Buying Guide
The Best Monitors for a Gaming Desktop
Four fast IPS monitors for a desktop gaming PC, from 240Hz to 310Hz.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
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
Which of the 4 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best 1440p Speed
ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR300Hz at 1440p with DisplayHDR 600.
Best for: High-end desktops.
Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Value
KTC H27E6S240Hz 1440p with a pivot stand near $220.
Best for: Mid-range desktops.
Check price for KTC H27E6S on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Alienware Value
Alienware AW2726DL280Hz 1440p near $200.
Best for: Fast games.
Check price for Alienware AW2726DL on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Refresh
ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QMR5AThe highest refresh rate here (310Hz).
Best for: Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QMR5A on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300Hz at 1440p with DisplayHDR 600. | High-end desktops. | Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 240Hz 1440p with a pivot stand near $220. | Mid-range desktops. | Check price for KTC H27E6S on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 280Hz 1440p near $200. | Fast games. | Check price for Alienware AW2726DL on Amazon (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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best 1440p Speed1 of 4
ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR
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 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
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. You also get this: a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles. Worth noting: 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 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
The catch
It gives ground on refresh rate, where the VG259QMR5A offers 310Hz.
Best Alienware Value3 of 4
Alienware AW2726DL
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 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
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
The 24.5-inch fast IPS panel overclocks to 310Hz and lists a 0.3ms response, with FreeSync Premium and G-Sync compatibility. 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 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)
The catch
The trade-off is screen size; for more, the XG27AQMR comes in at 27 inches.
How We Chose These Monitors for a Gaming Desktop
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared four monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 5 of the 8 fields compared are stated for every pick, while HDR and color gamut have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the XG27AQMR to the VG259QMR5A, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The AW2726DL and the VG259QMR5A give no HDR; the XG27AQMR and the AW2726DL give no color gamut.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the VG259QMR5A ($150 to $250) to the XG27AQMR ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Monitor for a Gaming Desktop
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Refresh rate
Here refresh rate runs from 240Hz on the H27E6S to 310Hz on the VG259QMR5A, a 29% spread. Start with the VG259QMR5A if refresh rate decides it.
Screen size across these picks
Across these 4 picks screen size spans 24.5 inches (the VG259QMR5A) to 27 inches (the XG27AQMR). For less, the H27E6S is the runner-up at 27 inches ($150 to $250 tier).
A gaming monitor on a desk with purple bias lighting Panel
The XG27AQMR, the H27E6S and the VG259QMR5A list Fast IPS; the AW2726DL lists IPS.
Response
The XG27AQMR, the H27E6S and the AW2726DL list 1ms; the VG259QMR5A lists 0.3ms. Settling response first narrows 4 picks to 3 or 1.
A gaming monitor above a keyboard and mouse on a black desk Extras that separate them
The H27E6S: built-in speakers. The AW2726DL: a 280Hz 1440p IPS panel. The VG259QMR5A: a 310Hz refresh rate for esports.
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
The VG259QMR5A leads on refresh rate at 310Hz, ahead of the XG27AQMR at 300Hz.
| 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
The VG259QMR5A was the lowest-priced pick ($150 to $250) and the XG27AQMR the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | VG259QMR5A, AW2726DL, H27E6S |
| About $250 to $500 | XG27AQMR |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the VG259QMR5A ahead of the XG27AQMR on refresh rate?
The VG259QMR5A leads at 310Hz, with the XG27AQMR at 300Hz. The spread runs down to the H27E6S at 240Hz.
What does the XG27AQMR add over the VG259QMR5A?
On paper it adds screen size (27 inches against 24.5 inches). It does not win everywhere: the VG259QMR5A still leads on refresh rate (310Hz). On our last price check the VG259QMR5A was in the $150 to $250 tier and the XG27AQMR in the $250 to $500 tier, with 2 other picks between them; pay the difference only if screen size decides your purchase.
Why is the VG259QMR5A our Fastest Refresh pick?
It carries the badge for the highest refresh rate here (310Hz). On refresh rate it leads the XG27AQMR, 310Hz against 300Hz, a 3% margin. It suits esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Do the XG27AQMR and the VG259QMR5A differ on resolution?
The XG27AQMR, the H27E6S and the AW2726DL use 2560x1440 (1440p); the VG259QMR5A uses 1920x1080 (1080p).
What extras do the XG27AQMR and the H27E6S include?
The XG27AQMR: DCI-P3 wide colour coverage. The H27E6S: an overclocked 275Hz mode. The AW2726DL: a 280Hz 1440p IPS panel.
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.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Monitors
- Related guideThe Best 27-Inch Gaming Monitors
- Related guideThe Best OLED Monitors
- Lower budgetThe Best Budget Gaming Monitors
- Higher budgetThe Best FreeSync Premium Gaming Monitors
- ExplainerHow to Choose a 1080p Monitor
- ExplainerHow to Choose a 1440p Monitor
- Also see: graphics cardsHow to Read Graphics Card Names: Ti, Super, XT and OC Editions
- Similar guideThe Best Gaming Monitors to Buy Now
- Topic hubAll gaming monitors guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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