you're a gamer in your spare time, you want the best quality PC gaming , but probably not at any price! When choosing a new monitor for your computer, you might wonder if the significant price difference between a 4K and a Full HD screen is justified, and if 4K actually improves the gaming experience. So, which image resolution should you choose for PC gaming? Let's take a look together to help you see things more clearly.
Full HD, 4k, what exactly are we talking about?
Before weighing the pros and cons of Full HD and 4k, let's start by clearly defining these concepts.
To describe the qualities of a digital screen , two key concepts come into play: resolution and definition . Of course, these two concepts are complementary, but to make an informed choice, it's important to understand which technical characteristics they refer to. Both concepts rely on a fundamental unit: the pixel , which designates each point of an electronic image.
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The definition, for a sharper image
Resolution refers to the total number of pixels in the image. A screen's resolution therefore corresponds to the total number of pixels it can display (the amount of information it can contain).
Full HD screen , (full high definition), is capable of displaying 1920×1080 pixels or 2,073,600 pixels.
4K or UHD screen is capable of displaying 3840×2160 pixels (8,294,400 pixels). With over 8 million pixels , 4K therefore offers an image with four times the pixel count of Full HD.
The resolution, for a larger image
Resolution refers to pixel density, that is, the number of pixels per inch (1 inch equals 2.54 cm) that the screen can display. Screen resolution therefore corresponds to the display area available for an image.
A question of balance
At the same definition, image quality the should have a balanced ratio between definition and resolution. High resolution combined with low definition will result in a pixelated image. Conversely, ultra-high definition combined with a small screen will offer little additional visual comfort, as the difference will be barely perceptible to the naked eye.
In summary, the higher the resolution of your screen, the more relevant it will be to have a high image definition to obtain the best visual comfort .
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What are the advantages of 4k?
With its impressive density of over 8 million pixels, four times greater than Full HD, 4k (or Ultra High Definition) offers images of great precision .
truly immersive gaming experience stunningly realistic images breathtaking color reproduction , 4K resolution is the ideal choice, especially when paired with a 24- or 27-inch screen. Enjoying a crisp image on a larger screen will provide undeniable gaming comfort. You won't miss a single graphical detail!
A 4K screen will also encourage you to adopt a better posture while gaming: with sharpness , you'll no longer need to move back to get the best view. The sense of depth will give you the impression of watching 3D images, without uncomfortable glasses or headaches.
If you're looking to get the best possible graphics for gaming on your PC, your computer's screen resolution is one of the main parameters to consider, but not the only one! To get the most out of your 4k screen without sacrificing gaming quality in other areas, other parameters come into play.
What other parameters should be considered to play in 4k without compromise?
As we saw earlier, if your screen resolution is low, 4K won't offer any real visual improvement. To fully enjoy this exceptional resolution, we recommend choosing a 27-inch screen (or at least a 24-inch screen).
A GPU is essential if you're into competitive esports. The GPU (or graphics processing unit) determines the frame rate (in MHz or GHz). If you play in 4K, a good GPU is necessary to avoid any loss of smoothness . Therefore, be sure to choose a graphics processor whose frame rate matches your monitor's refresh rate, otherwise you might miss a crucial shot in a ranked match!
If your budget doesn't allow you to invest in both a 4K screen and a suitable GPU, it's best to prioritize image smoothness over quality by choosing a Full HD monitor. If you prefer playing single-player games or retro games, you won't need to worry about this.
The 4K screen, a monitor for the future
Even though the very first 4K monitors were released in 2009, 4K still has a bright future ahead. Among game developers, 4K has only recently become the standard. While most gamers are still content with Full HD, those who switch to 4K are trendsetters. You can therefore invest in a high-quality 4K monitor without worrying that it will become obsolete. Of course, you'll need to match this level of performance with your graphics processor to fully enjoy your favorite games.
You've finally made up your mind, and you're dreaming of getting a 4K screen? Follow this guide to find out which 4K screen to choose ! And if for now you prefer to continue playing in Full HD, you can reconsider this option in a few years, when the prices of 4K monitors and compatible graphics cards start to drop.
