720p vs 1080p vs 1440p vs 4K vs 8K, which resolution should you choose? Not sure which resolution to use when selecting a new display? Are 4K and 8K worth it? 1440p, what about it? You can choose wisely with the assistance of our guide.
Your budget, computer setup, and the desired frame rate should all be taken into consideration when selecting a display resolution.
By all means, avoid purchasing a 720p monitor as 1080p is already the industry standard and reasonably priced.
Only choose 1440p or 4K if you are certain that your PC can support it.
The better the resolution, you might think. You gain more pixels, which results in improved image quality, more vivid details, and additional screen space.
A lower resolution display can have certain benefits though. You can obtain greater frame rates and smoother performance because driving isn’t as taxing.
This is not a problem for routine tasks like online browsing, spreadsheet processing, etc. You may easily make do with an inexpensive graphics card that costs under $100 for everyday desktop use.
On the other hand, there are several factors to think about when gaming. All of which will be covered in this post, but let’s start with the fundamentals.
What Is Screen Resolution?
The maximum supported resolution is a crucial consideration when selecting a new monitor (native resolution). The amount of pixels in the width and height is essentially the resolution.
A resolution of 1920 by 1080 implies that you have a width of 1920 pixels and a height of 1080 pixels, for a total of 1920 by 1080 pixels, or 2073600 pixels.
Wide screen resolutions that are most widely used include:
- 1280×720 (HD, 720p)
- 1920×1080 (FHD, Full HD, 1080p)
- 2560×1440 (QHD, WQHD, Quad HD, 1440p)
- 3840×2160 (UHD, Ultra HD, 4K, 2160p)
- 7680×4320 (8K Ultra HD, 8K, 4320p)
Furthermore, you can come across ultra-wide resolutions with a 21:9 aspect ratio rather than the common 16:9, including 25601080 (UltraWide Full HD), 34401440 (UltraWide Quad HD), and 38401600 (UltraWide Quad HD+).
Occasionally, some resolutions offer a 16:10 or 21:10 aspect ratio for additional vertical screen area, which is frequently helpful for productivity. 1920 x 1200, 2560 x 1600, 3440 x 1600, and so on are examples.
Additionally, 32:9 “super” ultrawide monitors are available with screen sizes of 38401080 or 38401200 and 51201440. They are essentially the same width as two 16:9 monitors placed side by side, but without the bezels.
Although 8K monitors and TVs are now on the market, you shouldn’t buy one because they are expensive and there isn’t any 8K content.
Also, avoid purchasing a 720p monitor because 1080p is much better and the industry standard for new material. In addition, 1080p is more reasonably priced.
What Does “P” Stand For in Screen Resolution?
The smallest physical component on display and the most important component are “P” or pixels, also known as image elements.
They form the basis of each and every image you see on a screen.
A greater resolution is indicated by more pixels on a screen, therefore resolution and pixels are closely related concepts.
Display resolution determines the number, size, and color combinations of pixels, which vary depending on the GPU and monitor.
For instance, a screen the size of a monitor with a resolution of 1280 × 768 pixels can show 98,3040 pixels altogether.
Differences of Screen Resolutions
720p Resolution (HD)
Screen resolutions of 1280 x 720 pixels are referred to as high definition.
Although 1080 x 1920 pixel displays, which are sometimes seen, are referred to as HD, 1080p or Full HD is a better term to use (FHD).
The 640 x 480 pixel outdated Standard Definition (SD) format is not as striking as 720p.
However, as 2K and 4K become more common, 720p resolution is no longer thought to be adequate for modern displays on TVs, gaming laptops, or PCs (especially the most powerful gaming monitors).
1080p Resolution (FHD)
The 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution, also known as Full HD or FHD (full high definition), is one that is utilized for display screens.
The resolution is the number of pixels in the width x height format. The image appears more sharply defined the more pixels there are on the display.
A High Definition TV with a resolution of 1080p has a resolution of two million pixels.
For modern gaming and computing, the bare minimum resolution is deemed sufficient.
Playing video games at higher resolutions, such as 1440p or 4K, offers more lifelike visuals.
Both require a strong graphics card to be used. As a result, 1080p gaming is still a favorite among modern popular gamers.
1440p resolution (QHD)
The quality resolution 1440p, sometimes known as QHD, is between Full HD and 4K.
On PCs and cellphones, it is fashionable due to the high quality of the images. However, compared to 4K, it is not as common as 1080p.
Investigating the various causes of this is necessary.
