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- The LG CX is the ideal display for gaming, and our top rated OLED TV overall.
- Features like HDMI 2.1 and adaptive refresh rate make LG's CX an ideal pairing for the PS5 and Xbox.
- Current gaming monitors generally lack the hardware to maximize next-gen consoles.
Video games regularly push the boundaries of what's possible with consumer technology, and a new generation of consoles and PC graphic cards are putting TVs and monitors to the test with a slew of advanced features.
Demand for premium gaming devices has never been higher — the launch of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S set sales records for Sony and Microsoft while PC hardware makers Nvidia and AMD have struggled to keep up with demand for their latest releases amid a global chip shortage.
These highly sought after pieces of hardware will look good on just about any display, but we've found that LG's CX OLED TV is the best match for next-gen gaming consoles and PCs. LG recently released an updated 2021 model called the LG C1, but it's similar enough to the CX that we recommend getting the older model to save about $200, depending on what size you buy.
With the smallest CX OLED TV currently measuring 48 inches, monitors have an advantage when it comes to smaller sizes. But when it comes to maximizing the features of consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, the LG CX outperforms many of the best gaming monitors on the market. Key features like HDMI 2.1, adaptive refresh rate, low input latency, and HDR are all available on the CX, whereas monitors and many competing TVs are forced to make compromises.
LG CX OLED's self-illuminating pixels provide great contrast, accuracy, and HDR color
The LG CX's OLED panel offers an ideal contrast ratio when displaying high dynamic range (HDR) formats. Back-lit LED screens can produce washed out blacks in dark areas like caves, but OLED displays can illuminate each pixel separately to provide a more accurate picture. That contrast is vital when exploring video games with varied environments like "Assassin's Creed: Valhalla" or a dungeon-crawler like "Demon's Souls."
While LED displays can reach higher brightness levels than the LG CX, the depth of the blacks offered by the OLED display will produce a greater level of contrast between white and black tones. LG's CX also has a specific HGiG color mode to enable a more accurate image when playing games with HDR support.
LG's OLED doesn't sacrifice responsiveness and refresh rate with larger screen sizes
Some of the key differences that separate gaming monitors from standard LED TVs are centered around making monitors as responsive as possible when gaming. TVs historically use post-processing effects that can improve image quality, but this creates a moment of delay before the image appears on the screen.
Monitors reduce that processing to minimize input delay, and also function at higher refresh rates that increase how often a gaming console or PC can send a new picture to the screen. When paired with the right hardware, this makes games look and feel more responsive as you control them.
While most TVs sacrifice refresh rate at larger resolutions, the CX can maintain 120Hz at 4K resolution, rivaling all but the best monitors. Not only that, but OLED TVs also produce low input delay figures that consistently beat their LED counterparts and even some gaming monitors.
OLED models like the LG CX have licensed adaptive refresh rate software like Nvidia's G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, further improving compatibility with gaming PCs and Xbox Series X|S consoles. Adaptive refresh rate will constantly shift the display's refresh rate to match the console or PC, creating a smoother picture.
PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S|X need HDMI 2.1 to reach their potential
As an added caveat, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X can only display at 4K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate using HDMI 2.1, a feature just a handful of TVs can provide. The gaming monitors that have promised HDMI 2.1 in the future are set to cost even more than a premium smart TV.
The consoles can still output at 4K 60Hz or 1080p 120Hz without HDMI 2.1, but this hardware limitation greatly reduces the number of displays that are ideal for pairing with the PS5 and Xbox Series X.
While some newer TVs like the Sony x900 offer two HDMI 2.1 ports, all four ports on the LG CX are HDMI 2.1 compatible.
The LG CX OLED is the ideal display for a premium gaming setup, if you have the space and budget
If you're planning to spend $500 or more on a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or Nvidia 3000 series graphics card, it makes sense to budget for a premium display that can make the most of their features. Of course, a large TV won't suit every gaming setup, and spending $1,000 or more on a dedicated gaming screen might not be realistic for all households (or dorm rooms).
Gaming monitors offer tons of choice in terms of size and performance, but they widely lack the features needed to reach the highest level of visual quality. Several TVs can maximize the potential of next-gen consoles, but the LG CX OLED stands out as the ideal pick thanks to its responsive display, reliable performance, full HDMI 2.1 support, and G-sync compatibility.
April 15, 2021 at 02:19AM
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The best monitor for gaming might actually be this LG OLED TV - Business Insider
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