As technology advances, the gap between technologies becomes smaller. However, there are some significant differences between TN and IPS panels. The color contrast and viewing angles are the most noticeable differences. TN has virtually no viewing angle.
When TN and IPS monitors are compared, the color contrast and clarity of the IPS panel stand out. Gamers typically prefer a TN panel. Designers, artists, producers, and creatives who value color contrast and image clarity should opt for IPS displays.
Let’s figure out what type of display panel you should pick between IPS and TN panels.
IPS Panel
As previously stated, the primary distinctions between IPS, In-plane Switching, and TN panels are price and color reproduction. IPS monitors are generally preferred by those in the professional rendering industry because they accurately depict image colors.
The disadvantage is that they are more expensive, though it is possible to find affordable IPS monitors ranging from $150 to thousands of dollars.
IPS monitors use a parallel rather than perpendicular array of pixels, which allows for better color reproduction while also providing excellent viewing angles, whereas TN panels frequently discolor when viewed from any relatively extreme angle.
IPS panels, in essence, were designed to address the flaws of TN panels and are thus preferred by many, from the average consumer to the professional editor.
But don’t let the advantages of IPS panels sway your opinion of TN panels; TN panels are still excellent in some situations.
If you’re just sitting in front of your computer and absolutely perfect color reproduction isn’t important to you, then TN is the way to go, especially if you’re looking to save money on your monitor purchase.
Pros & Cons of IPS Panels
Pros:
- Energy Efficient
- Image clarity and vibrant colors
- Wide viewing angle
- Fast refresh rates (over 240Hz)
Cons:
- Response time is slower
- Greater cost.
- Extreme viewing angles can cause IPS to glow.
TN Panel
Twisted Nematic (TN) panels use a ‘nematic’ type of liquid crystal to rotate and pass light through, corresponding to the transmitted signal. The first important advantage of TN panels is speed.
TN panels use what is known as active 3D shutter, which allows them to display up to twice as much information as other types of panels. Furthermore, TN panels have a much faster response time than IPS panels, though faster IPS panels are available.
A TN panel’s response time is approximately 2ms (milliseconds), but it can be as low as 1ms. TN panels are less expensive than their IPS peers.
Because of the fast response time and low price, these monitors are very popular in the gaming community and the general consumer market, as gamers will have less delay time when rendering an image.
The main disadvantage of TN panels is that they do not provide 100% accurate color reproduction.
However, if you’re working on a color-sensitive project, such as a movie or a photo edit, TN panels might not be the best choice.
Pros & Cons of TN Panels
Pros:
- Fast refresh rate and response time
- Smoother motion on the screen
- Lower-cost technology
- Widely accessible
Cons:
- Less contrast and color clarity
- Limited viewing angles
Comparative Features of IPS & TN Panels: An Overview
Each panel type has benefits and drawbacks. TN panels are popular among those looking for a screen with a high refresh rate and little motion blur. IPS can be a first choice of IT professionals, graphic designers and artists.
Here are some key features of IPS and TN panels to bring you up to speed.
- IPS panels have a higher level of color accuracy and color contrast than other panel types.
- TN panels have a response time of 1 millisecond and are more readily available.
- Refresh rates of 144Hz, 240Hz, and 280Hz are all available to buy in IPS and TN displays these days.
- When viewed from any angle, IPS panels retain their original, crystal-clear color presentation.
- TN panels have a limited viewing angle and suffer from a loss of color clarity when viewed from an angle that is not perpendicular to the monitor’s surface.
- IPS panels have less light seeping through from the back.
- Both IPS and TN are capable of supporting features such as G-Sync and FreeSync respectively.
- IPS panel technology is newer than TN panel technology, which has been around for longer.
- The price of TN monitors is typically lower than that of IPS monitors.
- Monitors with in-plane switching (IPS) typically come with built-in color calibration software.
TN vs IPS: Detailed Comparison
1. Gaming Performance
1.1 IPS Panels
IPS panels are also fantastic for gaming. IPS monitors are more expensive than TN monitors, but they can produce beautiful colors and have a wider viewing angle.Color reproduction on IPS monitors is consistent and reliable.
