustomed to higher performance.

144 Hz: the perfect compromise

144Hz monitors are quickly becoming the gold standard for serious gamers. Their advantages are numerous:

  • Significant improvement in the fluidity of movements
  • Noticeable reduction in motion blur effects
  • Compatibility with a majority of current graphics cards

This refresh rate is ideal for players engaged in action-packed MMOs and RPGs requiring precision in combat.

240 Hz and beyond: for gaming experts

Designed for competition and optimization enthusiasts, a rate of 240 Hz guarantees an absolutely smooth experience. Its main advantages include:

  • Unrivaled feeling of fluidity
  • Optimal responsiveness during intense action phases
  • Ideal for very high-end configurations

However, these monitors can be expensive and are only fully usable with high-performance machines.

 

Selection of the best current gaming monitors

27-inch 144Hz 4K UHD Gaming Monitor

Description of our gaming monitor

  • Refresh rate: 144 Hz
  • Response time: 1ms
  • Panel: IPS for exceptional image quality
  • Resolution: 3840x2160 4K
  • HDMI 2.1: for transferring 4K signals up to 120 Hz (console compatible)
  • sRGB 100%

360Hz 27-inch WQHD (2560x1440) gaming monitor

Description of our gaming monitor

Key Features:

  • Refresh rate: 360 Hz
  • Response time: 1ms
  • Panel: IPS UltraFast for exceptional image quality
  • Resolution: 2560x1440 WQHD
  • sRGB 100%
  • Power delivery USB-C 90w: charge your laptop or MAC directly through the monitor

31.5 inch 165Hz Gaming monitor

Description of our gaming monitor

Key Features:

  • Refresh rate: 165 Hz
  • Response time: 1ms
  • Panel: IPS for exceptional image quality
  • Resolution: 2560x1440 WQHD
  • Flicker-free: eliminates flickering on the screen
  • HDR: for an immersive experience

Analyze your needs before purchasing your gaming monitor

Choosing the best monitor depends on various personal and technical criteria. Evaluating your priorities, such as desired resolution, required refresh rate, and compatibility with your current system, helps select the ideal display to optimize your MMO and RPG experience. Each player will have to find their balance between graphics performance and available budget to achieve optimal immersion during their gaming sessions.

Which monitor to choose for an MMO: the complete guide to gaming

Choosing the right monitor for MMO (massively multiplayer online role-playing games) games can transform your gaming experience. MMORPGs like World of Warcraft, The Elder Scrolls Online or Final Fantasy XIV require high-performance screens adapted to maximize immersion and performance. This guide will help you determine which type of screen is best suited to your specific needs.

Gaming monitor size: finding the right compromise

Screen size is one of the first criteria to consider when choosing a new MMO gaming monitor. This affects not only the immersion in the game but also the resolution and graphics performance.

24 inch screens vs 27 inch screens for MMO

24-inch monitors offer a reasonable size for most desktop setups. They are generally affordable and easy to place. However, they may lack immersion for some players.
On the other hand, 27-inch monitors provide better immersion thanks to their larger display surface. They also allow you to take full advantage of higher resolution such as 1440p (QHD), which remains a popular standard among gamers.

Ultrawide and curved monitors

An ultra-wide (21:9) screen provides an expanded field of view, ideal for MMO games where a wider panorama can improve strategy and environmental awareness. Curved monitors increase this immersion by slightly enveloping your peripheral vision. For open-world titles such as Black Desert Online, these monitors can be particularly beneficial.

Gaming monitor resolution: optimize your visuals

Your monitor resolution directly influences the image quality and details displayed in-game. Here are some common options and their respective benefits.

Full HD (1080p)

Full HD remains a common and economically viable option. For gamers with a mid-range computer configuration, 1080p provides good performance without requiring a very powerful graphics card. It is perfect for those who prioritize fluidity.

Quad HD (1440p)

If your gaming computer is equipped with a robust graphics card, opting for a Quad HD monitor can offer a noticeable improvement in visuals while maintaining a high refresh rate. The 1440p strikes an excellent balance between image quality and performance.

Ultra HD (4K)

Ultra HD offers exceptional pixel density, ideal for appreciating all the details of the landscapes and characters of your favorite MMOs. However, this resolution requires an extremely powerful PC configuration to ensure a smooth experience, especially in resource-intensive titles.

Refresh rate: fluidity above all

For MMO enthusiasts, a high refresh rate means smoother and responsive action. Let's compare different current rates.

60Hz

This frequency is the minimum required for a smooth experience in virtually all video games, including MMOs. Although it is adequate, many players are now looking for superior options.

120Hz and 144Hz

These frequencies have become popular among gamers. They provide increased fluidity that can make a big difference in intense action scenes or complex raids. A 144Hz monitor is recommended for those wanting responsive gameplay without going beyond their budget.

165 Hz and beyond

Even higher frequencies like 165 Hz or even 240 Hz provide extreme responsiveness. Although more common among competitive FPS players, they can also provide a clear advantage in MMORPGs with dynamic combat. However, these screens require a high-end configuration to take advantage of their potential.

Panel technology: IPS, VA or TN?

Panel technology plays a key role in image quality, viewing angles and response time. Each of these families has its own advantages and disadvantages.

