Full HD (1080p) is the most popular display resolution in the gaming world.
However, 1440p is gaining ground as people realize the better image quality on offer.
Now, the question is, what should you choose?
Lets compare 1080p and 1440p displays and see which resolution comes out on top.
This makes the conversation around the best display resolution for gaming nuanced.
To simplify the 1080p vs. 1440p debate, it is best to look at individual factors representing these resolutions.
On the other hand, running games at 1440p will require considerably more powerful GPUs and CPUs.
Pixel Density (PPI)
Pixel density is the number of pixels per inch of the display.
It describes how many pixels you’ve got the option to see on every inch of the display.
The higher this number, the sharper the image you will see.
This is the key difference between 1080p and 1440p displays.
If the display size is always the same, 1440p will always be sharper.
Keeping this in mind, 1440p will allow you to increase the display size without losing any crispness.
Related:Can You Watch 1440p Video on a 1080p Monitor?
In general, 1080p only looks good on 24-inch or smaller displays.
On the other hand, 1440p allows you to rock a much larger display with acceptable sharpness.
For instance, a 27-inch 1440p display has a better PPI than a 24-inch 1080p display.
In short, if you want a bigger display, 1440p is the right choice for you.
You probably dont need us to tell you that the higher the resolution, the higher the performance cost.
Related:Does the PlayStation 5 Support 1440p Resolution?
Put simply, running games at 1440p resolution will shave quite a few frames off.
Compared to 1080p, to drive a 2K display, the GPU has to do a lot more work.
Maintaining 60fps on 1440p will be harder for your GPU than doing 1080p 60fps.
Display Cost
The next factor you better consider is the cost of the display.
If we add higher refresh rates like 144Hz to the mix, the cost increases.
The same goes for panel technology.
For instance, a 1080p 240Hz display will give you a competitive edge over folks with 1440p 60Hz monitors.
For instance, Nvidias top-of-the-line RTX 3090 can run almost all modern games at 4K 60fps.
So, should you choose 4K over 1440p?
If you are primarily a PC gamer, a 4K display is not ideal for a couple of reasons.
Put simply,1440p vs. 4Kis only a debate if money is not an issue and you dont do competitive gaming.
Whats the Best Resolution for Gaming?
Considering image sharpness, hardware cost, and gaming performance, 1440p is the best all-around resolution for gaming.
It is the sweet spot between blurry 1080p and ultra-sharp but expensive 4K.
