How to Set Up a Gaming Monitor - Full Guide, Tips and Tricks

[@edplat2367]

Thank you for calling out the companies that don't replace monitors with dead pixels. Its criminal.

[@metallurgico]

You have a lot of other pixels to watch!

[@chuckemtrad8541]

​@@metallurgico​ You're the kind of person that leaves the mouse in the middle of the screen during a presentation or video.

[@metallurgico]

@@chuckemtrad8541 you don't belong to this world, nor understand irony.

[@LetsPlayBojangles]

​@@metallurgicoor just as annoying bur even less commonly replaced, stuck pixels. I have one that only displays blue and white

[@johnnyd7350]

True but. @@metallurgico

[@prometheus4130]

Terrific! This is why the unboxed team are the best YT reviewers - no gimmicks like a certain other channel

[@Jordan-ru8yf]

Gimmicks aren’t always a bad thing. They can do a lot to liven up the content, and if done well I don’t think take away from the content. I watch to the point content like HUB as well as some more gimmicky reviews. Point is, channels that fill their content with over the top gimmicks such as the zealous (and often over righteous) rage like GN are good, and sometimes comedy/personality gimmicks like LTT are good. There is no best. Just the best for you.

[@prometheus4130]

@@Jordan-ru8yf quite so, just expressing my opinion if that’s ok

[@gunr2012]

​@@Jordan-ru8yfNo

[@Splarkszter]

@@Jordan-ru8yf Personally, i watch these videos for education, not entertainment, LTT is just a waste of time for me.

[@lucutes2936]

Like what

[@danieloberhofer9035]

Thanks Tim, that's really good content! Of course there's tips where us tech-junkies watching your usual videos might think "that's soooo obvious" - but in my book you deserve praise for still including it! It's often not that easy to remind oneself that there's so many people out there who just don't know these things because they don't care for the details of their computers and just want to game. You did well by them - and everyone else. Have a good time down under and greetings from Germany.

[@himanshumodak]

I think setting Output Dynamic Range to Full is also a important step while setting up a monitor. Sometimes it gets set to Limited. If you change that setting to Full. The Black Levels get huge improvement. It sort of makes bit washed out image less washed out.

[@mindtreat]

Also change from 8bit to 10bit if available. I can't say i really noticed much, but the "math" is there and should produce a better color quality in theory. I guess it depends on the monitor but i can't see a reason to not activate 10bit if its there.

[@jammaschan]

@@mindtreat It will reduce banding.

[@Clashy69]

Where do u set that on?

[@pietroalessandrini]

nvidia control panel for nvidia, not sure about amd @@Clashy69

[@kamild_]

@@Clashy69 On Nvidia, it's under the "Change resolution" section in the NVidia Control Panel. Personally I haven't seen a monitor have it set to "Limited" by default, it was always at "Full". TVs are another story.

[@jeremyf1901]

This video will help so many people. It was good to know I had mine set up properly.

[@deracine9466]

My VG27AQL3A just arrived and used this video as a guide to make adjustments. Appreciate everything you do!

[@corvega_joe]

Thank you so much for this guide! I recently bought a gaming monitor and none of the features they advertised were working out of the box and I didn’t even realize it. I thought it would just be as simple as plug and play. The refresh rate was pathetically low to what it was truly capable of and I had to tell my graphics card to apply its high settings to my new monitor. Everything looks awesome now!

[@naufalap]

good thing someone already reviewed my monitor and included the best settings so it saved me from headache

[@mindtreat]

Great video! Everything from "noob" stuff to advanced covered in one go, excellent stuff! On a general note about brightness; Newer monitors often have really high brightness and might strain your eyes and create discomfort if set to 100%. If you're getting sore eyes and headaches after some hours, try lowering the brightness. A lot of people don't consider this and get sore eyes and so on without even realizing this could be the culprit. Worth a shot if (you reading this) are one of them.

[@rachitbhengra4298]

This is top tier video. Even though it looks like these points are obvious, this is a great way to bring it all together help all of us out.

