Contrast ratio on a monitor?

[Hugo R]

What does contrast ratio mean on monitors and is it important?
Im looking for a gaming monitor and I dont know if contrast ratio is improtant, and if it is what is better, (Just an example) 10:1 or 50:1?

 

[ricopartyboy]

50:1 would be better. Contrast ratio has to do with the range of colors that the monitor can produce, so the higher the contrast ration, the wider the range. With a higher contrast ratio, you'll notice that there are brighter whites and deeper blacks.