Monitor (Displays)

A monitor is the display device used to output the video that is processed by a video card. The most common PC monitor technologies are LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode).

LCD

LCD panels use a liquid crystal material made of polarized molecules to produce an image. An electric current is passed through the liquid and causes the crystals to align so that light cannot pass through them. There are two types of LCD panels. Active and passive matrix. Active matrix LCD panels offer a faster response time making them appropriate for full motion video, animation, mouse movement and gaming. Active matrix also provides a higher degree of color saturation. Passive matrix is an older form of LCD technology that controlls pixel processing for entire areas of the screen instead of individual pixels like active matrix dislplays. Passive matrix panels have reduced color, lower contrast ratios and higher response times.

Choosing A LCD Monitor

When choosing a LCD monitor, things to consider include response time, pixel pitch, screen size, viewing angle, brightness, contrast ratio, dead pixels, and resolution.

• Panel Type: There are three main panel types: IPS, VA and TN. IPS is the most expensive of the three main LCD technologies, but in general offers the best image quality. IPS are best suited for graphic designers or anyone who deals with photo editing and needs accurate colors. VS are similar to IPS, but their viewing angles are somewhat worse compared to S-IPS and many suffer from color shifting. However, there are many of these panel produced and they are cheaper than IPS panels. They also offer the highest contrast ratios. TN are at the low end of LCD panels. They are very inexpensive and offer excellent response times which makes them great for gaming. The downside is TN panels have the worst color accuracy of the three and very limited viewing angles.
• Response Time: Response time is the amount of time in milliseconds (ms) it takes for a pixel to turn on and off. A high response time can cause motion blur in PC games and full motion video. A response time of 12ms or lower is recommended, however this is subjective and varies from person to person.
• Pixel Pitch: The distance between pixels, usually measured in millimeters. The smaller the pixel pitch, the sharper the image.
• Screen Size: Unlike CRT monitors, which are measured by the diagonal length from the bottom left to the top right of the screen including the case, LCDs are measured by the actual viewable area of the LCD. This means in a comparison with an LCD and CRT monitor of the same screen size, the LCD will always have a lager display.
• Viewing Angle: LCD panels have limited viewing angles. They lose contrast and become hard to read at some angles while having better contrast and are easier to read at others angles.
• Brightness: The measure of how much light an LCD panel can produce is measured in candelas per meter squared (also known as nits). Generally, the higher the nits, the better the image quality will be.
• Contrast Ratio: This is the measure of difference in light intensity between the brightest white and the darkest black. An LCD panel with a high contrast ratio should have better color representation than one with a lower contrast ratio.
• Dead Pixels: A dead pixel (also know as a stuck pixel) is a defective pixel that remains a solid color or stays either unlit or permanently lit. If dead pixels are noticeable on an LCD panel they can become very distracting. Most LCD manufacturers have improved their manufacturing process to minimize or stop dead pixels, though one or two dead pixels are still common on lower quality LCD panels. It is possible on occasion to fix a stuck pixel using the method listed here.
• Resolution: All LCDs have what is know as a native resolution. The native resolution is measured by the number of horizontal and vertical pixels that make up the LCD matrix of the display. Not running in the native resolution will cause the panel to use extrapolation, which attempts to blend multiple pixels together to produce the image as if it were running in the given resolution. This can result in a fuzzy, less detailed image. LCDs should always be ran in their native resolution for optimal image quality.

LCD Advantages

LCD technology offers several advantages, particularly in terms of durability, longevity, and affordability. Unlike OLEDs, LCDs do not suffer from burn-in, making them more reliable for long-term use, especially in scenarios with static images. They also tend to have longer lifespans because they don’t rely on organic compounds that degrade over time. Additionally, LCD displays can be more energy-efficient when displaying bright content, as the backlight is evenly distributed across the screen. While they may not offer the same deep blacks or high contrast ratios as OLEDs, modern LCDs with LED backlighting and high refresh rates still deliver solid image quality and great color accuracy making them a popular and cost-effective choice for general use, gaming, and professional applications.

OLED

OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) technology is a type of display technology that uses organic compounds to emit light when an electric current is applied. Unlike traditional LCD screens that require a backlight, OLED displays are "self-emissive," meaning each individual pixel can produce its own light. This allows for deeper blacks, higher contrast ratios, and more vivid colors, as pixels in dark areas can be turned off entirely, resulting in true black rather than a backlit dark gray.

One of the main advantages of OLED technology is its flexibility, which makes it possible to create thinner, lighter, and even bendable or rollable displays. This has led to its increasing use in smartphones, TVs, and wearable devices. Additionally, because OLEDs do not need a separate backlight, they are more energy-efficient, especially when displaying darker images. However, OLED technology can be more expensive to produce, and the organic materials used in the displays can degrade over time, leading to a shorter lifespan compared to some alternatives, like LED or LCD. Despite these challenges, OLED remains a popular choice for high-end devices due to its superior image quality.

