When shopping for the right gaming monitor, you may come across different gaming tools that may confuse you. It would help if you looked at the positives and negatives of each to finalize the decision. 

For those looking for a gaming monitor, decide on your budget and know what screen size you are looking for and your hopes regarding image quality. Which one would better suit your needs among the three monitor panel types? 

IPS vs. TN vs. VA, which monitor panel type will be the right panel to make your gaming experience the best one. Let’s get started!

Concerns to Address Before Deciding on a Monitor Panel Type

How much are you going to have to spend?

This is the first concern you must answer for yourself. Because if you have a budget of $150 or less to spend on a new monitor, your choices will be much more limited than if you have a budget of $500.

For example, if you have less than $150 and it is as high as you can go, you’ll almost certainly be compelled to go with a TN panel. If you have more money to spend, that doesn’t mean you should avoid TN panel monitors; it just means you’ll have more choices.

What will you utilize the new monitor for? Gaming or Graphic design?

This is an essential question since the type of usage that your display will see will have a significant impact on the kind of panel you should get. If you intend to use your monitor exclusively for competitive gaming (CS: GO, LoL, COD, Dota 2, etc.), a TN panel that has a high refresh rate, as well as a low response time, is your best option.

If, on the other hand, you are a casual gamer or intend to do a lot of graphic design work on your monitor, you should consider a VA or an IPS screen. These panels don’t work as well as TN panels in terms of response rate, and they cost much more for the same refresh rate. Yet, their picture quality is far superior to that of TN panels, making them better suited for graphic design work.

Are you a competitive or a casual gamer?

This is related to the previous point, but it is also worth considering. As previously stated, if you are a serious gamer and play competitive games where just a split-second can mean the difference between success and loss, you may want to sacrifice better visuals in exchange for a better-performing monitor.

And for that, a TN panel is your best option because it has lower response rates plus higher refresh rates (at the very least for the price) than IPS or VA panels.

Suppose you’re not playing highly competitive games and appreciate the visual element of gaming. In that case, you’d be better off with an IPS or VA panel because they have better technology for showing richer, more detailed visuals.

Comparison Parameters

But before we get into the monitor panel type comparison, let’s look at some of the variables that are important when it comes to monitors. Here are some of the criteria we’ll use to evaluate the TN, IPS, as well as VA screens.

Quality of Display

Picture clarity is something you don’t want to take chances with. To be honest, display quality is a nebulous notion. A variety of variables, such as color gamut, contrast ratio, brightness, and so on, influence how well images appear on display.

Viewing angles

It is preferable to have a display that has minimal color distortion when viewed from various angles. Depending on how you intend to use your monitor, the viewing angle may or may not be necessary to you.

If numerous users will be watching a display for an extended period of time, it is the ideal time to invest in a monitor with wide viewing angles.

Contrast ratio

It is preferable to have a display that has minimal color distortion when viewed from various angles. Depending on how you intend to use your monitor, the viewing angle might or might not be important to you.

If numerous users will be watching a display for an extended period of time, it is the ideal time to invest in a monitor with wide viewing angles.

In-Place Switching for IPS

It is a common form of the panel found in various devices, such as monitors, televisions, smartphones, and other electronic gadgets. Its significant benefits are outstanding visuals, color calibration reproduction, and broad viewing angles.

Even though VA panels have a higher contrast ratio, they are preferred over TN panels. Furthermore, IPS panels have a rate of response of 4 milliseconds or more, while there are new variants that may accomplish response times as low as one millisecond.

Considering the IPS panels usually have backlight bleeding issues, you will have to spend more than the other monitor panel types if you are looking for a higher refresh rate. 

Vertical Alignment or VA

The VA panel brings the users to a middle ground because it mixes IPS and TN panels. What VA has to offer is quite close to the In-Place Switching; the color range and the viewing angles of both the VA panel and the IPS panel are pretty much the same. But VA panels do offer an impressive contrast. 

But amongst all three monitor panel types. They have ghosting problems and motion blurring, especially during a fast game or darker setting. 

Moreover, when it comes to VA panels, you may face issues with backlight bleeding too. But then it all comes down to the quality of the VA panel you are planning to purchase. 

Twisted Nematic or TN

TN is known as the best-performing panel in terms of refresh rates. It has the lowest response times among the three monitor panel types. Additionally, the 144Hz twisted nematic is relatively cheap than the IPS, but only the TN panels go up high. The TN also offers one millisecond response time, which makes it a very affordable choice to date for those looking for a gaming monitor. 

TN does not have a lot to offer when it comes to color range and visuals. The image and the picture quality look pretty faded, and even the viewing angles are pretty weak. So if you are someone who prioritizes image quality over a suitable panel type, then this may not be the one for you. The TN panels do not even support HDR display and do not have an up-to-the-mark contrast to match the levels. 

IPS vs. VA

IPS panels are often considered superior to VA panels because they offer better viewing angles. They also have a better contrast ratio and a more accurate color reproduction. IPS panels are also more expensive than VA panels. They require more processing power, and more components must be manufactured to create an IPS panel.

