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best gaming monitors from hp

Experience the Best in Gaming with HP UK's Monitors

Harry Stewart
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The best gaming monitors optimise playtime through crystal clear resolution, stutter-free response times, and lightning-fast refresh rates.
While gaming on a low-cost, business or home-orientated monitor is possible, it’s far from ideal. Poor image quality, jittery graphics, and ever-present eye strain detract from the fun. A specially-designed gaming monitor with high-end specs is a worthy investment for any avid PC gamer.
Wondering what constitutes the best gaming monitor?
We’ve got you covered in this post. We’ll dish out a gaming monitor definition, discuss the key features and benefits, and present a few PC monitor reviews for the UK.

What is a gaming monitor?

The clue is in the name. A gaming monitor has been specifically designed with gamers in mind. Specifications like the refresh rate, panel type, resolution, and viewing angles make the gaming monitor ideal for extended, high-intensity play sessions.
That said, a gaming monitor needn’t only be used for crushing your foes. These state-of-the-art, versatile devices serve equally well for work, study, and play.
But all this comes at a cost. Due to the high-end tech within, you should expect a gaming monitor to sell for considerably more than a standard PC screen.

The features & benefits of HP UK’s gaming monitors

why choose a hp gaming monitor
So what differentiates a gaming monitor from a regular, run-of-the-mill display? It comes down to a few key specifications, which we’ll outline below.

Refresh rate

As the name implies, the refresh rate refers to how rapidly a monitor can display a new image on the screen. Manufacturers measure this metric in hertz (Hz), with each equalling one screen refresh per second. Therefore, a PC gaming monitor with a refresh rate of 144 Hz has the potential to refresh 144 times per second - that’s some seriously smooth, fast-flowing motion.
We say “has the potential” because the actual refresh rate depends on your frame rate, or frames per second (FPS). Match your FPS to your refresh rate to create the ideal gaming experience.
Your FPS has nothing to do with the monitor. Instead, it’s determined by the power of your GPU/CPU and the complexity of that particular game. Play a modest, non-demanding title on a high-powered machine, and you’ll achieve a blistering quick FPS. Conversely, an underpowered gaming PC will output a stuttered frame rate when running a modern Triple-A game.
Serious online players will find a high refresh rate reduces jitteriness and provides a competitive gaming edge. If you’re more of a casual, single-player-type gamer, you’ll still benefit from the visual aesthetics of a silky-smooth refresh rate.
HP knows refresh rate is a crucial feature for every eager gamer and equips all its different gaming monitors with 144 Hz or more.
Only the most talented multiplayer gamers will reap the full benefits of an ultra-high refresh rate such as 240 Hz. Between 144 Hz and 165 Hz is sufficient for most everyday gaming enthusiasts.

Resolution

Resolution is another crucial consideration when shopping around for a gaming monitor. The term refers to the number of pixels the screen can display.
Most gaming monitors come in three resolutions:
  • Full High Definition (FHD) with 1920 x 1080 pixels - also known as 1080p
  • Quad High Definition (QHD) with 2560 x 1440 pixels - also known as 1440p or 2K
  • 4K with 3840 x 2160 pixels - also known as Ultra High Definition (UHD)
The higher your resolution, the more clarity you’ll get from the display. However, unless your PC is packing impressive hardware (i.e., a state-of-the-art graphics card), a high resolution could decimate your frame rate, thus spoiling the overall experience.
Again, the complexity of a particular game determines how resolution and hardware will affect the frame rate. A modest PC could easily run Candy Crush on 4K, but the same can’t be said for the latest Call of Duty shooter.
The good news is you can adjust your resolution as needed. If your frame rate starts to suffer, turn down the resolution until you achieve a reasonable FPS. Many single-player gamers are happy to sacrifice a silky-smooth frame rate in favour of a crisp, high-resolution picture. For others, it’s about finding the right balance.
That said, it’s best to get the highest-resolution monitor you can afford. But be realistic about the potency of your PC. There’s no point forking out for a pricey 4K screen if you can’t run your favourite games at that resolution.

Response time

Response time refers to the time (measured in milliseconds) the monitor takes to change one colour to another.
Typically, this means the time it takes to go from black to white and back to black. However, some monitors use grey-to-grey (GtG) response times, while others measure only black-to-white.
Either way, a lower response time leads to a faster, smoother playing experience. Hardcore online gamers will find 1 millisecond gives them a noticeable edge. For casual or single-player games, a response time of 4 milliseconds or less will do the trick.

