Resolution is crucial in gaming. It determines how much detail of the game you can see. Plus, it can have a massive impact on the gaming experience. But then, is 1080p good for gaming today?
Gaming on a higher-resolution monitor takes the experience to another level. You’ll be able to see much of the game in detail. But is the 1080 pixel monitor resolution good enough for gaming today?
You’ll learn more about 1080p and other resolutions from this post. So, we urge you to keep reading.
Is 1080p Good for Gaming?
1920 x 1080, also called 1080p (Full HD), is a common gaming resolution. It’s the industry standard for most out of the box devices, such as TV and desktops, though this is changing fast.
Higher resolutions like 1440p and 4K have started rearing their pretty faces. Now, the 8K has joined the fold.
The 1080p resolution’s visuals are concise and clear. And it will immerse you in whatever game you’re playing.
A Handy Tip: A handful of gamers still prefer the 1080p resolution to other resolutions. Some recommend it for gamers that value performance more than visuals.
The Popular Gaming Monitor Resolutions Available
We’ll look at the various monitor resolutions available in the market today.
We also know that a few years from now, most of the monitors you’re seeing today will become obsolete. But for now, let’s enjoy them, as they’re still popular and important for gaming.
Furthermore, when you find monitor resolutions written as 1920 x 1080, know that both figures represent pixels. This indicates that the monitor’s width is 1,920 pixels, while its height is 1080 pixels.
Let’s discuss the various monitor resolutions, starting from 720 pixels.
1: 720p Resolution:
This monitor resolution goes by several names. These include HD, HD Ready and Standard HD.
This monitor’s resolution is 1280 x 720, and you can call it a progressive-style resolution.
Among the HD-capable resolutions, 720p is the lowest. Additionally, it is one resolution that no techie or gamer will advise another to use in today’s gaming world. But then, the reasons are obvious. It doesn’t rank high in value and performance.
We have moved past the 720p resolution era. But mind you, this monitor used to be the real deal.
Now here is something you must understand. You can run games on 720p. The game’s quality won’t be affected if it’s designed to run on this monitor resolution.
But one thing no gamer can deny is the game won’t be crisp on a 720p monitor resolution.
Again, let me reiterate that you can land games in 720p, but most gamers won’t fancy it. Why? Other higher and better resolutions are out there.
Note: You cannot run a 4K game (we’ll discuss this monitor resolution soonest) on a 720p monitor resolution. It will tear the game’s image and video apart on the screen.
The next upgrade after the 720p resolution is 1080p.
2: The 1080p Resolution:
The 1080p (1920 x 1080) is the standard gaming pixel. Many gamers are still embracing this monitor resolution to this day because of its performance.
Full HD and FHD are the other names of the 1080p monitor resolution. And it is a non-interlaced monitor resolution.
This monitor’s resolution is also the first to take advantage of the HD’s wide range of capabilities.
Note: The 1080p monitor resolution is presently the standard resolution for video games, television, mobile devices, and internet streaming services.
And moving away from the Full HD or 1080p monitor resolution, the next upgrade is the 1440p.
3: The 1440p/2K Resolution:
The 1440p resolution boasts other names such as 2k, QHD, and WQHD.
However, the 1440p resolution isn’t as popular as 1080p, but it is four times more powerful than the base HD variant.
The 1440p is deployed in smartphones and computing. Top companies like Apple, Samsung, HTC, and even ViewSonic deploy it.
This progressive resolution boasts 2560 x 1440 pixels.
Is the 1440p good for gaming? Yes, it is. You’ll enjoy impressive visuals gaming on a 1440p monitor. It is the middle ground monitor resolution for moderately serious gamers.
Another thing that sets the 1440p monitor apart is that it is budget-friendly. Additionally, it won’t fry your computer system.
4: 4K/2160p Resolutions:
The 4K resolution monitor is known as the Ultra HD, UHD, and the 4K UHD
This resolution boasts four times the pixels that 1080p resolution monitors have. Its pixel count is 3840 x 2160p.
