Contrast
Equally important, in gaming, is the contrast ratio – higher is better. The Sharp PN K321 has an 800:1 static contrast ratio, the Dell 32″ UP3214Q has 1000:1 static (dynamic 2,000,000:1), and the LG 34UC9734 has 1,000:1 static (dynamic 5,000,000:1). Dynamic contrast (DC), also called advanced contrast ratio (ACR) and various other designations, turns down the backlight lamp while proportionately amplifying the transmission through the LCD panel. This gives the benefit of realizing the potential static contrast ratio of the LCD panel in dark scenes when the image is watched in a dark room. It’s a kinda HDR, and again, bigger is better.
Gamut
With 4k and near 4k monitors came 10-bit color. The 4k panels are native 10-bit panels capable of processing a 10-bit signal from an appropriate graphics board. The Dell and Sharp 4k IGZO monitors we have, have a native sRGB color gamut. The Dell UP3214Q, covers the wider Adobe RGB gamut. The LG 34uc97 covers 99% of sRGB but not Adobe RGB or ProPhoto RGB.
Portrait Displays, the company that does the color management software for most monitor suppliers, has studied this a great deal. “The difference between sRGB and Adobe RGB is only in the green color,” said Michael James, president and founder of Portrait. “Thus, from a gaming perspective there would not be much difference. However, if you look at a much wider gamut such as DCI, most wider gamut monitors can replicate this gamut, you find substantial enhancements in the red, blue and green. This leads to enhancements in the game playing.
“The most important issues in game playing is discrimination of activity on the screen. The two variable here are resolution and color. The greater the resolution the more detail the player can see. With color, the important point is discrimination of activity on the screen. The eye is very sensitive to color differences.
“I only play games on wide gamut displays. It makes a big difference. The other important point is that; whereas more resolution requires significantly more CPU/GPU power, more color does not”.
Brightness
The Dell UP3214Q, and Sharp PN K321can hit 350 cd/m2 brightness, whereas the LG 34cu97 gets 300 cd/m2. Although more is better, I don’t know anyone who runs his or her monitor at full max brightness, so I’m not sure this is a negative point against the LG.
Fast switching
Most of the monitors today are capable of 5ms switching time, or better. The Dell, LG, and Sharp are 5ms screens.
