Hardware FAQ
Technical clarifications for display hardware.
What is the difference between IPS, VA, and TN panels?
IPS offers the best color accuracy and viewing angles but suffers from 'IPS glow' in dark rooms. VA panels provide excellent contrast ratios and deep blacks but can suffer from ghosting in fast-moving scenes. TN panels are fast and cheap, favored by hardcore esports players, but have poor viewing angles and washed-out colors.
Do I really need 240Hz?
If you play competitive shooters (CS2, Valorant, Overwatch) at a high level and your PC can consistently generate 240+ frames per second, the reduction in input lag and motion blur is noticeable. For casual gaming or RPGs, 144Hz or 165Hz is more than sufficient.
Why is my 144Hz monitor running at 60Hz?
You must manually change the refresh rate in your operating system's display settings. Additionally, ensure you are using a DisplayPort cable or an HDMI 2.0+ cable, as older cables lack the bandwidth for high refresh rates.
What is Calibrating Your Display?
It is the process of using hardware (a colorimeter) or software to adjust your monitor's color output to match a standardized baseline, ensuring that reds look truly red and grays lack unintended color tints.
Is OLED burn-in still a major issue for PC use?
Modern OLED monitors utilize pixel shifting, localized dimming, and aggressive auto-dimming algorithms to mitigate burn-in. However, leaving static elements (like a Windows taskbar) on screen for 10+ hours a day without hiding them still poses a long-term risk.
What does G-Sync Compatible mean?
It means the monitor uses VESA Adaptive Sync (FreeSync) but has been tested and certified by NVIDIA to work flawlessly with their graphics cards without flickering, blanking, or artifacts.
Why does 1080p look bad on a 27-inch monitor?
At 27 inches, a 1080p resolution has a low pixel density (roughly 81 PPI). This makes individual pixels large enough to be easily visible at normal viewing distances, resulting in jagged text and 'soft' looking images.
Do I need an ergonomic monitor arm?
While not strictly necessary, an aftermarket VESA mount arm reclaims desk space, allows for precise height adjustments to prevent neck strain, and makes rotating the monitor to a vertical orientation trivial.