Is 1080p Good For a Gaming Monitor?

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Updated Jun 27, 2022 11:12 PM

If you are thinking of buying a top-class gaming monitor, you may be wondering about the resolution that works best. Is 1080p good for a gaming monitor” What about 720p or even 4K? Should you compare 4K vs 1080p gaming monitors? Keep reading to find out.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • 1080p computer monitors are generally considered a great choice for gaming.
  • As a matter of fact, most professional gamers like Tfue use 1080p screens during competitive play.
  • 1080p monitors tend to be budget-friendly, offer high refresh rates, and have low response times.

What is Monitor Resolution?

Simply put, a monitor’s resolution refers to image quality and pixel density. For instance, a 1080p monitor will boast 1920 x 1080 pixels. This means the width of the display will be 1,920 pixels, while the height will feature 1,080 pixels. When you multiply one with the other, you get a grand total of 2,073,060 pixels on-screen at any given time. That produces one of the best monitor sharpness that gamers will enjoy.

Insider Tip

A monitor’s resolution refers to image quality and pixel density. For instance, a 1080p monitor will boast 1920 x 1080 pixels.

Is 1080p Good for a Gaming Monitor?

Yes, 1080p is considered excellent for a gaming monitor. As a matter of fact, 1080p displays are often preferable to higher-resolution screens. Most pro gamers use 1080p monitors over 4K and 8K screens.

Why are 1080p Monitors Good for Gaming?

There are a number of reasons why 1080p monitors are considered the gold standard when it comes to playing computer games.

Insider Tip

A screen’s response time represents just how quickly the monitor can go from “gray-to-gray.”

Low Response Times

1080p displays typically feature lower-than-average response times. A screen’s response time represents just how quickly the monitor can go from “gray-to-gray.” This metric is typically measured by the screen’s manufacturer. It has been suggested by experts that you go with monitors with a response time of five ms or lower to ensure smooth gameplay and to minimize ghosting. Because 1080p monitors don’t have to deal with the sheer number of pixels that 4K or 8K monitors do, you can reliably expect short response times. You can compare 1ms vs 4ms response times for more info. 

High Refresh Rates

A refresh rate refers to the number of times per second that an image is regenerated on the screen. In other words, higher is better, as that will increase overall accuracy and immersion during intense gameplay sessions. It is relatively easy for a manufacturer to bake in a high refresh rate to a 1080p monitor, so expect refresh rates of 120Hz, 144Hz, and even more in some cases. Higher refresh rates also help to fix flickering monitors while gaming.

Budget-Friendly

1080p monitors are tried-and-true pieces of technology, having been in use for years and years. This means that all of the components are easy to source and put together, which makes the prices go down. 4K and 8K monitors can be exponentially more expensive than 1080p screens.

Warning

Go with monitors with a response time of five ms or lower to ensure smooth gameplay and to minimize ghosting.

F.A.Q.S

What is the perfect monitor resolution for gaming?

There is no perfect resolution when it comes to gaming. It all comes down to personal preference, what your computer can handle, and the game you are playing.


What is the monitor aspect ratio?

A monitor’s aspect ratio refers to how wide and tall it is. The standard aspect ratio for gaming monitors is 16:9, though there are many ultrawide monitors that feature an aspect ratio of 21:9.


Is 4K better than 1080p for gaming?

This will depend on personal preference. 4K monitors may look prettier at first glance, but there could be performance issues.



STAT: It’s no secret that even in 2020 (and likely for a couple more years), for pure speed, response, and competitiveness, 1080p monitors still offer better results than 2K or 4K models. (source)

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