We all love a good, vibrant picture. However, it’s important to approach the balance between cost and specifications reasonably. So, what parameters should a 3D graphics specialist consider when choosing a monitor, and what should they pay attention to?

Let’s start with the fact that you should have at least two monitors, preferably three. Ideally, all monitors should be the same model to avoid issues with different color reproduction and calibration. But if your budget doesn’t allow for this, you can use a second monitor with less impressive specifications and a smaller diagonal.

The color and design of the monitor are subjective matters; choose whatever you like.

Matrix Type

Only IPS. No TN or VA. IPS will give you the best color reproduction and viewing angles without distortion. IPS monitors have only two significant drawbacks: cost and response delay. The delay doesn’t affect anything if we’re choosing a monitor for work rather than high-resolution gaming, so it’s the best option for work. Today, the average response speed for IPS is 3-4ms, which is more than enough for games unless you’re into esports. The same goes for frame rate – 60-75 Hz is a sufficient minimum. Price is, of course, important, but you need to understand that this hardware is for work and earning, not entertainment, and you’ll be looking at this monitor for long working hours. Again, it’s worth getting a high-quality and expensive monitor because it’s a long-term investment that will easily outlive several upgrades of your other work hardware. And you only have one pair of eyes; you can’t buy new ones later.

Resolution

This is a very important question. It needs to be considered along with pixel size, which depends on the visible diagonal of the monitor, and the performance of your system. For comfortable work, the minimum resolution is Full HD (1920x1080px), and the maximum diagonal for this is 27″. On screens with a larger diagonal, pixelation will be noticeable, and the PPI (pixels per inch) will be low. For 27″-32″, you need to get a monitor with 4K resolution (3840x2160px) or at least 2K – 2560x1440px. We won’t consider diagonals larger than 32″. But if your budget allows, you should always aim for a higher resolution. At the same time, your system’s performance should match. Don’t be afraid of small icons or small fonts when using 2K or 4K resolution. All of this can be adjusted and scaled. However, working with a higher PPI is much more comfortable and less tiring for the eyes, and a larger diagonal will give you more workspace. A good choice for a main monitor, in terms of balance between price and specifications, would be a 27″ diagonal with 2K resolution (2560x1440px) and an IPS matrix. At the same time, the load on the graphics card won’t increase as much as with 4K resolution. On average, a good density would be 123-140 PPI. You definitely shouldn’t get a monitor with a pixel density less than 123 PPI because individual pixels will be noticeable, and when choosing a screen with a density higher than 140 PPI, consider your budget and evaluate your PC’s performance.

Other Characteristics

The sRGB color space coverage should be as close to 100% as possible. For connectivity, it’s better to consider HDMI or DisplayPort inputs. VGA and DVI are outdated standards.

Another important nuance is thin bezels. With thin bezels, it will be more convenient to place two monitors side by side, and the gap between the screens will be minimal. We recommend buying a bracket or looking at models with height and tilt adjustment.

All other characteristics are not particularly important, but for your own comfort, pay attention to the presence of an anti-glare coating and eye protection (Anti-Flicker).

So, let’s summarize the recommended minimum: 2 monitors with IPS matrix, 27 inches in size, with 2K resolution (2560×1440) and thin bezels of the same model + a bracket for two monitors

Why Not Ultrawide?

Most 3D artists prefer to have 2 16:9 monitors rather than 1 Ultrawide for the following reasons:

• Convenience of window management (on Ultrawide, you’ll spend more time managing windows than on actual work)
• Ability to concentrate, as the horizontally enlarged workspace greatly distracts attention
• From the point of view of repairability and stability – 2 is more reliable. If one breaks, you have the other
• The price of Ultrawide is higher

As for our team, almost everyone uses a dual-monitor configuration (some prefer a laptop + monitor for greater mobility when moving and traveling), with 2K or 4K resolution and an IPS matrix. At the same time, no one has an Ultrawide monitor.