Best 1440p monitor under 300

The designation of response time is a pitfall that is important to be aware of when choosing a monitor. Modern IPS and VA matrices are not capable of providing a real response time of 1 ms (GtG). Like shown here https://thetimes.digital/games/best-gaming-monitor-under-300/, it is more reliable to rely on more honest indicators of 4-6 ms (GtG) at a frequency of up to 144 Hz, rather than playing roulette with what the 1 ms indicated on the box (MPRT) actually corresponds to.

All types of matrices are good in their own way

Popular opinion says “Get IPS, you can’t go wrong” - but in reality this is only partly true. Matrices made using IPS technology, indeed, most often produce natural colors, have wide viewing angles, and now they have also become noticeably faster, but this is not the only correct option in all situations.

Due to the peculiarities of their structure, TN matrices are distinguished by poor color reproduction (which is often additionally sacrificed for the sake of speed) and poor viewing angles. If the point of view deviates from the center of the screen, the image on them may fade and acquire stray shades. But professional esports players have no other choice, since only TN allows you to achieve an “honest” response time of 1-2 ms and a frequency of 240 Hz (or even 360 Hz) for the smoothest and clearest picture in fast competitive shooters.

Comparison of viewing angles of TN and IPS matrices. Good modern TN+films are not as terrible, but still far behind.

VA and IPS

For any other tasks, you should choose IPS or VA. Both of these technologies are notoriously slower than TN, but at frame rates in the 60-144 fps range on modern gaming models with a response time of up to 7 ms (GtG), the difference is not striking.

Deciding on the required maximum vertical refresh rate is as easy as shelling pears. If you are fond of esports, participate in professional tournaments, and the main disciplines are games where high speed and reaction time are extremely important, then you should take a closer look at TN + Film with a frequency of 180 to 240 Hz. Do you like to play something similar, but at an amateur level? Then choose models with a frequency of about 120-144 Hz. Are the games in your life taking up less and less time and you just want to increase the fluidity of what is happening on the screen? In this case, you can easily drop to the level of 100-120 Hz and not feel discomfort for many more years.

For some of their models, manufacturers provide a special backlight mode with the so-called “black frame insertion” (ULMB, ELMB, etc.). When activated, the backlight switches to pulsed mode and works in sync with the screen refresh rate, synchronizing the frame rate as well. CRT monitors work on the same principle.

As a result, we see only the final frames without the transition stage: the clarity of objects in the frame increases "to the skies", there are no distinguishable trails (with rare exceptions). The disadvantage of such modes of operation of the backlight is an increased load on the eyes, and at a low frequency, it is likely that some users will even be able to catch an unpleasant flicker. In addition, there are some limitations: the frequency at which the ULMB / ELMB mode can operate often does not exceed 120-144 Hz, and it is impossible to work together with active G-Sync or FreeSync.

Gaming computers and monitors: see Wikipedia