It’s exhilarating to see how far technology has advanced in terms of resolution. However, when it comes to displaying resolution, there are a plethora of variables to take into consideration.
Because, in addition to the monitor, you will need to update the HDMI cable and verify that the proper material is being shown.
Is it, on the other hand, the best choice for you? In this post, I will attempt to provide a solution based on evidence and facts. At the conclusion of the process, you will have a general understanding of the subject and will be able to choose the most appropriate equipment. Let’s start with a short comparison chart to get things started.
| Features | 1080p | 4K |
| Marketed Name | FHD, Full HD | UHD, Ultra HD |
| Resolution | 1920×1080 | 3840×2160 |
| Pixel Count | 2,073,600 | 8,294,400 |
| Worth Watching (min. display size) | 20” Displays from 3.8’ Away or More | 20” Displays from 3.8’ Away or Less |
| Worth Watching (max. display size) | 100” Displays from 13.5’ Away or More | 100” Displays from 13.5’ Away or Less |
| HDMI | 1.4 or Above | 2.0 or Above |
4K Vs 1080p: What Do They Mean?
Both terms relate to the resolution of a display, although making a direct comparison between them is difficult. This is due to the fact that 1080p refers to the vertical pixel count of an HD monitor. 4K, on the other hand, does not refer to pixels that are vertical or horizontal in orientation. Their pixel counts, on the other hand, inform us that the later kind has four times the number of pixels as the first type.
There are also various 4K resolutions available. There are several applications for one with a horizontal resolution of 3840 pixels, such as consumer electronics. 4K UHD is what most people are familiar with. Furthermore, the WQUXGA format has 3840 pixels on the horizontal plane, whereas DCI 4K has 3996 pixels on the same plane.
In spite of this, there are no such high-definition screen models available. Because I will be comparing screens for general purposes, I will not be discussing the less popular 4K versions of the technology.
Before I go on to the main comparison section, I should mention that I should not go into detail about 1080p versus 4K resolution since it would make this section excessively long. Check out the fast comparison table above, and you’ll have all of the information you need in seconds.
Gaming At 1080p
Ten years after its introduction, 1080p displays are still popular among the gaming community — particularly for more competitive games that need fast reaction over glitzy graphics. In fact, elite esports players prefer to play on a 1080p display because it allows them to focus on their main concerns, which are frame rates, reaction time, and refresh rates. Because of this, 1080p displays are more easily driven at higher frame rates, making them the ideal option for seamless gaming – although at the expense of being less aesthetically appealing.
You should also consider the additional strain that a 4K gaming display places on your computer – they are much more demanding than a 1080p monitor. The resolution of a monitor refers to the number of pixels it can display at its highest setting. The higher the number of pixels, the more graphically demanding it is on your computer. So, although 1080p may not seem as sharp as 4K to competitive gamers and esports pros, the fluidity, and responsiveness of 1080p more than makeup for the difference in visual quality.
Right now, the market is swamped with a sea of cheap 1080p monitors, all of which come with a number of various characteristics that allow you to customize them to your particular requirements. Furthermore, as a result of the widespread availability of high-end 1440p and 4k displays, the total market price for 1080p monitors has fallen considerably.
Gaming At 4K
It should be clear that we do not only care about 1080p competitive gaming, but 4K gaming is really fantastic as well. If you make the transition, you’ll quickly be deeply immersed in the mesmerizing color and visual atmosphere.
The resolution of a 4K display is four times as much as that of a 1080p panel. What this implies is that you’ll enjoy visual quality and clarity as well as more space on your desk.
We took the time to do extensive testing and research in order to find the finest 4K monitors on the market – here is our top recommendation, which offers perfect 4K picture quality.
Differences Between 4K Vs 1080p In Consumer Electronics
Resolution is becoming greater for day-to-day devices such as TVs, monitors, cameras, projectors, and CCTV. Let’s take a look at where things stand at the moment.
1080p Vs 4K TV
Choosing between 1080p or 4k is a difficult decision for some people because of all the advantages and disadvantages. Both are worthwhile for different reasons. Both native 4K and 1080p pictures seem the same on compatible screens.
The closer you look, though, you may see minor pixelation and unreadable lettering on the FHD display. The pixel count is greater, thus the image seems to have more information in 2160p. Although on the other side, HDR has a greater function than Ultra HD TVs.
