OLED vs LCD Monitor Power Consumption

With Eskom's ever-present shadow and rising electricity costs, every watt counts. You've optimised your rig, but have you considered your screen? The debate over OLED vs LCD monitor power consumption isn't just for tech nerds… it's a real-world factor for South African gamers. Your choice could impact your monthly bill more than you think, especially during those long weekend gaming sessions. Let's break it down. ⚡

How LCD Monitors Draw Power

Most gaming monitors on the market are a type of LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), like IPS or VA panels. Their secret lies in a simple, robust design: a constant backlight.

Think of it like a big, always-on light source sitting behind the screen. To show a black image, the liquid crystals twist to block that light. To show a white image, they let it pass through. The key takeaway? The backlight is always running at a relatively stable brightness, making the LCD monitor power consumption fairly consistent, regardless of whether you're exploring a dark cave in Baldur's Gate 3 or a bright, sunny map in Apex Legends.

This makes them predictable and often more affordable, which is why you'll find so many great value gaming monitors under R4500 using this reliable technology.

HP OMEN 27 QHD 165Hz Gaming Monitor / AMD FreeSync™ Premium / Eyesafe® certified / Height adjustable for personalized comfort / Pivot rotation for flexible viewing angles / 780H4AS

R7999.00In Stock

SAMSUNG Odyssey G8 Gaming 34" Monitor / 3440 x 1440 1800R OLED / 175Hz / GtG 0.03ms / FreeSync Premium Pro / G-Sync Compatible / LS34DG852SAXXA

R24999.00In Stock

Lenovo G24e-20 23.8" 120Hz FHD WLED Gaming LCD Monitor - 16:9 - Black / 66D7GAR1SA

R3999.00In Stock

LG UltraGear 24" IPS LED FHD FreeSync Monitor with HDR (HDMI, DisplayPort) - Black / 24GN60R-B.AFBQ

R3299.00In Stock

ViewSonic VX2476 23.8" IPS Monitor / Frameless bezel and stylish stand / 75Hz Refresh Rate / Blue Light Filter & Flicker-Free / VX2476-SH

R2799.00In Stock

AOC Q27G4F 27" (68.5 CM) Frameless Ultra-Fast IPS Gaming Monitor, QHD 2560 X 1440, 180Hz, 0.5ms, HDMI 2.0, Display Port 1.4, MBR Sync, SNIPER SCOPE, SUPER COLOUR, G-Sync, Height Adjustable Stand, Tilt / Q27G4F

R4299.00In Stock

The OLED Power Consumption Difference ✨

OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) technology flips the script entirely. There is no backlight. Instead, each individual pixel creates its own light.

This is a massive deal for power usage. When an OLED screen needs to display true black, it simply turns those pixels off. Completely. They consume zero power. This means the monitor's power draw changes dramatically depending on what's on screen. A dark, moody game like Diablo IV will use significantly less power than an LCD, while a bright, mostly white screen (like a Google Doc) might use more.

This variable OLED power consumption is what gives these screens their famous infinite contrast ratio and perfect, inky blacks.

So, Which Is Better for Your Wallet?

When comparing OLED vs LCD monitor power consumption, there's no single winner for every scenario.

• For Mixed Use & Bright Scenes: An LCD might be slightly more efficient if you're constantly viewing bright, full-screen content.
• For Gaming & Movies: An OLED is often the more power-efficient choice, as most games and films are a mix of light and dark scenes where the "true black" advantage saves watts.

Ultimately, the power difference for the average user might only translate to a few Rands saved per month. The real decision comes down to what you value more: the incredible visual fidelity and perfect blacks of an OLED, or the outstanding performance-for-price of a modern LCD. Both technologies have incredible options, and you can explore our full range of PC monitors to see the latest advancements in both camps.