Considering the 4K resolutions’ increased market share since its inception in 2014, one would expect its adoption to spread across all platforms.
Unfortunately, the 4K resolution’s adoption has practically been limited to commercial televisions, video projections, and internet video streaming.
5: 8K/ 4320p Resolution:
With a pixel count of 7680 x 4320p, the 8K resolution is the latest and highest currently available. Another name for this resolution is 8K UHD.
Sharp introduced the first 8K television back in 2015. And today, the resolution has been adopted in computer monitors, TVs, and broadcast cameras.
1080p vs. 1440p: The Wise Choice For Gaming
This comparison will enable you to make an informed decision when choosing between 1080p and 1440p monitor resolution for gaming.
Both resolutions are favored by many gamers who haven’t embraced the 4K, including other high-end monitor resolutions.
The reason why 4K and other high-end or exotic monitor resolutions don’t entice many gamers isn’t farfetched. These monitors cost a huge amount of money.
Another thing is, even if you can afford the 4K monitor, you’ll also have to purchase a high-end graphics card to enjoy a decent framerate.
With over 3.6 million pixels, the 1440p resolution is 1.77 times smoother than the 1080-pixel resolution.
However, 1080p is one of the favorite monitor resolutions ever created. It is more popular than 1440p, which is only starting to gain traction.
Let’s check out a 27-inch monitor’s PPI comparison.
- The 27-inch 1080-pixel monitor features a pixel density of around 81 PPI.
- The 27-inch 1440-pixel monitor boasts a pixel density of approximately 108 PPI.
1080p Gaming: For Avid or Casual Gamers?
How does it feel gaming on a 1080-pixel monitor? How is the gaming experience? It’s important to ask these questions before splashing the cash on a monitor.
However, you may fancy the 1080p monitor’s reliability if you’re just a casual gamer.
The 1080p monitor runs at 60Hz and may satisfy your gaming appetite. And, as we said earlier, 1080p is the standard monitor resolution on the market.
Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. Not even in the tech world, where innovators are always pushing themselves to the limit.
The 4K resolution is here, gradually dislodging the 1080p monitor as the standard in gaming.
The truth is, 1080p is an exceptional resolution. But then, what if you want the best of the best? Or, what if you want something more captivating?
So, as we said, the 1080p resolution is for casual gamers.
4K Gaming: For Casual Or Avid Gamers?
The gaming community has been waiting on the 4K monitor, but no one expected the quality we’re seeing today. Now, the 4K is available to us, and offers the detail gamers seek.
4K is what many gamers are diving into today. But note that it runs on 120GHz (the 1080p runs on 60GHz). So, your monitor resolution will double, and you have to accommodate for the system’s increased display power.
So, the 4K resolution is what you should be going for as an avid gamer. It gives you sharp images and improves the gaming experience.
Budget-Friendly 4K Displays On The Market
Most people may think 4K displays are expensive, but that is not true. You can get quality budget-friendly 4K displays to continue your gaming expedition.
However, when choosing monitors, size is an important factor to consider. The 32-inch monitor is a sweet spot for a budget monitor. It is concise, and it will occupy less space on your desk.
On the other hand, if you don’t plan to share the monitor’s screen, a 27-inch or 28-inch monitor will be a wise choice.
Here are some of the budget-friendly 4K monitors to check out.
- HP U28
- LG 43UD79-B
- AOC U2879VF
- Dell S2721QS
- Samsung UR59C
- Samsung 27-inch S80UA
- Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q
- BenQ SW321C PhotoVue
- Philips Brilliance 328P
- LG Ultrafine 24MD4KL
- BenQ PD2700U
- Monoprice 27″ 4K UHD
- Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ
- ViewSonic XG2700-4K
- Acer Predator X27
Conclusion
So, is 1080p good for gaming? Yes, it is. The 1080p monitor is the standard in gaming or used to be.
The 4K resolution monitors are gradually taking over. Thus, it will only be a matter of time before it becomes the standard in gaming.
Now that the 8K resolution is here, it is glaring that attention will be shifted away from the 4K in the future.