Buying a new gaming monitor can be difficult, especially for those who don’t know what to look for. Today’s best gaming monitors are defined by a wide range of factors, including price, refresh rate, screen size, and resolution. Much like with gaming TVs, resolution plays an important role in monitor selection because it determines the quality of what’s shown on the display. So, if you’re streaming a movie or playing games, the resolution of the monitor can make the images either look realistic or just plain decent.

While there are monitors available in 1080p, 4K, and even 2K, it’s not uncommon for buyers to be torn between the first two resolutions. Both are outstanding options with many benefits for gamers, and there are countless models on the market today. To help you make your purchasing decision, we’ll compare both resolutions so you can choose the best one for an excellent gaming experience.

1080p vs. 4K: Direct comparison

1080p and 4K are two of the most popular monitor resolutions today. Most manufacturers, including LG, KTC, Samsung, and ASUS, offer models with both resolutions. With so many monitors to choose from, how do you make the right choice? The table below compares both resolutions using two monitors to show buyers what each option typically offers.

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  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 a full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 and achieves a super-fast refresh rate of 280 Hz. This monitor is especially designed for professional gamers and those who need the smoothest gameplay possible.

  The VG279QM is equipped with Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync (ELMB SYNC) technology. This technology works in conjunction with G-Sync to prevent ghosting and tearing.

  Screen size

  27″

  resolution

  1920×1080

  Max. refresh rate

  280Hz

  brand

  ASUS

  response time

  1ms

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  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 image with high-quality colors. The monitor also has a 240 Hz refresh rate and a 1 ms response time. These specifications contribute to smoother and more responsive gameplay.

  The Odyssey Neo G8’s display is matte, which reduces glare. The monitor’s 1000R curvature is designed to mirror the human eye, allowing for an optimal viewing angle.

  Screen size

  32′

  resolution

  4k (3840×2160)

  Max. refresh rate

  240Hz

  brand

  Samsung

  response time

  1ms

Refresh rate

Refresh rate is an important consideration when choosing a monitor, as monitors with high refresh rates are incredibly responsive and offer a better overall experience. 1080p monitors tend to have high refresh rates and super-fast response times, making them a popular choice for competitive gamers. Because they don’t use heavy hardware like 4K gaming monitors, they can achieve higher refresh rates than their more powerful alternatives. When playing fast-paced titles like Fortnite And Apex Legends on a 1080p monitor, you can react quickly to in-game actions, ensuring you’re always several steps ahead of your opponents.

Not surprisingly, there are 1080p monitors with a refresh rate of 144Hz to 240Hz, giving gamers smooth motion control for intense gaming sessions. Top options include the AOC C27G2Z and ASUS TUF VG279WM gaming monitors with 240Hz and 280Hz respectively.

Maintaining a high refresh rate on a 4K monitor is difficult because you also need a high-end graphics card for demanding titles. However, a premium graphics card doesn’t automatically translate to high frame rates, as you may experience significant frame drops when playing more demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t find 4K monitors with refresh rates of up to 240Hz. The 32-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 is a great option that offers a 240Hz refresh rate along with a visually appealing 4K resolution.

In this category, 1080p is the clear winner as it easily allows you to achieve high refresh rates at a resolution that can enhance your gameplay. Plus, you don’t need a premium graphics card to do it. The same can’t be said for 4K, though. Even with top-notch hardware, some demanding games can experience performance issues on 4K monitors.

Prices

This is considered the most important factor to consider when buying a new gadget, and for good reason: 1080p monitors are quite affordable. Gamers can find options that cost under $200 and still come with a handful of impressive specs. If you’re on a tight budget but still want to walk out of the online or brick-and-mortar store with a monitor, your best bet is to opt for a 1080p display. For gamers on a generous budget who want to outfit their setup with additional components, a 1080p monitor is a great choice. You can use the money saved on the purchase to buy other equipment like gaming chairs, desks, or even some of the best smart lights.

4K monitors are considered high-end monitors, and for good reason. They offer a significant upgrade in image quality and hardware, and can handle current and future game releases without you having to worry about a replacement for years to come. They’re ideal for gamers who don’t mind spending nearly $1,000 all at once.

Determining the winner here depends on individual needs. If you simply want a powerful monitor that doesn’t cost as much, a 1080p model seems reasonable. If you want to future-proof your PC with a powerful monitor that delivers groundbreaking picture quality, you might want to consider getting a 4K monitor.

Screen size and viewing distance

Since 4K offers four times better picture quality than 1080p, a 1080p monitor larger than 27 inches is not the best choice. Pixel density decreases as you go up in size. So it’s best to stick with a 1080p display between 24 and 27 inches to be sure you’ll always enjoy good picture quality.

When it comes to a 4K monitor, it is better to buy a larger screen as the visual experience is better on a screen larger 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 can be difficult, which is why it is advisable to buy a larger screen if you are fixated on 4K resolution.

To get the best visual experience from a 1080p monitor, you shouldn’t sit too close, or the details might appear of inferior quality. 4K monitors, on the other hand, are best viewed up close so you can enjoy their huge benefits, especially in terms of image quality. The reason for this is that 4K delivers far better image quality, four times that of a 1080p display, and enjoying that visual goodness from a great distance is not a good choice.

The verdict

Despite the big differences between the two resolutions, 1080p and 4K have several advantages that appeal to a wide audience. For example, a 1080p monitor is the best choice for gamers to achieve a high refresh rate without needing a top-of-the-line graphics card. A 4K monitor is also handy for enjoying every detail of a game world, as it looks very realistic.

Choosing one model or the other should depend solely on your needs and budget. If you have the money and also need a monitor that can keep up with the demands of upcoming game releases, then it’s worth choosing a 4K monitor. If you’re a competitive gamer who needs an affordable monitor that offers excellent responsiveness and allows characters to react quickly, then a 1080p monitor seems to be a better choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is 4K important for a gaming monitor?

This depends on the user’s preference, as lower resolutions like 2K and 1080p can still deliver excellent performance. If money is no object and you want to future-proof your PC with the latest monitor, 4K is the ideal choice.

Q: Is a 1080p monitor enough for gaming?

Absolutely. 1080p monitors aren’t likely to lose demand anytime soon. Not only are they affordable, but they also offer high refresh rates, making them spectacular for fast-paced gaming.

Q: What are the disadvantages of 4K monitors?

They tend to be expensive and you need a high-end graphics card to meet their needs. Not all content, including games and movies, is available in 4K, so your options for viewing this high resolution are limited.