Did you know that Full HD or 1080p is still one of the popular and widely-used monitor resolutions even in 2024? This is sufficient for everyday tasks such as browsing the internet, answering emails, and other office-related tasks.
However, when it comes to gaming, monitors with higher resolutions often deliver an immersive and visually impressive experience. Apart from 1080p, two other common resolutions are 1440p and 4K.
The 4K resolution, which is very common in modern TVs, is slowly becoming a dominating form in computer monitors and laptop screens. 1440p, on the other hand, was never a popular resolution with TVs but it is quite common among computer monitors (and laptop screens to some extent).
- But when it comes to the 1440p vs. 4K debate, which one truly stands out?
- Which resolution is best suited for gamers and
- Which resolution is more useful for productivity?
Let us try to find answers to all these questions in this epic 1440p vs 4K comparison. So, let’s get started with the basics first.
We already made a detailed comparison between 1080p vs 1440p in an earlier article. Check it out for more information.
What Is 1440p?
The term “1440P” refers to a monitor resolution of 2560×1440 pixels. A screen/monitor with 1440p resolution consists of 2,560 horizontal pixels (across the width) and 1,440 vertical pixels. This results in a 16:9 aspect ratio, which has become standard for most displays to provide a balanced widescreen view.
As 1280×720 resolution is considered the original high definition or HD resolution, 1440p is often called Quad HD as it has 4 times the pixel count as the original HD resolution.
Computer monitors are slowly leaving the HD and Full HD (1080p) resolution zone and are entering the 1440p resolution as it offers 78% more pixels than the 1080p resolution.
What Is 4K?
Whether you heard of 1440p or not, you might have come across 4K Resolution as it is one of the popular display resolutions in televisions nowadays. Often called Ultra HD or UHD, 4K is the true successor to Full HD (1080p) with 4 times the resolution offered by 1080p.
A 4K monitor or display has a resolution of 3840×2160 i.e., it has 3,840 horizontal pixels and 2,160 vertical pixels. Like 1080p and 1440p, 4K also maintains a 16:9 aspect ratio. Following the trend of naming the resolutions based on the number of vertical pixels (720p, 1080p, and 1440p), 4K is also known as 2160p.
The computer monitor sector is still catching up to 4K and manufacturers are slowly introducing 4K monitors to their lineup. But due to the sheer number of pixels in 4K, which is more than 8 million, the hardware (CPU and GPU) has to be top-notch as well.
Comparison Chart: 1440p vs. 4K
Here is a quick comparison between 1440p and 4K resolutions.
| Feature/Parameter | 1440p (Quad HD) | 4K (Ultra HD) |
| Resolution | 2560 × 1440 pixels | 3840 × 2160 pixels |
| Total Pixels | 3.7 million pixels | 8.3 million pixels |
| Pixel Density (Pixels Per Inch-PPI) on a 27″ Monitor | ~109 PPI | ~163 PPI |
| Image Clarity | Clearer than 1080p, but less sharp than 4K | Extremely sharp and detailed |
| Use Cases | Gaming, office work, suitable for content creation (editing and production) | Professional video editing (4K Video), high-end gaming, high-res designs |
| Gaming Performance | Easier to achieve higher frame rates | More demanding on GPU, lower frame rates |
| Ideal Screen Size | 24″ to 32″ | 27″ and above |
| GPU Requirements | Mid-range GPUs can easily handle 1440p | Need high-end GPUs for a smooth experience |
| Scaling in Windows | Minimal scaling is needed; text remains readable | May require scaling (150%-200%) for readability |
| Power Consumption | Lower compared to 4K | Higher due to more pixels |
| VRAM Usage in Gaming | Lower VRAM usage | Higher VRAM usage |
| HDR Support | Limited support (depends on monitor) | Widely supported on 4K monitors |
| Cost of Monitors | Affordable than 4K | More expensive |
| Popularity | Popular among gamers and professionals | Increasingly popular for professionals and high-end users |
Differences Between 1440p and 4K
Resolution And Pixels
As mentioned before, 1440p has 2560×1440 pixels horizontally and vertically. These numbers might not seem that huge compared to 1920×1080 but a 1440p monitor has 78% more pixels than a 1080p monitor.
