Play in 4k or Full HD on PC?

Gamer in your spare time, to play on your PC you want to equip yourself with the best quality , but probably not at any price! When choosing a new screen for your computer, you wonder if the significant price difference between 4k screen and F ull HD screen is justified, and if 4k is really likely to improve gaming quality So, which image definition should you choose to play on PC? Let's take stock together to help you see things more clearly.

Full HD, 4k, what are we talking about, exactly?

Before weighing the pros and cons of Full HD and 4k, let's start by clearly defining these notions.

To present the qualities of a digital screen , we find two key notions: resolution and definition . Of course, these two notions are complementary, but in order to make an informed choice, it is important to understand what technical characteristics they refer to. These two notions take into account a fundamental unit: the pixel , which designates each point of an electronic image.

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Definition, for a sharper image

Definition refers to the total number of pixels in the image . The definition of a screen therefore corresponds to the total number of pixels it can display (the amount of information it can contain).

A Full HD , (full high definition), is capable of displaying 1920×1080 pixels or 2,073,600 pixels.

A 4k or UHD (ultra high definition) screen is capable of displaying 3840×2160 pixels or 8,294,400 pixels). With more than 8 million pixels , 4k therefore offers an image four times richer in pixels than Full HD.

4k pc screen resolution

Resolution, for a larger image

Resolution refers to the pixel density, that is to say the number of pixels per inch (1 inch corresponds to 2.54 cm) that the screen can display . The screen resolution therefore corresponds to the display area available for an image.

A question of balance

At the same definition, the quality of the image will not be the same depending on the resolution (or display surface) of the screen. The larger the screen, the worse the image quality for a given definition will be. Therefore, a good screen must have a balanced ratio between definition and resolution. A high resolution combined with a low definition will result in a pixelated image. Conversely, ultra high definition combined with a small screen will provide little additional visual comfort, because the difference will be difficult to perceive with the naked eye.

In summary, the greater the resolution of your screen, the more relevant it will be to have a high image definition to obtain the best visual comfort .

Here are the best 4K PC displays of the year

What are the advantages of 4k?

With its impressive density of more than 8 million pixels, four times greater than Full HD, 4k (or Ultra High Definition) offers images of great precision .

totally immersive gaming experience impressively realistic images stunning color rendering , 4k will be a definition of first choice, associated with a 24 or 27 inch diagonal screen. Enjoying a clear image on a larger screen will bring you undeniable gaming comfort. No graphic detail will escape you!

A 4k screen will also encourage you to adopt a better posture during your games: with previously unmatched sharpness The sensation of depth will make you feel like you're 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 losing gaming quality on other boards, other settings come into play.

What other parameters should be taken into account to play in 4k without compromise?

advantage of a 4K screen

As we saw a little above, if the resolution of your screen is low, 4k will not bring you any real visual improvement. To make the most of this exceptional definition, we recommend that you choose a 27-inch screen (or at least 24 inches).

A GPU is essential if you're into competitive esports titles. The GPU (or graphics processor) determines the frame rate (in MHz or GHz). If you play in 4k, a good GPU is necessary to avoid losing fluidity . Be careful to choose a graphics processor whose frame rate is aligned with the refresh rate of your screen, otherwise you could miss a decisive shot in the middle of a ranked match!

If your budget does not allow you to invest in both a 4k screen and a suitable GPU, it will then be better to prioritize image fluidity rather than quality by choosing a Full HD monitor. If you prefer to play solo or retro games, you won't have to worry about this.

The 4k screen, a monitor for the future

Even though the very first 4k monitor models were released in 2009, 4k still has a very bright future ahead of it. Among game developers, it has only been a short time since 4k became the standard. At a time when most gamers are still satisfied with Full HD, those who upgrade to 4k are avant-garde. You can therefore invest in a quality 4k monitor without worrying that it will become obsolete. Of course, you will need to align your graphics processor with this excellence to make the most of your favorite titles.

Have you finally decided, and are you dreaming of treating yourself to a 4k screen? Follow the guide to find out which 4k screen to choose ! And if for the moment you prefer to continue gaming in Full HD, you may reconsider this option in a few years, when the prices of compatible 4k monitors and graphics cards start to drop.

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Hello me, it's François :) Editor in my spare time who loves sharing his passion: TT High tech! 😍 Whether it's hardware, software, video games, social media and many other areas on the site. I share with you my analyses, my tests, tutorials and my favorites on various media. I am a knowledgeable and demanding technophile, who does not just follow fashion, but who seeks to guide you towards the best solutions. So stay tuned!