Ideal Monitor Size For Your Arcade Cabinet

The size of a monitor for an arcade cabinet depends on the type of arcade cabinet and the desired level of authenticity. Classic arcade video game cabinets typically come in three styles: upright (standard), cabaret (smaller upright), and cocktail (tabletop sit-down). The size of the monitor also depends on the orientation of the games being played, with classic vertical games requiring smaller monitors than modern landscape games. For example, a typical Western-style arcade cabinet features a 19-inch monitor for classic vertical games and a 25-inch monitor for modern landscape games. Japanese arcade machines usually have larger screens, with an average size of 29 inches. When choosing a monitor size, it is also important to consider the space available in the arcade cabinet and the desired level of authenticity, with some enthusiasts preferring CRT monitors for maximum genuineness.

19 monitors for classic arcade games

If you're looking to build an arcade cabinet, the size of the monitor is an important consideration. The size you choose will depend on the type of games you want to play, the space you have available, and your personal preferences.

For classic arcade games, a 19-inch monitor is a common choice. This size is typically used for vertical games and is often mounted in a wooden cabinet. While you can use a larger monitor for classic games, a 19-inch screen is a standard option that will fit well in most arcade cabinets.

There are several 19-inch arcade monitors available on the market that would be suitable for classic arcade games. One option is the RetroArcade.us 19-inch Arcade Monitor, which comes with a CRT mount and is designed for upright cabinet replacement. It has a visible screen diagonal and can be used with both old and new systems. The monitor has a high-colour, non-matted finish and a contrast ratio of 450:1, making the colours bright and vivid. It also has a fast pixel response time of 16 milliseconds, which is important for ensuring smooth gameplay.

Another option is the UNICO 19-inch Arcade Replacement Screen, which has a resolution of 1280 x 1024 pixels and a faster response time of 8 milliseconds. This monitor is designed for CGA and EGA game arcades and is easy to install.

When choosing a monitor for your arcade cabinet, it's important to consider the type of games you want to play and the specifications of the monitor. For classic arcade games, a 19-inch screen is a good choice, and there are several options available that will provide a high-quality gaming experience.

25 monitors for modern games

For modern games, a 25-inch monitor is a good choice, especially if you have limited desk space or find larger screens too big. A 25-inch monitor is also ideal for competitive gaming, as they tend to have low resolutions and high refresh rates.

Dell Alienware AW2523HF

The Dell Alienware AW2523HF is a versatile monitor with a fast 360Hz refresh rate, making it ideal for competitive gaming. Its 1080p resolution may seem low, but this is standard for a 25-inch monitor, and the low resolution requires less bandwidth on your graphics card, making it easier to maintain high frame rates. It also has a quick 60Hz response time, which is ideal for gaming at lower refresh rates. The monitor gets bright enough to fight glare and has great reflection handling, making it suitable for well-lit rooms. It also has wide viewing angles and excellent ergonomics, making it easy to share your screen with someone next to you.

ViewSonic XG2431

The ViewSonic XG2431 is a more affordable option, with a lower 240Hz refresh rate that is still high enough for most gamers. It provides impressive gaming performance and has a fast response time, so motion looks crisp with minimal blur. It also has a unique backlight strobing feature to reduce persistence blur, which many budget monitors lack. However, this feature doesn't work at the same time as VRR. The ViewSonic XG2431 is also suitable for office work or content creation, as it has great colour accuracy and gets bright enough to fight glare.

AOC 24G15N

The AOC 24G15N is another cheap display option, with a 24-inch, 1080p screen and a 180Hz refresh rate, which is still fine for most gamers with entry-level setups. The main downside is that it has noticeable smearing and motion blur with fast-moving objects, which can be disappointing for playing fast-paced games. However, it has a high native contrast ratio and decent black uniformity, making it a good choice for use in a dark room. It doesn't get bright enough to fight glare in a well-lit room, but it's fine if you have a few lights around, and it has good reflection handling.

Dell P2423D

If you need a monitor mainly for working, the Dell P2423D is a good choice, with a higher 1440p resolution that results in higher pixel density and sharper text clarity. This is useful if you need to read documents or browse the web all day. It comes with an extremely ergonomic stand, making it easy to adjust, and its wide viewing angles help if you need to share the screen with someone next to you. It also has good reflection handling but doesn't get bright enough to fight intense glare. It's important to note that this monitor has limited gaming features, as it doesn't support VRR.

Dell P2425H

The Dell P2425H is a cheaper alternative to the Dell P2423D, with a lower 1080p resolution, so images aren't as sharp and detailed. It doesn't get as bright either, but it still has good reflection handling and is fine to use in a room with a few lights around. Despite being an entry-level monitor, it comes with a very ergonomic stand, making it easy to adjust, and its wide viewing angles are ideal if you need to share your screen with someone else. It also has a USB-C port with 15W of power delivery, which is useful for charging devices. It also has three USB-A ports to connect your keyboard and mouse.

CRT monitors for authenticity

CRT monitors are the original screens used in arcade cabinets, and some enthusiasts prefer to use them to maintain authenticity. While they are no longer in production, they can still be purchased second-hand and refurbished. CRTs produce a unique image and have a particular "look and feel" that cannot be replicated by modern LCD/LED screens.

