Monitor Response Time: Your Ultimate Guide for Gaming
Unsure about monitor response time? This guide breaks down everything from 1ms vs 5ms to GTG vs MPRT, helping you eliminate ghosting and motion blur for a competitive edge. Learn what specs truly matter and choose the perfect gaming monitor for buttery-smooth visuals. 🎮✨
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Ever missed a crucial shot in Valorant because of a blurry enemy peeking a corner? That split-second ghosting effect isn't just your imagination… it's your monitor struggling to keep up. In the fast-paced world of competitive gaming in South Africa, your monitor response time can be the invisible line between a glorious win and a frustrating loss. This guide will demystify this critical spec, helping you choose the perfect screen for your gaming style.
Samsung 32" Odyssey G55C QHD (2560 x 1440) Curved Gaming Monitor / 165Hz refresh rate & 1ms response time (MPRT) / 1000R Curved Screen / AMD FreeSync / LS32CG552EAXXA
R5999.00In Stock
ViewSonic TD1655 15.6" Full HD (1920 x 1080) Portable Touchscreen Monitor / Ultra-portable Design / Advanced in-cell Capacitive Touchscreen / 2-Way Power With USB Type-C / Frameless Design / Portrait and Landscape Modes / dual integrated speakers / TD1655
R5199.00In Stock
ViewSonic VX3218-PC-MHD 32" Full HD (1920 x 1080) 180Hz Curved Gaming Monitor / 180Hz Refresh Rate / 1ms MPRT Response Time / AMD Adaptive Sync Prevents Screen Tearing / 1500R Curve Ultimate Immersion / VX3218PCMHD
R3499.00In Stock
ViewSonic VX3219 32" Curved Gaming Monitor / Full HD (1920 x 1080) / 240Hz Refresh Rate / 1ms MPRT Response Time / Adaptive Sync Prevents Screen Tearing / 1500R Curve Ultimate Immersion / VX3219-PC-MHD-SN
R4899.00In Stock
HP OMEN 24 FHD 165Hz Gaming Monitor - Black / 24" FHD (1920 x 1080) Anti-glare Display / AMD FreeSync Premium / Pivot Rotation and Height Adjustable / 780D9AS
R5199.00In Stock
HP 524SH G5 FHD Gaming Monitor - Black/Silver / 24" FHD (1920 x 1080) / IPS Panel / 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x VGA / Eye Ease with Eyesafe Certification / 94C19AS
R4299.00In Stock
What Exactly is Monitor Response Time?
Let's cut through the jargon. Simply put, monitor response time measures how quickly a single pixel can change from one colour or shade to another. This is typically measured in milliseconds (ms). The most common standard you'll see is "GtG," which stands for Grey-to-Grey. A lower number means a faster transition, resulting in a sharper, clearer image during fast motion.
A fast response time is what allows your monitor to keep pace with the high frame rates your GPU is pushing out, ensuring the image you see is crisp and precise, especially when the action heats up.
HP 527SH G5 FHD Gaming Monitor - Black/Silver / 27" FHD (1920 x 1080) / IPS Panel / 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x VGA / Eye Ease with Eyesafe Certification / 94C50AS
R4799.00In Stock
ViewSonic VX3219 32" Curved Gaming Monitor / Full HD (1920 x 1080) / 240Hz Refresh Rate / 1ms MPRT Response Time / Adaptive Sync Prevents Screen Tearing / 1500R Curve Ultimate Immersion / VX3219-PC-MHD-SN
R4899.00In Stock
Alienware AW3225DM - 32" Curved Gaming Monitor / 180Hz Refresh Rate / QHD (2560x1440) / 1ms (GTG Extreme Mode) Response Time / AMD FreeSync / AW3225DM
R6499.00In Stock
HP OMEN 27qs QHD 240Hz Gaming Monitor / QHD Resolution (2560 x 1440) / AMD FreeSync™ Premium / Eyesafe® certified / Height Adjustable Stand / Pivot Rotation Functionality / 780J4AS
R13499.00In Stock
HP OMEN 27k UHD 144Hz Gaming Monitor - Black / 1ms / 27" 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) Anti-glare Display / AMD Freesync™ Premium / Integrated Speakers / Pivot Rotation and Height Adjustable / 780G8AS
R16499.00In Stock
Lenovo G24e-20 23.8" 100Hz FHD WLED Gaming LCD Monitor - 16:9 - Black / 66D7GAR1SA
R1999.00In Stock
Why a Fast Response Time is Crucial for Gaming ⚡
Ever noticed a faint trail or "ghost" behind a moving object on your screen? That's a classic sign of a slow response time. This motion blur can be a massive disadvantage in competitive games.
