Don’t Buy the Wrong Resolution - 1080p vs 1440p vs 4K

Summary

This video compares three 27-inch AOC gaming monitors with varying resolutions: 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. The script explores the impact of resolution on gaming and general use, highlighting the impressive clarity of 4K despite its high cost and performance hit. It also discusses the benefits of 1440p as a balance between cost, image quality, and frame rates, especially for competitive gaming. The video is sponsored by Squarespace and provides a discount code for viewers.

Takeaways

• 🖥️ The video compares three 27-inch AOC IPS panel gaming monitors with different resolutions: 1080p, 1440p, and 4K.
• 🔍 The 4K monitor impresses with its clarity and smoothness, especially noticeable in text and graphics.
• 💻 Despite the high cost, the 4K monitor's pixel density (163 PPI) provides a noticeably sharper image compared to 1440p (109 PPI) and 1080p (82 PPI).
• 💰 High refresh rate 4K monitors are expensive, with an average price significantly higher than 1440p and 1080p monitors.
• 🕔 The 1080p monitor, while affordable, shows visible pixels at a normal viewing distance, making the image appear less cohesive.
• 📏 Pixel density is crucial; a 24-inch 1080p monitor has a higher pixel density (93 PPI) and looks better than a 27-inch 1080p.
• 🎮 For fast-paced gaming, the performance hit from upgrading to a 4K monitor can reduce frame rates significantly, affecting gameplay.
• 🤔 The 'Retina display' concept suggests that beyond a certain pixel density, additional pixels are unnoticeable to the human eye.
• 🎖️ 1440p monitors are popular as they offer a balance between resolution, frame rate, and cost.
• 🏆 For competitive gaming, especially in esports titles, the slight visual improvements of higher resolutions may not justify the frame rate loss.
• 🌐 The video is sponsored by Squarespace, which is highlighted as an easy platform for creating websites with various templates and customization options.

Q & A

What are the main differences among the three AOC monitors discussed in the video?

The main differences among the three AOC monitors are their resolutions: one is a 1080p monitor, another is a 1440p monitor, and the third has a 4K display, all within the same 27-inch IPS panel form factor.

What is the refresh rate of the 1080p and 1440p AOC monitors mentioned in the video?

Both the 1080p and 1440p AOC monitors technically have a refresh rate of 165 Hertz, but for the video, they were set to run at 144 Hertz.

How does the 4K monitor compare to the 1440p and 1080p monitors in terms of pixel density?

The 4K monitor has a pixel density of 163 pixels per inch (ppi), which is higher than the 1440p monitor's 109 ppi and significantly higher than the 1080p monitor's 82 ppi.

What is the average price difference between 4K, 1440p, and 1080p monitors according to the video?

The average price of the 10 most popular 4K monitors in Germany is about 680 euros, which is a significant price jump from 1440p monitors that average 79 euros more expensive than 1080p monitors.

What is the viewing experience like for the 1080p monitor at a normal viewing distance?

At a normal viewing distance, the 1080p monitor's individual pixels are easily visible, making the image appear less smooth and cohesive compared to the higher resolution monitors.

What is the term 'Retina display' and what does it signify in terms of pixel density?

The term 'Retina display' is a marketing term used by Apple to describe a display resolution that is high enough that the human eye cannot discern individual pixels. It is based on the concept that a display should have at least 57 pixels per degree of our field of view.

According to the video, which of the three monitors would qualify as a 'Retina display' at a typical viewing distance?

The 27-inch 4K monitor would qualify as a 'Retina display' even at a typical viewing distance, while the 1440p and 1080p monitors would require a viewing distance of more than 90 centimeters to qualify.

What is the impact of upgrading from a 1080p to a 1440p monitor on gaming performance in terms of FPS?

Upgrading from a 1080p to a 1440p monitor results in a noticeable reduction in FPS, with an average drop of about 28 FPS, depending on the game and hardware.

How does the video suggest the performance difference when upgrading from 1440p to 4K in gaming?

The video suggests that upgrading from 1440p to 4K results in a significant performance hit, with an average FPS reduction of 47, making it less desirable for fast-paced gaming.

