Dual mode gaming monitors offer a unique proposition that combines two kinds of displays in one screen. They allow you to switch between a high refresh rate mode with a lower resolution, which optimizes speed, and a high resolution mode with a lower refresh rate, which maximizes visual fidelity. The result is a single display […] The post How to Choose the Best Dual Mode Gaming Monitor appeared first on ViewSonic Library.
Dual mode gaming monitors offer a unique proposition that combines two kinds of displays in one screen. They allow you to switch between a high refresh rate mode with a lower resolution, which optimizes speed, and a high resolution mode with a lower refresh rate, which maximizes visual fidelity. The result is a single display that adapts to different types of games, hardware setups, and play styles.
If you’re considering getting a dual mode monitor for yourself, there are a few key factors you need to consider. This guide will reveal how to choose the best dual mode gaming monitor for your specific needs. Read on to find out what you should keep in mind when buying your next dual mode display, or browse ViewSonic’s dual mode monitors now.
In just a couple of years, dual mode monitors have become more widely available. They offer the flexibility of a high resolution monitor that also includes a high refresh rate monitor. Understanding what truly sets them apart can help you make a smarter buying decision when you’re searching for your next display. Whether you’re into immersive gaming, esports, competitive play, content creation, coding, or photography, you can get it all done and more with the right dual mode monitor.
Why Are Dual Mode Monitors Perfect for Gaming?
While dual mode monitors also do wonders for productivity, they are really revolutionary as gaming displays. In the past, if your gaming enjoyment encompassed immersive single player and competitive multiplayer, you’d either have to buy two kinds of monitors or compromise.
With dual mode monitors, there’s none of that. In the same screen, you get a high refresh rate screen zeroed in on fast response and the essentials of competitive play in first- and third-person shooters, plus a screen that’s fully dedicated to graphic immersion. The kind that brings open-world RPGs to life, for example.
All you need to do is press the mode button on the monitor or within the on-screen display (OSD). The best dual mode gaming monitors combine a 4K UHD monitor and a full HD 1080p (or 1440p) high refresh rate gaming monitor into one display. And the price compared to standard monitors isn’t something that’ll have you applying for a loan at the bank.
In short, dual mode technology is perfect for gaming because it lets you be many kinds of gamers with a single display.
Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing the Best Dual Mode Monitor
So, how do you go about finding the best dual mode gaming monitor? Let’s go through the factors you should consider one by one.
Know Your Gaming Style
This is an easy one because dual mode monitors cover pretty much every game genre. If you love visually lush open worlds and narrative titles, the high resolution mode is a shoe-in. Do you also engage in reflex-based shooters, racers, and fighting games? Do you want to win? The uber-responsive high refresh mode has got your back.
However, if all of your games only fit one play style, e.g., you only care about detailed graphics or only need optimal speed for competitive play, then a dual mode monitor may not be for you. And even then, only if you’re truly on a tight budget.
Assess Your Gaming Needs
Once you’re sure what kind of games you enjoy, it’s time to evaluate your hardware requirements. Sure, you could enjoy 4K detail at a smooth 160Hz for every title, but that’s asking a lot of your GPU. If you’re okay with high resolution graphics in more laid-back or immersive games and only need 1080p with games that benefit from very high refresh rates, dual mode monitors are your ticket to glory.
Also, you can’t realistically expect 4K at 320Hz from a typical gaming GPU/CPU combo. Not yet, anyway. It’s far too many pixels for most setups to handle. That’s why two dedicated modes, one high resolution and the other high refresh rate, cover more ground and better support a wider range of hardware configurations.
Decide on a Panel Size and Type
Monitor size: The sweet spot for dual mode gaming monitors is arguably 27″. You can go 32″ if you like a more immersive experience and want to emphasize the high resolution visuals. Conversely, competitive multiplayer gameplay often benefits from the pixel density and superb responsiveness of a slightly smaller display. If that advantage interests you, consider a monitor with a dedicated esports mode, which scales the view down to 24.5″ from a larger size for better precision.
LED: IPS LED and QD-LED monitors offer a strong balance of response, color accuracy, brightness, and long-term reliability. QD-LED displays are also far less prone to burn-in, which makes them suitable for everyday use and static content.
OLED: OLEDs deliver exceptional contrast, rich colors, and extremely fast pixel response. They also offer the best viewing angles, though their lower peak brightness can be a consideration for HDR in bright rooms. If you value the deepest black levels, OLED gaming monitors are ideal, but IPS LED remains a great all-purpose choice.
