Ampere is here and it’s brought a huge uplift in GPU performance. But make no mistake: these high-end graphics cards are wasted at 1080p. If you’re looking to upgrade or to build a PC around the Ampere GPUs then you need a monitor that lets them show their full potential. The RTX 3070 matches RTX 2080 Ti performance and is aimed squarely at high FPS 1440p resolution and stunning AAA gaming. It’ll also run 1440p ultrawide well and give good results at 4k. The RTX 3080 finally fulfils the promise of bringing 4k gaming into the mainstream with it the ability to run AAA titles at 4k and high FPS. It will also do an excellent job at 1440p ultrawide.
Monitor technology is advancing all the time but it tends to be at a slower pace than the relentless improvements in GPU power. Technologies that have crept in in recent years should now be considered essential for any gaming monitor. Adaptive sync is a vital feature that synchronises the monitor refresh rate to the frame rate the GPU is outputting, eliminating tearing and smoothing our perception of motion on screen. It has been complicated by numerous competing systems and specifications however you don’t need to worry too much as Nvidias has included AMD’s Freesync into its driver compatibility. Whilst G-sync is technically a superior solution with the GPU able to dictate the monitor refresh directly via a module in the monitor, Freesync monitors perform almost identically in practice. With the adoption of the ‘G-Sync compatible’ specification, you can be assured of great performance without paying the premium price of a full G-Sync equipped monitor. All of the monitors we recommend here are ‘G-Sync Compatible’.
IPS and VA panel technology has evolved to the point where TN panels really aren’t worthwhile particular for a premium gaming experience. You can enjoy fast response times without the trade off in colour vibrancy and viewing angles a TN panel imposes.
So let’s check out the best monitors available to pair with the RTX 3070 and RTX 3080. In this article, we’ll round up the best options for each GPU at the resolutions they’re intended for.
Best Monitors for RTX 3070 & 3080 Builds – Our Recommendations
| Award | Design | Model | Panel | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Value Monitor for RTX 3070 |  | Gigabyte G27QC | VA | 27" |
| Best 1440p Monitor for RTX 3070 |  | Asus TUF VG27AQ | IPS | 27" |
| Best 1440p Ultrawide Monitor for RTX 3070 |  | Viotek GNV34DBE | VA | 34" |
| Best 1440p Monitor for the RTX 3080 |  | Viewsonic Elite XG270QG | IPS | 27:" |
| Best Budget 1440p 144Hz Monitor for RTX 3080 |  | Dell S2719DGF | TN | 27" |
| Best 1440p Ultrawide Monitor for RTX 3080 |  | MSI Optix MPG 341CQR | VA | 34" |
| Alternative 1440p Ultrawide Monitor for RTX 3080 |  | LG 34GN850-B | IPS | 34" |
| Best 4K Monitor for RTX 3080 |  | Acer XV273K | IPS | 27" |
Best Value Monitor for RTX 3070
The G27QC is a recent release from Gigabyte and sets a new standard in features and performance at the price. It uses a VA panel for vibrant colours and deep blacks, and whilst response times aren’t cutting edge they’re plenty for AAA gaming and general use. It has 165Hz refresh rate and is ‘Freesync Premium’ and G-Sync compatible, meaning that you’ll get great adaptive sync performance with the Nvidia GPU. This eliminates screen tearing and smooths out frame delivery for a fluid gaming experience even if you’re not quite hitting 144FPS. As for physical features, there’s a 2 port USB hub, handy for moving your headphones and other peripherals to be closer to hand. The stand is basic but functional with height and tilt but no twist. A curved vs flat panel is a matter of personal preference but for gaming and general use the 1500R curve enhances immersion, whilst thin bezels look slick and make a multi-monitor set up seamless. 27” display size is the sweet spot for pixel density for this resolution, making text easy to read without pixels becoming individually visible at standard viewing distances.
Overall this monitor offers a host of great features at the price and pairs excellently with the capability of the RTX 3070.
Best 1440p Monitor for RTX 3070
The Asus TUF VG27AQ is part of the TUF gaming product range. One of its key features is very low input lag meaning your actions take minimal time to be represented on screen – making it an exceptional gaming monitor for the RTX 3070. This monitor boasts 144hz refresh rate overclockable to 165Hz and is certified G-Sync compatible. It has an IPS panel which combines the benefits of vibrant and accurate colours and fast response times.
Physically the monitor is quite staid in appearance and has minimal features with no speakers, and just one DisplayPort and two HDMI sockets. However, the stand allows a full range of adjustment and has cable management built in to keep things tidy. Thin bezels allow near seamless multiple monitor setups, and it’s flat which suits some peoples’ preference.
This monitor offers a fantastically responsive option for all types of gaming but it’s particularly well suited to first-person shooters thanks to the low input lag. Combined with solid specification all round, it’s the best pairing with an RTX 3070 if you want a fast capable 1440p panel.
