Counter-Strike 2 easily remains one of the most popular games one can play on PC in 2024, even as it has a growing competitive scene backed byits free-to-play nature. This is even as users tend to purchase the vaunted ‘Prime’ badge, which allows them to get drops, better matchmaking (with other paying players only), and the added benefit of the Prime-exclusive “Premier Mode”.
Counter-Strike 2, much like its predecessors, makes for a significant chunk of the active player base on Steam, one of the largest platforms on PC regularly, leading charts in terms of both, peak and daily average active players. (Screengrab from the Steam client, July 2024)
BenQ Zowie XL2586X 24.1-inch Gaming Monitor
The Case For A Gaming Monitor For Counter-Strike 2
Sometimes, one just needs a well-deserved upgrade to their gaming gear to allow for better performance and Counter-Strike happens to be one of the most rewarding titles forgamers when playing an FPS titleat a higher frame rate, preferably on a display that refreshes as fast as possible to match one’s needs.
Given that Counter-Strike 2 is a free-to-play game, it aims to run well on all kinds of PC hardware fairly well, and it is easy to get a high frame rate with competitive players and enthusiasts trying to gun for at least a 500 FPS average for smoother gameplay. This involves users lowering their settings to a minimum and opting for the highest refresh rate monitor that their budget allows.
However, some monitors are more equal than others, offering a set of features and hardware specs that often get overlooked in a market burgeoning with plenty of options at the time of writing. The team at Game Rant has stepped up to allow users to better differentiate between these options, handpicking some of the best options one can get when it comes to playing Counter-Strike 2 casually or competitively in 2024.
MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED Gaming Monitor
The FPS All-Rounder
The MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED is a stunning piece of tech with its OLED display and ultra-fast 360Hz refresh rate. At 27 inches, it boasts 2K QHD resolution and True Black HDR 400 certification which delivers the ultimate visual quality, whether in games or general media consumption. It comes with HDMI 2.1 ports, DisplayPort 1.4a, and a KVM switch.
Users wanting an excellent all-rounder when it comes to a gaming monitor for their Counter-Strike 2 experience can upgrade both to a higher refresh rate and a different class of display by opting for the MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED Gaming Monitor.
It offers plenty of desirable features, including an extremely low 0.03ms response time, excellent contrast, and a slightly more competitive price compared to similar QD-OLED offerings from 2024. That being said, MSI does have some users raising concerns about its quirky firmware upgrade process, which, unlike its USB-based alternatives, leverages a DP-to-DP cable from a compatible GPU to do so.
At the same time, build quality and cable management are two areas where it could be improved, but neither of these breaks the case for what is one of the best 1440P gaming monitors in the business. At the end of the day, this monitor caters to high-end or enthusiast-grade users, sporting a comprehensive 3-year warranty to assuage user concerns about burn-in while playing their favorite shooter from Valve.
Alienware AW2524HF Gaming Monitor
Competitive High-Refresh Play
The 24-inch Alienware AW2524HF comes with a suite of excellent features for under $1000. Buyers get a mind-blowing 500Hz refresh rate which, along with an AMD FreeSync Premium certification, translates into tear-free gameplay and responsive visuals.
For users needing an extremely high refresh rate gaming monitor, sans expensive extra features, the Alienware AW2524HF Gaming Monitor delivers extremely well. It comes with a competitive price tag, an extremely high (500Hz) refresh rate, and a low 0.5ms response time, making for an excellent contender for one’s primary gaming display for Counter-Strike 2.
At the same time, while it is the perfect size for playing CS2 at 24.5 inches, it does have its limitations as a general-purpose monitor, offering a relatively low FHD resolution compared to most of its peers. At the same time, the Alienware AW2524HF Gaming Monitor offers a sturdy build quality, while quirks like a dedicated headset hanger that make it a fairly alluring choice for a competitive gamer in 2024.
ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM
High Refresh For Less
ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM takes 1080p gaming to a whole new level by introducing a 280Hz refresh rate on a fast IPS panel that is highly responsive for competitive gaming. Equipped with FreeSync Premium for a tear-free experience and minimal ghosting, the VG259QM is a killer 1080p gaming monitor for enthusiasts.
Users on a stricter budget than their peers can opt for the very well-priced ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM gaming monitor. This monitor offers a competitive 280Hz refresh rate at an FHD resolution, leveraging its Fast IPS panel that also comes equipped with G-SYNC compatibility for gamers.
The ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM does, however, offer underwhelming performance in other departments. As an entry-level gaming monitor, it does suffer from the usual issues that plague it when compared to entry-level monitors trading at the same price point. Color reproduction is one of the key factors that one would consider in addition to viewing angles, both of which take significant hits compared to standard IPS monitors trading at the sub-$200 price range.