Imagine you're holding an angle on Dust II. An opponent sprints across your screen.
- With a slow response time: The enemy player model appears blurred and indistinct, making it incredibly difficult to land a precise headshot.
- With a fast response time (e.g., 1ms): The player model remains sharp and defined, allowing your muscle memory to take over for a clean, reactive flick shot.
This clarity is why a low gaming monitor response time is a non-negotiable feature for anyone serious about their performance. It provides a tangible competitive edge by delivering the clearest possible picture in the most chaotic moments.
TIP FOR YOU
Pro Tip: Tame Your Overdrive 🔧
Most gaming monitors have an 'Overdrive' or 'Response Time' setting in their menu (e.g., Normal, Fast, Fastest). While 'Fastest' sounds best, it can sometimes cause 'inverse ghosting'—a bright halo effect. Test different settings in-game to find the sharpest image without artefacts. The middle setting is often the sweet spot!
Finding the Sweet Spot: Response Time vs. Other Specs
A great gaming display is all about balance. A lightning-fast response time is fantastic, but it's only one piece of the puzzle. It works hand-in-hand with your monitor's refresh rate, which is measured in Hertz (Hz). Refresh rate is how many times your screen updates the image per second.
Think of them as a team:
- Refresh Rate (Hz): Determines how smooth the motion looks. (e.g., 144Hz is smoother than 60Hz).
- Response Time (ms): Determines how clear that motion is.
A 1ms response time truly shines when paired with a high refresh rate (144Hz or higher), as this combination delivers both fluid and sharp visuals. When browsing for general PC monitors, always consider how these two key specifications work together.
Do You Always Need 1ms? A Guide by Genre 🚀
So, is a sub-1ms response time the only option? Not necessarily. The "best" monitor response time for gaming really depends on what you play.
ViewSonic VX2479A-HD-PRO 24" Gaming Monitor / IPS-Level Display / 240Hz Refresh Rate / 1ms MPRT / AMD FreeSync / HDR10 / VX2479A-HD-PRO
R3199.00In Stock
Dahua LM27-A200V 27" Monitor / FHD 1920 x 1080 / 100Hz Refresh Rate / 5ms Response Time / DHI-LM27-A200V
R2499.00In Stock
Lenovo G24e-20 23.8" 100Hz FHD WLED Gaming LCD Monitor - 16:9 - Black / 66D7GAR1SA
R1999.00In Stock
MSI G321Q 31.5" WQHD IPS 2K Flat Monitor, 170Hz Refresh Rate, 1ms MPRT Response Time, 1.07B Display Colors, 16:9 Aspect Ratio, 1200:1 Contrast Ratio, G-Sync / AMD Freesync, HDR, Black / 9S6-3DB91A-041
R6999.00In Stock
HP OMEN 32q QHD 165Hz Gaming Monitor - Black / 1ms / 32" QHD (2560 x 1440) / AMD Freesync™ Premium / 780K0AS
R9999.00In Stock
ViewSonic TD1655 15.6" Full HD (1920 x 1080) Portable Touchscreen Monitor / Ultra-portable Design / Advanced in-cell Capacitive Touchscreen / 2-Way Power With USB Type-C / Frameless Design / Portrait and Landscape Modes / dual integrated speakers / TD1655
R5199.00In Stock
For the Competitive Pro (FPS, Racing, Fighters)
If you live on the servers of CS:GO, Valorant, or Apex Legends, the answer is a resounding yes. Every millisecond counts. Aim for a monitor with a 1ms GtG response time or less to gain the maximum competitive advantage.
