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Are 4K Monitors Worth It for Gaming?
Dwight Pavlovic
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July 27, 2018
When it comes to finding the right gaming monitor, shoppers these days are inundated with options from expensive top-shelf models to affordable PC monitors that still provide a high-quality picture.
Fortunately for most budgets, the range and variety available make it possible to find exactly the display you need for your situation. And while widespread use of 4K technology is relatively new, causing some monitors to be prohibitively expensive, there are serious advantages for any dedicated gamer to consider.
Even better, there is a growing number of accessible 4K options arriving on the market as the technology continues to evolve.
Here are some things to keep in mind before you decide to purchase a 4K monitor.
What is 4K?
The term “4K” refers to a display’s screen resolution, specifically its associated pixel range. While there are different standard ratios in other contexts, the standard with 4K in most scenarios will be around 3840 × 2160 pixels. The horizontal resolution is in the range of 4000 or, simply put, 4K.
Basically, 4K means more pixels, which helps you enjoy a better image quality with higher fidelity.
What you need to make it work
After you purchase your 4K monitor, it's time to explore how best to use it. You’ll need to play games or watch videos made with the 4K format in mind in order to get the most benefit. Fortunately, more 4K content is being created and the capacity to show it properly is increasingly integrated into games, TV shows, and films.
It’s also important to think about the screen size of the display you’re considering.
Many users find the advantages of 4K less compelling on smaller displays, so the monitor’s dimensions and your preferred style of gaming or viewing should be considered before you purchase one.
Most importantly, if you’re using a 4K gaming monitor as part of your desktop setup, your computer needs to be powerful enough to run it, which means more memory and a higher-end graphics card to avoid glitches or degradation.
If you’re buying a laptop with a 4K screen, you won’t have to worry about any of this.
Immerse yourself in more detailed and vibrant game worlds
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether your gaming experience would be improved by shifting to 4K, because not every game requires elaborate detail.
However, as more Triple-A (AAA) and competitive games are designed with the format in mind, it’s more likely that an older generation build won’t properly showcase what these games are capable of.
Also, with the price of a new 4K computer monitors going down, it’s never been easier to upgrade or add one to your gaming computer build.
So, is a 4K monitor worth it for gaming? Absolutely.
Crystal clear 4K with HP®
Ready to take a look at a few potential 4K displays? HP® offers a variety of options, including the powerful HP Z Displays and our HP ENVY 27-inch Display with its 60 Hz refresh rate.
For the serious gamer on-the-go, you can also find options for 4K display upgrades - and the other hardware you’ll need to back it up - included in our HP OMEN laptop designs.
About the Author: Dwight Pavlovic is a contributing writer for HP® Tech Takes. Dwight is a music and technology writer based out of West Virginia.
