Monitor Buying Guide South Africa

Shopping for a new monitor in South Africa? This guide highlights the latest display technologies, refresh rates, and connectivity options so you can make an informed choice today. Whether you need a screen for gaming, design work, or everyday use, we cover everything from OLED and Mini LED panels to HDR, VRR, and 3D technology. Buy from trusted local suppliers like ComX Computers for fast delivery and reliable after-sales support.

Key Features to Prioritise

• Refresh Rate and VRR: Choose 120Hz or higher for smooth motion in gaming and video. Competitive gamers may prefer 240Hz or more. Variable refresh rate (VRR) technologies like G-Sync and FreeSync help eliminate tearing and stutter.
• Ports: Look for HDMI 2.1 or newer for 4K at high refresh rates. DisplayPort 2.1 offers even higher bandwidth for next-gen resolutions and refresh rates.
• USB-C with Power Delivery: Monitors with USB-C can power and connect laptops with a single cable. USB-C supports up to 100W (20V 5A) or more on newer models.
• HDR and Motion Clarity: VESA DisplayHDR and ClearMR ratings indicate better HDR brightness and reduced motion blur.

Panel Technologies

• OLED: Perfect blacks, ultra-fast response, and vibrant colours. Ideal for gaming and entertainment in low-light environments.
• Mini LED: Excellent brightness with hundreds of dimming zones. Great for bright rooms and professional colour work.
• IPS, VA, and TN: IPS panels offer the best colour accuracy and viewing angles, VA panels deliver better contrast, and TN panels prioritise speed for esports.

Screen Resolutions

• VGA (640 x 480) : Basic resolution for legacy devices and simple displays.
• HD (1280 x 720) : Entry-level resolution suitable for casual use and streaming.
• HD+ (1600 x 900) : Slightly higher than HD for better clarity and productivity.
• Full HD / FHD (1920 x 1080) : Standard resolution for home, work, gaming, movies.
• QHD / 2K (2560 x 1440) : Balanced performance for work, gaming, and creative tasks.
• 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) : Crisp visuals for productivity, movies, and creative work.
• 5K (5120 x 2880) : Ultra-high clarity for professional editing and design.
• 8K UHD (7680 x 4320) : Extreme resolution for premium monitors and detailed content.
• Ultrawide QHD (3440 x 1440) : Immersive multitasking and gaming experience.
• Ultrawide 5K (5120 x 1440) : High-end ultrawide resolution for productivity and immersive gaming.
• Super Ultrawide 5K2K (5120 x 2160) : Massive workspace for multitasking and professional content creation.

Non-Standard Resolutions

• Apple Retina 4K (4096 x 2304) : Optimized for Apple devices with sharp visuals and text clarity.
• Apple Retina 5K (5120 x 2880) : High-resolution Retina displays for Mac professionals and designers.

Gaming Monitor Essentials

• High refresh rates (144Hz, 165Hz, 240Hz or higher) reduce input lag and improve motion smoothness.
• Overclockable refresh rates (e.g., 160Hz, 165Hz) offer flexibility for gamers wanting more speed.
• Adaptive sync (G-Sync, FreeSync) ensures smooth frame pacing with compatible GPUs.

Display Types

• 3D Glasses (Anaglyph): Red-blue lens glasses create 3D depth in compatible movies and games.
• Passive 3D Glasses: Work with polarised screens. No batteries required, but image brightness may be reduced.
• Active 3D Glasses: Battery-powered, alternating lenses sync with the display for a full 3D effect.
• CRT Monitors: Older, bulky displays with low compatibility for modern gaming.
• LCD Monitors: Common, affordable, and energy-efficient. TFT-LCD variants offer improved clarity.
• LED backlight: Energy-efficient with better contrast and slimmer profiles.
• Plasma Screens: Large-format displays with vibrant colours, mainly for TVs over 30 inches.

Buying Tips for South African Shoppers

• Check local stock before choosing high-end or niche models.
• Prioritise warranty and return policies with reputable suppliers like ComX Computers.
• Ensure you have certified cables (VESA DP80, Ultra High Speed HDMI) for maximum performance.

Where to Buy

ComX Computers offers a wide selection of gaming, professional, and everyday monitors at competitive prices. Enjoy fast delivery, South African warranty coverage, and expert advice before you purchase.

Monitor Resolutions Cheat Sheet