Have you been planning on purchasing a new monitor? Perhaps you want to upgrade your old one to enjoy gaming more during your free time?
If you answered yes to any of the above, one of the most essential aspects you need to consider is the resolution of the monitor you're buying. Various monitor resolutions are sold at this time, but the two most common ones being compared are the 2560×1440 vs. 1920×1080 models.
What to Consider With 1080p Resolution Displays
Monitors classified to have a 1080p resolution and an aspect ratio of 16:9 are devices capable of showing 1920 horizontal pixels and 1080 vertical pixels in their displays. The 1920×1080 resolution in monitors is perhaps the most commonly used today in desktop computers, laptops, and HDTVs.
The same can be said in the world of video games. Many video game players use the 1080 resolution simply because it's more affordable than going the 2560×1440 route. Budget-conscious gamers also prefer the 1080p because it puts less stress on computer hardware.
Regarding refresh rates, monitors with 1080p resolutions can reach higher rates than their 1440p resolution counterparts. Some gamers have been using 1080p monitors with refresh rates reaching 240Hz and have experienced great success.
The screen size for 1080p resolutions is often a question of whether you want a 24-inch vs 27-inch monitor. Most people would limit themselves to the latter since anything higher than 27 inches will result in poor image quality and pixel density.
To help with your decision, here are the main benefits of choosing a 1920×1080 resolution monitor:
- More affordable option compared to the 1440p.
- Consumes fewer resources for both the CPU and GPU.
- Can support 27-inch monitors.
- Is compatible with refresh rates of 240Hz or more.
Meanwhile, the main cons of using this type of resolution are:
- Using larger monitors with 1080p resolution will result in poor PPI.
- The minimum viewing distance for it is higher compared to its counterpart.
- Most content creators will find a 1080p display lacking.
What to Consider With 1440p Resolution Displays
The second most common display gamers use today is the 1440p monitor with a 16:9 aspect ratio. This type of resolution offers 2560 horizontal pixels and 1440 vertical pixels. Many gamers enjoy using 1440p monitors, and some top-of-the-line laptops also support this resolution.
The 1440p resolution is also designated as Quad HD primarily because it's four times as large as 720p. Although users may not notice much difference when comparing a 1080p to a 1440p display, the data the latter can show is significantly higher.
A clear example is by accessing a website on both the 1080p monitor and the 1440p monitor. The 1440p resolution will show more information to the user than the 1080p display. This means people don't need to scroll as much with a 1440p monitor, which can be pretty handy when creating content.
If 1080p resolution monitors could only go as much as 27-inch without losing quality, the 1440p monitors can support displays higher than that. When considering 1440p resolution, you should select a 27-inch monitor at the least to get the best results.
Many gamers today prefer playing video games on Quad HD monitors because of their high refresh rates. A monitor that combines 144Hz refresh rate and 1440p resolution is steadily increasing in popularity in gaming.
The main advantages of using 1440p resolution monitors are:
- Provides users with a large workspace resolution than a 1080p.
- Great for multitaskers and content creators.
- It can be used for screens larger than 27 inches.
- Suitable for competitive gaming.
The following are the cons of using 1440p:
- Requires a strong GPU.
- It may have a lower refresh rate.
What Are the Differences Between 1080p and 1440p?
As mentioned earlier, the monitor's resolution should be one of the first things to consider when deciding to get a new display. Although 1080p is the standard, 1440p is slowly gaining popularity among gamers.
Besides the high refresh rates, 1080p monitors are more affordable than 1440p resolution monitors. On the other hand, the main advantage of 1440p monitors is that they offer a good combination of high refresh rates and resolution quality.
To help you choose between 2560×1440 vs 1920×1080, let's take a closer look at the differences these two have when comparing them against some critical parameters.
Parameter #1: Aspect Ratio
When discussing the aspect ratio of displays, we refer to the ratio of the target's width to its height. Like any ratio, this information is shown as two numbers divided by a colon. The most common aspect ratio you can find today is 16:9.
Regarding the 1080p and 1440p displays, these two monitors often support and incorporate the 16:9 aspect ratio. However, the 1440p will show significantly higher pixels than the 1080p monitor, even if they use the same screen size. This means that 2560×1440 monitors will show more details compared to a 1920×1080.
Parameter #2: Refresh Rate
The refresh rate refers to the number of times an image is shown each second and measured in Hertz or Hz. For instance, monitors that are advertised to have 60Hz means it has a refresh rate capable of showing 60 images per second.
For gamers, monitors with high refresh rates can have a huge effect not only on their gaming experience but also in terms of competitiveness. That's why monitors with refresh rates of 144Hz and 240Hz are starting to become the norm nowadays.
The great thing about 1080p displays is that they often feature higher refresh rates reaching as high as 240Hz.
