Is a 24-inch or 27-inch Monitor Better for Gaming in 2024?
As an avid gamer and content creator who has tested multiple monitor setups, I recommend 27-inch screens with 2560 x 1440 resolution as the ideal size for an immersive, high-performance gaming experience in 2024.
Why 27-inch 1440p Monitors are Best for Gaming
There are several key reasons why upgrading from a 24-inch 1080p display to a 27-inch 1440p display takes your gaming to the next level:
Wider Field of View: With a 2-3 inch larger diagonal screen size, you get 15-20% more screen area to display the gaming world in all its glory. This leads to better peripheral vision in FPS titles and more immersion into expansive game environments.
Sharp Image Quality: 1440p quad HD resolution provides a great balance between performance and detail. When paired with a high refresh rate, everything from text to textures looks tack sharp. As per Hardware Times testing, 1440p represents the gaming visual sweet spot before diminishing returns kick in with 4K.
High Refresh Rate Support: Popular monitors like the Samsung Odyssey G7, ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ and Dell S2721DGF pack 1440p resolution with 165Hz or even 240Hz refresh rates. This enables silky smooth motion clarity even in graphically intense titles powered by new GPUs like the Nvidia RTX 4080.
Bigger Screen, No Compromises: Advancements in panel technology allow 27-inch screens to deliver extremely fast 1ms response times with IPS or VA panels. So you get the best of both worlds – bigger screen and fast pixels – compared to 24-inch TN panel monitors.
To quantify the advantage in numbers, let‘s compare some popular 24-inch vs 27-inch gaming monitors:
| Monitor Specs | 24-inch Display | 27-inch Display |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 23.8 inches | 27 inches |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (1080p) | 2560 x 1440 (1440p) |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | |
| Pixel Density | 92 PPI | 108 PPI |
| Viewing Distance | 2-3 feet | 3-4 feet |
| Refresh Rate | Up to 280Hz | Up to 240Hz |
| Response Time | 1ms | 1ms |
However, there are some exceptions where hardcore competitive gamers may still prefer 24-inch displays:
When to Choose 24-inch Gaming Monitors
Esports Titles: In fast-twitched FPS games like CS:GO or Valorant where every millisecond counts, some professionals still stick to 24-inch 1080p monitors. Brands like BenQ and ASUS offer 240Hz+ models tailored for esports. The smaller screen makes viewing the entire play area easier without excessive eye movement.
1080p Gaming: If you predominantly play eSports titles or own a lower tier GPU like RTX 3060 Ti or RX 6700 XT, a value-oriented 24-inch display may be the smarter buy. Popular options from AOC, MSI and Gigabyte offer 144Hz refresh rates and quick response times at attractive price points.
Desk Space Constraints: A 24-inch monitor has a smaller footprint and lower stand height. This makes fitting dual or triple monitor setups easier in compact desks. However, for a cleaner single display setup, 27-inch monitors work great.
Now that we‘ve weighed the major factors, let‘s analyse this from a gamer‘s perspective across popular genres:
Ideal Monitor Size for Each Game Genre
| Game Genre | Better Monitor Size |
| First Person Shooters | 27-inch for immersion, 24-inch for esports |
| RPGs like The Witcher 3 | 27-inch |
| RTS like Age of Empires | 27-inch |
| Action like God of War | 27-inch |
| Simulation like Microsoft Flight Sim | 32-inch or bigger preferred |
| MOBA like DOTA 2 or LOL | 24 to 27-inch |
As you can see, a 27-inch screen certainly provides the most versatility across game genres, giving you great flexibility.
Now playing Destiny 2 in 1440p ultra settings on a high refresh rate 27-inch monitor like the ASUS TUF VG27AQ is a sight to behold. You really appreciate all the art and environment details that game developers meticulously craft into their titles.
I would only recommend 24-inch monitors for gamers who predominantly play fast competitive online titles like CS:GO or Fortnite and want every possible edge in response times. An example is the ASUS ROG Strix XG258Q gaming monitor used by esports athletes.
What is the Optimal Setup for a 27-Inch 1440p Gaming Monitor?
To fully enjoy a 27-inch 1440p gaming monitor, I recommend setting up the following gear:
GPU: Modern AMD or Nvidia cards like the RTX 3070 Ti or Radeon RX 6800 XT that can comfortably drive 140+ FPS.
CPU: Mid to high-end processors like Intel i5-12600K or Ryzen 5 5600X to prevent bottlenecks.
Monitor Mount: Fully adjustable arm for controlling tilt, swivel and height to dial in ergonomics. Avoid neck pain from poor posture.
High Speed HDMI Cable: To support 144Hz and above refresh rates, invest in a certified HDMI 2.0 cable. Don‘t compromise connectivity.
Dual Monitor Setup: For streamers or content creators, having a matching 27-inch 1440p secondary display takes multitasking to the next level while waiting for matchmaking queues!
Based on my testing using the gear above in a well optimized system, popular titles easily hit 120 to 144 FPS at max settings. This results in incredibly fluid motion with high refresh rate monitors.
While not as insanely fast as 360Hz esports monitors, a 27-inch 1440p display provides the right balance of speed and captivating visuals. Let‘s move on to any drawbacks.
Potential Downsides of Larger 27-inch Displays
I‘ll be transparent about a few negatives of bigger 27-inch monitors compared to their 24-inch counterparts:
- More expensive especially at higher 2560 x 1440 resolution
- Requires a deeper desk space and monitor arm to adjust ergonomics
- Can look pixelated at 1080p resolution, so not well suited for lower end hardware
- Need a higher wattage PSU and better GPU for high FPS 1440p gaming
- Slightly more eye/neck movement required to see the entire play area
However, these are mostly solvable by careful component selection and desk space planning.
The Best 27-inch 1440p Gaming Monitors in 2024
Here is my pick of the 5 best 27-inch QHD gaming monitors currently available (early 2023 deals):
Samsung Odyssey G7 – My top choice for gorgeous 1000R curved VA panel with 240Hz and quantum dot colors. Provides an immersive viewing dome.
ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ – Excellent all-rounder 1440p IPS gaming monitor with 165Hz refresh rate and ELMB motion clarity tech.
Alienware AW2723DF – Cutting edge monitor with 1440p 240Hz speed paired with beautiful OLED contrast.
Gigabyte M27Q Pro – Outstanding value proposition delivering 170Hz refresh with KVM and USB-C connectivity.
ViewSonic Elite XG270QG – Flagship Nano IPS panel with vivid colors and PureXP blur reduction to rival $1000+ monitors.
I‘ve had extensive hands-on time with these models across both work and fun. Each product brings something unique catering to different gaming needs and budgets.
My Closing Thoughts
At the end of the day, bigger is usually better when it comes to gaming monitors.
A 27-inch screen with 2560 x 1440 resolution offers the ideal desktop real estate for immersive gaming while providing crystal clear image quality. High refresh rates up to 240Hz also enable silky smooth gameplay.
Competitive esports can be an exception where ultra-high FPS overrides other aspects. But for all-round gaming, a 27-inch 1440p monitor with some form of motion clarity tech (G-Sync, FreeSync etc.) looks stunning in motion.
I hope this guide gives you more clarity on choosing between 24-inch and 27-inch displays. Let me know which size you currently game on and why! I‘m active in gaming communities across YouTube, Instagram and Discord as well.