Choose the Right Monitor Features
Two modes with a difference: When you shop for the best dual mode gaming monitors, make sure the two modes are indeed distinct. A budget dual mode monitor that only offers slight differences in resolution or refresh rate may not merit your investment. A display like the ViewSonic XG275D1-4K, on the other hand, offers a real mode binary with 160Hz in 4K and 320Hz in 1080p. These two modes open a wide range of opportunities, as they’re very different.
Other essential monitor features: The best dual mode gaming monitors support variable refresh rates (VRR) with technologies that eliminate screen tearing like NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync. They have HDR10 support or even DisplayHDR certification. Connectivity should include recent DisplayPort and HDMI versions as well as a USB-C port.
And, naturally, you want a comfortable monitor that fits your environment. So, look for anti-glare and blue light filters, plus a stand that offers swivel, pivot, tilt, and height adjustments.
Other Factors to Consider
Beyond the basic hardware specs, there are a few other factors that can contribute to your dual mode gaming experience:
- Your desktop space: Where you put your new dual mode gaming monitor is just as important as how you use it. Check that you have enough desk space for peripherals and cables.
- Room lighting and viewing distance: These can make a big difference. Esports calls for a slightly smaller monitor with under a meter of viewing distance, while streaming, content creation, and immersive games work better with a 27″ or 32″ display, where you sit farther away from the screen.
- User-friendly design: The switch between the dual UHD and FHD high refresh modes should be near instant, with no monitor restart. It should also be accessible from a monitor hotkey or a clearly marked setting in the OSD.
- GPU and monitor color gamut: If you have the latest and greatest PC setup, this isn’t an issue, as both high resolution 4K and high refresh rate 1080p or 1440p will run nicely. However, should you plan to keep your hardware and avoid frequent updates, or if your GPU is already a bit older, then insist on a very fast 1080p mode. This extends the life of your hardware, and if the monitor supports a wide color gamut, all the better to make visuals pop in both modes.
Final Thoughts
We’ve covered the main points that make up the best dual mode gaming monitors and hope you find these helpful. If it’s your first time buying a dual mode monitor, a display like the ViewSonic XG2730D-4K is very compelling. It has a 144Hz 4K UHD mode for immersive gaming and a 288Hz FHD 1080p mode for competitive multiplayer. That’s a perfect entry point to the realm of dual mode gaming monitors.
If you want to up the ante and prefer a more aggressive dual mode design, the ViewSonic XG275D1-4K delivers 4K at 160Hz and 1080p with an esports-grade 320Hz refresh rate.
Whichever dual mode gaming monitor you choose, remember to adjust to your taste in gaming, play environment, additional applications like streaming and content creation, and ease of use.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Dual Mode Monitors
The best dual mode gaming monitor for your setup depends on the games you play most, your graphics card, and whether you value speed, visual detail, or both. If you switch between competitive and immersive games, dual mode is a strong fit. ViewSonic offers dual mode monitors designed for a range of gaming styles and hardware levels.
Yes, a 4K dual mode monitor can still be worth it even if you mostly play competitive games. You can use the high refresh mode for esports and switch to 4K for single-player or casual gaming. Many ViewSonic dual mode monitors are built to balance competitive performance with high-resolution visuals.
While monitor size is really a matter of preference, a 27-inch dual mode gaming monitor is ideal for many gamers. It offers a good balance between sharp image quality and comfortable viewing for fast gameplay. ViewSonic offers 27-inch options that work well for both high refresh and high resolution modes.
No, you do not need a high-end graphics card to benefit from a dual mode gaming monitor. The high refresh mode at lower resolution runs well on mid-range GPUs, while the high resolution mode can be used when performance allows. This flexibility is a key advantage of ViewSonic dual mode displays.
A high refresh rate monitor focuses only on speed and responsiveness at one resolution. A dual mode monitor gives you two optimized modes, one for high refresh gaming and one for higher resolution visuals. ViewSonic dual mode monitors are designed to deliver both experiences in a single display.
Yes, a dual mode gaming monitor can replace both your work and gaming displays. You can use the high resolution mode for productivity, content creation, and general use, then switch to high refresh mode for gaming. This all-in-one approach is one of the main reasons many users choose ViewSonic dual mode monitors.
The best monitor refresh rate for gaming depends on the type of games you play and your hardware. Competitive players often benefit from higher refresh rates like 240Hz or above for smoother motion and faster response, while casual and single-player games can still feel great at lower refresh rates. Dual mode monitors make this easier by letting you switch between performance-focused and detail-focused modes.
The post How to Choose the Best Dual Mode Gaming Monitor appeared first on ViewSonic Library.