The OLED Advantage: Speed and Contrast

When it comes to gaming performance and responsiveness, OLED technology offers several advantages over traditional LCD displays, making it a popular choice among gamers. One of the key benefits of OLED displays is their near-instantaneous response times. OLED pixels can switch on and off much faster than the liquid crystals in LCDs, which reduces motion blur and ghosting—two common issues that can affect fast-paced gaming. This rapid response time leads to smoother motion and sharper visuals, especially in games with high-speed action or rapid camera movements.

Another advantage is OLED’s superior contrast and color accuracy. Since OLEDs can achieve true blacks by turning off individual pixels, they deliver more immersive visuals with high contrast ratios, which enhances detail in dark scenes—a crucial aspect for many visually intense games. Additionally, OLEDs typically have lower input lag compared to most LCDs, especially those with LED backlighting. Lower input lag means faster reaction times between a player’s input and what appears on screen, offering a competitive edge in fast-paced games like first-person shooters or racing games.

However, OLED displays may not always outperform LCDs in every aspect of gaming. High-refresh-rate TN panels (such as those with 360Hz or higher refresh rates) are often favored by competitive and pro gamers who prioritize ultra-smooth gameplay. While OLED displays are catching up in terms of high refresh rates, they can be more prone to image retention or burn-in, particularly if static images (like game HUDs) are displayed for extended periods. Despite this, OLED remains a strong contender for gaming due to its exceptional image quality, infinite black levels, responsiveness, and increasingly competitive performance features.

OLED Weakness

On paper OLED display technology sounds almost perfect, but there's a catch. One of the most significant weaknesses of OLED technology is the risk of burn-in and the relatively short lifespan compared to other display technologies, like LCDs. Burn-in occurs when static images, such as a channel logo, game HUD (heads-up display), or a navigation bar, are displayed for prolonged periods, causing those elements to leave a permanent "ghost" image on the screen. This happens because OLED pixels degrade over time, and if certain areas of the screen are used more intensively than others, they can wear out faster, resulting in uneven brightness across the display. For gamers and users who frequently watch content with fixed elements, burn-in can be a serious concern.

The lifespan of OLED displays is also generally shorter due to the organic compounds they use to emit light. These materials naturally degrade over time, with blue OLEDs being particularly prone to faster deterioration compared to red or green pixels. This can lead to color shifts and a loss of overall brightness as the display ages. While manufacturers have implemented various techniques to reduce the risk of burn-in and extend lifespan—such as pixel shifting, brightness limiters, screen savers, and improved material longevity—the fact remains that OLED screens have a finite lifespan, often shorter than that of LCD alternatives. Despite these weaknesses, many users still prefer OLED displays for their superior image quality and response times, but it's an important trade-off to consider, especially for those looking for long-term reliability.

CRT

Karl Ferdinand Braun is the inventor of CRT technology. Braun built the first CRT oscilloscope in 1897. To this day some still refer to CRTs as the "Braun tube". CRT monitors use filaments located at the back of the CRT which emits a beam of electrons on the screen. The beam of electrons is directed by plates to the top of the screen first, from left to right, and then down to the next line creating the image as the beam moves from top to bottom of the screen.

Choosing A CRT Monitor

When choosing a CRT monitor, things to consider include screen size, refresh rate, dot pitch and maximum resolution.

• Screen Size: The screen size is the measure of the diagonal length of the CRT. Since CRTs are measured diagonally from one corner of the case to the opposite instead of by their viewable area, a CRT will generally have a physically smaller display than that of an LCD with the same rated screen size. Screen size is one of the main variables that affects the price of a CRT monitor.
• Refresh Rate: Refresh rate is the number of times per second the screen is redrawn expressed in hertz. Slow refresh rates will produce a noticable flicker. Higher refresh rates produce a picture with very little or no flicker that is easier on the eyes. A minimum of 75 Hertz is recommended.
• Dot Pitch: Dot pitch is an important factor of the image quality of a monitor. Dot pitch is the measurement of the distance between two phosphor dots of the same color on a monitor. The smaller the dot pitch, the better image quality a monitor will have.
• Resolution: Resolution is the number of pixels displayed on screen. The higher the resolution, the sharper and more detailed the picture will be. CRTs do not have a native resolution like LCDs which means they can use many resolutions without the LCD side effects.

CRT Advantages

The main advantage of a CRT over LCD panels is price. CRTs are much cheaper than LCD panels. CRTs can operate in multiple screen resolutions without a loss in image quality and CRTs can also display a larger range of colors than LCDs, making them popular in graphics design, gaming and video editing.