What is the recommendation for gamers looking for the highest refresh rates and why?

For gamers seeking the highest refresh rates, especially above 300Hz, the recommendation is to opt for a 1080p monitor, as these typically offer the highest refresh rates available.

What is the conclusion about 1440p monitors in the context of gaming and cost?

The conclusion is that 1440p monitors are popular because they offer a good compromise between resolution, frame rate, and cost, making them suitable for most gamers.

Outlines

00:00

🖥️ Comparing 27-inch Gaming Monitors: Resolution Impact

This paragraph introduces a comparison of three AOC 27-inch IPS panel gaming monitors with varying resolutions: 1080p, 1440p, and 4k. The narrator admits to being impressed by the clarity of the 4k display despite the high cost associated with 4k monitors. The paragraph also touches on the technical specifications of the monitors, such as refresh rates, and the subjective experience of viewing text and graphics at different resolutions. The sponsor, Squarespace, is mentioned, but the main focus remains on the visual differences between the monitors.

05:02

💰 The Cost and Pixel Density of Monitor Resolutions

The second paragraph delves into the financial aspect of choosing between 1080p, 1440p, and 4k monitors, highlighting the significant price jump from lower to higher resolutions. It discusses pixel density and how it affects the perceived sharpness of an image, using the example of a 24-inch 1080p monitor versus a 27-inch one. The 'retina display' concept is introduced, explaining the idea of a resolution beyond which the human eye cannot discern individual pixels, and how this concept applies to different monitor sizes and resolutions.

10:03

🎮 Performance and Visual Quality in Gaming Context

This paragraph examines the impact of monitor resolution on gaming performance and visual quality. It provides empirical data on FPS drops when upgrading from 1080p to 1440p and then to 4k, suggesting that the performance hit may not be worth the visual improvement for fast-paced games. The narrator discusses the diminishing returns on resolution for competitive gaming and the importance of pixel density at different viewing distances. The paragraph concludes with a recommendation for 1440p monitors as a balanced choice for gaming, considering resolution, frame rate, and cost.

Keywords

💡IPS Panel

An IPS (In-Plane Switching) Panel is a type of LCD display panel technology known for its wide viewing angles and accurate color reproduction. In the context of the video, all three monitors being compared feature a 27-inch IPS panel, emphasizing the consistency in display technology across the different resolutions being tested.

💡Gaming Monitors

Gaming monitors are specialized displays designed to enhance the gaming experience with features such as high refresh rates and low response times. The video script discusses AOC-branded gaming monitors with varying resolutions, highlighting the impact of resolution on the gaming experience.

💡Resolution

Resolution refers to the number of pixels that a display contains, which affects the clarity and detail of the images shown. The script compares 1080p, 1440p, and 4K resolutions on the same 27-inch form factor, exploring how resolution impacts the display quality and gaming performance.

💡Refresh Rate

The refresh rate is the number of times a display updates the image per second, measured in hertz (Hz). The video mentions that the full HD and QHD monitors have a refresh rate of 165 Hz, but for the video, they are set to run at 144 Hz, indicating the importance of this metric for smooth gaming visuals.

💡Pixel Density

Pixel density is measured in pixels per inch (PPI) and indicates how many pixels are packed into a given area of the screen. The script uses pixel density to compare the sharpness of the image on different resolution monitors, noting that a higher PPI generally results in a clearer image.

💡Retina Display

A Retina display is a marketing term coined by Apple to describe a display with a high enough pixel density that the human eye cannot discern individual pixels at a typical viewing distance. The video discusses the concept in relation to monitor resolutions, using it to determine the point of diminishing returns for increasing resolution.

💡Field of View (FOV)

Field of view refers to the extent of the observable environment visible to the human eye at a given moment. The script relates FOV to the pixel density required for a Retina display, explaining how the number of pixels per degree of FOV affects the perceived clarity of the display.

💡FPS (Frames Per Second)

FPS measures how many times an image is refreshed on the screen per second in video games, impacting the smoothness of motion. The video script discusses the performance impact of different resolutions on FPS, noting that higher resolutions like 4K can significantly reduce FPS, affecting gameplay.

