Black Friday 2023 is still over a month away. But right now, 1440p gaming monitors are quite affordable. In fact, with big-brand 170Hz models available for under $200, it is unlikely that you will find anything dramatically cheaper on Black Friday.

1440p definitely remains the sweet spot for real-world PC gaming. Certainly, there are advantages to 4K in terms of razor-sharp visuals. But there are disadvantages as well, the debilitating GPU load being the most obvious. And then there's the price: 4K high refresh really does cost more.

So what can we expect for our $200 purchase? We generally don't like to recommend rolling the dice on completely unknown brands, so you'll be glad to hear that Newegg is carrying a Gigabyte model for just $200, the GS27QC. The GS27QC is 27 inches and has a maximum refresh rate of 170Hz, VA panel with a claimed response time of 1ms.

The latter metric is based on the MPRT metric, which is generally lower than the GtG metric. Unfortunately, Gigabyte does not cite GtG figures, but they are definitely higher than 1 ms.

Another obvious weakness is that the brightness is only 250 nits. This is not terrible, but it is lower than most modern gaming panels. It also means that there is no possibility of HDR support, but the VA's inherent 4,000:1 contrast offsets that to some extent.

If you prefer something bigger, there is the LG 32GK650F. This is a 32-inch model that operates at 144 Hz. While not the fastest, 144Hz is good enough for most people, and the entry price is an attractive $229. It can also be a reasonable 350 nits. Cons: This is, as expected, another VA model with a 5ms GtG response.

Probably not the best choice for esports addicts. If improved response is more to your liking, the ViewSonic OMNI VX2728J-2K is another interesting option: a 27-inch 1440p model with 1ms GtG response, 165Hz refresh, and an IPS panel instead of a VA panel for $249. The only drawback is the 250-nit brightness.

Or how about the Lenovo G27Q? This is also 27" 1440p at 165Hz. Again, this is an IPS panel, but with 400 nits brightness and a price tag of $239. MPRT response time is 1 ms, and 3 ms in the fastest GtG mode. This puts it slightly behind the pace of the absolutely superior premium panels.

Another option that is not off the pace is the Acer Nitro XZ323QU, a 32" at 240Hz with a GtG response rating of 1ms. It is 400 nits and supports basic HDR. Hooray. All priced at $299.

And there are many more of these panels. In other words, before Black Friday, there are 1440p gaming panels to choose from at very reasonable prices.