On the contrary, 1440p monitors can reach 144Hz. If you plan to get a 1440p monitor with this type of refresh rate, you should ensure that both your CPU and GPU can handle the number of frames shown in this type of resolution.
Parameter #3: Frame Rate
When talking about the frame rate, this often means the frames per second (FPS), which is the number of frames produced by a combination of your CPU and GPU. This measurement displays the actual frames shown per second, given that your monitor can support them.
This means that even if your computer can put out as much as 120FPS, it will still depend on the refresh rate of your monitor and base its final output on that. That's why you should choose a monitor, GPU, and CPU that complement each other.
However, keep in mind that producing high frames means more processing power is needed. That's why many gamers that want to eke the most performance choose lower resolutions to attain the highest frame rate their hardware can generate.
Parameter #4: Distance and Size of Screen
As stated earlier, 1080p resolution displays can support monitors as wide as 27 inches. Going anything higher than that will only result in diminishing returns. For those choosing 1440p, you can pick between 27 to 32 inches in screen sizes.
The distance between the user and the monitor is another thing to consider. You should have a minimum viewing distance of 3 to 4 feet for 1080p monitors, while 1440p should be at least 2 to 3 feet away.
1080p Resolution vs 1440p Resolution: Which Is Better?
Unless you have the money to pay for a 1440p resolution monitor, then going the 1080p is an ideal choice. However, the cost isn't the only thing worth considering here.
The performance of your computer is another area to consider, especially before choosing a 1440p display. Desktops that cannot support these monitors will only fail to produce the desired results. Sometimes, choosing a 1080p monitor may be the best option.
Which Is Better for Playing Video Games?
Many users have found that the 1440p resolution monitors offer superior gaming experiences compared to their 1080p counterparts. Its ability to project higher-quality images simply makes gameplay more appealing and immersive. Additionally, showing more pixels allows you to easily spot minor gaming elements that may not be seen on smaller monitors.
Most open-world games will look awe-inspiring when displayed on a 1440p monitor. The higher screen resolution offered by these displays can quickly get you attached to exploring the fantastic sceneries it enhances.
However, this will only produce the correct output if your PC uses high-end components that aren't hindered by a 1440p. You shouldn't choose this type of monitor for playing video games unless you have a rig that can regularly supply a constant 120 to 200 FPS.
Many users believe that 1440p doesn't make that much of a difference when playing fast-paced shooters. Unless you're a fan of larger monitor sizes, going the 1080p route is the more cost-efficient option if you just plan to play shooters on your computer.
Which Is Better for Producing Gameplay Content?
Many video game content creators choose multi-monitor setups because these allow them to be more productive when producing content for their followers. Although dual and triple monitor configurations can be used with most displays, choosing a 1440p screen is simply more appealing to work with visually.
What makes 1440 displays superior compared to other screen resolutions is that you can reduce the size of the display interface and not experience a drop in quality. Even when displaying at 75%, texts and apps will still be clear to look at ? allowing you to access more windows and feel like you have a bigger space to work with.
The extra resolution offered by a 1440p display is ideal for gameplay content creators. This is especially true when using photo and video editing software.
What About 4K Ultra HD?
Now that we've discussed 1080p and 1440p, another resolution called 4K or the 2160p variant is also beginning to gain momentum in recent years. Advances in computer technology have played a crucial role in bringing 4K resolutions into the mix of possible options for gamers.
Nvidia has released the RTX 3090 GPU, capable of running nearly all modern video games on 4K displays at 60FPS minimum.
However, desktop gamers may not find using a 4K display appealing for several reasons.
The first is because only a few GPUs available on the market can support 4K display capabilities. Even if they did, they only cap at 60FPS, which can be a disadvantage to competitive gamers that require 100FPS and higher.
The second most common reason is that 4K monitors are significantly more costly compared to 1440p and especially against 1080p resolution monitors. The cost will be even higher if you consider variable refresh rate technologies and displays with more effective refresh rates.
In the end, 4K displays are only reasonable for people who have the money to spend on these monitors and aren't into competitive gameplay. But if you're looking to make the most of your gaming experience, then the 1080p and 1440p resolutions are the two best choices today.
Conclusion
Finally, we've arrived at the conclusion and decided which resolution is best for gaming. If we were to choose between 2560×1440 vs. 1920×1080, we'd go with the 1440p displays.
They provide the best all-around gaming experience for people who want to be competitive and those who just want to be immersed in the beauty of certain video games.
However, the 1080p is also a great choice, especially for budget-conscious individuals who play games such as shooters.
Our best advice here is to go with what your wallet is capable of and how much you're willing to spend. Whichever option you choose, both resolutions will let you experience fantastic gameplay for years to come.