UHD screens provide 4x the number of pixels as FHD displays. However, using 2160p as a synonym for 4K may not be entirely accurate. It may be calculated by multiplying the total pixel count by pixel density.
The outcome will help you understand the rationale for 1920 × 1080 and 3840 × 2160 calculations. For the first, there are 2 million pixels, while the other has 8 million pixels in total, which means it is four times as large. Hence, the term “4K” became so well-known.
Summarizing all I have to say here is that you can’t see the difference between a 4K and 1080p TV when you sit too far away. This is something to keep in mind when purchasing your ticket. Another thing is that UHD TVs have clarity that cannot be denied. Once you have achieved 4K, you cannot return to 1080p.
4K Vs 1080p Monitor
It is a completely different game when it comes to displays. Because it is not just for movies, but also for TV shows, video games, apps, and websites. Since gaming and high-end editing are two things you are contemplating, your best guess is that you are interested in it for one of those things.
Also, obtaining the full 4K experience on displays may be very costly. Even when it comes to gaming, the current resolution standard is 1080p because it offers the greatest refresh rates, which are essential for the finest gaming experiences. Although some 4K displays show high expectations, the technology is still in its early stages.
At the end of the day, the decision boils down to the budget. The 2160p experience is yours for the taking if you have the funds to buy a high-performance GPU.
1080p Vs. 4K Monitor: The Difference
Choosing a new gaming monitor is always a difficult decision. With so many various choices available, it’s hard to know whether you’re getting the greatest value for your money. Whether you are about to get a new television and want to know if you should get a 4K one, read this guide to get an understanding of the main differences between 1080p and 4K and help you make an educated purchase.
1.Screen Size
For 1080p gameplay, a monitor with a screen size between 21.5 inches and 27 inches is ideal. When you have anything that’s bigger than that, as well as the pixel density, pixel quality begins to decline.
In that case, you’ll want a 4K display if you want the best-quality visuals on the market. You must have a screen bigger than 24 inches to fully use the technology. Even on a 24-inch monitor, you’ll be hard-pressed to find one that has 4K resolution. For 4K gaming, a 27″ or larger display is recommended.
2.In-Game Visuals
Our benchmarking video for the RTX 2060 GPU is shown below. This graphics card is powerful, yet it cannot handle the 4K demands. While this does clarify the visual differences between the two resolutions, it still tells you what to expect in-game.
1080p is known as “Full HD,” while 4K is referred to as “Ultra HD” — and, as in the case of Street Fighter, the term “Ultra” is more descriptive (for picture quality anyway).
On a 4K display, low graphics settings don’t produce good shadows. It is worth noting, however, that the overall color quality and picture clarity remain excellent.
3.Long Term / Future Proof
Even if you’ve gotten 1080p monitors with great refresh rates and quick reaction times for a good price, there are few situations when you’ll regret investing in such a monitor. With this in mind, it is a great moment to buy a display for single-player story-based gaming since 4K monitor costs have just dropped.
Most people play games in 4K these days, so this kind of technology has no concerns of vanishing very soon. In the future, you won’t have to worry about updating your display to play games in 4K, since 4K gaming is still in its early stages. In fact, there are 5K displays on the market, but we don’t have the equipment yet to make use of them, which puts us on the path to our next need.
4.Device specifications
The best graphics cards on the market these days are capable of running games at 1080p with a consistent 60 FPS in the majority of AAA titles.
On the other hand, to play the most graphically demanding AAA games in 4K resolution, you will need a GPU that is very efficient. For example, think about the RTX 3080. In order to effectively operate 4K at decent framerates, the computing power required is much greater than that needed for 1080p. Any Radeon RX 30-series GPU will cost more than it’s worth.
5.Compatibility issues
Almost every good monitor purchased today will have a 1080p resolution, regardless of the manufacturer or features.
Even more so, all AAA titles support 1080p natively.
It’s not certain that you can play all of your games in 4K if you buy a 4K display.
With older games, graphics are, for the most part, upscaled rather than shown in real 4K. Also, there’s the fact that the previous game’s art assets may not be good enough to use with 4K in mind.
While this is noted, almost all of your AAA game releases from this year will support 4K.
6.Price
For less than $200, you can buy a good 1080p display. While monitor pricing will vary, some characteristics affect the cost.
