Not sure whether you should get a monitor with a resolution of 2560×1440 vs 3840×2160 (4K UHD or WQHD)? Here are all the considerations you should make before choosing!
The difference between 25601440 and 38402160 depends on the kind of games you play and the maximum frame rate your computer can support.
Sharper details are offered by a higher resolution, but it is also more demanding. As we investigate in the article, other factors like screen size and refresh rate should be taken into consideration.
You should choose the best resolution you can afford without sacrificing other crucial monitor qualities and features because 4K UHD is not nearly as taxing for other uses.
Not sure whether to get a monitor with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 or 2560 x 1440?
Fair enough, there are a lot of considerations to make, so it’s not a simple choice. Don’t worry; we’ll go through everything you need to know to make an informed decision.
What is 2560×1440?
Screen resolution 1440p has a horizontal pixel count of 2560 and a vertical pixel count of 1440. Since 1440p has four times as many pixels as the original HD resolution (1280 x 720), which is known as high definition or HD, it is sometimes referred to as quad HD.
As 1440p delivers 78% more pixels than 1080p resolution, laptop screens and monitors are gradually moving out of the HD and Full HD (1080p) resolution range.
What is 3840×2160?
Whether or not you are familiar with 1440p, you have probably heard of 4K Resolution, which is one of the common display resolutions for televisions. The genuine successor to 1080p, 4K offers four times the resolution of 1080p and is frequently referred to as Ultra HD or UHD.
3840 horizontal and 2160 vertical pixels make up a 4K resolution. 4K is sometimes known as 2160p, continuing the pattern of designating resolutions according to the number of vertical pixels.
Manufacturers are gradually adding 4K monitors to their inventory as the market for computer monitors catches up to 4K. But since 4K has over 8 million pixels, the gear (CPU and GPU) also needs to be of the highest caliber.
3840×2160 vs 2560×1440
| 1440p (WQHD) | 4K (UHD) | |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3840 x 2160 |
| Other Names | Quad HD (QHD) or 2K | 2160p or Ultra HD (UHD) |
| Refresh Rates | 144Hz is common | 60Hz is common |
| Suitable for | Games, content development | Movies, productivity |
| Recommended screen size | 27” to 32” | 32” or more |
| CPU and GPU | Medium to high-end | High-end |
| Cost | Costly when compared to 1080p but are becoming affordable | Very expensive |
Note that 25601440 is frequently mistakenly referred to as “2K,” but this resolution actually refers to 20481080. In contrast, 38402160 is also known as 4K UHD (Ultra HD) or 2160p, while 25601440 is also known as QHD, WQHD (Wide Quad HD), or 1440p.
You must consider your budget, PC components, and intended use case before choosing a screen resolution. Other monitor specs to consider include screen size, panel type, refresh rate, and other factors:
Screen Size
It should be noted that how sharp or blurry the image quality will be, as well as how much screen real estate you will have, depends on pixel density (pixels per inch).
Let’s start with the 27- to 28-inch screen size, which is the most common for 1440p and 4K monitors.
You get 108 PPI (pixels per inch) with a 27-inch 1440p monitor, which produces clear details and text with enough of screen space and no scaling needed.
With 163 PPI on a 27-inch 4K display, the image is more crisper and there is more screen space.
Small text, for example, will be impossible to read until you apply scaling, which will enlarge the user interface but also make it sharper.
Therefore, you can get everything on a 27′′ 4K monitor to be the same size as on a 27′′ 1440p display while having sharper text and details.
However, because 4K UHD is so much more demanding on your GPU, the performance hit won’t be worth the difference in picture quality for most users. The difference in detail clarity is far less noticeable in video games.
4K is the preferred option for other uses like office-related duties and photo/video processing. You can even find 27-inch 4K displays for about the same price as 1440p versions if you don’t need a high refresh rate.
A 4K 144Hz monitor costs twice as much as a 1440p 144Hz model, so keep that in mind if you intend to play games on the side. Additionally, you must ensure that your GPU can provide you a sufficient frame rate in your preferred games.
The 1440p resolution starts to show its limitations on 32-inch panels. You get about 92 PPI, which is the same pixel density as 24″ 1080p displays.