IPS and VA panel technology is that the former has improved viewing angles, better contrast ratios, and more accurate color reproduction than the latter.

IPS vs. TN

To understand better, we have a comparison between IPS panels and TN panels. You may know how TN panels are commonly used because of how affordable they are. The advantage of using these TN panels for gaming is that they have a minimum refresh rate, which reduces any blurring. But in terms of color, TN panels do not deliver much that’s when IPS panels win over. When it comes to TN vs. IPS, the IPS panel offers a good color range preferred by many creative professionals.  

But if you want to keep the monitor panel and its performance aside, then the IPS panel delivers up to the mark. The refresh rates offered by the fall compared to the TN, which provides 360Hz.

Suppose you are ready to give up the 360Hz for 144Hz with an IPS panel’s four millisecond response time and are willing to spend money. Then we will advise that you get the IPS panel, but if you are not willing to compromise on the response time and want to work on an affordable panel, then TN will be the right choice for you. 

Hopefully, you have an idea of what you need to look for when getting a monitor panel for your gaming needs. But if you are still in doubt, we advise you to go ahead and look at your comparison chart, which will be the perfect element to help you finalize your choice. 

IPA vs. TN vs. VA: Comparison Chart to Finalise Your Choice!

When deciding on a gaming monitor, you will find multiple monitor panel types. It is essential to know what makes them different from the other. To get a better idea about the IPS panel, VA panel, and TN panel, we have decided their differences into four categories: the quality of the image, how quickly they respond, the angles, and the refresh rate of each monitor.

	IPS panel	VA panel	TN panel
Image quality discusses the color spectrum of the monitor panel types. It shows the contrasts and how light and dark the screen is.	It has one of the highest quality range of colors. You get a realistic gaming experience in this panel.	VA brings a middle ground; it is a fair average between the TN and the IPS panels. It has a color range that is quite close to an IPS panel. The contrast ratio is between the light and dark and is quite visible.	TN panel has a poor color spectrum and colors that look pretty dull. You will find no HDR display in TN panels.
Viewing Angles is known as the maximum distance from viewing the screen from the front to looking at it from the side without seeing a change in the brightness or the colors.	This screen provides a wide-angle experience. It is consistently good at 178/178 and can be viewed from different angles.	The viewing angle of the VA panel is a little smaller than the IPS but more prominent than the VA panel.	The viewing angle of the TN panel is a significant problem. Even a good range of monitors have color shifts and image fading.
Refresh rates show the amount of frames per second each screen can compute. You can view it in Hz; having a higher number means your image quality will improve.,	The IPS panel is known to have the lowest refresh rates. But since the screens are developing, you can find IPS panels with a refresh rate between 75Hz to 144Hz.	When it comes to refresh rates, VAs are also average. They usually have a refresh rate of 60Hz, and you can find VA panels with 120 Hz as well.	TN panels have the highest refresh rates of 144Hz and even more. You get smoother gameplay with no stuttering images.
Speed of response or the response time shows how long it takes for a screen to change from a black pixel to white and then black again. Higher response time means blurring and ghosting.	IPS panels aren’t known for a lower response time. They have a response time of 4 milliseconds. IPS panels have a response time of 2 milliseconds and one millisecond. These IPS monitors may cause ghosting and motion blurring, especially in shooting games.	The VA offers one of the highest response times by default. It is about five milliseconds. Motion blurring affects your monitors the most, which is why VA screens have a faster panels.	TN is a gaming monitor which has a deficient response. It is about one millisecond; you never suffer from motional blurring ghosting, even if you play the fastest games.

Which Panel Type Of Panel is Best Suited for Your Needs?

Your specific requirements will determine the screen you choose.

Nothing will suit you better as a competitive gamer than a TN panel. TN panels may have poorer picture quality, low contrast, or limited viewing angles but have extremely fast response times.

However, if you want the best visuals and more sharp and detailed images while gaming, an IPS screen is the best option. Color reproduction is superb on IPS panels. They also have a broad viewing angle, which is advantageous for graphic designers.

VA screens are the middle ground. They provide precise colors and wide viewing angles, which are nearly similar to IPS panels. Their response time is slightly slower compared to TN panels but somewhat quicker than that of IPS panels. So, if you want a monitor that balances the benefits of a TN panel and an IPS panel, VA panels are the way to go.

In the end, TN panels are undoubtedly the most popular choice for serious gamers. They are less expensive and perform better in competing situations.

Finally, your decision will be based on the features as well as aspects that best reflect the type of in-game experience you desire.

Summing it up!

When choosing the best monitor panel type, you should know it’s not easier. All monitor panel types have their positives and negatives. So before choosing which you want, it is essential to think about your screen usage carefully. If you want a screen somewhere in In The middle, you can opt for VA panels. The TN panel will be a decent option if you hope to get low refresh rates and avoid any blurring. But if you are hoping for excellent image quality and top-notch viewing angles, then an IPS panel may be the one for you. Eventually, it all comes down to your usage and what you search for. 

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