A 1440p or Quad HD (QHD) monitor has approximately 3.7 million pixels on the screen (compared to 2 million pixels on a 1080p monitor). The result is a sharper image with more detailed textures.
These extra pixels definitely come in handy as you get more workspace compared to a 1080p resolution. What this means is that for a similar screen size, you get more real estate with a 1440p monitor and you can easily put two applications side-by-side and work simultaneously. Even for single applications such as browsers or editing (photo and video) software, you don’t have to scroll that often.
4K resolution, on the other hand, is in a completely different ball game. With a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels, 4K monitors consist of over 8.3 million pixels on the screen. This pixel count is four times the pixels than a 1080p resolution and more than double that of 1440P. 4K or Ultra HD (UHD) monitors take image quality to the next level with incredibly sharp images and detailed visuals (especially on larger screens).
Screen Size And Pixel Density (PPI)
The size of the monitor determines its pixel density (measured in pixels per inch or PPI) for a particular resolution. The higher the PPI, the sharper and more detailed the image. If the pixel density is low i.e., a bigger screen with lower resolution, you will get a blurry and unwatchable image on the screen.
A 27-inch monitor with 1440p resolution has a pixel density that usually falls around 108-109 PPI. In contrast, 4K resolution on a 27-inch monitor results in a pixel density of approximately 163 PPI. While 109 PPI of 1440p has a sharper and more detailed image, an increase in pixel density to 163 PPI with 4K makes images appear much sharper, with finer details and smoother edges.
However, the higher PPI of 4K monitors means that text and interface elements can appear smaller. You have to make necessary scaling adjustments in Windows (which can sometimes lead to compatibility issues with certain apps). Hence, a 1440p monitor is a more user-friendly option for those who prefer a straightforward setup.
As a general rule of thumb, the 1440p resolution works well on monitors ranging from 24 to 32 inches while 4K resolution is beneficial on larger screens, such as those measuring 27 inches or more.
Refresh Rates
Refresh rate, measured in hertz (Hz), indicates how many times per second a monitor updates its image. A higher refresh rate results in smoother motion (very important in gaming and fast-paced media). While modern 1080p resolution monitors offer very high refresh rates (240 Hz and even more), 1440p and 4K monitors are still having lower refresh rates.
Most 1440p monitors in the market have support for 144 Hz and 165 Hz refresh rates. Some 1440p monitors with refresh rates up to 180 Hz are becoming very common nowadays.
On the other hand, 4K monitors often come with lower refresh rates. Many 4K monitors are still hovering at 60Hz. While some recent 4K monitors come with higher refresh rates, such as 120Hz and 144Hz, their price can be significantly high (and you need top-tier hardware to drive that monitor).
That said, the most popular combination of screen resolution and refresh rate is 1440p and 144 Hz or 165 Hz for all purposes (gaming, watching streaming content, everyday usage, and productivity). You don’t have to break the bank for this combination and we estimate a decline in prices of 1440p monitors as they continue to grow further in popularity.
Response Time
The response time of a display is the time in milliseconds (ms) for a pixel to change from one color to another, usually gray to gray (sometimes black to white). Lower response time is better as it means the display can quickly change colors as instructed by the CPU. This is extremely important in gaming and video editing as you don’t want a ‘ghosting’ effect due to slow response from the display.
Response time depends on the type of panel used for the monitor rather than resolution and a response time of 5ms or less is considered good. Generally, TN and VA panels have very low response times but the more popular IPS panels are also available with low response times.
OLED Monitors are slowly gaining popularity, thanks to the adoption by several manufacturers and prices going down (slowly, but still). The main advantage of OLED Monitors, apart from their excellent picture quality, is near-instant response time.
Graphics Card Requirements
Higher resolutions require your GPU to render more pixels, which demands more processing power. For instance, when gaming at 1440p, your GPU must handle 3.7 million pixels, while 4K gaming pushes that number to 8.3 million pixels.
To play games comfortably at 1440p, you need a mid-to-high-end GPU. In 2024, GPUs like the NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti, RTX 4070 Super, or AMD RX 7700 XT offer solid performance at native 1440p resolution with good frame rates in most modern games. For instance, when you pair a 1440p monitor with an RTX 4060 Ti, you can expect around 80-100 FPS in popular titles like Cyberpunk 2077 at high settings.
