Buying Guide
The Best Gaming Displays
Five gaming displays, each a different shape or panel: OLED, ultrawide, 43-inch and 4K IPS.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
The right display depends on the games and the desk. These five cover a fast OLED, an OLED ultrawide, a 43-inch 4K screen and two IPS options.
We compared figures from each listing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Fastest Refresh
Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 (G60SD)The highest refresh rate here (360Hz).
Best for: Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Check price for Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 (G60SD) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Ultrawide
Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLEDA 165Hz QD-OLED ultrawide with a slant stand.
Best for: Immersive games.
Check price for Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Big Screen
Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 43-inch SmartA 43-inch 4K Mini LED screen with Smart TV apps.
Best for: Couch-distance play.
Check price for Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 43-inch Smart on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best OLED Value
MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2A 240Hz 1440p QD-OLED with a height stand.
Best for: OLED for less.
Check price for MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best 4K IPS
ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCG4K at 160Hz with USB-C.
Best for: Sharp detail without OLED.
Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCG on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The highest refresh rate here (360Hz). | Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates. | Check price for Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 (G60SD) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A 165Hz QD-OLED ultrawide with a slant stand. | Immersive games. | Check price for Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A 43-inch 4K Mini LED screen with Smart TV apps. | Couch-distance play. | Check price for Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 43-inch Smart on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A 240Hz 1440p QD-OLED with a height stand. | OLED for less. | Check price for MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 4K at 160Hz with USB-C. | Sharp detail without OLED. | Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCG on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Fastest Refresh1 of 5
Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 (G60SD)
The Odyssey OLED G6 is Samsung's 360Hz QD-OLED with HDMI 2.1 inputs.
Best for
- Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements is a problem.
Why we like it
On refresh rate it leads this guide at 360Hz, ahead of the MAG 271QPX (240Hz). On screen size it ties with the MAG 271QPX and the XG27UCG at 27 inches. Like the MAG 271QPX, it has a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution, while the Odyssey Neo G7 43 uses a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution.
Like the AW3423DWF and MAG 271QPX, it has a QD-OLED panel, while the XG27UCG uses an IPS panel. It also comes with an anti-glare finish and a built-in cooling system and an HDMI 2.1 input for consoles. To see 360Hz at 1440p, connect over DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1; older HDMI 2.0 ports cap the refresh rate lower.
Leave the maker's pixel-refresh routines enabled and hide static taskbars to limit burn-in risk. Its price falls between the MAG 271QPX and the AW3423DWF, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 360Hz
- Resolution
- 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- QD-OLED
- Response
- 0.03ms
- Adaptive sync
- FreeSync Premium Pro
- Warranty
- 3-year
Pros
- a 360Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- a QD-OLED panel with per-pixel contrast
- FreeSync Premium Pro to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Costs more than the XG27UCG at the time of writing
Best Ultrawide2 of 5
Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED
Alienware's AW3423DWF is a 34-inch QD-OLED ultrawide at 165Hz with 99.3% DCI-P3 coverage.
Best for
- Immersive games.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements.
Why we like it
Its stand adjusts for height, tilt, swivel and slant. Its 165Hz refresh rate ranks third of 5 here, behind the Odyssey OLED G6 (360Hz) and ahead of the Odyssey Neo G7 43 (144Hz). On screen size it sits mid-pack at 34 inches: the Odyssey Neo G7 43 comes in at 43 inches, and the XG27UCG comes in at 27 inches.
No other pick in this guide offers a 3440x1440 resolution; compare the MAG 271QPX, which has a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution. Like the Odyssey OLED G6 and MAG 271QPX, it has a QD-OLED panel, while the XG27UCG uses an IPS panel. You also get an 1800R QD-OLED curve and switchable DCI-P3 and sRGB modes.
Leave the maker's pixel-refresh routines enabled and hide static taskbars to limit burn-in risk. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Odyssey OLED G6 and the pricier Odyssey Neo G7 43, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 165Hz
- Resolution
- 3440x1440
- Size
- 34 inches
- Panel
- QD-OLED
- Response
- 0.1ms
- Color gamut
- 99.3% DCI-P3
- Stand
- height, tilt, swivel and slant
Pros
- 165Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- a QD-OLED panel with per-pixel contrast
- 99.3% DCI-P3 colour coverage
- a stand with height, tilt, swivel and slant
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Costs more than the XG27UCG at the time of writing
Best Big Screen3 of 5
Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 43-inch Smart
Samsung's Odyssey Neo G7 43 is a 43-inch 4K Mini LED screen at 144Hz with built-in Smart TV apps.