[@samcruiz]

The Only Video on KZbin that I could watch from A to Z without feeling bored. very informative and very useful. Thank you !

[@Lishtenbird]

One simplest thing that got me once was black levels ("output dynamic range"). For whatever reason, the system just decided that it had to send out old TV levels to a modern digital panel, which resulted in bleak whites and washed-out blacks. Took me a bit to figure why it felt so wrong.

[@MikeStu]

Oh wow. Same thing on my end, actually - never noticed it before. Thanks!

[@sumkh3000]

Holy shit, I just changed mine. I was living a lie. Thanks stranger.

[@cesar124]

Where can I change that setting?

[@OceanBlue_69]

This is exactly the video I was looking for. Thank you for giving me the confidence that I’m getting everything from my monitor that I paid for

[@vLPx109]

Just bought a new Monitor yesterday. This video was like Godsend. Thank you!!!

[@therealbingus5143]

5 seconds in and you've already fixed my problem, thanks man

[@chesterthesniper]

I appreciate everything you guys do for us consumers, genuine reviews, honest opinions and no bias bs, i want to support the channel where can i buy one of those sweaters?

[@jorgeal2k]

I finally bought a Calibrite and it's astounding. It make wonders in any IPS monitor. No more ICC profiles from others. I created a library of profiles for every lighting situation and every other needs. For gaming i use Color Sustainer to prevent game engine overriding my color profile. I'm glad i got it. No more settings and profiles from others wich are most of them useless.

[@freefall_910]

Been here when this channel was new, how quickly it grows always quality content

[@Stakar0gord]

Tim is Timely !!! I pushed the purchase button on my new monitor last night

[@pennyroyaI]

That message to a potential scummy company put a smile on my face! Thats why I love HUB and MUB 🤣

[@socialreport2836]

😊 if every display with dead pixels will be replaced, displays will be more expensive for sure and significantly, as there is a lot of them on the market.

[@GewelReal]

​@@socialreport2836Unless you actively look for them, the dead pixels are impossible to spot in normal usage. People overblow it as an issue

[@Fonis13]

And remember companies...... don't be a scumbags !

[@AbsoleteAim]

​@@socialreport2836Don't be a rugmat for companies.

[@fepethepenguin8287]

Dead pixels are for people too lazy to notice, or to lazy to return in the 15 to 45 day return window (which sucks big time for a 77 inch TV) But typically pixels are dead on arrival.

[@MuzdokOfficial]

Awesome message at the end. we need more of this for more products 💪🏻

[@nicokruger]

Thanks!

[@JasonFallel-qw2bi]

you are so $tupid sending him money . He already has enough

[@tapinmerchant357]

​@@JasonFallel-qw2biits to show appreciation bozo

[@LunkvanTrunk]

@@tapinmerchant357 look at his comments on this video, he's a troll / negative person.

[@SecretAgentSuperDragon]

You guys are great, and this is a very good guide. For the hell of it and for some of us less technical folks, I think a good guide explaining how to set up nVidia control panel and the AMD counterpart could be a good companion to this guide. Thanks!

[@cebuanostud]

Thank you, Tim for backing us all gamers. 😁

[@Legitti]

Don't gsync add input lag?

[@V3RAC1TY]

no

[@feedmatrix10]

Truly, an exemplary video! Thank you.

[@bubyCZ]

I have got scammed left and right, even by "friends" when I was building my new PC. Ended up costing me 40% more overall for what I got. So I said screw them, I am gonna do it myself. Thanks to your vids, I am getting answers nobody had or were extremely misleading. Thanks! Love from Czech Republic!

[@nicokruger]

Finally an explaination of how to VRR works and how to confirm it!

[@amidk75]

Yes and finally I know that if your rig can’t make average above 120fps then VRR will hurt your monitor performance. My rig is capable avg. 60fps and my monitor is shit under 120Hz so for me VRR is shit

[@allenqueen]

Got my first monitor, with my own money. Thanks for all the guides and reviews Tim🤓

[@bastiangugu4083]

Great video. The unboxing had me grinning because I recognized the monitor at once, simply by the layout of the box and the stand. Just bought this one two weeks ago.Great test of this one by the way. Your message at the end is perfect.

