Top pick: Sceptre 34-inch 180Hz ultrawide – best budget upgrade
A budget gaming monitor is an affordable display that delivers high refresh rates and responsive performance without the premium pricing of high-end esports or creator screens, making smooth gameplay accessible to more players. Among today’s options, the Sceptre 34-inch 180Hz ultrawide is the one most people should buy: it offers a huge 34-inch panel, a 180Hz gaming monitor refresh rate, and 1440p resolution for USD 175 (approx. RM815), an unusual size-to-price value. This ultrawide gaming monitor runs a 21:9 aspect ratio, which is excellent for immersive games and for keeping multiple windows side by side for work. You also get a 1ms response time plus AMD FreeSync Premium to cut screen tearing during intense action. At this price, you are not paying for flashy branding or niche features; you are paying for smooth, wide, sharp gameplay that suits almost any budget gaming build.
| Spec | Sceptre 34" Prime Gaming Monitor | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Price | USD 175 (approx. RM815) | Players wanting a large, immersive 180Hz gaming monitor under $200 |
| Panel & resolution | 34-inch 1440p ultrawide, 21:9 | Great for open-world games, multitasking, and casual content creation |
| Refresh & response | 180Hz, 1ms response time | Smooth motion in fast shooters and racing titles |
| Color & features | 105% sRGB, AMD FreeSync Premium, built-in speakers | Budget gamers who still care about color and convenience |
The main advantages are the combination of screen size, 1440p sharpness, and 180Hz refresh in a gaming monitor under $200. The edgeless design and 105% sRGB rating help games and movies look colorful and detailed. You also get HDMI and DisplayPort connections plus VESA mounting, so it fits easily into most setups. The compromises are typical of budget gaming monitors: HDR support is modest, and you are locked into 1440p rather than 4K. Still, for most budget gamers, this is the best overall upgrade. As one deal summary puts it, “at USD 175 (approx. RM815), you can’t go wrong if you’re on a tight budget”.
Cheapest option: Gigabyte G25F2A 240Hz – perfect for competitive play
If you care more about raw speed than screen size, the Gigabyte G25F2A 24.5-inch cheap 240Hz monitor is the best pick. It currently drops to USD 99.99 (approx. RM465), thanks to an “insane 38% price cut” that puts 240Hz firmly into budget territory. You get an FHD IPS panel running at 1920×1080 with a 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms GTG response time, plus AMD FreeSync Premium to keep frames in sync. This makes it ideal for competitive shooters and esports titles where every frame helps you track opponents more clearly. The 120% sRGB coverage means games, videos, and web content look lively and colorful, and you can use it for basic creative work too. For budget gaming monitors, this is the speed champion.
The pros are straightforward: extremely high refresh, responsive pixel performance, and a price that is light on the pocket. According to one deal write-up, “at USD 99.99 (approx. RM465), this Gigabyte gaming monitor has features that aren’t commonly seen at this level, making it one of the best value options for price-conscious gamers”. The key trade-offs are being limited to 1080p gaming and the double-edged nature of 120% sRGB, which can lead to oversaturated colors if you do not calibrate the display carefully. It suits entry-level or mid-range graphics cards and is a strong choice as either a main competitive screen or a fast secondary monitor in a dual-display setup.
Premium brand pick: Samsung Odyssey G5 180Hz – balanced quality and value
If you prefer a well-known brand with strong image quality, the Samsung Odyssey G5 27-inch 180Hz gaming monitor is the balanced choice. Priced at USD 150 (approx. RM700) for a limited time, it proves premium refresh rates are now accessible under $200. This model offers a 27-inch 1440p screen, 180Hz refresh rate, and 1ms response time, delivering crystal-sharp pictures and fast performance. You also get HDR10 support for better contrast and color in compatible games and movies. For budget gamers who want smooth play plus a trusted name on the box, this is the obvious pick. It sits between the huge Sceptre ultrawide and the ultra-fast Gigabyte in both size and speed, which makes it a versatile option for mixed play and general use.
Beyond the core specs, this gaming monitor includes AMD FreeSync to cut tearing during intense fights, along with gamer-focused tools like Black Equalizer to help you see enemies in dark areas and Virtual Aim Point to improve your crosshair visibility. The stand supports height, tilt, swivel, and pivot adjustments, so you can dial in a comfortable position. Port selection covers two HDMI ports, one DisplayPort, and a 3.5mm audio jack, making it easy to connect PCs, consoles, and audio gear. The main limitation is that you are not getting the absolute lowest price or the widest screen, but you are gaining the reassurance of a major brand with a strong track record in gaming displays.
Why high refresh is now a budget feature
Taken together, these three budget gaming monitors show how far value has come. Not long ago, 180Hz and 240Hz refresh rates were reserved for expensive, specialist displays. Now you can buy a 34-inch ultrawide 180Hz monitor for USD 175 (approx. RM815), a cheap 240Hz monitor for USD 99.99 (approx. RM465), and a 27-inch 1440p 180Hz screen from a major brand for USD 150 (approx. RM700)—all steep discounts from standard pricing across multiple retailers. You will still need a capable graphics card to push very high frame rates, especially at 1440p. However, the screens themselves are no longer the bottleneck. For anyone planning a new build or a major upgrade, this makes it easier to prioritize other components like RAM and storage while still getting fluid motion and fast response in games.
Buy if / Skip if
- Buy the Sceptre 34-inch Prime Gaming Monitor if you want an ultrawide 180Hz gaming monitor under $200 for immersive play and multitasking.
- Skip the Sceptre 34-inch Prime Gaming Monitor if you have a modest GPU that will struggle to drive 1440p ultrawide resolutions at high frame rates.
- Buy the Gigabyte G25F2A if you want the cheapest option with a 240Hz refresh rate and care mainly about fast competitive gaming performance.
- Skip the Gigabyte G25F2A if you need higher than 1080p resolution for detailed creative work or you sit very close to a larger screen.
- Buy the Samsung Odyssey G5 if you want a 27-inch 1440p 180Hz gaming monitor from a major brand with HDR10 and ergonomic adjustments.
- Skip the Samsung Odyssey G5 if you prefer either an ultrawide screen for immersive content or a 240Hz panel for top-tier esports play.
