There is a common belief that the working on the documents, web editing, net surfing, and online video playing can be seen better with the higher resolutions. But what about the gaming? If you are upgrading your current computer or buying a new one, then what should you look for in a resolution? As the higher resolution needs a more powerful graphics card. Is a 2K display is enough? Or you should go for a 4K monitor? We will see the answers of all these questions in this post on 2K vs 4K monitor for gaming needs.The resolution is the main factor for gaming.
We all know that the higher resolution provides more clear graphics and crisp picture quality to enjoy the games at best. But how about the refresh rate and response time? They also are equally important to the resolution for the enhanced gaming experience.
2K Vs 4K Monitor
The 2K resolution is quite famous among the professionals and gamers across the world. But as the time progresses, the 4K displays are gaining popularity too.
Let’s have a look at the widely used monitor resolutions today:
- 720P – HD – 1280 x 720 pixels
- 1080P – FHD (Full HD) – 1920 x 1080 pixels
- 2K – 1440P – QHD (Quad HD) / WQHD – 2560 x 1440 pixels
- 4K – 2160P – UHD (Ultra HD) – 3840 x 2160 pixels
- 8K – 4320P – FUHD (Full Ultra HD) – 7680 x 4320 pixels
The 2048 x 1080 is a standard 2K native resolution. It has a similar number of vertical lines to 1080P. Both have 1080 lines vertically. But, the 2K resolution is a little bit wider than 1080P. The total pixel count of a 2K resolution is 2,211,840, while the same in a 4K display is 8,847,360. So, if we see the vertical and horizontal dimensions, the DCI 4K contains almost four times more resolution than the 2K.
Despite that the 4K resolution has double graphics output, the optimal performance depends on the system specifications that you are having. We know that for most of the games, a 60Hz frame refresh rate is good enough for a smooth performance.
That doesn’t mean that the high refresh rate is worthless. You can determine a clear difference of visuals on a 144Hz monitor compared to a 60Hz display. Even 120Hz and 165Hz screens are available in the market which can deliver some stunning viewing output. So, you can enjoy the game at best with a resolution of 1440P on a 144Hz gaming monitor which you may not get on an FHD screen. Again I will say that the graphics card plays a significant role here.
Why 4K then?
As I have mentioned earlier, the 4K monitor offers double resolution than a typical 2K display. So, it will let you see more detailed images. Many modern games also designed and dedicated to the 4K resolution, which means the market of this monitor resolution is growing for a reason. So, if you are looking to buy a new PC monitor or upgrading your old one and if you can manage with your budget, then you should go for a 4K display.
2K or 4K?
In a summary, we can say that both the resolutions are good in particular situations. If you are currently using a 2K monitor, then you do not need to change it or upgrade it to 4K if you really don’t need. Getting a 4K monitor also demands some hardware changes too if you are using the old low capacity graphics card and other components. But, if you are going to upgrade your PC or want some improved experience in your gaming, video playing, or browsing, then you should upgrade to a 4K display. It is also great for improving your productivity rates, especially when you are using a dual monitor setup.
As being said, the 4K monitors are limited to 60Hz refresh rate till the date. But, now the market is having some 4K displays with the support of 144Hz FPS to let you enjoy the multimedia content at best. In simple terms, 4K monitors are coming with higher refresh rate now to give you the best value for your money.
If you ask me, I would say currently the 2K monitors are good enough to enjoy your work and gaming. Because still 4K displays are quite expensive and they need some more hardware support from the system. But soon in the near future, the prices will go down, and eventually, 4K monitors will take over the 2K displays on the desk.