A gaming monitor is largely considered to be the best visual display for your gaming PC. Its nothing to do with setup or closeness and everything to do with refresh rate and a gaming monitor’s ability to work in perfect harmony with a gaming PC. 

However, not everybody plays fast-paced, rapid-twitch games like first-person shooters. When you’re rocking one of the Civilization games or playing a turn-based RPG (role-playing game), the refresh rate isn’t such a big deal. 

Plus, that huge map of real estate you have to cover would look a whole lot better on a 70” OLED 4k or 8k smart TV. So, why not make the switch whenever you’re playing some laid-back games? Plus, smart TVs are getting a whole lot better in terms of refresh rates and gaming modes.

Can A Gaming PC Work On A TV?

You can use just about any TV with a gaming PC, however, some may take more effort to connect than others. You can connect a gaming PC to your TV using an HDMI cable, a DVI to HDMI adapter, or a VGA to HDMI adapter, depending on the TV you are working with.

Many gaming PCs also come with wireless display technology like Wi-Fi Direct, Miracast, or Intel Wireless Display, which allows you to connect to your TV without using any cables. Once connected, you can use your TV as a display for playing games or other computer applications. 

All a TV needs are the right ports. The problem is, running cords from your gaming PC to a large TV. Now, if you have something small, that can easily take the place of your gaming monitor, that makes more sense. A large TV hanging on the wall is more problematic. 

If you can use a DVI or VGA cable, assuming your TV has a port compatible with those or you have an adapter, you would also have to add a separate audio cable, like an optical audio cable.

What To Look For In A TV For A Gaming PC

You can connect your gaming PC to almost any type of TV, whether it’s new or old. But if you want to game on that TV there are a few features you’ll want to be on the lookout for.

Low Input Lag

Input lag is the time it takes for your TV to display the inputs on your computer. A low input lag of less than 20ms is ideal for gaming to reduce delay and improve the responsiveness of your game.

Good TVs for gaming, like the LG C2, have an input lag way under 20ms.

High Refresh Rate

A high refresh rate of at least 120Hz will ensure smoother and more fluid gameplay.

The TV mentioned above can game in 4K @ 120Hz if you use one of its HDMI 2.1 inputs.

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

Any TV that promotes itself as having good gaming features will certainly be HDR-ready. 

HDR technology enhances the color and brightness of your games, making them look so much more vivid and lifelike than just HD.

HDR is also awesome if you use a streaming service like Disney Plus. They have loads of new movies and shows in HDR and they look amazing.

Resolution

Standard HD or 1080p on an enormous screen is not going to look the best.

A 4K resolution will provide the clearest and most detailed picture, but 1080p is still suitable for many games. And with an HDMI 2.1 port, you’ll be able to play in 4K @ 120 frames per second.

Related Article: Top 23 Reasons Why You Should Buy A Gaming PC Instead Of A Console

Benefits and Drawbacks of Using a TV Over a Gaming Monitor

Gaming monitors would have no place in the market if regular TVs were everything a PC gamer needs. The biggest draw between PC gamers and TVs is the size. It’s nothing to purchase a smart TV well over 50” today and 50” in 4k is a whole lot better than 24” in 4k. 

The prevalence of wireless peripherals makes setting up your PC tower under the TV and running everything wirelessly while you kick back on the couch much more palatable. That includes wireless controllers, wireless mice, and wireless keyboards. 

Of course, there’s always a drawback or five to everything and hooking up your gaming PC to a smart TV is no exception to the rule. 

  • Wired peripherals present a problem
  • Lag input
  • HDMI is not as good as DisplayPort
  • 1080p games will look terrible on a giant, 4k, or 8k screen
  • Additional cables and wires behind your TV

If you already have the necessary hardware and your TV matches up pretty well, there’s no reason you can’t make the leap. But, for some, it might not be doable.

Bottom Line

You can hook up a gaming PC to just about any TV today. The only things worth considering are the convenience to you and how compatible the TV is. It mightn’t be worth your time.

If your gaming monitor is down, a TV might serve as a good stand-in, but it’s hard to beat the gaming monitor when choosing the best visuals for gaming.