Nowadays, gaming setups have been the subject of intense scrutiny and optimization. Whether it’s the perfect gaming chair or optimally ergonomic gaming mice, gamers throughout the world are looking for ways to level up their experience. While the decision is fairly easy to make when it comes to hardware like graphic cards and processors, the calculus of the perfect gaming setup becomes more complicated when considering monitors.
Indeed, the answer is a very personal one that depends on a host of factors unique to the customer. Everything from available desk space to the budget can decide what monitor is suitable for you. However, there is a real argument to be made about curved gaming monitors providing the best experience out of them all! In this article, we’ll go over what you need to know about curved gaming monitors, their benefits, and their drawbacks. Hence, if you’re looking to upgrade your setup and are uncertain whether a curved monitor is worth it, this article is for you!
What You Should Know About Curved Monitors?
Generally speaking, the differences between a flat monitor and a curved one is quite simple: one curves and the other does not! While this may sound slightly trite, all differences, positive or otherwise, between curved and flat monitors manifest due to this property. Indeed, most of the underlying technology is the exact same between curved and flat monitors!
When looking at what curved gaming monitor to buy, there is one specification you need to be aware of: the R rating. This rating is only found on curved monitors, and it represents the amount of “curviness” a monitor has. Common R ratings include 1000R, 1800R, 1900R, 4000R, and many more.
Unsurprisingly, the R stands for radius, while the number that precedes it is the length of the radius in millimeters. It’s important to remember that the radius does not refer to the width, but rather the amount of curvature. This is due to the fact that this rating is based on the span that forms a portion of a circle with that radius. In simpler words, the rating communicates the curvature. Furthermore, the smaller the preceding number, the more curved the monitor is.
One final thing to remember is the aspect ratio these monitors have. Curved monitors always have an ultra-wide aspect ratio, either 21:9 or even 32:9! These are 4K, ultra-high-definition aspect ratios, but they have implications for compatibility, which we will get into later.
The Benefits of Curved Gaming Monitors
When you’re forking over as significant a sum as what these monitors are worth, they better come with their perks! Thankfully, curved gaming monitors are all the rage for a few solid reasons, which we’ll explore below.
Natural Sight Support
Perhaps the primary reason why curved gaming monitors are so hip nowadays is because they emulate how we normally see the world far better than a flat screen. Specifically, humans look at the world in 3D, the most important component of which is depth perception.
Curved gaming monitors add this depth perception via their curviness, but they also provide more natural peripheral vision, which further supports how we normally view the world. This is the mechanistic reason as to why curved monitors may cause less eye strain, though the evidence in that regard is far from conclusive yet.
Less Color Fade
Another advantage that curved monitors have over traditional ones is their resistance to color fade. All pixels on a curved monitor are equidistant from you, which means that we perceive them in the exact same way.
This is in contrast to pixels on a flat monitor, where those on an extreme angle may appear to have a faded color. This is a quirk of biology, but one that curved monitors get around via curvature.
Greater Immersion
Nowadays, being completely immersed in a video game is often a requirement for many avid gamers. In this respect, nothing comes close to a curved monitor. Not only do they provide a natural look to the game, they also provide peripheral vision closer to what we’re used to. When it comes to immersion, curved monitors are the best.
The Drawbacks of Curved Gaming Monitors
While curved gaming monitors provide a host of benefits, they are not without their drawbacks. We explore some of these shortcomings below.
Compatibility
As mentioned earlier, compatibility can be a major issue for curved gaming monitors. At the moment, an ultra-wide aspect ratio is not supported by most applications, and even support for video games is not ubiquitous. Due to this, normal applications and programs may appear oddly on such a setup.
Price
The most obvious drawback of a curved gaming monitor is the exorbitant price tag. Even the cheapest curved gaming monitor will run you at least 300 USD. No matter how stacked of a budget you have, getting a curved gaming monitor will eat into it.
Space
Another consideration you must make when getting a curved monitor is the real estate required to house it. Make no mistake, a curved gaming monitor will warrant a ridiculous amount of deskspace. If your current setup feels a little cramped, a curved monitor is only going to make things worse.
Professional Considerations
If you do not have a separate workstation, and your work requires interpreting geometry to some level of accuracy, a curved gaming monitor is probably not for you. Due to its curvature, straight lines may appear crooked, and shapes may appear as they are intended to. As such, tread carefully if you fall within this camp.
Conclusion
We hope this article allows you to make a more informed decision when considering what monitor is the best for you. While curved monitors are cool, they do not have widespread support at the moment.
Still, the benefits of curved monitors speak for themself. In any case, remember to keep the considerations listed in this article in mind when purchasing that next big piece of hardware!
Curved Gaming Monitor FAQs
Is curved or straight better for gaming?
Whether a curved or straight monitor is better for gaming ultimately depends on personal preference and the specific gaming experience desired. Curved monitors can provide a more immersive experience due to the curvature, which helps to wrap the screen around your peripheral vision. This can be especially beneficial in racing, simulation, and open-world games. On the other hand, flat monitors might be more suitable for competitive gaming or games that require accurate color reproduction and image geometry.
Is it better to have a curved monitor?
A curved monitor can be better for gaming if you are looking for an immersive experience, as it can create a sense of depth and enhance the field of view. However, this largely depends on the size and curvature of the monitor, as well as your sitting distance from it. Curved monitors may not be ideal for everyone, and they might not be as suitable for tasks like photo or video editing, where color accuracy and image geometry are more critical.
What is the downside of a curved monitor?
Some potential downsides of a curved monitor include:
- Distorted image geometry: Curved screens can sometimes cause slight image distortion, particularly at the edges, which may be distracting or undesirable for certain tasks or games.
- Limited viewing angles: A curved monitor may not offer optimal viewing angles for those sitting off-center, which could be an issue in a multi-user or shared setup.
- Price: Curved monitors tend to be more expensive than their flat counterparts, so they might not be the best choice for those on a tight budget.
- Aesthetics: Some users may not like the look of a curved monitor, or they may find it harder to mount or position in their gaming setup.
Do pro gamers use flat or curved monitors?
Pro gamers typically use flat monitors, as they often prioritize high refresh rates, low response times, and color accuracy. Flat monitors also offer more consistent image geometry, which can be crucial in competitive gaming where pixel-perfect accuracy is important. However, some professional gamers might use curved monitors depending on their personal preferences or the specific games they play.
Is a 32-inch curved monitor too big for gaming?
A 32-inch curved monitor is not necessarily too big for gaming. The optimal size depends on your personal preferences, available space, and the distance you sit from the monitor. A larger monitor can provide a more immersive experience, but it is important to ensure that you sit far enough away to comfortably take in the entire screen. In general, a distance of around 3-4 feet (90-120 cm) is recommended for a 32-inch curved monitor. If you have limited space or prefer to sit closer to the screen, a smaller monitor might be more suitable.