💡Esports Titles

Esports titles refer to video games that are played competitively in a professional manner. The script uses the example of the game 'Veteran' to illustrate the difference in visual quality and performance between 1080p, 1440p, and 4K resolutions in the context of competitive gaming.

💡Sponsor

In the context of video content, a sponsor is a company that financially supports the creation of the content, often in exchange for promotion. The script mentions Squarespace as the sponsor of the video, providing an example of how sponsorship works in online media.

💡Pixel Perfect

Pixel perfect refers to a display where individual pixels are not visible to the naked eye, resulting in a smooth and continuous image. The video script uses this term to describe the superior visual experience of a 4K monitor compared to lower resolutions, especially when viewed up close.

Highlights

Comparison of three AOC 27-inch IPS panel gaming monitors with different resolutions: 1080p, 1440p, and 4K.

The 1080p and 1440p monitors have a refresh rate of 165Hz, but are tested at 144Hz for the video.

The 4K monitor provides an impressive display quality, especially noticeable with text and graphics.

High resolution monitors are not only useful for photo editing but also enhance the gaming experience.

The 4K monitor's text appears smoother, resembling ink rather than being visibly pixelated like on the 1440p monitor.

High refresh rate 4K monitors are expensive, with the one in the video retailing for over 900 euros.

1080p monitors offer a large screen size at an affordable price but suffer from visible pixels at normal viewing distances.

Smaller 24-inch 1080p monitors have a higher pixel density and appear sharper than their 27-inch counterparts.

27-inch 1440p monitors have a pixel density of 109 PPI, providing a clear image but not as sharp as 4K.

The term 'Retina display' refers to a resolution where individual pixels are no longer discernible to the human eye.

Apple considers a display 'Retina' at 57 pixels per degree of field of view, not strictly at 300 PPI.

24-inch 1080p monitors can qualify as 'Retina' at certain viewing distances, unlike 27-inch monitors.

4K monitors provide a significant FPS hit compared to 1080p and 1440p monitors in gaming scenarios.

Upgrading to 4K resolution may not be worth the performance loss in fast-paced games like first-person shooters.

1440p monitors are a popular choice as they offer a balance between resolution, frame rate, and cost.

For competitive esports titles, the visual difference between 1080p and 1440p is noticeable but may not impact gameplay.

1080p monitors remain the default option for the highest refresh rates in gaming monitors.

