You’ve probably already seen labels like 100% sRGB on monitors in stores or online stores, but we’ll explain what that label exactly means in this article.
What is sRGB?
sRGB or as its full name is Standard Red Green Green Blue, was created by Microsoft and HP in 1996 to standardize the way colors appear on screens the same as they appear on other devices.
How it looks in games, because that’s what we’re here for, means your in-game visuals, whether it’s the lush forests of an open-world RPG or the neon-drenched streets of a cyberpunk city, will look exactly as the developer intended.
What Does 100% sRGB Mean for Monitors?
Maybe this is more of a gimmick by the manufacturer to get your attention.
Because they are boasting that this monitor will have 100% sRGB which means that what you see on your computer monitor will completely match what is displayed on your console or streaming devices. Which is normal, right?
Why is 100% sRGB Important for Gamers?
This is perhaps the best question because we have dedicated this article to gamers. You all know that modern games provide a vivid environment full of colors, such monitors with 100% sRGB will give you all those colors just as the developers intended.
As you know, this can be very good in shooters because I had a similar experience of not recognizing the colors of a person or a tree as if the pixels were melting.
I think you will benefit from such monitors if pixels are important to you, and as I mentioned, if you play some casual games, you can ignore such monitors.
How Does 100% sRGB Improve the Gaming Experience?
You’ve probably played some of these games if you’re a gamer and follow trends. Games like The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077, or Horizon Forbidden West are breathtaking.
On a 100% sRGB monitor, you’ll see every color exactly as it was intended to be, from the golden hues of a sunset to the emerald green of a dense forest.
As I mentioned earlier in the text, color accuracy will enhance detail so that you’ll be breathless in the meadows of the Witcher game.
How to Choose a 100% sRGB Monitor for Gaming
These are the features you should consider when purchasing such monitors:
- Refresh Rate: Keep it at least 120Hz to make the game look as fluid as possible.
- Response Time: Your response time should be below 5ms in order to spot the enemy as quickly as possible or follow him in the aiming line.
- HDR Support: While sRGB is sufficient for most games, some monitors that support HDR offer hybrid options for even more advanced images.
- G-Sync/FreeSync: These functions can be quite useful if the monitor supports it.
And speaking of monitors, here are some popular models:
- Dell S2721HGF: Affordable, it has an sRGB screen and a 144 Hz refresh rate.
- LG UltraGear 27GL83A-B: Combining 100% sRGB with IPS technology, this is a monitor that wants sharper colors.
- ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQ: A monitor for FPS gamers with good response times.
Conclusion
This is a standard for all gamers, of course, there are better options than sRGB like HDR10, but they will cost you a little more.
If I were you, I would still wait to save up more money and buy a better display, but if you are not a hardcore gamer, then this is not so important to you.