After 1080p, 1440p was thought to be the norm, but it was not widely embraced, therefore 4K is now the preferred format.
Even while it isn’t the least well-known of the three, 1440p still has a lot to offer. Let’s look at the most well-liked uses and advantages!
The most popular area to look for 1440p resolutions is on laptops. It’s one of the most widely used game resolutions.
Cheap QHD laptops are available. Gaming consoles have recently begun to support 1440p.
The QHD resolution and 4K compatibility are increased by the PS4 Pro and Xbox One S.
Because 1440p increases pixel density for small screens and improves image quality, it is also a popular option for smartphones.
1800p QHD+ (Quad HD+)
1800p (3200 x 1800), a frequently forgotten resolution, has reemerged in the media over the past year. This is due to the fact that consoles like the Xbox One X frequently use it as a resolution to upscale from in order to obtain 4K, acting as a very strong middle ground between 1440p and 4K.
Since 1800p is essentially triple the HD+ resolution of 1600 x 900, it is referred to as QHD+. (This was only only used as an extremely uncommon PC monitor resolution, and 1280 x 1024 and 1920 x 1080 monitors swiftly replaced it.)
While attaining quality near enough that most people can’t perceive the difference, 1800p achieves around 85% of 4K’s resolution (and ergo performance demand), at least on a display with suitable scaling.
4k Resolution (Ultra HD)
The phrase “4K” has definitely come up before, but what does it mean?
In a nutshell, 4K refers to a screen resolution with incredibly high definition.
UHD 4K, 4K, and 4K UHD are terms used by some manufacturers. They all address the same subject, yet they don’t all say the same thing.
Only 1920 1080 pixels make up a Full HD 1080p image. The number of dots on a screen with 4K resolution is around 8 million.
That is four times the resolution of your 1080p TV at the moment.
1920 columns and 1080 rows make up a full HD 1080p image.
Four times as many pixels are used in a 4K image, which has almost quadruple the amount of pixels on both sides.
In other words, you might reduce the size of a little 4K screen to fit the entirety of your 1080p resolution.
Each HD and full HD have been surpassed by the 4K resolution as the recommended TV resolution by all major TV manufacturers.
With the exception of small TVs, which typically only have Full HD resolution, the bulk of contemporary TVs and PCs have 4K resolution screens.
8k Resolution (Full Ultra HD)
8K resolution is frequently used in conjunction with other cutting-edge formats and technology.
Recent Samsung TVs with QLED panels and occasionally with OLED displays are popular among users.
However, considering how rapidly prices are falling, 8K is likely to replace its current status as a more middle-tier option.
You’ll never see an image as clear as 8K.
It has 33,177,600 pixels, or more than four times as many as a 4K image with a resolution of 76804320 pixels.
The image has a width of about 8000 pixels plus or minus a few pixels. Under the general definition of Ultra HD, this specification is included. As a result, some people refer to it as Ultra HD 8K.
When compared to the camera on your phone, the 2-megapixel image offered by Full HD TVs with 1080 pixels isn’t much.
8 millimeters is what the 4K resolution makes it, but given the capabilities of human vision and what smartphones are now capable of, it is not enough.
This suggests that the next step up from 4K, an 8K image with 33 megapixels, may finally offer the kind of realism we’ve been seeking.
At the very least, this is what the theory suggests.
Screen Size & Pixel Density
The relationship between screen size and resolution, often known as the pixel density or pixels per inch, is another critical consideration when looking for a new display.
For instance, a 24-inch monitor and a 27-inch monitor won’t display the same content in 1080p quality. The picture will be more vivid and crisp since there are more pixels per inch on a smaller screen.
If the pixel density is too low, text will be smudged and small objects like icons may appear pixelated. Everything will appear small if the pixel density is too high, but you can adjust the interface to see a more precise image.
To determine the ideal viewing distance for a certain screen size/resolution ratio at which individual pixels cannot be distinguished from one another, consult the chart below.
This PPI calculator is also available for use.
Number of Pixels and PPI
PPI (Pixels per Inch) was briefly mentioned before, but before moving on, it is crucial to go into more detail. You see, regardless of the size of the screen, each resolution has a defined number of pixels (well, some Ultrawide monitors do have different resolutions, but their pixel count is still set within that resolution).
1080p has 2,073,600 pixels in any case. By multiplying the horizontal and vertical resolutions, in this case 1920 by 1080, you can determine it for yourself.
We can determine how thick the pixels are only by knowing their size because we are aware that each resolution has a specific number of pixels. Because of this, it is considerably simpler to see individual pixels on a television. The longer viewing distances, however, prevent TVs from being damaged.