Best 1440p Ultrawide Monitor for RTX 3070
If you’re interested in ultrawide monitors but don’t want to break the bank then this $400 option from Viotek, the GNV34DBE, should be high on your list. 1440p ultrawide resolution is an excellent option for both productivity and gaming. The screen real estate allows for multiple documents or windows on screen, and the flexible workspace means you can move windows around as best suits your work without the bezels of a multi-monitor set up getting in the way. In gaming a curved ultrawide monitor wraps around you and fills your peripheral vision, making it ideal for AAA games and simulators. It’s less ideal for competitive first-person shooters since the increased pixel count does impact your frame rate but the RTX 3070 is well up to the task of driving this resolution even in demanding titles.
This Viotek monitor brings all the essential specifications for gaming down to an affordable price point, making it an exceptional pairing with the $500 RTX 3070. The 34” curved screen wraps around you with a 1500mm curve radius. It has 144hz refresh rate and freesync allowing control from 48hz to 144hz. This will work with Nvidias G-Sync and acts to eliminate tearing and smooth out frame delivery. The response time is a quick 4ms and overall input lag is remarkably low at around 26ms.
It has a VA panel meaning good vibrant colours and deep blacks. Colour accuracy is acceptable at the price but calibration is recommended if you do any colour critical work like photo editing.
It has 2 DisplayPorts sockets and 2 HDMI ports as well as a headphone jack so it’s well equipped with input options.
At $400 this monitor offers huge value and great performance. It’ll allow you to lose yourself in games but also double as a versatile workspace if you need to do more with your PC. We consider it the perfect ultrawide pairing with the RTX 3070.
Best 1440p Monitor for the RTX 3080
When you’re looking for a best in class GPU such as the RTX 3080, it makes sense to pair it with a high-end monitor that will ensure you get the most from it. At $600 the Viewsonic Elite XG270QG isn’t cheap but it does boast impressive build quality and features for the price.
This monitor uses a 144hz IPS panel but that refresh rate is overclockable to 165Hz. Full G-Sync implementation means that a G-Sync module in the monitor is directly controlled by the Nvidia GPU, instructing the monitor when to draw the next frame. This allows the widest possible adaptive sync range and completely eliminates stutter and screen tearing since the monitor only refreshes when there is a complete frame ready to display. The IPS panel is vibrant and high quality with minimal input lag and excellent response times – so your actions appear on-screen instantaneously. Indeed it beats the popular competitor the Asus PG279Q ROG Swift in this respect.
As for ergonomics this monitor has a fully adjustable stand with inbuilt cable management, and is also VESA mountable if you’d prefer it on an arm. It even comes with a monitor hook and mouse cable bungee.
The G-Sync module actually limits this monitors connectivity options to just one DisplayPort and one HDMI input, and to make use of G-Sync you need to use the DisplayPort option. There’s a USB 3.0 hub built-in, however, very useful to tidy up headphone and other accessory USB cables. This high-end 1440p monitor will ensure you’re seeing the very best your RTX 3080 can do.
Best 1440p Ultrawide Monitor for RTX 3080
MSI pulled out all the stops with this 34” ultrawide – the Optix MPG 341CQR. Using a VA panel with 1800mm curve radius, this monitor has 144Hz refresh rate and Freesync which has been tested as compatible with Nvidia’s G-Sync implementation. The panel is vibrant and high quality with good contrast ratio and black levels and response times are good. Contrast surpasses that possible with an IPS panel. Additional features include a USB-C input so you can hook up a laptop with ease and an inbuilt webcam, which is useful in the new ‘work from home’ era (I’m totally not playing Flight Simulator 2020 in this meeting, I promise). This is a monitor that excels in gaming and is well suited to general use, and isn’t as expensive as the G-Sync options from Acer (X34P) and Dell (Alienware AW3418UW). It’s perfectly placed to show the RTX 3080 off to best advantage.
Best 4K Monitor for RTX 3080
The RTX 3080 is the first GPU capable of really pushing 4K gaming past the 60FPS barrier in demanding games, and to enjoy that capability that you’ll want a top tier 4K monitor.
The Acer XV273K is a 144hz 4K monitor with adaptive sync – which means it will use Freesync via G-sync compatibility to smooth framerates below 144fps – vital at 4K even with a GPU as powerful as the RTX 3080. The panel is a top-quality IPS unit with excellent colour accuracy and good contrast and brightness. Response times are good and input lag is minimal so it’s suitable for fast-paced shooters as well as general gaming. To fully exploit the RTX 3080 at 4K, this monitor hits the spot perfectly. It’s not cheap – but then 4K gaming remains an expensive hobby despite the newfound power of Ampere GPU’s.