For the Adventure & RPG Gamer
When you're exploring the vast, beautiful worlds of Elden Ring or Baldur's Gate 3, visual fidelity and immersion are often the priority. A response time of 5ms or less is perfectly adequate here. This allows you to focus on other features, like the incredible immersion of curved monitors or the breathtaking detail of stunning 4K monitors, which bring these worlds to life.
For the LAN Party Hero & Hybrid User
For those who game on the go or attend local LANs, the growing range of portable monitors now offers impressive gaming specs in a compact form factor. A good all-rounder with a response time under 5ms will serve you well for both work and play.
HP 527SF G5 FHD Gaming Monitor - Black/Silver / 27" FHD (1920 x 1080) / Anti-glare / 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x VGA / -5 to +25 degrees Adjustable Tilt / 94F44AS
R4499.00In Stock
Dell 22 Monitor SE2225HM, Full HD (1920x1080), 100Hz, VA, 5ms, VESA (100x100mm), HDMI, VGA, Black / SE2225HM
R1799.00In Stock
HP 524SF G5 FHD Gaming Monitor - Black/Silver / 24" FHD (1920 x 1080) / Anti-glare / 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x VGA / -5 to +25 degrees Adjustable Tilt / 94C17AS
R3699.00In Stock
Dahua LM22-A200X 22" 100Hz LED Monitor / Ultra Narrow Bezel Design / 5ms Response Time / FHD 1920x1080 / 100Hz Refresh Rate / Anti Blue Light / DHI-LM22-A200X
R1399.00In Stock
Dahua 30" Ultrawide WFHD 200Hz 1MS DCR Intelligent Adaptive-Sync HDMI DP VA Gaming Monitor Black / DHI-LM30-E330CA
R3999.00In Stock
Samsung 32" Odyssey G55C QHD (2560 x 1440) Curved Gaming Monitor / 165Hz refresh rate & 1ms response time (MPRT) / 1000R Curved Screen / AMD FreeSync / LS32CG552EAXXA
R5999.00In Stock
Completing Your Perfect Setup ✨
Your quest for the perfect display doesn't end with the panel. To truly optimise your battle station, consider ergonomic and performance-enhancing monitor accessories. A quality monitor arm can save desk space and put the screen at the perfect eye level, reducing strain during those marathon gaming sessions.
Ultimately, the ideal monitor response time isn't a single number—it's the one that matches your primary games and budget. Understanding the trade-offs between speed, colour, and resolution empowers you to invest your hard-earned Rands wisely, ensuring your new screen is a true upgrade, not a bottleneck.
Ready to See the Difference? Armed with knowledge, you can now find the screen that truly matches your gaming style. From lightning-fast esports displays to gorgeous 4K panels, the perfect upgrade is waiting. Explore our massive range of gaming monitors and find the perfect match to dominate the competition.
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For competitive, fast-paced gaming, 1ms is the ideal target to minimize motion blur. For most casual gamers, a response time of 5ms or less is excellent and provides a great experience.
Yes, 1ms is technically faster and reduces ghosting more effectively than 5ms. This difference is most noticeable in high-speed competitive games like first-person shooters.
GTG (Gray-to-Gray) measures how quickly a pixel can change colors, relating to ghosting. MPRT (Moving Picture Response Time) measures how long a pixel is visible, relating to motion blur.
It matters most in fast-paced games where quick movements are common. In slower-paced strategy or role-playing games, a slightly higher response time is less noticeable.
No, they are separate metrics. Response time is pixel transition speed, while input lag is the delay between your input (mouse click) and the action appearing on screen.
Absolutely. A 4ms response time is considered very good for most gaming scenarios, including many competitive titles, offering a smooth experience with minimal perceptible blur.
The manufacturer's spec is a starting point. For real-world performance, use online tools like the UFO Test by Blur Busters to visually inspect for ghosting and motion blur.
Not anymore. While older IPS panels were slower, modern gaming IPS monitors can achieve 1ms response times, offering both incredible speed and superior color accuracy.