Panel technology

Although not as important as the resolution and refresh rate, it’s worth giving the panel type some thought. Three unique panel technologies comprise the modern-day gaming monitor.
  • The affordable Twisted Nematic (TN) panels boast lightning-fast response times but lack the viewing angles and colour reproduction of other types. They’re ideal for competitive online gamers on a budget.
  • The pricier and more common In-Plane Switching (IPS) panels boast better viewing angles and colour gamut, plus speedy response times of up to 1 millisecond.
  • Vertical alignment (VA) panels excel at the contrast ratio, making them a popular choice for TV manufacturers. Response times tend to be slower in a VA panel, but still quick enough for single-player gaming.
Any panel type (including VA panel technology) will suffice for the casual or single-player gamer. But if you’re competing against skilled opponents in a fast-paced online game, aim for a TN or IPS panel.

Screen and viewing angles

A sizeable screen offers a more immersive gaming experience and lets you see the action from further away. But bigger also means more expensive, and you’ll need extra space on your desk to accommodate a bulky display.
A good gaming monitor will measure somewhere between 24 and 32 inches. As a rule of thumb, aim for the biggest screen you can afford and squeeze into your gaming room. If desk real estate is your only hurdle, consider getting a gaming monitor with a wall mount.
Viewing angles refer to the maximum angle you can view an LCD screen while achieving acceptable image quality. This specification is critical should you dabble in couch co-op or sit at an angle from your screen. But it’s not a priority when you do your gaming facing directly toward the display.
Finally, a curved monitor enhances immersion by occupying more of your peripheral vision. And as a nifty side-effect, it also helps reduce eye strain - a huge boon for gaming addicts who smash out extended sessions.

The best gaming monitors in the UK from HP

Now that we’re up to speed on the key considerations, let’s look at the best monitors in the HP UK store.

HP X24c: Best budget gaming monitor

hp x24c gaming monitor
You don’t need to spend a wad of cash to snag a perfectly serviceable gaming monitor. Boasting a 144 Hz refresh rate and a crisp FHD display, the HP X24c delivers awesome performance for an affordable price - it’s the best budget gaming monitor in the UK.
You’ll also get a curved screen to enhance in-game immersion, which is a rarity at this price point.
  • Size: 23.6"
  • Resolution: FHD
  • Refresh rate: 144 Hz
  • Panel tech: VA
  • Response time: 4 milliseconds GtG

HyperX Armada 25: Best pro gaming monitor

hyperx armada 25 gaming monitor
Fervent online gamers need rapid refresh rates and response times to accelerate the action and obtain a much-needed competitive edge. The HyperX Armada 25 gives you just that. Boasting 240 Hz and a zippy 1-millisecond response time, this pro-level display is custom-designed with online gaming in mind.
Running low on desk space? This unit comes with an ergonomic arm right out of the box. Try the HyperX Armada 27 if you’d rather have a bigger screen and higher resolution.
  • Size: 24.5"
  • Resolution: FHD
  • Refresh rate: 240 Hz
  • Panel tech: IPS
  • Response time: 1 millisecond

HP X32: Best big screen gaming monitor

hp x32 gaming monitor
There’s nothing quite like a gigantic screen to enhance immersion and optimise the gaming experience. If you’ve got sufficient desk space to squeeze this bad boy in, then the HP X32 is your best bet for big-screen gaming at home.
With a zippy refresh rate and response time, it’s also a top option for competitive gamers. Opt for the HP X34 instead if you want something even wider.
  • Size: 31.5"
  • Resolution: QHD
  • Refresh rate: 165 Hz refresh
  • Panel tech: IPS
  • Response time: 1 millisecond

The best gaming monitor UK: Finding the right display

Every gamer has unique requirements when shopping for a monitor, not to mention budget and desk space. As a result, it’s crucial to consider the key factors before investing in new tech.
Work out what you want regarding resolution, refresh rates, response times, panel types, and screen size. Once you’ve drawn up a wish list, take a peek at the top options in the UK HP store.

About the Author

Harry Stewart is a contributing writer for HP Tech Takes. He is a Canberra-based freelance writer covering everything from travel to tech.

Disclosure: Our site may get a share of revenue from the sale of the products featured on this page.

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