Transcripts

each of these three monitors has a

27-inch ips panel and all of them are

from aoc and being advertised as gaming

monitors but yeah as you probably have

guessed from the title of this video one

of them is a 1080p monitor one is a

1440p monitor and the other one has a 4k

display all in the same 27-inch form

factor by the way this video is not

sponsored by aoc but they were kind

enough to lend me these three monitors

which are perfect for this comparison

this video is sponsored by squarespace

though more on them later in this video

so how much of a difference does the

resolution really make when the other

specs are fairly similar i mean these

are our 144hz gaming monitors of the

same size with the same panel tag and

they even are from the same brand okay

to be fair the full hd and qhd monitors

both technically have a refresh rate of

165 hertz but for the sake of this video

we'll have them running at 144 hertz so

the designing factor really is the

resolution but does a high resolution

actually look that much better even for

things like gaming or is it only really

usable for photo editing and stuff like

that well i gotta admit that i was

genuinely impressed when i turned on the

4k monitor for the first time believe it

or not but despite that i've tested a

ton of monitors i've never actually

experienced a 27 inch 4k display and

honestly having all those pixels cramped

onto a relatively small 27 inch screen

looks amazing so yeah you'll notice

right away that everything even the text

and graphics and the plain normal file

explorer just look so much smoother i

mean take a look at the 1440p display in

comparison text by no means looks bad

here but you can clearly see that this

is text being displayed on a monitor

that has individual pixels whereas the

text on the 4k display looks much more

like ink basically now i wouldn't say

that i can clearly like see or even

count individual pixels on the 1440p

monitor at least not from a normal view

and distance but despite that there is a

certain roughness to text and other

sharp edges that clearly makes it look

worse than the 4k display but yeah text

and such looking smoother truly isn't a

big enough reason to sell a kidney for a

4k monitor at least not for most people

i assume and let's face it high refresh

rate 4k monitors are expensive the one

that i have here retails for over 900

euros which is somewhat on the expensive

side even for a 4k 144hz monitor the

average price of the 10 most popular 4k

monitors in germany right now is about

680 euros so that's still a massive 96

price jump from 4040p monitors and 1440p

monitors on average are 79

more expensive than the 1080p count

parts so with this 1080p monitor right

here we're certainly getting a lot of

screen real estate for our money and i'm

going to admit that a large but

affordable monitor like this seems

pretty appealing at first i mean for

roughly 200 bucks that's a nice and

large ips screen right here that's just

as big as the other two monitors which

both are much more expensive but as soon

as you take a closer look it's pretty

clear as to why this is so much cheaper

than the other two the individual pixels

are just huge and easily visible at a

normal viewing distance i really have to

move back quite far until the image

actually looks cohesive and smooth

i'm a bit over one meter or about four

feet away from the monitor now and only

at this distance the image actually

starts looking good but yeah there are

probably not a lot of people who sit

this far from their monitor my typical

viewing distance looks a bit more

something like this

which is about 50 to 60 centimeters away

from the screen and here the 1080p

resolution does not look good at all

here you can compare 1080p and 4k side

by side while i tell you about today's

sponsor squarespace squarespace makes

starting your own website super easy

they have loads of templates for all

kinds of websites so i made a decent

looking website in just a few minutes by

starting with one of their templates to

really give your website a unique look

the design panel offers hundreds of

custom settings that allow for deep

customization and every design

automatically works on mobile as well

you can try out the design process for

free and when you're ready to launch

your own website use the code teclas to

save 10 of your first purchase of a

website or a domain or just go to

squarespace.com

tagless back to the video now i said

that the 1080p monitor doesn't look good

up close but that's not to say that

every 1080p monitor looks bad at this

viewing distance a smaller 24 inch

monitor like this with the same

resolution really looks substantially

better than its 27-inch counterpart and

that's thanks to its higher pixel

density so how sharp the image looks

really isn't a matter of the absolute

resolution but mostly a combination of

the resolution and the size of the

screen the bigger screen only has 82

pixels per inch while the smaller 24

inch panel uses 93 pixels for every inch

so if you're on a budget i'd suggest

getting a 24 inch 1080p monitor instead

1080p just isn't enough when you're

sitting close to a big 27 inch screen

now if you have a bit more money to

spend and want a larger monitor you can

also just go for a 27-inch 1440p monitor

instead despite that the display is

larger this has an even higher pixel

density of 109 ppi so is this high

enough to give us the perfect image well

i wish it was but the 27 inch 4k display

with its 163 ppi does look noticeably

better but that raises the question of

how many pixels per inch we really need

like when does the image look perfect

already and when are we starting to hit

diminishing returns territory now i

guess you've heard the term retinal

display before

what's that

well that's basically apple's marketing

speech for a display resolution that's

high enough that you can't see

individual pixels anymore so when a

display is classified as retina adding

more pixels beyond that should pretty

much be unnoticeable and it really

