Shopping for a new gaming monitor can be tricky, especially for those with little information on what to look for. Thebest gaming monitorstoday are defined by a broad spectrum of factors including price, refresh rate, screen size, and resolution. Similar togaming TVs, resolution plays a significant role in the monitor selection process. That’s because it determines the quality of what is rendered on the display. So, if you’re streaming a movie or playing games, the monitor’s resolution can either make the images look realistic or simply decent.
Although the options include 1080p, 4K, and even2K monitors, it’s not strange for buyers to be torn between the first two resolutions. Both are standout options with plenty of benefits for players and have tons of models on the market today. To make your buying decision easier, we will compare both resolutions to help you decide the best one for a superb gaming experience.
1080p and 4K are among the most popular monitor resolutions today. Most manufacturers, including LG, KTC, Samsung, and ASUS have models that come with both resolutions. With an abundance of monitors to pick from, how does one make the right choice? The table below compares both resolutions using two monitors to show shoppers what each option typically offers.
Asus TUF Gaming VG279QM Gaming Monitor
The Asus TUF Gaming VG279QM is a 27-inch IPS gaming monitor with a fast refresh rate. It displays Full HD resolution, 1920 x 1080, and can achieve a super-fast 280 Hz refresh rate. This monitor is particularly designed for professional gamers and those who require the smoothest gameplay.The VG279QM features Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync (ELMB SYNC) technology. This technology works in conjunction with G-Sync to eliminate ghosting and tearing.
Samsung 32" Odyssey Neo G8 Gaming Monitor
The Samsung 32" Odyssey Neo G8 features Quantum Matrix Technology and UHD resolution. These technologies work together to deliver a crystal-clear picture with high-quality colors. The monitor also has a 240 Hz refresh rate and 1 ms response time. These specs contribute to smoother and more responsive gameplay.The display of the Odyssey Neo G8 is matte which reduces glare. The monitor’s 1000R curvature is designed to mirror the human eye for the optimal viewing angle.
Refresh Rate
Refresh rate is an important part of the monitor selection process, as monitors with high refresh rates turn out to be incredibly responsive and offer a better experience overall.1080p monitorstypically come with high refresh rates and superfast response times, which make them a popular choice for competitive gamers. Since they don’t use heavy hardware like4K gaming monitors, they can achieve refresh rates higher than their more powerful alternatives. Playing fast-paced titles likeFortniteandApex Legendson a 1080p monitor will allow you to react quickly to in-game actions, ensuring that you are a few steps ahead of opponents.
It’s not surprising to find 1080p monitors that feature a refresh rate that ranges from 144Hz to 240Hz, providing players with smooth motion handling for intense gaming sessions. Some top-tier options include the AOC C27G2Z and ASUS TUF VG279WM gaming monitors, which pack 240Hz and 280Hz, respectively.
Maintaining a high refresh rate on a 4K monitor is tricky, since you’d also need a high-end graphics card to handle demanding titles. However, a premium graphics card does not instantly translate to high frame rates, as you may notice significant frame drops when playing more demanding titles, such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2. This doesn’t mean that you may’t find 4K monitors with refresh rates as high as 240Hz, though. The 32-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 is a great option that packs a 240Hz refresh rate along with a visually appealing 4K resolution.
In this category, the clear winner is 1080p, which makes it easy to achieve high refresh rates with a resolution that can enhance your gameplay. What’s more, you don’t need a premium graphics card to make this happen. The same can not be said for 4K, though. Even with top-tier hardware, some demanding games may still cause 4K monitors to have performance issues.
Pricing
This is considered the most important factor to consider when shopping for a new gadget, and for good reason: 1080p monitors are quite affordable, with gamers able to find options that cost under $200, yet boast a handful of impressive specs. If you’re on a tight budget, but still want to leave the online or in-person store with a monitor, it’s best to go for a 1080p display. For players with a generous budget who would like to equip their setup with additional components, getting a 1080p monitor is a great choice. You can use the money saved from the purchase to buy other equipment such asgaming chairs, desks, or even some of thebest smart lights.
4K monitors are considered high-end, and for good reasons. They bring a significant improvement in picture quality, hardware, and they can handle current and future game releases without you worrying about a replacement for the next few years. They’re ideal for players who don’t mind splurging up nearly $1,000 at a go.
Determining the winner here depends on individual needs. If you simply want a capable monitor that doesn’t cost so much, getting a 1080p type seems fair. If you’re looking to future-proof your PC with a powerful monitor that delivers a game-changing image quality, then you might want to acquire a 4K monitor.
Screen Size and Viewing Distance
Since 4K offers four times the image quality of 1080p, going for a 1080p monitor with a screen size higher than 27 inches is not the best choice. This is because the pixel density will start to degrade should you decide to choose a larger size. As such, it’s best to stick with a 1080p display that’s between 24 and 27 inches. Doing this ensures that you can enjoy decent visuals that always look great.
Meanwhile, it’s best to get a larger screen for a 4K monitor as the visual experience is better on a screen greater than 27 inches. Of course, monitor brands like KTC and LG have models that offer 4K resolution on a 27-inch screen. However, reading text on such screens may be difficult, hence why it’s advised that you get a bigger screen if you’re fixated on 4K resolution.
To get the best visual experience from a 1080p monitor, you should not sit too close, as the details may seem to be of inferior quality. Meanwhile, 4K monitors are best viewed from close range, so you can enjoy their immense benefits, especially in the image quality department. The reason is that 4K renders a far better picture quality, four times what a 1080p display can manage, and enjoying that visual goodness from a far distance is not a good choice.
The Verdict
Despite the overwhelming differences between both resolutions, 1080p and 4K have several strengths that appeal to a diverse audience. For instance, a 1080p monitor is a gamer’s best bet for achieving a high refresh rate without needing a top-tier graphics card. A 4K monitor also comes in handy for enjoying every detail of an in-game world as it seems highly realistic.
Choosing one over the other should depend solely on your needs and budget. If you’ve got the money, plus need a monitor that handles the demands of forthcoming game releases, then it’s worth going for a 4K monitor. If you are a competitive gamer who needs an affordable monitor that offers superb responsiveness and allows characters to react quickly, then a 1080p monitor seems the better choice.
FAQ
Q: Is 4K important for a gaming monitor?
This depends on the user’s preferences as lower resolutions like 2K and 1080p can still deliver terrific performance. If money is not a barrier and you want to future-proof your PC with the latest monitor, then 4K is the ideal choice.
Q: Is a 1080p monitor enough for gaming?
Absolutely. 1080p monitors are unlikely to lose their demand anytime soon. Not only are they affordable, but they can offer high refresh rates, which makes them spectacular for fast-paced gaming.
Q: What are the disadvantages of 4K monitors?
They tend to be expensive plus you’d need a high-end graphics card to match their demands. Not all content is available in 4K including games and movies, so you have limited options to view in that high resolution.
