In today’s world, gaming has become an essential part of entertainment. Gamers are always in search of the best gaming experience, and one of the most critical factors in determining that is the display’s performance. Response time and input lag are two terms that are frequently used when discussing display performance, but they are often confused with each other. In this article, we will discuss the difference between response time and input lag, and which one is more important in gaming.

Response Time

Response time refers to the time taken by a pixel to change from one color to another. It is usually measured in milliseconds (ms). A lower response time means the pixels change colors more quickly, resulting in smoother transitions and reduced motion blur. There are two types of response time measurements: GTG (Gray to Gray) and MPRT (Moving Picture Response Time).

GTG Response Time

GTG response time is the time taken by a pixel to change from one shade of gray to another. It is the most commonly used method to measure response time. A lower GTG response time indicates a faster pixel response, which results in less motion blur and smoother transitions. The typical response time for a good gaming monitor is 1-4ms.

MPRT Response Time

MPRT response time measures how long a pixel takes to transition from one frame to the next. This measurement is more accurate than GTG, as it takes into account the entire transition from one frame to the next. The typical response time for MPRT is 8-16ms.

Which Monitor Panel Offers the Best and Worst Response Times?

There are three types of monitor panels: TN (Twisted Nematic), IPS (In-Plane Switching), and VA (Vertical Alignment). TN panels offer the fastest response times, followed by VA and IPS panels.

TN panels have a typical GTG response time of 1-4ms and are the best choice for competitive gaming. However, they have narrow viewing angles and lower color accuracy than IPS and VA panels.

IPS panels have a typical GTG response time of 4-8ms and offer the best color accuracy and viewing angles. They are an excellent choice for professional graphic designers and content creators. However, they are not as suitable for fast-paced gaming as TN panels.

VA panels have a typical GTG response time of 4-8ms, which can be improved with overdrive settings. They offer the best contrast ratio and are an excellent choice for movie watching and dark room gaming. However, they have slow pixel response times, which can cause motion blur in fast-paced games.

Input Lag

Input lag refers to the delay between a user’s input (e.g., pressing a button on a controller) and the corresponding action appearing on the screen. It is measured in milliseconds (ms) and is influenced by several factors, such as the display’s processing time, the speed of the video signal, and the controller’s response time. The lower the input lag the more responsive the gaming experience.

Which One is More Important in Gaming?

Both response time and input lag are essential factors in determining the overall gaming experience. However, in fast-paced games like first-person shooters, racing games, and fighting games, a lower input lag is more critical than a lower response time. This is because a faster response time can reduce motion blur, but a high input lag can cause a delay between the user’s input and the corresponding action on the screen, resulting in a less responsive gaming experience.

Final words

In conclusion, response time and input lag are two essential factors that determine the overall gaming experience. In fast-paced games, a lower input lag is more critical than a lower response time.

If you are looking for monitors that offer amazing response times, the following articles can prove to be a great help: