Any self-respecting gamer needs a gaming setup worthy of the name. And that necessarily involves a quality monitor.
You have two options: flat or curved.
But why choose a curved screen? And how do you choose the right one from all the available models? Here’s a quick guide!
Why choose a curved screen for gaming
⚡A better sense of immersion
What are you looking for most when grinding runs in the Hades II early access? Immersion? That’s the strong suit of curved screens: by filling your entire field of vision, they allow the gamer to dive into the heart of the action for increased immersion.
It’s much nicer to play when you forget you’re staring at a screen, isn't it?
👀 Better visual comfort and reduced eye strain
For you, spending hours and hours in front of your screen, you are surely familiar with that modern malady called eye strain. But did you know that a curved monitor could reduce all the symptoms (decreased visual acuity, irritation and redness of the eyes, headaches...) that you might feel after an intense day of gaming?
Thanks to its pronounced curvature, it significantly improves visual comfort since your eyes see the entire image naturally. They therefore exert less effort and get less tired.
In the same vein, the curved screen also limits distortion by following the natural shape of the eye. Even if image distortion can occur on screens of any size, it is largely reduced on curved monitors compared to flat ones.
This is largely explained by the way light is projected onto the screen. While flat screens project images in a straight line, toward the viewer and to the sides, curved ones direct everything toward the gamer.
Still, a curved PC screen produces just as much artificial blue light as any other. To truly reduce eye strain when you play, think about gaming glasses that filter blue light for more comfort.
Our Gaming range offers the best filtration on the market, with both our amber lenses and our more discreet clear lenses. A big shout-out to our Biobased range, which combines top-tier filtration, a sweet price, and respect for our beautiful blue planet.
And if you use your curved screen for work, our Office collection offers elegant, timeless designs to filter blue light without being noticed!
🤖 Stylish and futuristic design for a perfect gaming setup
Some monitors feature an ultra-modern design for a real wow effect. Unlike flat screens, its curved design stands out from the ordinary and adds a highly aesthetic touch while blending into any decor.
What's better than a good gaming setup? A good gaming setup that looks amazing, of course!
How to choose it
Those are the strong points of curved screens, but are you going to be tempted? And how do you choose?
There are several criteria to consider:
🖥️ Resolution: from Full HD to infinity
This determines the sharpest and most beautiful image possible. Note that the larger the screen, the higher the resolution should be.
For example, for anything under 27 inches, a 1080p resolution (1920 x 1080) is recommended, a 2K resolution (2560 x 1440) for a 27-inch, and 4K (4096 x 2160) for a screen over 32 inches. And you need a PC behind it capable of handling these resolutions, otherwise, it’s much less useful.
🚄 Refresh rate
This is the speed at which images appear on the screen. The higher the refresh rate, the smoother the image and the better the response time.
Even if 60 Hz is considered sufficient for gaming, for a curved gaming monitor, we recommend at least 120 Hz. And for maximum fluidity, opt for 144 Hz, or even 240 Hz. Once again, your machine must be able to keep up!
🦣 Size
This corresponds to the diagonal of the screen and is displayed in inches.
For heavy gaming sessions, there’s no point in choosing a screen that’s too small; it’s better to aim for over 24 inches, because below that, the curvature is too slight to really be useful. We even recommend at least 27 inches. It’s from this size that you can play in comfortable conditions.
You can find models on the market ranging from 24 up to 49 inches: it’s up to you to decide on the size that pleases you, keeping in mind that a curved PC screen takes up space. Be careful to choose a screen that fits the space you have available.
🫧 Display technology: focus on panels and responsiveness
The goal of the display is to broadcast the images generated by your computer as faithfully, precisely, and quickly as possible.
The most popular panel types are TN, VA, IPS, and OLED. Each of these technologies has its advantages and disadvantages; it all depends on what you want to use your screen for.
TN (Twisted Nematic) technology, which offers high brightness for a relatively low response time, is the most common. But its viewing angles are limited and affect image quality depending on your position relative to the screen. It is therefore more suitable for those under 34 inches.
VA (Vertical Alignment) technology stands out for its contrast ratio, which is well above average, and its color reproduction. The downside is their lack of responsiveness, as these panels display the highest response times on the market. Better for office work than for gaming, then.