However, while the ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM doesn’t exactly paint itself as a great all-weather monitor, it does excel as a gaming one, making it a no-brainer purchase at its current pricing that hovers just below $200 at the time of writing.
Samsung G9 OLED G95SC
Maxing Out The Ultrawide FPS Play
Samsung G9 OLED G95SC provides an incredibly wider field of view by combining two QHD resolutions together on its large 49-inch display. With a slight curvature in its screen, the G95SC provides an immersive experience from two meters away. Boasting an OLED panel makes it a terrific choice for watching movies, color grading, and gaming.
Users looking for an ultrawide monitor for their FPS needs can also opt for the Samsung G9 OLED G95SC Gaming Monitor for their gaming needs. It offers plenty of advantages, including a 240hz refresh rate and a 0.03ms response time in tow, competitive specs among ultrawide monitor options.
The display also features a reasonably sharp Dual-QHD resolution, allowing plenty of details to show. At the same time, while it is ideal for gamers looking to play FPS titles in general, not all of them run with native support, including CS2, which will result in a more “stretched” image than its peers. This could be considered both a detriment and a direct competitive disadvantage, making an ultrawide display a generally more niche choice for gamers.
LG 32GS95UE Ultragear 4K 240Hz OLED Gaming Monitor
OLED Master Race Galore
The LG 32GS95UE is perfect for those who are sensitive to IPS and LCD screens. Based on the latest WOLED panel, this monitor delivers a winning combination of stunning image quality and exceptional gaming performance, all without hurting your eyes. It’s much easier on the eyes than the latest QD-OLEDs.
While the jury might still be out on the absolute best gaming monitor for Counter-Strike 2, the list is considerably smaller when one looks at OLED options. The LG 32GS95UE Ultragear 4K 240Hz OLED Gaming Monitor offers a dual-mode display, offering both, a blistering 480Hz refresh rate for users aiming to play CS2 maxed out on their PCs and a high-resolution UHD option that ups the ante at 240Hz for those demanding more visual fidelity.
The LG 32GS95UE Ultragear monitor offers support for both Nvidia’s G-SYNC and AMD’s FreeSync Premium Pro VRR tech, while keeping its response time down to an extremely low 0.03ms. This makes it arguably superior to most of its LCD and LED-based peers, albeit at a significant price premium.
The LG 32GS95UE Ultragear 4K 240Hz OLED Gaming Monitor commands an exorbitant $1400 price tag, even though it can be found at a $200 discount at most retailers at the time of writing. While this may seem high, it is the cost of embracing the bleeding edge when it comes to monitors in 2024. On the plus side, LG’s offering is considerably future-proof and provides significant advantages to Counter-Strike players looking for the very best that money can buy in 2024.
The BenQ Zowie XL2586X is the highest-end monitor users can grab from the company’s FPS-centric Zowie lineup. It leverages a TN panel running at an FHD resolution while advertising an impressive 540Hz refresh rate.This, coupled with Zowie’s proprietary DyAc 2 technology in play makes it a favorite for many gamers looking to buy the best gaming monitor for their FPS needs, including Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant in particular.
For gamers in the competitive CS: GO or the CS2 scene, the Zowie brand is considered a godsend and a cut above its peers, with Benq’s brand focusing in particular on FPS titles like Counter-Strike and Valorant. Much of the secret sauce is a mix of Zowie’s penchant for high refresh rates, low response times, and its secret sauce, the proprietary DyAC tech that brings it to the forefront.
The BenQ Zowie XL2586X 24.1-inch Gaming Monitor improves on this considerably, leveraging DyAC 2 to keep its motion blur even lower when it comes to what is currently Zowie’s highest-end offering in the 24.1-inch segment. The underlying 540Hz refresh rate and a 0.2ms response also make a compelling case for BenQ’s best gaming monitor to date.
It does all, however, come at a significant premium - The BenQ Zowie XL2586X 24.1-inch Gaming Monitor trades at a $1000 asking price, making it considerably more expensive than all of its peers in that form factor, especially when one considers the underlying resolution is FHD. For Counter-Strike 2 gamers who want to have the best possible experience, however, it is a compelling purchase to make for a game that continues to dominate the esports narrative when it comes to first-person shooters.
FAQ
Q: What is the ideal resolution for Counter-Strike 2?
Most gamers and monitor manufacturers tend to play or suggest playing at a resolution of 1920 x 1080 or lower when playing the title competitively.
Q: What is the minimum refresh rate to play Counter Strike 2 competitively?
The general rule of thumb is that the higher the refresh rate, the better when it comes to FPS titles like Counter-Strike 2. Ideally, a gamer should aim for at least a 240Hz gaming monitor to be able to play the title competitively without being at a disadvantage to their peers.
