The gaming monitor landscape is rapidly evolving, with manufacturers pushing the boundaries of refresh rates and display technology. Recent announcements and industry discussions highlight a significant leap forward, with a 1,000Hz gaming monitor on the horizon and other high-refresh-rate displays already making waves.
The Dawn of 1,000Hz Gaming Monitors
Chinese esports firm AntGamer, in collaboration with AMD, has teased a groundbreaking 1,000Hz gaming monitor slated for a 2026 debut. This ultra-fast display will utilize TN panel technology, local dimming, and Black Frame Insertion (BFI) to achieve its unprecedented refresh rate. The partnership with AMD has also resulted in a technical whitepaper detailing the specifications required for games to take full advantage of such high frame rates, with titles like CS2 and PUBG mentioned as potential beneficiaries.
- Key Takeaways:
- 1,000Hz refresh rate
- TN panel technology
- Local Dimming and BFI
- Partnership with AMD
- Target release: 2026
While the 1,000Hz monitor is still in development, AntGamer has also launched a 750Hz monitor, indicating a strong push towards extreme refresh rates in the esports sector.
High Refresh Rates Beyond Human Perception?
The pursuit of ever-higher refresh rates, such as 610Hz and 1,000Hz, has sparked debate within the gaming community. While some enthusiasts embrace these advancements for competitive edge, others question whether the human eye can truly perceive such speeds, especially in games that may not consistently achieve these frame rates. The practical benefits of refresh rates far exceeding 240Hz are a subject of ongoing discussion and testing.
The Current High-Refresh-Rate Market
Beyond the bleeding edge, the market is already offering impressive high-refresh-rate options. Asus has showcased a 610Hz TN gaming monitor, which impressed reviewers with its visual quality despite being a TN panel. This monitor, alongside others with refresh rates of 240Hz, 320Hz, and 480Hz, offers a significant upgrade for competitive gamers. However, the emergence of high-refresh-rate OLED displays, such as a 540Hz OLED monitor, presents a compelling alternative, often providing superior color and contrast.
Top Gaming Monitor Recommendations
Industry experts and online communities like Reddit often highlight specific models for their performance and features. The LG UltraGear 45GX950A-B, with its 45-inch curved OLED panel offering modes of 5K at 165Hz and 2K at 330Hz, is praised for its immersive experience and productivity benefits, though its high price point is a consideration. Similarly, Alienware’s QD-OLED monitors, like the AW3425DW, are lauded for their vibrant image quality and smooth performance, offering a strong balance of features and price for gamers seeking a premium curved display.
Sources
- Chinese eSports firm worked with AMD on 1,000 Hz gaming monitor primed for 2026 debut, Tom’s Hardware.
- Forget OLED, it was a 610 Hz TN gaming monitor that stole my heart over Gamescom week, PC Gamer.
- I test gaming monitors for a living — here’s what I think of Reddit’s top recommendations, Tom’s Guide.