IPS (In-Plane Switching) panels are the ones that allow for the most beautiful and vivid colors. Weak points: contrast ratio and responsiveness.
OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) panels do not rely on LCD technology, unlike the previous three. They represent a real technological breakthrough thanks to perfect color rendering, incredible contrast levels, high responsiveness on the order of 0.1 ms, and super high refresh rates (up to 240 Hz). But like all technologies, it isn't perfect: the price is much higher, and the lifespan can turn out to be shorter.
💻 Graphics card compatibility (G-Sync, FreeSync)
You are already familiar with G-Sync and FreeSync technologies, implemented by Nvidia and AMD, respectively. They help to overcome the lack of synchronization and avoid stuttering and tearing images by automatically adapting the refresh rate to that of the graphics processor.
While FreeSync technology can be used with any graphics card, G-Sync poses a slight problem because it requires a graphics card with an Nvidia processor.
The good news is that Nvidia recently announced that it is expanding the compatibility of G-Sync screens to some FreeSync ones, but for now, the models remain few and far between.
So, be careful to check for proper compatibility with your graphics card.
☁️ Connectivity
Curved screens are equipped with many connectivity options. You will need to choose those that best meet your needs.
Among the most common, we find USB ports, headphone jacks, HDMI, and DisplayPort.
Well, the job of these screens isn't to deliver competition-grade sound: count on your PC speakers or your headset instead.
🎯 Design
Modern, sleek, futuristic, understated, and elegant… There are as many styles of curved screens as there are models. They are indeed offered in different colors, textures, and shades.
Given the choice available, you will definitely find the one that suits you!
Our selection: 3 models, 3 budgets
To help you get well-equipped, we have put together a small selection of three models for every budget.
💰 Entry-level: MSI Optix G27CQ4 E2, a 27-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) curved screen
This screen, a 27-inch with a VA panel and WQHD resolution (2560 x 1440), combines fluidity and speed with a 170 Hz refresh rate and a response time of only 1 ms (MPRT). Compatible with FreeSync Premium technology for total immersion during your gaming sessions.
Price: starting from €259.
💰💰 Mid-range: Asus TUF Gaming VG34VQL1B, 34’’, res 3440 x 1440 WQHD, 1 ms
Excellent 3440 x 1440 pixel resolution, IPS HDR panel, 165 Hz refresh rate, 1 ms responsiveness: this Asus TUF gaming PC monitor is a safe bet, compatible with Nvidia and AMD cards.
Price: starting from €399
💰💰💰 High-end: Samsung Odyssey G9 OLED, 49 inches, 5K res, crazy response time
The must-have of curved gaming screens: 49-inch curved OLED panel with a 240 Hz refresh rate, 5120 x 1440 pixel definition, and a 0.03 ms response time. BIG downside: €1299 is a bit steep. A lot. Absolutely.
Curved gaming monitor vs. curved teleworking monitor
➰ Gaming PC monitor: flat or curved?
In the world of gaming PC monitors, curved displays have plenty of selling points, but compared to flat screens, they have one major drawback: the price, which is significantly higher for comparable performance.
They also take up more space, so plan carefully and make sure your desk can accommodate the beast before you whip out your credit card.
🧑💼 Curved monitors and remote work: a great idea
While there may be a debate between flat and curved screens for gamers, it’s less clear-cut for office work.
Indeed, not only does the curved design offer a better viewing angle that improves comfort, but it also enables better productivity thanks to the sense of immersion, which boosts concentration and helps you work more efficiently.
Working is just as comfortable—perhaps even more so—than on a traditional dual-monitor setup, once you get used to displaying multiple windows on a single screen.
And this time, the size of a curved monitor works in its favor: it will take up less room on your desk than a dual-monitor setup.
The price isn't quite as daunting either: if you don't need a crazy refresh rate or insane response times, curved monitors remain quite affordable.
Final thoughts: Curved PC monitor
You now know the advantages of a curved PC monitor.
If you're still hesitant, just remember that it all depends on what you're looking for: if you want total immersion in your games and an intense gaming experience while reducing eye strain, a curved screen is the way to go.
On the other hand, if gaming performance is your top priority, then you should opt for a flat screen, which will offer a higher refresh rate and faster response time.
Given its advantages, a curved monitor can also be a very good option for remote work. It might even help you boost your productivity.
So, are you going to give it a try?