[@shariarrahman7562]

Thanks for the video Tim. Would love if this channel expanded to review portable / smaller monitors. My desk space at home is quite limited and anything above 18 in just wouldn't work for me. There are a lot of portable monitors that market themselves as being "gaming" monitors but there's a lot of marketing BS that you have to wade through. I don't even need them to be really portable, I just need a smaller monitor that is good for gaming at a wide range of refresh rates. Some of these monitors have gained a lot of popularity, but I don't have a way to personally measure response times or input latency so having an independent reviewer reviewing some of that stuff would be very very helpful.

[@4Frmcfofficial]

Just got my monitor yesterday from Walmart love it

[@packetcreeper]

Much appreciated Tim! Just purchased a ultrawide and this checklist helped!

[@krayzieridah]

Wow! I have had my monitor for 2 years now, not using the OC setting on the display, due to a lot of people saying it will cause issues. I am now using 165hz instead of 144hz. Thank you clarifying this!

[@fathermirza-.-2032]

Amazing vid bro! Loved the last portion! haha

[@Matej1200]

I enjoy these videos. I think something good for the main channel would be something similar for bios set up options for more performance explained. Things you'd see across board manufacturers, etc.

[@22interceptions]

4:00 One other thing to check is the quality of your cable from the GPU to the monitor. I've had HDMI and DP cables of lesser quality that were not capable of delivering the resolution and the refresh rate the monitor was capable of. For example, I have a 1440p 240Hz gaming monitor, but one specific Display Port cable would only give me the option of 1440P 120Hz. I plugged in a different cable and it instantly gave me the option of 1440P 240Hz.

[@jds6014]

This is the best video I’ve seen on monitors hands down!

[@guylee0]

Wow 😮. That monitor dealer public service announcement got my subscription...great video too

[@renatogameiro2766]

In fact I just received the Gigabyte M32U, so this guide came just in time! Continue the awesome work! Thanks

[@nate3018]

I wanna thank you for this video. I watched your review for the acer oled monitor 1440p at 240hz. I recently added a pc to my set up I’m an Xbox player and I couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t getting the 240hz it was because I was using the wrong cable, an hdmi cord instead of the display port. So thank you for this! After fully watching this video I do now have a better understanding on how monitors work!

[@AndreiE190]

How could you not “like” this content?! Thanks Tim for the tutorial and being an advocate for the community! Great channel!

[@KRAVER_]

that be Tim not steve :)

[@AndreiE190]

@@KRAVER_ ohhh crap, and I have been watching their channel for how many years now? 😂 I must admit it was a brain fart. Sorry TIM 🙈😅😅😅

[@AndreiE190]

@@KRAVER_ corrected 🫢

[@seacowDUGONG]

*Time* is the GOAT of consumer monitor reviewers.(Tim is a close second though...twas a typo but i though it made sense an makes Tim look even better)

[@J-Goy1813]

Saving that segment of the video @ 16:48 just so I can ever use it in the future. Thank you!

[@carlomassari7361]

Thank you so much. My first decent monitor and this is a great guide!!

[@AE-cc4sd]

Thank you for the step by step explanation!! Your camera settings are awesome!

[@ravindave01]

In Australia no company warranty outweighs our consumer rights. If you get a monitor with dead pixels and the company won't replace it or refund you, file a complaint with Consumer Affairs in your state.

[@mz1929]

THX FOR THE MSG AT THE END

[@MuzdokOfficial]

Tim you are the best about monitors content and windows hdr. Great tips and tricks and finally someone (you) mentioning the sdr slider have no effect in games. This is excellent 👌🏻

[@JackLeftTown427]

Love the information you provide. I did want to point out as a console gamer using a monitor, there are hdmi to DisplayPort adaptors available to give you the better picture format. I prefer the active style, which has a chip and uses a usb plug to provide power so the hdmi can be upscaled to the DisplayPort standard.