But although the cost of 4K displays has plummeted from over $600 to about $300 to $500 over the last year, they are still far more costly than 1080p monitors. Additional characteristics you may not have even thought of, like refresh rate, adaptive sync technology, or reaction times, need to be factored in.
1080p Or 4K Camera
Consider this information from a fourth-generation 4K camera device: For what it’s worth, the new models offer choices for both resolutions. Most people choose to create high-resolution material because it is available. But keep in mind the file sizes, since movies in 4K resolution take up a lot of space.
You may crop the pictures up to 500% and still get a clean shot while shooting in 4K. As long as they’re viewing it at 1080p quality, your viewers won’t notice the difference.
4K Vs 1080p Projector
For the most part, most people believe that 1080p projectors are still handier than 4K projectors. High resolution does really provide a better viewing experience, which is why they are so costly.
Final Thoughts
Should I Get A 1080p Or 4K Monitor For Gaming?
It’s ultimately a matter of personal taste and what you want to use it for. If you’re concerned about the competitive or e-sports scene, I suggest picking up a 1080p display. If you’re looking for something that offers perks and advantages over 4K display gamers while costing you a fraction of the price, then this should be able to help you.
Of course, a 4K monitor may seem fantastic, but in order to be used competitively, you need a screen size of more than 27 inches.
For those who do not like competitive games and prefer graphical quality instead, a 4K display is an excellent purchase. I predict that this will become the new 1080p standard in the future since 4K has increased in popularity.
However, you must also evaluate your computer’s hardware to see whether it’s capable of showing a 4K resolution. To be really honest, you’ll need to weigh whether you want an IPS screen or a TN panel.
However, if you don’t have to spend money on hardware, buy a 4K gaming display and you’ll be absolutely amazed at the results.
Is 4K better than 1080p for gaming?
As long as you don’t take 4K to be the ultimate in gaming, you’re safe making this assumption. The overwhelming majority of gamers still choose 1080p because of the outstanding level of detail and playability that 4K provides.
As most gaming displays utilize a 1080p resolution, this is because 1080p gaming offers a decent refresh rate. In many instances, playing games at 4K can slow down your gameplay, making it difficult or impossible to move as quickly.
When compared to 1080p, 4K images are sharper and more vivid. To summarize, though, while 1080p is the norm, gaming at this resolution nets a superior overall performance. This is because the resolution has not had as much impact on gameplay, and the resolution is now perfect for gaming.
4K is the best choice for future-proofing. While we generally suggest 1080p for gaming, in general, we’d recommend keeping to that resolution.
Reasons to Upgrade to 4K
A 4K picture essentially doubles the sharpness of a 1080p image, providing greater information when you view it on a 4K display. To name just a few titles that support the higher resolution, you’ll be seeing a constantly growing library of games. It implies that if you’re shopping for a new PC or are wanting to do some overdue hardware maintenance, you should go for a 4K option since it will allow you to get the maximum mileage out of your new or upgraded machine.
As the rate of developers and gamers who are looking to use 4K technologies continues to increase, the prices for 4K hardware are also continuing to fall. The price of an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 fell by $100 in only two years, while the price of a Samsung 28-inch 4K display dropped by $150 in the same time frame.
Reasons to Stick with 1080p
Most PC games still offer resolutions up to 1080p, and for most monitors bought in the past decade, 1080p is still the HD standard. 4K isn’t nearly as effective as 1080p in displacing 1080p as the early 2000s standard-definition to high-definition leap did. 16:9 is the same aspect ratio regardless of whether you’re working with a 4K or 1080p video.
Furthermore, as 4K TV prices continue to decline, you’ll be able to afford a decent 1080p TV setup that costs considerably less, leaving you more money for other components and accessories. High dynamic range lighting or HDR is not available now, although it is possible that it might be in the future. Dell made the company’s first HDR display available for $700. The wait may be worth it, since when the improved price and availability arise, you will have a chance to use both of these technologies.
Performance may also be an important component in helping people to keep their resolutions. Though strong gear may not be able to run 4K games smoothly, frame rate drops are still possible. Playing at 1080p results in improved gameplay, particularly in competitive games. If you don’t have a very competent setup, your 60 FPS 1080p footage may wind up as 30 FPS 4K footage.