The most common size for CRT monitors in arcade cabinets was 19 inches for upright cabinets, although some were as small as 13 inches or as large as 25 inches. The size of the cabinet will dictate the size of the monitor, and some purists argue that the screen should not take up more than half the total width of the cabinet.

When building an arcade cabinet with a CRT monitor, safety is a key consideration due to the high voltages and lack of mains isolation in some models. It is also important to note that modern LCD/LED screens are lighter and easier to mount than CRTs, which may be a more convenient option for some builders.

For those seeking an authentic arcade experience, a CRT monitor is the ideal choice. However, they are becoming increasingly rare, and some technical knowledge is required to source, repair, and install them safely.

1440p monitors for CRT shaders

When choosing a monitor for an arcade cabinet, there are several factors to consider, including size, resolution, input lag, motion blur reduction, and compatibility with CRT shaders. While some retro arcade and console machines output at 60fps, it is important to ensure that the chosen monitor can handle this frame rate while also providing good motion blur reduction without losing too much brightness.

If you are specifically looking for a 1440p monitor to use with CRT shaders, there are a few options and settings to consider. Firstly, let's understand what CRT shaders are and why they are used. CRT shaders are used to simulate the look and feel of playing games on an old-school cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor, which had a unique picture quality with scanlines and a slight blur due to the way the electron gun painted the image on the screen. These shaders can add a nostalgic effect to your gaming experience and make it feel more authentic, especially for retro games.

When it comes to 1440p monitors and CRT shaders, the higher resolution can provide a more realistic simulation of phosphor dots, and you will generally get better results compared to lower-resolution displays. However, the specific shader settings you use will also make a difference in the overall appearance. For example, you can adjust the mask type in the shader settings to simulate different types of CRT monitors, such as a Trinitron aperture grille or a shadow mask. The aperture grille option will give you the cleanest image and the brightest display, while the shadow mask option can be challenging to simulate accurately even on 4K displays due to its high density.

Additionally, you may want to consider the type of display panel when choosing a 1440p monitor for CRT shaders. IPS panels tend to provide better colour quality and are preferable if you plan to rotate the monitor into portrait mode. On the other hand, TN panels may offer better motion blur reduction and are suitable if you intend to use the monitor in landscape mode. It's worth noting that TN panels may have issues with gamma shift when rotated into portrait mode, so keep that in mind if you're considering this setup.

• Eve Spectrum 4K144: This monitor offers excellent motion blur reduction and has a size similar to arcade CRTs. It also features a slim bezel, flat back, and optional stand, making it easy to mount inside an arcade cabinet. The NanoIPS gamut provides a wide colour gamut similar to a real CRT tube.
• OLED Displays: OLED monitors, such as the CX OLED or the upcoming JOLED and LG OLED monitors, can provide an excellent platform for CRT shaders. With OLED displays, you can expect deep blacks and a high contrast ratio, enhancing the nostalgic CRT effect.
• HDR600 or Higher-Rated Monitors: Look for monitors with at least an HDR600 rating, as these displays are capable of higher brightness levels, which can help compensate for the brightness loss when using CRT shaders and tinted glass.
• VA Panels: VA panels offer a good balance between contrast and viewing angles. They typically provide better blacks than IPS panels, making them a suitable option for CRT shaders.

In conclusion, when choosing a 1440p monitor for CRT shaders in your arcade cabinet, consider the display panel type, colour accuracy, motion blur reduction capabilities, and the specific shader settings you plan to use. The recommendations provided above can serve as a starting point for your search, but feel free to explore other options that meet your specific requirements and preferences.

4:3 aspect ratio for retro games

The 4:3 aspect ratio is the standard for retro games, with the most common screen sizes for arcade cabinets being 19 inches for classic vertical games and 25 inches for modern landscape games. These measurements refer to the diagonal size of the original CRT monitor for which the cabinet is designed.

When it comes to retro gaming, the 4:3 aspect ratio is considered the correct ratio for old console games, specifically those from the pre-HD era. This includes games played on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and the PlayStation 1 (PS1). While some games may have used different resolutions, most games from this era were designed to be played on CRT screens with a 4:3 aspect ratio.

However, it is worth noting that the SNES rendered games internally at 8:7, which were then stretched to 4:3 when displayed on a TV. As a result, certain games, such as Super Metroid, may be better experienced with an 8:7 aspect ratio to correct this stretching. Additionally, some developers were aware of this stretching issue and designed their games accordingly, as seen in Chrono Trigger, where a scene featuring the moon becomes a perfect circle when stretched to 4:3.

For those seeking an authentic retro gaming experience, the choice between square pixels and the CRT aspect ratio is a matter of personal preference. While square pixels offer more aesthetically pleasing visuals, the CRT aspect ratio provides a more accurate representation of how games appeared on CRT screens. Ultimately, the 4:3 aspect ratio remains the standard for retro games, with options available to adjust the ratio based on personal preferences and specific game requirements.

Frequently asked questions