Best for
- Couch-distance play.
Skip if
- Skip it if refresh rate matters most to you; the Odyssey OLED G6 offers 360Hz.
Why we like it
The maker says the picture can shrink to a smaller on-screen size. On refresh rate it trails the group at 144Hz, while the Odyssey OLED G6 offers 360Hz. Its 43 inches screen size is the largest here; the AW3423DWF comes next at 34 inches.
It shares a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution with the XG27UCG; the MAG 271QPX goes with a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution. It also offers Quantum Mini LED backlighting and an adjustable on-screen size from 43 down to 20 inches. Reaching 144Hz at 4K needs DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC or HDMI 2.1 on your graphics card, and a GPU able to render well above 100fps at 4K. At our last price check it topped the group, with the AW3423DWF the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 144Hz
- Resolution
- 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size
- 43 inches
- Response
- 1ms
- HDR
- DisplayHDR 600
Pros
- 144Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- DisplayHDR 600 certification
- Built-in Smart TV apps
Cons
- Refresh rate trails the Odyssey OLED G6 (360Hz)
- Costs more than the XG27UCG at the time of writing
The catch
Refresh rate is its weakest area, and the Odyssey OLED G6 covers it better at 360Hz.
Best OLED Value4 of 5
MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2
The MAG 271QPX pairs a 240Hz QD-OLED panel with a height-adjustable stand.
Best for
- OLED for less.
Skip if
- Pass on it if oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is the complete OLED option at this refresh rate. Its 240Hz refresh rate ranks second of 5 here, behind the Odyssey OLED G6 (360Hz) and ahead of the Odyssey Neo G7 43 (144Hz). On screen size it ties with the Odyssey OLED G6 and the XG27UCG at 27 inches.
Like the Odyssey OLED G6, it has a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution, while the XG27UCG uses a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution. To see 240Hz at 1440p, connect over DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1; older HDMI 2.0 ports cap the refresh rate lower. Leave the maker's pixel-refresh routines enabled and hide static taskbars to limit burn-in risk. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper XG27UCG and the pricier Odyssey OLED G6, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 240Hz
- Resolution
- 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- QD-OLED
- Response
- 0.03ms
- HDR
- HDR 400
- Stand
- height adjustment
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- a QD-OLED panel with per-pixel contrast
- a stand with height adjustment
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Costs more than the XG27UCG at the time of writing
Best 4K IPS5 of 5
ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCG
The XG27UCG is a 4K 160Hz monitor that can switch to 1080p at 320Hz for shooters, and adds USB-C for a laptop.
Best for
- Sharp detail without OLED.
Skip if
- Skip it if screen size matters most to you; the Odyssey Neo G7 43 offers 43 inches.
Why we like it
Its 160Hz refresh rate ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the Odyssey OLED G6 (360Hz) and ahead of the Odyssey Neo G7 43 (144Hz). On screen size it ties with the Odyssey OLED G6 and the MAG 271QPX at 27 inches. Like the Odyssey Neo G7 43, it has a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution, while the AW3423DWF uses a 3440x1440 resolution.
It is the only pick here with an IPS panel; the MAG 271QPX has a QD-OLED panel instead. Reaching 160Hz at 4K needs DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC or HDMI 2.1 on your graphics card, and a GPU able to render well above 100fps at 4K. G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the MAG 271QPX was the next step up.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 160Hz
- Resolution
- 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- IPS
- Response
- 1ms
- Color gamut
- 95% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync
- G-SYNC Compatible
- USB-C
- Yes
- Warranty
- 3-year
Pros
- 160Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 95% DCI-P3 colour coverage
Cons
- Screen size trails the Odyssey Neo G7 43 (43 inches)
The catch
If screen size is your priority, the Odyssey Neo G7 43 (43 inches) is the stronger choice.
How We Chose These Gaming Displays
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 set side by side five monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and panel and HDR are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Odyssey OLED G6 to the XG27UCG, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Odyssey Neo G7 43 gives no panel; the Odyssey OLED G6, the AW3423DWF and the XG27UCG give no HDR.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the XG27UCG ($250 to $500) to the Odyssey Neo G7 43 ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a Gaming Display
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much refresh rate you need
Across these 5 picks refresh rate spans 144Hz (the Odyssey Neo G7 43) to 360Hz (the Odyssey OLED G6). The MAG 271QPX comes second at 240Hz, in the $250 to $500 tier against $500 to $1000 for the Odyssey OLED G6.
