Demystifying Monitor Response Time: A Gamer's Guide

What is Monitor Response Time?

What Do the Different Response Times Mean?

1. Black-and-White Response Time (Response Time)
   This is the earliest parameter standard, more applicable to CRT monitors. It measures the full cycle of a pixel turning from black to white and back to black again. As modern displays rarely switch between pure black and white, this metric is less representative of real-world performance.
2. Moving Picture Response Time (MPRT)
   MPRT is not a measure of pixel transition speed but rather a technique to reduce motion blur. This method briefly turns the backlight off during color transitions to minimize the persistence of an image on the screen. By reducing this afterimage effect, MPRT significantly decreases the perception of ghosting and blur, making motion appear smoother.
   Note:​ This frequent strobing of the backlight can lead to increased eye fatigue for some users.
3. Gray-to-Gray (GTG) Response Time
   Since LCDs create images by controlling the brightness levels of pixels to display different colors, the Gray-to-Gray (GTG) metric measures the transition time between different shades of gray (colors). This is a more practical and relevant standard for today's content. The lower the GTG response time, the better.​ Currently, GTG is the most common metric advertised for modern monitors.

How to Choose a Monitor Based on Response Time?