Is 1500:1 Contrast Noticeably Better Than 1000:1 on an IPS Gaming Monitor?

The practical choice depends on the refresh-rate difference. If you're comparing something like 165 Hz versus 240 Hz and mainly play competitive shooters, the faster display is probably the better pick even with 1000:1 contrast. If the refresh rates are fairly close, the 1500:1 model is a worthwhile improvement for general gaming and watching video.

Your room lighting matters a lot. In a bright room, reflections and ambient light can wash out blacks, making the contrast improvement harder to notice. In a darker room, the difference is easier to see. Matte versus glossy coatings can also affect perceived contrast and reflections, so the panel's environment is worth considering.

The difference can be visible, but mostly in a dim room, movies, and single-player games with lots of shadows. The 1500:1 panel should produce darker-looking blacks than the 1000:1 model, while normal desktop work and competitive FPS games usually won't benefit much. For esports, I'd prioritize refresh rate and response time because the contrast difference won't provide a competitive advantage. For single-player games and media, I'd choose the 1500:1 monitor if the refresh-rate gap is small. Also check independent measurements, since advertised contrast ratings aren't always directly comparable.

Keep expectations realistic: both are still ordinary LCD contrast levels, so neither will look remotely like OLED in dark scenes. The 1500:1 panel is better, but it isn't a dramatic transformation. If deep blacks are a major priority, OLED or a good Mini-LED display will make a much larger difference than moving from 1000:1 to 1500:1.