UK BUYING GUIDE
Budget QHD Gaming Monitors in the UK
Budget QHD (1440p) gaming monitors in the UK: what a cheap 2560 × 1440 monitor should include, the GPU you need, and how the GAMEO Q24-165 24-inch QHD 165Hz IPS compares on verified specs and price.
THE SHORT ANSWER
A budget QHD gaming monitor in the UK should still give you 2560 × 1440 resolution, 144Hz or more, a 1ms IPS panel, Adaptive Sync, DisplayPort 1.4 and a height-adjustable stand. The GAMEO Q24-165 meets all of those at 24 inches and 165Hz for £114.34 (RRP £209.99) — the only QHD model GAMEO sells, so this guide is honest about where it fits and where a 27-inch QHD screen from elsewhere might suit you better.
What 'budget QHD' should still include
- Native 2560 × 1440 resolution — not an upscaled Full HD panel.
- 144Hz or higher refresh rate; 165Hz is the current baseline for gaming monitors.
- IPS panel with a 1ms (MPRT) response time and Adaptive Sync / FreeSync to stop tearing.
- DisplayPort 1.4 for full refresh rate on PC; HDMI 2.1 if you also own a PS5 or Xbox Series X.
- A height-adjustable stand and 100 × 100mm VESA mount — cheap monitors often drop these first.
The GPU you need for 1440p
QHD has 78% more pixels than Full HD. To hold 120–165 frames per second in modern competitive titles you want a mid-range or better graphics card (for example RTX 4060 Ti / RX 7700 XT class or newer); esports titles such as Valorant, CS2 and Rocket League run far higher and will use the full 165Hz on much less.
If your card is older or you play mostly esports titles at the highest frame rate possible, a Full HD 200Hz monitor like the GAMEO F24-200 is the cheaper and faster choice.
GAMEO Q24-165 vs the Full HD alternatives
| Specification | GAMEO Q24-165 | GAMEO F24-200 | GAMEO F27-180 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 24" | 24" | 27" |
| Resolution | 2560 × 1440 (QHD) | 1920 × 1080 (FHD) | 1920 × 1080 (FHD) |
| Refresh rate | 165Hz | 200Hz | 180Hz |
| Response time | 1ms | 1ms | 1ms |
| Panel | A+ Grade IPS | A+ Grade IPS | A+ Grade IPS |
| Colour gamut | 77% NTSC / 94% sRGB | 90% NTSC / 100% sRGB | 73% NTSC / 97% sRGB |
| HDMI | 2 × HDMI 2.1 | 1 × HDMI 2.1 | 1 × HDMI 2.1 |
| DisplayPort | 2 × DisplayPort 1.4 | 1 × DisplayPort 1.4 | 1 × DisplayPort 1.4 |
| Height adjustment | 110mm | 110mm | 130mm |
| VESA | 100 × 100mm | 100 × 100mm | 100 × 100mm |
| Price now (inc. VAT) | £114.34 | £98.50 | £111.82 |
| RRP | £209.99 | £169.99 | £229.99 |
Manufacturer specifications from the GAMEO catalogue; prices are live and include VAT. Delivery £20 per monitor, dispatched from UK stock.
Advantages and limitations
- Advantage — sharpness: 24 inches at 1440p gives a dense 122 PPI picture; text and distant detail are visibly crisper than 1080p.
- Advantage — connectivity: two HDMI 2.1 and two DisplayPort 1.4 inputs, so a PC and a console can stay connected.
- Limitation — size: GAMEO does not currently sell a 27-inch QHD monitor. If you want 1440p at 27 inches, the GAMEO U27-165 (4K) is the 27-inch option, or look elsewhere for a 27-inch QHD panel.
- Limitation — HDR: HDR is supported but, like all monitors in this price band, it is not a high-brightness HDR experience.
Buy from GAMEO in the UK
Every GAMEO monitor is sold direct by GAMEO LIMITED (Company No. 15730961, Hounslow) and dispatched from stock held in the UK. Delivery is £20 per monitor (standard), £30 for 48-hour or £45 for next-day; standard delivery is free over £1,500. Pay by card or Klarna at checkout.
Model pages carry full specifications, box contents and the warranty document; the Support Centre has setup help and the returns process.
COMMON QUESTIONS
FAQ
What is the cheapest way to get a QHD gaming monitor in the UK?
Look for a 24-inch 1440p IPS monitor at 144–165Hz sold direct by the brand. The GAMEO Q24-165 is currently £114.34 at its Limited-Time Deal price (RRP £209.99), delivered from UK stock.
Is 24 inch too small for 1440p?
No — 24-inch QHD has a higher pixel density (122 PPI) than 27-inch QHD (109 PPI), so the picture is sharper. You may want to set 125% scaling in Windows for comfortable text.
Does a budget QHD monitor need HDMI 2.1?
Only if you plan to connect a PS5 or Xbox Series X. For PC gaming, DisplayPort 1.4 carries 1440p at 165Hz with Adaptive Sync.
What are my rights if a budget monitor is faulty?
UK consumers keep their statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 whatever a warranty says: goods must be as described, of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose. GAMEO adds a 30-day replacement for manufacturing defects and a 12-month service warranty, with a 14-day cooling-off period for change of mind.
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Related guides: Affordable Gaming Displays: What to Buy in the UK · 4K vs 1440p Gaming Monitor: Which Resolution Is Right for You? · 1080p vs 1440p vs 4K Gaming Monitors (FHD vs QHD vs UHD)