Screen size
The Odyssey Neo G7 43 tops screen size at 43 inches and the XG27UCG sits lowest at 27 inches. For less, the AW3423DWF is the runner-up at 34 inches.
A gaming desk with a monitor, a racing-style chair and shelves of figures Panel
The Odyssey OLED G6, the AW3423DWF and the MAG 271QPX list QD-OLED; the XG27UCG lists IPS. Sort out panel before price: it splits 4 stated picks into groups of 3 and 1.
Response
The Odyssey OLED G6 and the MAG 271QPX list 0.03ms; the AW3423DWF lists 0.1ms; the Odyssey Neo G7 43 and the XG27UCG list 1ms.
A large monitor showing a game on a low media unit Extras that separate them
The Odyssey Neo G7 43: Quantum Mini LED backlighting. The MAG 271QPX: a 240Hz QD-OLED panel with a height-adjustable stand. The XG27UCG: a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 320Hz.
How to Choose a Gaming Display
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates | Odyssey OLED G6 | The highest refresh rate here (360Hz) |
| Immersive games | AW3423DWF | A 165Hz QD-OLED ultrawide with a slant stand |
| Couch-distance play | Odyssey Neo G7 43 | A 43-inch 4K Mini LED screen with Smart TV apps |
| OLED for less | MAG 271QPX | A 240Hz 1440p QD-OLED with a height stand |
| Sharp detail without OLED | XG27UCG | 4K at 160Hz with USB-C |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Odyssey OLED G6 leads on refresh rate at 360Hz, ahead of the MAG 271QPX at 240Hz. "Not listed" marks panel where the Odyssey Neo G7 43 leaves the figure out.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odyssey OLED G6 | 360Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | QD-OLED |
| AW3423DWF | 165Hz | 3440x1440 | 34 inches | QD-OLED |
| Odyssey Neo G7 43 | 144Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 43 inches | Not listed |
| MAG 271QPX | 240Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | QD-OLED |
| XG27UCG | 160Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The XG27UCG was the lowest-priced pick ($250 to $500) and the Odyssey Neo G7 43 the highest ($500 to $1000) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | XG27UCG, MAG 271QPX |
| About $500 to $1000 | Odyssey OLED G6, AW3423DWF, Odyssey Neo G7 43 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest refresh rate: the Odyssey OLED G6 or the MAG 271QPX?
The Odyssey OLED G6 tops refresh rate at 360Hz; the MAG 271QPX follows at 240Hz, 50% apart. The Odyssey Neo G7 43 is at the other end of this group with 144Hz.
Is the Odyssey Neo G7 43 ahead of the AW3423DWF on screen size?
The Odyssey Neo G7 43 leads at 43 inches, with the AW3423DWF at 34 inches. The spread runs down to the XG27UCG at 27 inches.
What does the Odyssey Neo G7 43 add over the XG27UCG?
The spec sheets show screen size (43 inches against 27 inches) in its favour. It does not win everywhere: the XG27UCG still leads on refresh rate (160Hz). On our last price check the XG27UCG was in the $250 to $500 tier and the Odyssey Neo G7 43 in the $500 to $1000 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if screen size decides your purchase.
Why is the Odyssey Neo G7 43 our Best Big Screen pick?
It earns the label for a 43-inch 4K Mini LED screen with Smart TV apps. The price of that: the XG27UCG, the cheapest pick, still beats it on refresh rate (160Hz against 144Hz). It is aimed at couch-distance play.
Do the Odyssey OLED G6 and the AW3423DWF differ on resolution?
The Odyssey OLED G6 and the MAG 271QPX use 2560x1440 (1440p); the AW3423DWF uses 3440x1440; the Odyssey Neo G7 43 and the XG27UCG use 3840x2160 (4K).
What extras do the Odyssey OLED G6 and the AW3423DWF include?
The Odyssey OLED G6: HDMI 2.1 inputs. The AW3423DWF: an 1800R QD-OLED curve. The Odyssey Neo G7 43: built-in Smart TV apps.
Bottom Line
Samsung's Odyssey OLED G6 is the fast OLED. Alienware's AW3423DWF is the ultrawide, and Samsung's Neo G7 43 is the big-screen option.
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 Much VRAM Do You Need?
- 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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