Let’s cut to the chase—Samsung's latest QD-OLED computer monitor is absolutely awesome, and I've loved having it at my desk for the past month or so. Every game I play on it looks incredible, and it has quickly become the centerpiece of my battle station.
Even so, I'm still having trouble recommending 4K high-refresh monitors to people who have to buy and build their own systems. Having a monitor with some room to grow is the right choice, but the gap between performance and capability can be frustrating if you're on otherwise budget-friendly hardware. If you’re thinking of making an upgrade, really nice 1440p screens are available for under $400, and they might be a better performance fit for most people.
On the other hand, if you’ve already got the most powerful gaming PC in your friend group and you’ve got the cash to spare, you’ll be extremely pleased with the Samsung G81SF. It offers the best panel type in the category, the highest resolution and refresh rate modern systems can reasonably manage, and the suite of features to match.
Fast Refresh, High Resolution
The G81SF features Quantum-Dot OLED technology. (We have an in-depth explainer about panel types if you want the technical details.) The result is just about the best gaming monitor experience you can have at the moment. Colors are super bright and vivid, and shadows and dark areas totally disappear into blackness. It makes me want to turn off the lights, put on some headphones, and settle in for too many hours of some deeply cinematic game.
For most folks, the QD-OLED screens are going to be the absolute best gaming experience you can find, but there are alternatives. If you’re just set on 4K and 240Hz, the Mini LED version of the same screen from Samsung has a slower response time, and won’t have the same beautiful Quantum Dot-powered colors, but can be found for $700 or less. If you’re considering this screen, I don’t think that one will impress you nearly as much, but it does indicate the kind of premium you’re paying for the newest tech.
