Answer:
A curved monitor will provide more immersive visuals and a wider field of view that comes with an ultra-wide 21:9 display. However, there are no other inherent advantages, so whether a curved gaming monitor is truly worth the money is entirely subjective.
In turn, a curved monitor with a standard 16:9 aspect ratio will offer none of the aforementioned benefits.
There are so many things to keep in mind when buying a monitor. In between refresh rates, pixel response times and maximum display resolutions, it’s easy to forget one less technical yet, potentially, crucial aspect of a gaming monitor: the curvature of the screen.
Indeed, curved gaming monitors have been around for a long while, and there are several advantages and disadvantages to them.
We will be taking a look at all of these and ultimately provide the answer to the titular question: is a curved monitor really worth it for gaming?
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Advantages Of A Curved Monitor
The primary reason why people opt to buy a curved monitor is the level of immersion that they offer, the kind of immersion that is now only rivaled by VR headsets. Namely, the slight curve of the monitor makes the displayed image appear more realistic as it “bends” around your field of view.
Not only that, but most curved monitors also come with ultra-wide aspect ratios that carry a couple of advantages of their own. Mainly, it’s their width that allows for a fuller field of view in games, thus enabling better peripheral vision. Moreover, the extra screen space also makes multitasking on the desktop far easier.
Disadvantages Of A Curved Monitor
When shopping for a curved monitor, one thing that will definitely stand out is the price. And true enough, curved monitors are much more expensive than their flat counterparts. That applies at least to the ones that are worthwhile.
Anyone who has ever used a curved monitor can agree that they are nothing but a gimmick unless they come with an ultra-wide 21:9 or a greater aspect ratio. Now, not only are such monitors expensive, but the higher resolution might also visibly reflect on your in-game performance, especially if your PC is powered by a mid-range graphics card.
Conclusion – Is A Curved Monitor Worth It?
With all of the above in mind, how do we answer the main question?
Well, as far as we’re concerned, curved monitors are only worth the expense if you are in the mood to splurge. The advantages that they offer are quite limited and whether those advantages are worth the extra cost is highly subjective.
The bottom line is, if you can afford one, then by all means, go for it. However, if you’re putting together a PC or upgrading your old one and are working with a limited budget, we don’t consider it a particularly wise investment when there are so many other components and peripherals that could offer more for less money.
In any case, if you’re shopping for a new monitor right now, check out this buying guide. You’re bound to find a monitor that you like, regardless of whether you’re looking for a curved or flat one!