By plugging the data into a calculator like this, we can see that a 24″ 1080p display has 91.79 PPI and a 27″ 1440p panel has 108.79 PPI.
The problem with 4K @ 144 Hz and refresh rate
The amount of images a monitor can display in a second is referred to as refresh rate. It is expressed in Hertz and closely resembles the framerate of video games (FPS). Refresh rate is a 1:1 restriction on the framerate that a display can show; as a result, even when your game is truly running at 100 FPS, you can only see 60 FPS on a 60 Hz panel.
- 60 Hz: The prerequisite for any show. On low-end PCs and consoles, in-game framerates can begin as low as 30 FPS, but most players like to aim for at least 60 FPS whenever possible.
- 75 Hz: A modest yet respectable improvement. Typical overclocking goal for 60 Hz displays.
- 120 and 144 Hz: A significant improvement in smoothness and responsiveness. targeted by eSports competitors or gamers seeking the greatest possible gaming experience.
QHD vs 4K at 144 Hz
But this is when things start to get interesting. Did you realize that 4K at 144 Hz is not possible? You can, but only if you reduce the amount of color. Let us elaborate.
In essence, the bandwidth of HDMI and DisplayPort cables is constrained. Bandwidth is needed for both resolution and refresh rate, and the greater these two parameters are, the more bandwidth is needed. In a less but still significant way, color also uses bandwidth.
No of the resolution, the majority of high-end displays and GPUs will be able to deliver full 10-bit color without any problems. However, the current standards cannot handle the addition of a 144 Hz refresh rate, a 4K resolution, AND 10-bit color. There will be a sacrifice there even if you choose a massive display like the ASUS ROG Swift PG27UQ.
We believe it’s better to stick with 1440p for 144 Hz gaming due to this problem. In this approach, you can still maintain full, 10-bit color reproduction while more realistically achieving 144 FPS.
This Reddit thread is a fantastic resource for those who wish to learn more about this problem.
Screen Resolution For Gaming
It’s not always only about the picture quality in video games.
Many gamers voluntarily forgo image quality in favor of increased performance. This is especially true with FPS games that are played competitively.
144Hz, 240Hz, 360Hz, and other gaming displays, for example, have greater refresh rates than the industry norm, enabling them to display frame rates more quickly for much smoother gameplay.
The more demanding the CPU/GPU needs are at a particular resolution, the higher the framerate. Because of this, many gamers choose 1080p 144Hz gaming monitors over 1440p 60Hz models. Or even a 1440p 144Hz screen rather than a 4K 60Hz one.
It all comes down to personal preference in the end.
Would you prefer a higher-quality image? Choose a display with a greater resolution.
A monitor with a greater refresh rate will enhance your gaming experience if you like fast-paced, competitive games over one with a better resolution.
Finally, you need to confirm that the specifications of your PC hardware will allow you to play some video games at the resolution and frame rate you desire.
From 720p vs 1080p vs 1440p vs 4K vs 8K: Which Should You Choose?
There isn’t a definite winner, as you might anticipate. The ideal resolution for gaming will ultimately rely on your personal preferences and the capabilities of your gear.
Choose 720p HD if:
- You have an APU build.
- You don’t have any more GPU power.
- At 1080p, 60 FPS is impossible to attain.
Choose 1080p FHD if:
- The ideal combination of performance and quality is what you seek.
- You wish to play eSports games with 144+ FPS more conveniently.
- 60 FPS is impossible at 1440p.
Choose 1440p QHD if:
- Your PC can maintain the high visual quality you desire.
- You desire to be able to achieve 144+ FPS without having to lower the color settings.
- At 4K, you can’t get 60 FPS.
Choose 1800p QHD+ if:
- At 1440p, you have extra performance available, but not enough for a steady frame rate at 4K.
- Without lowering color settings, you want to be able to get 144+ frames per second.
Choose 2160p/4K if:
- You don’t mind 144 FPS at reduced color settings, or you just want to play at 60 FPS.
- You are set up to meet the requirements for graphics.
- On a screen big enough to warrant it, you want the very finest image quality. (50 inches or more on a TV, or at least 27 inches on a PC.)
Should you Choose The 8k Resolution?
Not really required at this time. Wait a minute. First and foremost, playing games on these platforms does not require an 8K TV. On the majority of 1080p and nearly all 4K TVs, they’ll function flawlessly. A PS5 or Xbox Series X can be connected to your present TV if you can do the same for a PS4 or Xbox One.