shouldn't add much to the image quality

so would either of these monitors

qualify as a retina display now back in

2010 when steve jobs introduced the

iphone 4 he stated that 300 ppi was this

magic number at which the human eye

basically won't notice individual pixels

anymore that seems pretty high at first

considering the 4k monitor right here

has about half of that but remember the

300 ppi number is for a phone which

typically is held up really close to the

face and therefore covers quite a large

portion of our field of view so how can

we transfer that to a monitor that

typically isn't that close in your face

well it turns out apple calls a display

retina when it has at least 57 pixels

for every degree of our field of view

this might sound a bit complicated at

first but once we've done all the math

it's actually pretty straightforward so

here are the ppd numbers for some common

display resolutions and sizes remember

the goal is to hit 57 ppd and yeah even

the 24-inch 1080p monitor manages to

qualify as a retina display so how's

that possible while the 24-inch 1080p

monitor only qualifies as a retina

display when we type in a viewing

distance above 90 centimeters which is

pretty far 60 centimeters would be far

more realistic and well at this distance

only 4k monitors qualify not even the

27-inch 1440p display i gonna have this

dock linked down below in case you want

to play around with these numbers so 4k

monitors actually make sense even with a

reasonably small 27-inch panel so why

are 4040p 27-inch monitors so popular

then well even when ignoring how much

money you can save by going with a 4040p

monitor instead of a 4k1 you just can't

ignore these numbers this is called

warzone running in 4k on a relatively

decent gaming pc with competitive low

settings and this honestly is not much

fun to play we're averaging just shy of

70 fps which isn't exactly great for a

fast paced game like warzone also tried

lowering the render resolution to 75

percent which brought me a bit closer to

100 fps but at this point you could also

just get a low res monitor instead and

save some money a 1080p monitor will of

course achieve the highest fps my fps

took a 23 hit from 1080p to 1440p which

is kind of acceptable for an upgrade

like this i mean going from about 150

fps to 115 fps is definitely noticeable

but so is the better image quality we're

getting from 1440b the 40

fps hit from the upgrade to 4k though is

just too much in my opinion the

additional sharpness and detail just

isn't that noticeable while playing fast

paced games having 40

less fps is very much noticeable though

and such an fps hit is not just

exclusive to warzone or my particular

hardware i crunched some numbers from

hardware unboxed who tested 12 games on

15 different gpus and on average the 4k

upgrade reduces the fps by 47

while going from 1080p to 1440p leads to

28 lower fps so as an easy to remember

rule of thumb planning to lose about a

quarter of your fps when upgrading from

1080p to 440b and be ready to lose half

of your fps from 1440p to 4k however

there are exceptions to this for

instance if you heavily cpu limited in

certain games you might not lose any fps

with a resolution upgrade or just very

few for example this is veteran running

in 4k with competitive settings and my

2070 super has no issues pushing close

to 300 fps in a crowded death match i

used the spike pen scenario as a

benchmark and here i got a whopping

371 fps and 4k with my somewhat dated pc

hardware both the 4040p and 1080p

numbers don't really look that much

better so there really isn't a

noteworthy fps hit with esports titles

like velerand visually though there is a

difference rounded edges for instance

like on the head of the dummy look a lot

more like they're actually round with a

high resolution monitor everything looks

less fuzzy and that's especially

noticeable between 1080p and 1440p now

better looking edges or details is

clearly not something that would win you

rounds and competitive esports titles

though take a look at what happens when

the character model is at a 50 meter

distance on the 1080p monitor it becomes

somewhat difficult to even tell the head

and torso of the dummy apart it's

clearly not as easy to see as with the

1440p or even 4k display and in my

opinion this is enough to make hitting

headshots just a bit more difficult in

this distance with the 1080p monitor

considering that upgrading to 1440p only

has a minimal impact on the framerate

it's maybe about time to move to 1440p

for games like veteran unless of course

you're looking for the absolute highest

refresh rate because only 1080p will

give you these crazy high refresh rates

above 300hz at least until the 360hz

4040p monitors arrive but even then

1080p would probably continue being the

default option for the highest refresh

rate monitors and if you're after that

i'd really suggest getting a smaller 24

inch display and 4k well there's no

doubt that this is the superior

resolution even on a 27 inch screen if a

sharp and clear looking image for

working with text consuming content or

playing slow paced cinematic games is

your number one priority then go for it

if you can also afford the hardware to

drive all these pixels of course it does

look noticeably better than 4040p that's

already true for a 27-inch monitor and

for larger monitors 4k becomes even more

important though for fast-paced games

like first-person shooters and such it's

really not worth the additional

investment 4k monitors are so much more

expensive and decent graphics cards

aren't cheap either so yeah it really

makes sense that 1440p monitors are so

popular as these really are great

compromise between resolution fps and

cost i'll leave some of my favorite

4040p monitors linked down below and in

case you're wondering if you should get

a monitor with an ips panel or with a v8

panel instead i've made a comparison

video about that as well which is linked

on screen right now

thanks for watching this next video