In contrast, 4K UHD displays measuring 32″ and with a PPI of roughly 140 still appear to be quite sharp.
The main conclusion is that while 1440p will do for 27-inch monitors if you want a clear image, 4K UHD is recommended for 32-inch panels.
Of course, there are excellent 32′′ 1440p monitors available as well if you truly want a 32′′ screen but can’t afford a 4K UHD one or the PC specifications to operate it correctly.
Resolution
As previously mentioned, a 1440p display has 2560 × 1440 pixels on each side. Compared to 1920 x 1080, these figures might not seem like much, but a 1440p panel has 78% more pixels than a 1080p monitor.
You have more workspace thanks to these extra pixels than you would with a 1080p screen. This implies that a 1440p display gives you more screen space for a similar screen size and makes it simple to run two applications simultaneously.
You don’t even need to scroll that much for single applications like browsers or editing (photo and video) software.
The game has entirely changed with 4K resolution. Compared to a 1080p resolution, it has four times as many pixels. In productivity software like image and video editing, where you don’t want to overlook any details, it is incredibly helpful.
Refresh Rate
You can purchase a gaming monitor with a resolution of 1440p or 4K at the same price. It’s up to you to make this decision based on your preferences.
While 4K 144Hz will work better for you if you enjoy more graphically intensive games and have a powerful GPU, 1440p 240Hz is the best option if you play a lot of competitive eSports games where you can maintain 200FPS or more.
However, you can purchase a 1440p 144Hz display for less money than a 4K 60Hz monitor, giving you a much more responsive and pleasurable gaming experience.
The performance of VRR, HDR, and response time are further considerations. After selecting which resolution/screen size is best for you, you should read separate reviews for each of these.
Response Time
A display’s response time is measured in milliseconds (ms) when a pixel changes from one color to another, typically from gray to gray (sometimes black to white). Better response times enable the display to swiftly change colors in response to CPU commands. This is crucial for gaming and video editing because you don’t want a “ghosting” effect brought on by a slow display response.
A response time of 5ms or less is regarded as good and depends on the type of monitor panel being utilized. Although IPS panels are more widely used, they are also available with short reaction times. TN panels typically have very low response times.
Hardware
There is a substantial overhead when operating a 1440p monitor as opposed to a 1080p monitor. If you choose a 4K monitor, you will need a strong CPU and graphics card, both of which must be top-tier options.
Currently, 1440p and 4K monitors may be used with graphics cards from AMD’s RX 6000 Series and Nvidia’s RTX 3000 Series. Please do a lot of research on graphics cards and make your decision depending on the price, refresh rate, and resolution of your display.
Streaming Content
A 4K display provides the best viewing experience if you want to watch movies and videos on your monitors in addition to using them for daily tasks. The majority of online streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, and even YouTube, provide 4K video.
While a 1440p monitor is suitable for watching material, appropriate pixel-to-pixel picture processing necessitates lowering the resolution.
Usage
If you look at the popularity of TV and monitor displays, you’ll notice that both 1080p and 4K resolutions for TVs and monitors have become common choices. Due to the availability of more potent CPUs and graphics cards, this tendency appears to be shifting. While TVs are becoming more commonplace with 4K and 8K resolutions, we are seeing an increase in the number of 1440p and 4K monitors.
When compared to 1080p, a 1440p resolution display delivers far better image clarity and screen space. You can use it for daily use, media consumption, productivity (photo and video applications), and gaming (browsing, office calls, etc.).
Cost
The pricing is the final and most crucial element. Be prepared to dig deep into your money if you’re upgrading from 1080p to either 1440p or 4K resolution because there is a sizable price difference between the two. Unexpectedly, there isn’t much of a pricing difference between 1440p and 4K monitors right now (prices for 1440p at least may go down as gaming industry is moving towards that resolution).
In addition to the monitor’s price, there’s a potential that your current graphics card won’t be able to operate a 1440p or even a 4K monitor. In order to upgrade, you must also buy a modern, powerful graphics card, which raises the upgrade’s entire cost.
2560×1440 (1440p) vs 3840×2160 (4K) Resolution for Gaming
A monitor with a 1440p or 4K resolution can be used for gaming. A high refresh rate display is a must if you play competitively and have a graphics card with adequate power to support your GPU’s high frame rates.
