If you’re looking at monitors and keep seeing “5ms” on the spec sheet, you might wonder what that actually means. Is a 5ms monitor good for gaming? Will it affect your gameplay? The short answer is: for most gamers, a 5ms monitor is absolutely fine.
Let’s break it down in simple terms. “5ms” refers to the response time — how quickly a pixel can change from one color to another. So, a 5ms response time means it takes five milliseconds for a pixel to switch. That’s pretty fast, especially if you’re not into ultra-competitive gaming.
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What Does 5ms Mean on a Monitor?
When you see something like 5ms response time monitor, it’s talking about how quickly the screen reacts to changes. For gamers, a lower number is usually better, because it means less motion blur. That’s where you might hear about 1ms vs 5ms monitor comparisons. The difference between 1ms and 5ms does exist, but for casual or even serious non-pro gamers, it’s often not noticeable during actual gameplay.
5ms vs 1ms Monitor – Is It a Big Deal?
This comparison comes up a lot: monitor 1ms vs 5ms. While 1ms is faster on paper, it’s not always better in every situation. A 1ms monitor might be using a TN panel, which usually sacrifices color and viewing angles. A 5ms monitor, on the other hand, might be an IPS display that gives you richer colors and better visuals.

For example, if you’re using something like the asus vs228h-p 21.5-inch full-hd 5ms led-lit lcd monitor, you’re getting a decent refresh rate with reliable visuals. Unless you’re doing ultra-fast competitive gaming, you’re not likely to notice the difference.
Gaming with 5ms Monitor – Real Experience
A lot of people ask: is a 5ms monitor good for gaming? The answer really depends on the type of games you play. If you’re into story-driven games, strategy, or RPGs, a monitor 5ms response time is more than enough. Even fast-paced shooters will run smoothly if the rest of your setup is solid.
There are also specific models like the lg 24mc37d-b black 23.5″ 5ms widescreen lcd monitor or the acer g6 series g236hlbbd black 23″ 5ms widescreen led backlight lcd monitor, both of which handle most games very well.
And if you’re playing at standard 60hz 5ms monitor settings, you’re still getting a pretty responsive screen. Sure, it’s not as lightning-fast as 240hz .5ms monitor setups, but those are more for professional esports players.
What About Ultra-Fast Monitors?
Some players look at specs like 0.5ms response time monitor or even .5ms monitor, thinking faster is always better. But many of these ultra-low response times are only achieved under specific conditions, often with overdrive enabled — which can introduce other issues like ghosting.
Even when you compare 1ms vs .5ms monitor, the improvement is so small that most people won’t see a difference. What’s more important is the overall performance, color accuracy, and refresh rate — not just response time.
Popular 5ms Gaming Monitor Examples
Let’s take a look at a few models that use 5ms response times and are still well-loved by gamers:
- monitor gamer xiaomi a24i 24 full hd 5ms 100hz ips – smooth enough for casual to serious gaming, plus great picture quality.
- aoc e970swn 18.5-inch led-lit monitor – compact size, 5ms response, great for budget-friendly setups.
- lg 24mc37d-b and acer g236hlbbd – both solid picks for day-to-day gaming and productivity.
They all prove that you don’t need a lightning-fast .5ms monitor to enjoy gaming.
5ms Monitor for Everyday Use and Casual Gaming
If you’re not chasing leaderboards in ultra-competitive FPS games, then gaming with 5ms monitor specs is more than enough. For everyday use, and even for most gaming scenarios, it performs well. Plus, these monitors often come at more affordable prices compared to 1ms or 240hz .5ms monitor types.
Even when comparing computer monitor 5ms vs 2ms, the gap is narrow. You might find slightly better performance in a 2ms model, but it won’t drastically change your gaming experience unless you’re hyper-sensitive to screen motion.
Final Thoughts
So, is 5ms response time good for monitor use in gaming? Absolutely. Unless you’re a hardcore competitive player needing every microsecond of advantage, a 5ms response time is fast enough for smooth, enjoyable gameplay.

And when comparing options like monitor response time 2ms vs 5ms or 5ms vs 1ms monitor, don’t just focus on the number. Think about your budget, what games you play, and whether you value color quality, screen size, or viewing angles.
Because at the end of the day, a good gaming monitor 5ms can easily keep up with your gaming sessions — and still look great doing it.