By Robin Owens 20 days ago, Monitors
IPS vs TN - which monitor panel should you buy?
Nowadays, monitor companies widely use TN panels for the production of PC monitors and the technical reasons for this are quite rational – exceptional response and a very high refresh rate.
Also, the technologies of TN monitors production are cheaper than IPS panels, so it makes TN displays more affordable since the price is lower.
Practically speaking, TN monitors are good for gaming because they offer 1ms response time, which is unachievable for IPS devices and aren’t very suitable for everyday use at home or office, because of their low quality of the image and limited viewing angles.
So if you are a desperate gamer, a person on tight budget or both, then twister nematic monitor is your choice, because of its affordable price and technical characteristics.
Screen size: 27-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1920x1080 | Brightness: 400 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 240 Hz | Response time: 1 ms | Viewing angle: 170/160 | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Color support: 91.5 sRGB
⊕ 240Hz maximum refresh rate
⊕ G-Sync support
⊕ Thin bezel
⊖ Disappointing built-in speakers
The Acer Predator XB272 is known as one of the best TN monitors for gamers and can easily compete with other 240Hz monitors available on the market. Simply put, it has everything you need to feel the atmosphere of a game.
TN screen has 1920x1080 resolution, Ultra Low Motion Blur (ULMB), which is crucial in motion blur reduction (ghosting) in games with no frames rate drops. Besides, it provides G-Sync support, 1000:1 support, and 4 USB 3.0 ports.
The buttons are a bit flat, but still tactile comfortable and additionally complemented with a joystick. Such a combination makes cross menu navigation more convenient in comparison with up- and down-arrow buttons.
Screen size: 27-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2560x1440 | Brightness: 350 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 165 Hz | Response time: 1 ms | Viewing angle: 170/160 | Contrast ratio: 1000:1 | Color support: 100% sRGB
⊕ Straightforward OSD with physical buttons
⊕ Amazing refresh rates
⊕ Easy monitor set up on any surface
⊖ 1 input option
It provides a user with strong technical capacities and takes care of your eyes, thanks to ASUS Eye Care Technology, which means that this TN panel has flicker-free backlighting and blue light filter.
Design of the Swift PG278QR is stylish – classic black display with little Asus symbol and Republic of Gamers logo; and a glowing red ring on an area between the FPS monitor and a stand, which is under control of OSD.
Large display (27 inches) with thin side bezels (only 0.25 inches wide) gives you clear view.
This Asus eye care monitor is a high-class TN panel for gaming, because its cutting-edge specifications are squarely worked out to provide a gamer with most responsive, high FPS, clearer visuals, and fastest movement on the screen.
Screen size: 27-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2560 x 1440 | Brightness: 350 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 144 Hz | Response time: 1 ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Color support: 100% sRGB
⊕ Great image quality
⊕ Moderate price
⊕ Sensible ports and OSD controls
⊖ Ordinary design
⊖ Lacks G-Sync for Nvidia users
This TN monitor has a thin bezel and the Acer symbol in the middle of the bottom. It looks ordinary and has nothing to stand out from the crowd with.
The static contrast, achievable within a single frame, is 1000: 1. This characteristic is of primary importance compared to dynamic contrast (100000000: 1) which is often used as market-speak.
While choosing the TN gaming monitor, pay attention to the refresh rate at maximum resolution. The Acer XF270HU has 144 Hz.
This TN monitor is suitable not only for gaming but also for professional work with photos and graphics because it has 100% sRGB. Such characteristics make this 4K TN panel attractive for both – a gamer and an average user.
Screen size: 24-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2560 x 1440 | Brightness: 350 cd/m2 | Response time: 1 ms | Viewing angle: 160/170 | Contrast ratio: 1000: 1 | Color support: 95% sRGB
⊕ G-Sync support and high refresh rate
⊕ Revolutionary performance
⊕ Frameless design
⊖ Poor color rendering before calibration
⊖ The limited set of connectors
S2417DG TN gaming monitor lets you play fast dynamic video games without tearing, jitter, and ghosting. Even the sharpest movements are transmitted smoothly and accurately, allowing you not to lose sight of the smallest details of the game.
