Buying Guide
The Best Monitors for a Gaming Desktop
Four fast IPS monitors for a desktop gaming PC, from 240Hz to 310Hz.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
A desktop PC can drive higher frame rates than a console, so these four focus on fast IPS panels between 240Hz and 310Hz.
Specs come from each manufacturer listing.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best 1440p Speed
ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR
300Hz at 1440p with DisplayHDR 600.
Best for: High-end desktops.
Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR (opens in a new tab)
Best Value
KTC H27E6S
240Hz 1440p with a pivot stand near $220.
Best for: Mid-range desktops.
Best Alienware Value
Alienware AW2726DL
280Hz 1440p near $200.
Best for: Fast games.
Our take Check price for Alienware AW2726DL (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Refresh
ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QMR5A
The highest refresh rate here (310Hz).
Best for: Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Our take Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QMR5A (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300Hz at 1440p with DisplayHDR 600. | High-end desktops. | Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR (opens in a new tab) |
| 240Hz 1440p with a pivot stand near $220. | Mid-range desktops. | Check price for KTC H27E6S (opens in a new tab) |
| 280Hz 1440p near $200. | Fast games. | Check price for Alienware AW2726DL (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest refresh rate here (310Hz). | Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates. | Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QMR5A (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best 1440p Speed1 of 4
ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The XG27AQMR runs a Fast IPS panel at 300Hz with DisplayHDR 600, a strong HDR rating for IPS.
Best for
- High-end desktops.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the VG259QMR5A cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It avoids OLED's burn-in concerns for desktop-heavy use. On refresh rate it sits mid-pack at 300Hz: the VG259QMR5A offers 310Hz, and the H27E6S comes in at 240Hz. It matches the H27E6S and the AW2726DL on screen size (27 inches).
It shares a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution with the H27E6S and AW2726DL; the VG259QMR5A goes with a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution. You also get DCI-P3 wide colour coverage. To see 300Hz at 1440p, connect over DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1; older HDMI 2.0 ports cap the refresh rate lower.
G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. Only the H27E6S came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 4 picks.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 300Hz
- Resolution: 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: Fast IPS
- Response: 1ms
- HDR: DisplayHDR 600
- Adaptive sync: G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync Premium Pro
Pros
- a 300Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- DisplayHDR 600 certification
Cons
- Costs more than the VG259QMR5A at the time of writing
Best Value2 of 4
KTC H27E6S on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The H27E6S runs 240Hz on Fast IPS with a 275Hz overclock, speakers and a swivel and pivot stand at a budget price.
Best for
- Mid-range desktops.
Skip if
- Skip it if refresh rate matters most to you; the VG259QMR5A offers 310Hz.
Why we like it
On refresh rate it trails the group at 240Hz, while the VG259QMR5A offers 310Hz. It matches the XG27AQMR and the AW2726DL on screen size (27 inches). It shares a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution with the XG27AQMR and AW2726DL; the VG259QMR5A goes with a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution.
To see 240Hz at 1440p, connect over DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1; older HDMI 2.0 ports cap the refresh rate lower. Worth noting too: a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles. It also brings 123% sRGB colour coverage.
It makes the most sense for mid-range desktops, since it offers 240Hz 1440p with a pivot stand near $220. It was priced above the AW2726DL and below the XG27AQMR at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 240Hz
- Resolution: 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: Fast IPS
- Response: 1ms
- HDR: HDR400
- Color gamut: 123% sRGB
- Stand: swivel and pivot
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 123% sRGB colour coverage
Cons
- Refresh rate trails the VG259QMR5A (310Hz)
- Costs more than the VG259QMR5A at the time of writing
Best Alienware Value3 of 4
Alienware AW2726DL on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The AW2726DL runs a 1440p IPS panel at 280Hz.
Best for
- Fast games.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the VG259QMR5A, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
The maker publishes few details, so check the stand and ports on Dell's spec page. On refresh rate it sits mid-pack at 280Hz: the VG259QMR5A offers 310Hz, and the H27E6S comes in at 240Hz. It matches the XG27AQMR and the H27E6S on screen size (27 inches).
It shares a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution with the XG27AQMR and H27E6S; the VG259QMR5A goes with a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution. An IPS panel is unique to it among these picks, while the H27E6S uses a fast IPS panel. To see 280Hz at 1440p, connect over DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1; older HDMI 2.0 ports cap the refresh rate lower. When we checked, only the VG259QMR5A cost less, and the H27E6S cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 280Hz
- Resolution: 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Response: 1ms
Pros
- a 280Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 280Hz 1440p IPS panel
Cons
- Costs more than the VG259QMR5A at the time of writing
Fastest Refresh4 of 4
ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QMR5A on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The VG259QMR5A is the esports pick, with a 310Hz Fast IPS panel at 1080p and a 3-year warranty.
