Gaming monitor for under $300

[pinguthepro]

Acer Predator XF240F or Acer Predator XB240HB

Whats best?

 

[profoundnoah]

What GPU are you using? No point in getting a good monitor when you don't have the hardware to drive it. I'd look into some 144hz 1080p panels. This is a good one that also features G-Sync: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Hh648d/msi-optix-g24c-240-1920x1080-144hz-monitor-optix-g24c

 

[WildCard999]

It's going to come down to what types of games you play. If your playing more single player games then going with a IPS screen would be ideal as the colors are much better over a TN panel. VA panels are good as well as it's like between TN and IPS. Also as long as you have the room and your games support it a 21:9 ultrawide is always a good choice and are still really good for competitive shooters as you'll have a wider peripheral.

Ultrawide (2560x1080P/75hz/IPS)
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Monitor: LG - 29UM60-P 29.0" 2560x1080 75Hz Monitor ($229.99 @ Adorama)
Total: $229.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-07-22 16:01 EDT-0400

1440P/75hz.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Monitor: Asus - PB277Q 27.0" 2560x1440 75Hz Monitor ($269.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $269.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-07-22 16:02 EDT-0400

4K/IPS.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Monitor: LG - 27UD58-B 27.0" 3840x2160 60Hz Monitor ($296.93 @ Newegg)
Total: $296.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-07-22 16:03 EDT-0400

1080P/144hz (competitive FPS)
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Monitor: Acer - GN246HL 24.0" 1920x1080 144Hz Monitor ($179.99 @ B&H)
Total: $179.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-07-22 16:04 EDT-0400


As for having it match your exact hardware it's not really necessary as typically your monitor is your least upgraded part so getting something that maybe refreshes a bit quicker then what your current setup can do will easily be fixed later on with upgrades. As long as your getting the smoothness of 60 or so FPS then it should be fine.