[@HitMarkersAreFun]

do the right thing, don't be a scumbag is a great way to live ones life! also, I just got the aw2723df last week and still checking out various "best settings" I've come across for it. Finally got around to this video and will definitely be trying out some of the suggestions later this evening

[@KRAVER_]

@Monitors Unboxed Great Video, very few people have made videos explaining this setup process. and you nailed it !! very well explained and EZ to understand . THANK YOU !! I can finally stop setting up friends/customers monitors and just send them here, saving me hours a week.

[@aurimasransys2944]

YOU are a legend for that message to the companies that don't want to issue replacements for dead pixels. I felt that cause I'm dealing with dead pixels myself =[

[@alanbenyamin487]

It's like you guys knew I had purchased a new oled monitor and waiting it's arrival 😊

[@vqbves3805]

1:42 i’m not entirely sure about this but for people who just built a pc or just plugged in your monitor, make sure you graphics drivers are fully installed or else it wont say your graphics card there

[@gstormcz]

It reminded me my previous TN LCD, used daily for 11years, no single dead pixel. It had extraordinary quality and reliability, highly surpassing that way plenty of my other PC parts.

[@terrycorkum]

Freesync plus a frame limiter is butter.

[@NOHEATED]

Thanks for that video, ran a few games with HDR on my LG 27GP850-B and when HDR is calibrated games look so much better. I know that it`s not the best monitor for HDR content but still

[@DonaldTurner]

perfect! Just ordered Alienware 34 Curved OLED Gaming Monitor- AW3423DW, partially based on your reviews, and others as well. So, interested in proper set up. thank you!

[@therdku]

Bro did this video just to flex with the 4090 in the first 2 mins. Kidding, love your stuff.

[@thatrealba]

Thank you for the help. Just got my first 4k, let's goooo!

[@kamesna6641]

Thanks for the video. Will save this off for future monitors and gaming pc. Also I love the message at 16:46.

[@retroanderson]

Id be keen to see a segment about limited and full rgb mode. Made huge differences when swapping between my MacBook Pro and Windows gaming rig.

[@ZenAndPsychedelicHealingCenter]

That setting does nothing for anyone using display port. It's specifically for HDMI connections.

[@LunkvanTrunk]

Thanks for the video. The "trick" with the SDR brightness slider is simple but very effective. Thanks for that.

[@JasonFallel-qw2bi]

you are wrong

[@beardedprince4942]

4:05 Thanks 😮 I wondered why I couldn’t get it to the advertised refresh rate 👍🏻

[@gregstewart4692]

Wow! I thought I knew what I was doing. I know a lot more now. Thank you. ☺

[@paulustrucenus]

Just as I'm about to upgrade - sweet !

[@riba2233]

haha that dead pixel message at the end was awesome :D

[@CaptainDiiamond]

Question do u have to buy the cables? Sepeate

[@ori73-y8n]

Awesome. I think I will find plenty of things to optimize in my setup. Thanks for this step by step monitor guide.

[@atishpatil3028]

What can I do about color banding issue on my Benq Monitor please help me

[@PookaBot]

I'm getting a new TV Saturday that I'll be using with my PC as well. This will be my first HDR and high refresh rate screen so this video will be a lot of help!

[@eddietan9821]

I just bought a Samsung Gaming Monitor 2560 x 1440 165 Hz and thanks for the video it really help me to set up 👍

[@Robspassion]

Love the message to monitor companies :D

[@High_Alpha]

Tim's dead pixel policy section is brutal, but completely valid!

[@harrysynnott2379]

Good onya, mate, excellent vid as usual. Cheers, Harry.

[@domm6812]

Love that message to manufacturers 😄

[@adinfinitum000]

Excellent. Nice flow and detailed informative video. I'll be a regular viewer from now on.

[@vivisimonvi]

Hey that's a Cooler Master monitor in that intro! I literally unboxed that earlier today!

