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By: Robert Llarves | Date Posted: October 17, 2022
As gaming and content creation continues to grow in popularity, the demand for a computer monitor that can keep up with the pace is also increasing.
Manufacturers have responded by releasing various monitors with different features and capabilities. But there is one feature that is often overlooked or not given enough attention, and that is the monitor’s response time.
Response time measures how long it takes for a pixel on a screen to change color. A fast response time is important for gamers or anyone who wants to avoid image ghosting while working on their computer.
Most monitors come with a response time of 5ms which is considered to be average. However, there are some that have a response time of 1ms or even less. These monitors are designed for gamers who need the fastest possible response time to avoid image ghosting.
Many people have heard of image ghosting, but few know what it actually is. Ghosting is an optical illusion that occurs when a faint image from one frame is superimposed over another frame. This can happen when two similar images are displayed in rapid successions, such as when a person is flipping through a book or scrolling through a website. The brain perceives the two images as one, resulting in a ghostlike effect.
In gaming or other fast-paced activities, this effect can be extremely distracting and make it difficult to focus on the task at hand.
When a pixel changes color, it does so by going from one shade to another. The time it takes for a pixel to go from one shade to another is called rise time. The fall time is the time it takes for the pixel to go back to its original color. The total response time is the sum of the rise time and the fall time.
Response time is the amount of time it takes for a pixel to change color, and it’s measured in milliseconds. So, a monitor with a 5ms response time means that it will take 5 milliseconds for the pixel to change color.
So, going back to the question at hand, what is the normal response time for a monitor? Well, most monitors have a response time of 5ms, which is considered to be average (normal).
Most probably, you won’t see any image ghosting with a 5ms response time, especially for computer activities like general use, internet browsing, and watching videos.
Games such as first-person shooters, racing games, and sports games may exhibit some ghosting effects, but they shouldn’t be too distracting or disrupt your gameplay.
Now that we know what the normal response time for a monitor is, let’s take a look at what is considered to be fast. A fast response time is anything that is 1ms or less.
Monitors with a response time of 1ms or less are designed for gamers who need the fastest possible response time as they are more likely to experience image ghosting while playing fast-paced games. Some monitors now come with 0.5ms response times, but these are mostly found on high-end gaming monitors that come with a hefty price tag.
There are two types of response time measurements: GTG (Gray to Gray) and MPRT (Motion Picture Response Time).
GTG is the most common method of measuring response time as it’s a more accurate representation of how fast a pixel can change color. MPRT, on the other hand, is a measurement of how fast a pixel can go from one shade to another and back again.
To explain it even further, let’s say you have a pixel that is currently showing the color black. If the pixel’s GTG response time is 5ms, it will take 5 milliseconds for the pixel to change to any other color. However, if the pixel’s MPRT response time is 5ms, it will take 5 milliseconds for the pixel to go from black to white and back to black again.
As you can see, MPRT is not a very accurate representation of a monitor’s true response time as it doesn’t take into account the time it takes for the pixel to actually change color.
It is important to note that most manufacturers use MPRT when advertising their response time as it is a lower number and looks more impressive than the GTG response time. So, when you’re looking at a monitor’s response time, make sure to check if it’s GTG or MPRT. If it’s MPRT, you can expect the actual response time to be higher than what is advertised.
If you ask which matters most (gtg or MPRT)? I would say both can be important, depending on the usage.
Choosing the right response time for gaming can be a bit tricky as you need to take into account the type of games you play as well as your budget.
Assuming you don’t have a problem paying for a high-end gaming monitor, you should look for a monitor with a response time of 1ms or less. But if you’re on a tight budget and you just want to play casually, a monitor with a response time of 5ms will suffice.
Of course, you can always go for a middle ground and get a monitor with a response time of 3ms or 4ms. This will give you good performance without breaking the bank.
For slow-paced games like RGP, you won’t probably notice any image ghosting even with a 5ms response time. So, when deciding on a monitor response time, determine the games you are planning to play the most.
How about general activities like internet browsing, watching videos, and office work? Well, response time isn’t really that important for these activities as you won’t be doing anything that requires a fast response time.
A monitor with a 5ms response time or even higher will be just fine. In fact, you might even want to consider getting a monitor with a higher response time as they tend to be cheaper than their fast-paced counterparts.
Response time might be one of the important aspects when choosing a monitor, but it’s not the only thing you should focus on.
You also need to take into account the panel type, refresh rate, and resolution as these can also affect your gaming experience.
For instance, if you’re looking for a monitor for competitive gaming, you’ll want to get a monitor with a high refresh rate as this will give you an advantage over your opponents. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a monitor for creative work, you’ll want to get a monitor with good color accuracy as this is more important than response time.
You should be aware of the basic specification of a monitor before you buy one. This way, you can make an informed decision and get the best monitor for your needs.
You probably now have an idea about the difference between a “normal” and “fast” monitor response time. I’ve also discussed when you should focus on response time and when you shouldn’t.
Generally, fast response time is always the best choice, but as I said above, if you will use the monitor only for general activities, you won’t notice any difference. So, it all depends on the situation.
If you find this article helpful, consider sharing it with your friends who also love computer monitors. It will definitely help them and us too. Also, if you have any questions, you are free to comment down below, and I will be more than happy to answer them.