Despite having outstanding image quality, 4K resolution has low refresh rates. The majority of 4K monitors come with a 60Hz refresh rate, and greater refresh rates cost a premium.
Therefore, for serious gaming, a high refresh rate 1440p resolution display won’t break the bank while still giving you a great gaming experience. Popular and reasonably priced 1440p monitors with 144Hz refresh rates are also readily available.
However, since console games are created expressly for that technology, a 4K resolution (either TV or Monitor) is preferable if you play games on a console. We anticipate a similar situation with 4K monitors, i.e., affordable displays with high refresh rates, similar to the scene with 120Hz refresh rate 4K TVs that are gradually entering the market.
Pros and Cons of 2560×1440 (1440p) and 3840×2160 (4K)
| 2560×1440 (1440p) | 3840×2160 (4K) | |
| Pros | A significant upgrade from 1080p with 78% more pixels With high refresh rates (144Hz or more), 1440p monitors are very good option for gamers | 4K has 4-times the pixels than 1080p. So, more real estate to work with Very good for watching movies, streaming services as most of the content is being recorded in 4K Best suited for console gaming |
| Cons | Not suitable for watching movies and streaming services at full resolution Requires | Very expensive Requires top-tier graphics cards and CPU to drive a 4K monitor Often available in low refresh rates Not preferred by competitive gamers Difference between 1440p and 4k |
Is 2560×1440 (1440p) Better Than 3840×2160 (4K) For Gaming?
If you’re a serious PC player, 1440p is frequently preferable to 4K. As long as your display and graphics card can support it, 1440p can offer a better experience than 1080p—without nearly as many issues as you’d encounter when attempting to play in 4K.
We occasionally decide to purchase a monitor for use in the workplace. Additionally, when deciding between 1440p and 4K, 1440p is the more economical choice. Your productivity will increase as a result of the resolution, and you’ll also save money in the process without experiencing any big trade-offs.
In most cases, 1440p resolution on smartphones is preferable to its Ultra HD cousin. You could probably get away with 1080p and not really notice the difference, though.
Is 3840×2160 (4K) Better Than 2560×1440 (1440p)?
It’s simple to believe that because 4K has more pixels than 1440p, it must immediately be better. However, throwing out the older model isn’t always the greatest decision, as we know from the differences between 4G and 5G internet.
Although 4K might provide a better image, it’s crucial to keep in mind that these images demand more processing power. You’re likely to experience issues if the gadget you’re using can’t handle these demands.
You must also consider storage if you plan to film videos in 4K. Naturally, taking pictures with this kind of image quality will require more storage capacity on your memory cards. You would be better off sticking with a lower resolution if you have something that is only just adequate for the work you now do.
The higher cost of 4K-display devices is another justification for choosing 1440p. Of course, no device should cost more than you can comfortably afford, and the majority of modern gadgets have superb image quality.
When Does 3840×2160 (4K) Work Better?
In some circumstances, 4K is preferable to 1440p. One such situation is when you’re a professional filmmaker or cinematographer. Landscapes and other surroundings can be more realistically detailed in 4K, adding to the drama and giving the viewer the impression that they are actually there.
You also have extra options for stabilizing your video while shooting in 4K.
If you’re streaming TV and want to watch it in the best quality possible, 4K is also a great option—as long as you have the right equipment. This size can also give your screen’s colors more depth and give you a more immersive experience.
You might in some circumstances choose to use 4K for games as well. You must verify that your graphics card can support this, though.
Different Image Quality for Different Needs
We notice a considerable improvement in our image quality as more users desire mobile access to video content. And as a result, you’ll be inundated with TVs, monitors, and other devices that come in a variety of sizes.
When it comes to 1440p vs. 4K, each has its own market, and whether you should choose one over the other depends on your needs.
It’s important to keep in mind that both 1440p and 4K are still rather specialized. Therefore, you’ll likely not need either and are better off staying with 1080p in many circumstances.
Conclusion
Finally, which resolution—2560×1440 (1440p) or 3840×2160 (4K)—is better? The best option for you will depend on your particular needs and financial constraints, but if you want to improve your existing monitor but don’t want to spend a fortune, a 1440p monitor with at least 144Hz refresh rate is the best option.
