If you want to make sure your monitor is fast enough for your gaming needs, you need to check the monitor response time.
When it comes to picking the right gaming monitor for you, there are a lot of factors to consider. Response time is one of them, as it greatly affects your gaming experience.
In this guide, we will be going over how to check the monitor response time. We will also tell you what's a good response time for a monitor. Let's get started.
How To Check Monitor Response Time
Monitor response time is measured in milliseconds (ms) and, the lower the response time, the better. Monitors with high response times can cause issues like monitor ghosting, which can be very frustrating.
So, here is how to check the monitor response time.
Method 1: Review the Specifications
The easiest way to figure out monitor response time is to check the specifications of your monitor. You can find the specification table either on the packaging box or on the Internet.
If you are in the market for a new monitor, you can refer to the product description to see the response time. In e-commerce websites like Amazon, the response time is always mentioned in the product title itself, so you don't need to go through the product description.
For example, the monitor from LG mentioned below has a response time of 1 ms, which you can easily figure out from the product title if you visit the website.
- Check Price: LG 24GN600-B Ultragear Gaming Monitor at Amazon
Method 2: Run an Online Test
You can conduct an online test to check the monitor response time. This method is a bit more accurate than the first method, but it requires a bit of patience. You can find online response time tests on various websites.
For illustration, we will use a website called EIZO. Here is how to do it:
- Go to the EIZO website.
- Scroll down and click on Start EIZO Monitor Test.
- You will be presented with several tests to carry out. Uncheck all the boxes except Response Time.
- Now, click on Start test.
- Follow the instructions on the screen and check the results.
We assume you have your test result in your hand. And you might be wondering whether your response time is good enough or not. That's exactly what we are gonna explore in the next section. Keep reading!
What Is a Good Response Time for a Monitor?
For a gaming monitor, a response time of 1 ms is considered best. However, a response time under 5ms is also good, as it refreshes the pixels fast enough not to create motion blur or ghosting.
In most cases, you won't be able to tell the difference between a response time of 1 ms and 5 ms. However, if you're a professional competitive gamer doing some highly graphic-intensive gaming, you may notice a difference.
A general agreement is that a monitor with a 144hz refresh rate and 1 ms response time is the best for gaming. It will offer you better motion and a smooth experience, thereby elevating your overall gaming experience.
How to Check Laptop Screen Response Time
You can conduct an online test to check the response time of your laptop screen. You can find online response time tests on various websites. For illustration, we will use a website called EIZO. Here is how to do it:
- Go to the EIZO website.
- Scroll down and click on Start EIZO Monitor Test.
- You will be presented with several tests to carry out. Uncheck all the boxes except Response Time.
- Now, click on Start test.
- Follow the instructions on the screen and check the results.
A response time between 1 ms and 5 ms is considered good. If your response time is over 5ms, there are chances that you may encounter motion blur while playing graphic intense games.