Many IPS panels have full 10-bit color and a high percentage of sRGB and DCI-P3 color gamuts. DCI-P3 and sRGB are color standards used to determine how many colors a screen can produce.
A high percentage on these standards indicates that your monitor can produce more accurate and vibrant colors. IPS panels are the preferred choice for designers and artists due to their high level of color accuracy.
Superior colors and bit-depth translate to superior gaming immersion, allowing you to fully exploit any game’s graphics.
IPS monitors appear much better from the side because the liquid crystal polymer in an IPS screen moves horizontally, resulting in less color distortion from the sides. IPS panels have a greater viewing angle of 178 degrees.
IPS has the widest viewing angle of the three types of LCD panels, making it ideal for couch co-op or watching video content with friends.
The main disadvantage that is frequently mentioned in discussions about IPS panels is their slower response times. This disadvantage, however, only applies to lower-priced IPS panels.
While IPS panels are slightly slower on average than TN models, higher-end IPS panels can feature one-millisecond response times.
If you are willing to spend the extra money, an IPS monitor can be purchased just as quickly as a TN monitor. Overall, IPS panels are the best choice for gamers who value image quality over performance.
IPS panels are more expensive than equivalently specced TN panels, but only because IPS panels outperform TN panels in terms of visual fidelity.
1.2 TN Panels
TN panels are excellent for gaming, despite being the most affordable type of display. They aren’t the most visually appealing monitors on the market, but they have a very fast response time, making them ideal for games that require quick reaction times.
Even low-cost TN monitors have response times ranging from one millisecond to five milliseconds.
TN monitors do have some significant drawbacks to consider. The main issue with TN monitors is their limited color space. Colors appear differently depending on the angle from which you view a TN panel. Colors aren’t very accurate even when looking straight at TN monitors.
Because TN panels do not produce the best possible image, your games will most likely not look as good as they would on an IPS or VA monitor. You should also avoid doing design or colorwork on TN panels if possible.
Another significant disadvantage of TN panels is their viewing angle. Because the viewing angle on TN panels is so narrow, it only appears normal when looking at the panel directly. This can make playing local multiplayer games or watching a video with someone else while using a TN display difficult.
A TN panel is an excellent first monitor for a gamer. They are inexpensive, have quick response times, and have the best gaming specs for the money. However, TN panels have some substantial drawbacks too.
2. Image Quality
The color gamut of IPS panels is the widest. This means that the graphics in your games are represented as realistically as possible on these screens.
An IPS screen combines this with wide viewing angles, allowing you to see sharp images even if you’re not directly in front of your gaming monitor. For instance, if you’re gaming with multiple people at the same time.
But comparatively, color representation on gaming screens with TN panels is poorer than on other screens. Colors appear a little duller when compared to, say, an IPS screen. As a result, there are no TN monitors that support DisplayHDR.
The viewing angle is also narrower than on other types of gaming panels. A TN screen is typically chosen for its other characteristics.
3. Response Time
The majority of IPS gaming monitors have a response time of 4 milliseconds, despite the fact that IPS screens are not known for having a particularly low response time. This does not result in significant issues for the majority of games.
Because technological progress is constantly being made, there are now some IPS gaming screens available that have a response speed of only 1 or 2 milliseconds.
On the other hand, monitors with TN technology are notorious for having a slow response time. This type of screen typically has a response time that is only 1 millisecond (ms).
Because of this, you will never run into problems with lines becoming blurry when using a TN panel. Not even in the games with the quickest pace.
4. Refresh Rate
Refresh rates on in-plane switching (IPS) displays are typically the slowest. A refresh rate of more than 75Hz is considered exceptional in this type of display. This means that playing games with a high frame rate will be more difficult than on other types of screens.
IPS screen development is still in its early stages, but screens with refresh rates of up to 144 hertz have recently become commercially available. These are most commonly found in the highest price range.
Because of the technology used in TN gaming monitors, these screens have the highest refresh rate available at their respective price points. There is no exception for TN screens with refresh rates of 144Hz or higher.
As a result, the majority of games run smoothly and the images do not jerk or freeze. When you connect the high refresh rate to G-Sync or Freesync, the number of Hz simultaneously goes up and down with the number of frames per second, you will never experience stuttering while playing games.
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