Best for
- Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Skip if
- Skip it if screen size matters most to you; the XG27AQMR offers 27 inches.
Why we like it
Nothing else here matches its 310Hz refresh rate; the XG27AQMR comes closest at 300Hz. On screen size it trails the group at 24.5 inches, while the XG27AQMR comes in at 27 inches. No other pick in this guide offers a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution; compare the XG27AQMR, which has a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution.
Like the XG27AQMR and H27E6S, it has a fast IPS panel, while the AW2726DL uses an IPS panel. At 1080p, 310Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older. G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. It undercut the AW2726DL and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 310Hz
- Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size: 24.5 inches
- Panel: Fast IPS
- Response: 0.3ms
- Color gamut: 99% sRGB
- Adaptive sync: FreeSync Premium, G-SYNC Compatible
- Warranty: 3-year
Pros
- a 310Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 99% sRGB colour coverage
- FreeSync Premium, G-SYNC Compatible to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Screen size trails the XG27AQMR (27 inches)
How We Chose These Monitors for a Gaming Desktop
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Connectivity and stand
- We checked ports, USB-C and stand adjustment where the listing states them.
- Panel
- We noted panel type and the trade-offs it brings for motion, contrast and burn-in.
- Resolution and refresh
- We compared listed resolution and refresh rate against the graphics power each needs.
- HDR and colour
- We recorded DisplayHDR certifications and listed colour gamut.
What to Look for in a Monitor for a Gaming Desktop
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Choose a refresh rate you can reach
A higher refresh rate only helps when your PC delivers matching frame rates. 144Hz to 180Hz suits most players; 240Hz and above rewards competitive shooters.
Match resolution to your graphics card
1080p suits entry and mid-range cards and high refresh rates. 1440p is the balance for most gaming PCs. 4K needs a high-end card to hold high frame rates.
Pick the resolution your card can drive before looking at refresh rate.
Read HDR labels carefully
HDR10 means the monitor accepts an HDR signal, not that it displays it well. DisplayHDR 600 or True Black 400 certifications say more about real HDR performance.
Pick the panel type
IPS offers wide viewing angles and good colour. VA has higher contrast but slower dark transitions. OLED has perfect blacks and very fast response but carries a burn-in risk with static content.
Consider the stand
A stand with height, tilt and swivel adjustment saves buying a monitor arm. Check VESA mounting if you plan to use one anyway.
Size for your desk distance
24 to 25 inches suits 1080p and competitive play at a typical desk. 27 inches pairs well with 1440p and 4K; 32 inches suits 4K at a deeper desk.
How to Choose a Monitor for a Gaming Desktop
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| High-end desktops | XG27AQMR | 300Hz at 1440p with DisplayHDR 600 |
| Mid-range desktops | H27E6S | 240Hz 1440p with a pivot stand near $220 |
| Fast games | AW2726DL | 280Hz 1440p near $200 |
| Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates | VG259QMR5A | The highest refresh rate here (310Hz) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XG27AQMR | 300Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | Fast IPS |
| H27E6S | 240Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | Fast IPS |
| AW2726DL | 280Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | IPS |
| VG259QMR5A | 310Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 24.5 inches | Fast IPS |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | VG259QMR5A, AW2726DL, H27E6S |
| About $250 to $500 | XG27AQMR |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HDR worth it on a budget monitor?
Rarely. Budget HDR10 monitors accept HDR but lack the brightness and contrast to show it well. OLED or DisplayHDR 600 models do it better.
Is 1080p fine on a 27-inch monitor?
It works, but text and detail look softer. 1440p is sharper at 27 inches; 1080p is best at 24 to 25 inches.
Do I need a GPU that matches the refresh rate?
To benefit fully, yes. A 240Hz monitor still feels smoother at 150fps than a 144Hz one, but the gains shrink when frame rates are far below the refresh rate.
Is OLED burn-in still a problem?
It is a risk with static elements over many hours. Current OLED monitors use pixel-refresh routines to reduce it; check the maker's warranty for burn-in coverage.
Does a FreeSync monitor work with an NVIDIA card?
Most do as G-SYNC Compatible over DisplayPort. Check the product page or NVIDIA's compatibility list for the model.
Should I use HDMI or DisplayPort?
On a PC, DisplayPort usually supports the highest refresh rates. HDMI 2.1 is equivalent and needed for consoles.
Bottom Line
ASUS's XG27AQMR is the 1440p pick with the best HDR rating. KTC's H27E6S is the value alternative, and the two 1080p screens suit esports.