Although this TN monitor does not belong to the budget category, it surpasses more expensive models in many ways. The combination of a 24-inch diagonal and a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels contribute to high definition images.
Screen size: 24-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Brightness: 350 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 144 Hz | Response time: 1 ms | Viewing angle: 170/160 | Contrast ratio: 1000 : 1 | Color support: 99% sRGB
⊕ Black Boost option
⊕ Aim Point support
⊖ Resolution of 1920x1080 pixels only
Acer Gaming Series KG241P is a great TN panel monitor for avid gamers. The ultra-slim design allows you to put the screen in a convenient place.
1ms of response speed and FreeSync technology will serve well during fast gameplay. Many complain about Full HD resolution, which provides mediocre image quality. But this is enough for a 24-inch diagonal to see all the details.
Screen size: 23.6-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Brightness: 300 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 144 Hz | Response time: 1 ms | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Color support: 92% sRGB
⊕ Extensive On-Screen display features
⊕ Compact body design
⊖ Overpriced
⊖ Built-in speakers have poor quality
This screen resembles the previous version of the Predator in appearance. The ergonomic stand in red and black may not appeal to everyone, but it will still look great on a desktop.
A resolution of 1080 pixels is not enough for a 27-inch monitor. But the diagonal of the Acer KG241Q is 23.6 inches, so Full HD guarantees excellent image quality.
AMD FreeSync support synchronizes video content with NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards. The average response rate of this TN screen is 5ms, which provides efficient synchronization with a high refresh rate.
Screen size: 21.5-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Brightness: 200 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | Response time: 5 ms | Viewing angle: 90/60 | Contrast ratio: 100000000:1 | Color support: 99% sRGB
⊕ Excellent price/quality ratio
⊕ HDMI
⊖ Poor response time
Do you need an inexpensive gaming monitor with TN panels and high-quality playback? Acer KA220HQ has a 21.5"" wide-format LCD display with Full HD resolution.
High pixel density provides excellent clarity of static and dynamic media content. This model is ideal for both entertainment and graphics programs.
Kensington lock Slot provides entry-level security. The KA220HQ complies with Energy Star efficiency standards and consumes 30% less electricity than its counterparts with the same functionality.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Acer Predator XB272
Our Choice |
CHECK PRICE→ | |
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Acer Gaming Series KG241P
For gamers |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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Acer KG241Q
Budget |
CHECK PRICE → |
A few years ago, when you needed a large screen space, you’d have to buy extra monitors. Today it’s enough to buy one monitor with a large diagonal. Monitors of 28 inches or more allow you to immerse yourself in what is happening on the screen.
The cost of the monitor used to depend directly on the screen size. Today, the amount of pixels matters more. The more pixels per inch monitor has, the higher is its price. A 4K TN monitor will cost a lot more than the FullHD one with identical features. Buying a high-resolution model, you get high color accuracy and excellent image quality.
A distinctive feature of the twisted nematic monitor is its short response time. It means the minimum time it takes for a pixel to change its brightness. The best 1ms gaming monitor provides high-quality video content, free of ghosting and motion blur in dynamic games. A higher refresh rate results in a sharper and smoother image. If you are searching for a screen for professional gaming, then these values should be on point.
Each monitor has ports for connecting to a personal computer. You may also need to connect several monitors via Thunderbolt or HDMI. Thunderbolt is an interface developed by Intel that allows you to transfer large amounts of data, video, and audio in a single connection. HDMI transmits high-definition multimedia.
It depends on the goals you pursue. If you need a screen with minimal response time, then TN panels are the best solution. But if you want the best color reproduction and good viewing angles, then IPS screens will suit you.
For better contrast and accurate colors, it is better to buy a model with VA panels.
Gamers prefer this type of panel because of the speedy response time, which eliminates ghosting and blurring in moving objects. But the color rendition leaves much to be desired, so TN monitors are not suitable for professional image editing.
Another drawback of these screens is their disappointing viewing angles.
The image quality of TN monitors suffers significantly if you watch video content from the side or a distance. As for IPS monitors, they greatly benefit in terms of image quality and viewing angles.
All monitors experience ghosting to some degree, even TN panels.