[@Efthimisko]

Also check for dead Pixels and other things like IPS Glow (if you have an IPS panel obviously) and make sure to do so right away! It will be easier to RMA a potenailly defective unit that way. I'm writing this just as my brand new LG 27GR95QE came with a dead pixel a few hours ago...sigh.

[@StretchDattass]

Let us know how the RMA process goes.

[@brandonwirtz2308]

🤟 Tim, Thank You so very much. 3:54 This fixed my issue! You have my DEEPEST apologies, and I shall search out and delete my earlier comments. Thank You. Edit: Ive found and deleted two comments. Again, Sorry Tim.

[@andydbedford]

I’ve just bought the Alienware A3423DWF after seeing your review, then I wondered if you had done a monitor set up guide, and was delighted to see you did, thank you Tim 🙏

[@Boorock70]

Gr8 review, Thanks ! How about making a guide for monitor calibration "without" a calibrator ?

[@philhabib4434]

Great video, having good basic monitor advice can help anyone regardless of experience. And the bit about companies not taking care of dead pixels is gold.

[@Zrinko_Maloseja]

Bro, you’re a legend. ❤

[@N3M1S1S]

I just ordered a new fancy gaming monitor and upgrade parts last night. Then I come across this? Coincidence much. 😎🤓

[@N3M1S1S]

This dude is easy listening. Are you a fellow Aussie, mate?

[@lasdernas]

Step 1. - Unbox the monitor channel finally living up to it's name ;)

[@333hifi]

Thanks Tim You're a legend 😊

[@gardenia1738]

For gsync and Nvidia card, it's best to set v Sync on in NVCP and disable in-game vsync for best results. Of course with gsync enabled globally

[@baphometrag7751]

I have 144hz monitor can reach 165hz because I use DP but I still have stutter freesync is on and my monitor don't have response time to set "fast" something like yours. It's so annoying when playing modern warfare 2 I can't aim well but my monitor can reach 90 to 100 FPS normal graphics. Can you help me sir?

[@_larkin_321]

Perfect timing. My new LG UltraGear OLED 45" is scheduled to arrive tomorrow 😂

[@ImMrHay]

no wonder why my monitor had potato graphics i apreciate the help!

[@nomustacheguy5249]

This video is a god-send as I recently bought a 1440p ultrawide and have no way of knowing if I have what I paid for when I switch it on.

[@miranda6717]

This was really good, Tim

[@BLUEZ]

i sent the video to at least 100 companies that I didn't even buy a monitor from, thank you.

[@mcod99]

Heads up, Enabling G SYNC can cause stuttering in production apps like after effects, photoshop etc. So I would recommend enabling G SYNC in the nvidia control panel using program settings.

[@bilbobaggins8794]

Or enable it in general settings and disable it in program settings for the programs that have an issue, like new Outlook.

[@mazfgit]

Also if enabling G-Sync for gaming, set the FPS of every game to -3 fps under the monitors refresh rate. If you leave it at, eg 144hz, 144fps it will flicker on/off constantly and can cause visual issues. Always set it under the HZ of the screen, -3 is enough to stop any flickering.

[@mcod99]

Same process as what I suggested just for apps instead of games @@bilbobaggins8794

[@alphawolf60]

What about freesync?

[@gloth]

those were mostly basic stuff, I didn't expect to learn something, but I m glad I watched the whole video so I could see the message to vendors about dead pixels at the end :D :D :D

[@vxcojr]

Can you use a monitor (any type) by itself without a pc? Or do you need a pc for it to work?

[@JJFlores197]

There's no point. A monitor is just that: a video display. Its useless without a display source like a computer.

[@vxcojr]

@@JJFlores197 okay thank you! im totally new to this stuff

[@alperaksoy1062]

I just ordered my relatively expensive monitor i have wanted for a long time, i will go through this guide and see if my product is good. I always get anxiety when it comes to buying tech because its nearly impossible to have access to high level tech, i hope it goes well.

[@imcxrsed666]

thank you