IPS panels

In-Plane Switching (IPS) panels are popular for their bright, accurate colors and wide viewing angles. If you value visual quality and work a lot with graphics outside of gaming, an IPS display is a wise choice.

VA slabs

Vertical Alignment (VA) panels offer very good contrast and are excellent in dark environments, which can be ideal for MMOs set in nighttime or underground environments. However, VAs generally have somewhat higher response times than IPS and TN.

TN slabs

Twisted Nematic (TN) tiles are known for their low cost and fast response times. Although they don't match IPS in terms of image quality, they remain a solid option for games where responsiveness is paramount, although less useful for enjoying the superb environments of certain MMORPGs.

Additional options

  • G-Sync/Freesync: These technologies synchronize the screen's refresh rate with your graphics card, eliminating image tearing and providing a smoother gaming experience.
  • HDR: High Dynamic Range technology increases color gamut and contrast, delivering more realistic visuals. While not all MMOs support it, it can greatly enrich those that do.
  • Response time: Look for a response time of less than 5ms to avoid motion blur, especially during busy battles.
  • Connectivity: Make sure the monitor has HDMI, DisplayPort, and possibly USB inputs for flexibility.

By following these tips, every MMORPG player will be able to find the perfect monitor suited to their setup and gaming preferences, to achieve an optimal, immersive gaming experience.

What is the best resolution for RPG games?

Role-playing games, more commonly called RPGs, have a unique technical complexity that greatly influences the gaming experience. Among these technical aspects, graphics resolution plays a crucial role. This article explores what the optimal resolutions are for playing RPGs by detailing different factors such as the size of your screen, the technology used, and the specifics of the games themselves.

Understanding Video Game Resolution

Resolution is defined by the number of pixels displayed on the screen, expressed as a pair of numbers often denoted width x height (for example, 1920x1080). A higher number generally means finer, sharper visual details.

Different types of common resolutions

  • 720p (HD): 1280x720 pixels. Minimum acceptable base for modern games.
  • 1080p (Full HD): 1920x1080 pixels. Current standard for the majority of gamers.
  • 1440p (Quad HD): 2560x1440 pixels. Growing popularity thanks to a good balance between performance and quality.
  • 2160p (4K Ultra HD): 3840x2160 pixels. For those looking for the ultimate in graphics.

Impact of resolution on performance

Higher resolutions demand more from the computer hardware. Ensuring your graphics card and CPU support these high pixel levels is essential to avoiding frame rate drops and maintaining smooth gameplay.

Display Factors: Screen Size and Viewing Distance

Screen size plays a dominant role in choosing the optimal resolution. The larger the screen, the more fine detail it is able to display; provided that the resolution follows. For exemple :

  • 24-inch screens: Full HD (1080p) looks very sharp.
  • 27-inch screens: Quad HD (1440p) is recommended to maintain high pixel density.
  • 32-inch and larger screens: 4K (2160p) is really starting to show its advantage.

Viewing distance also affects perception of sharpness. If you sit close to the screen, low resolution flaws will show up more.

RPG-Specific Considerations

RPGs often contain open worlds with rich environments and intricate details. The resolution can significantly enrich this experience in several aspects.

Visual storytelling and immersion

A strong point of RPGs is their ability to transport players to alternate universes. High resolution allows you to see details like costume textures, facial expressions, and complex landscapes. These elements enhance visual storytelling and increase immersion.

Computer screen: user interface and readability of texts

Often, RPG interfaces and dialogs contain a lot of text. Inappropriate resolution can make these texts blurry or unreadable. Resolutions such as 1440p or 4K ensure maximum clarity but sometimes require adjusting font sizes for optimal reading comfort.

Additional technology: framerate and screen refresh

In parallel with the resolution, the fluidity of the animations, that is to say the framerate (number of images per second), must be taken into consideration. For RPGs, where the cinematic aspect is important, a refresh rate of at least 60Hz is recommended.

Graphics cards and compatibility

High-performance graphics cards should be combined with screens offering high resolutions. For example, an NVIDIA RTX 30xx series or an AMD Radeon RX 6000 series will be adapted to achieve 4K while maintaining a pleasant framerate.

Synchronization systems

The use of technologies like G-Sync (NVIDIA) or FreeSync (AMD) improves the visual experience by avoiding tearing when moving quickly through the RPG universe.

Balance between aesthetics and performance

The goal is to find a balanced configuration between visual fidelity and gameplay fluidity. Although the temptation to optimize both resolution and graphics settings is strong, this can cause performance drops.

Recommended configurations

  • For 1080p games: GTX 1660 or equivalent, latest generation i5 CPU.
  • For games at 1440p: RTX 2060 or equivalent, latest generation i7 CPU.
  • For 4K games: RTX 3080 or equivalent, latest generation i9 CPU.

Graphics settings to adjust

  • Textures: Adjust according to available VRAM.
  • Shadows: Can be reduced to save performance.
  • Special Effects: Greatly influence the aesthetic of RPGs and must be adjusted judiciously.

Personal preferences

Ultimately, choosing the right resolution also depends greatly on individual player preferences. Some favor stunning graphics at any price, while others prefer to maintain flawless fluidity even if it requires making some visual concessions.

Particularly in the RPG games field, where the balance between all of these elements directly contributes to immersion and overall appreciation of the game world, finding that perfect balance can transform the player's personal experience.