On the other hand, 4K gaming requires considerably more power. To achieve smooth gameplay at 4K, you need high-end GPUs like the NVIDIA RTX 4090, RTX 4080 Super, or AMD RX 7900 XTX.
Cost
The last and the most important point is the cost. If you are upgrading from 1080p to either 1440p or 4K resolution, then be ready to shell out your pockets as there is a significant price jump from the former to the latter. Surprisingly, there isn’t much difference between 1440p and 4K monitors, but still, they are expensive at the moment (prices for 1440p at least may go down as the gaming industry is moving towards that resolution).
On average, a good-quality 1440p monitor costs between $160 and $350. This price range includes features like high refresh rates, IPS panels, and adjustable stands. In contrast, 4K monitors typically start at a higher price point of $230 and can easily reach $500. High-end models with additional features like HDR, wide color gamut, and higher refresh rates can cost even more (excess of $800).
As we said before, OLED monitors are becoming very popular among gamers. A 1440p OLED monitor with a refresh rate of 240 Hz (or more) from brands like ASUS, LG, and Samsung starts at $750.
In addition to the cost of the monitor, there is a chance that your existing graphics card cannot drive a 1440p monitor and definitely not a 4K one. So, you have to purchase the latest and most powerful graphics card as well, which increases the overall cost of the upgrade.
Pros And Cons Of 1440p And 4K
1440p
| Pros | Cons |
| A significant upgrade from 1080p with 78% more pixels | Not suitable for watching movies and streaming services at full resolution |
| With high refresh rates (144Hz or more), 1440p monitors are a very good option for gamers | On larger monitors (above 32 inches), 1440p might not offer sufficient pixel density |
| Compared to 4K monitors, 1440p models are more budget-friendly |
4K
| Pros | Cons |
| 4K monitors have stunning visual clarity | Not preferred by competitive gamers |
| 4K has 4 times the pixels than 1080p. So, more real estate to work with | Very expensive (prices are coming down though) |
| Very good for watching movies, and streaming services as most of the content is being recorded in 4K | Requires top-tier graphics cards and CPU to drive a 4K monitor |
| Best suited for console gaming | Often available at low refresh rates |
1440p vs. 4K Resolution In Different Use Cases
Gaming
Both 1440p and 4K resolution monitors are suitable for gaming. If you are a competitive gamer and you have a decently powerful graphics card, then you would need a high refresh rate monitor to push those high frame rates from your GPU.
4K resolution, even though it has an excellent image quality, lacks refresh rates. Most 4K monitors are available with 60Hz refresh rate and for higher refresh rates, you have to spend a fortune.
So, for serious gaming, a high refresh rate 1440p resolution monitor (at least 144 Hz) will not hurt your wallet and at the same time provide you with a very good gaming experience. 1440p monitors with 144 Hz or 165 Hz refresh rates are quite popular among gamers and are available at a decent price as well.
That said, if you are a console gamer, then a 4K TV is more suitable as consoles and console games are designed specifically for that hardware. 4K TVs with 120Hz refresh rates (from LG and Sony) are already widely available in the market and we expect a similar scene with 4K monitors i.e., affordable monitors with high refresh rates in the near future.
Content/Media Consumption
If you want to watch movies and videos alongside day-to-day use on your monitors, then a 4K monitor offers the best viewing experience. When watching 4K content, you experience a level of detail that 1440p cannot replicate. Most of the streaming content such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and even YouTube is available in 4K. To access 4K content, a 4K monitor with HDR provides the best experience.
A 1440p resolution monitor is also good for watching content but you have to bring down the resolution (from 4K) for proper pixel-to-pixel image processing.
Professional Work
For professional work such as programming, graphic design, and general office work, 1440p strikes a balance between detail and performance. This resolution provides ample screen space that allows you to open multiple windows and applications simultaneously. You can multitask with several documents or applications side by side.
If your work demands high detail and precision (video editing, photo editing, and content creation), 4K displays make things easy to view and edit content in its native resolution where every detail is visible. This precision is extremely important for tasks like color grading, where even the smallest change can impact the final result. With the increased screen space in 4K, you can easily work with large timelines or multiple layers in editing software.
Which Is Better, 1440p Or 4K?
So, finally, which is better between 1440p and 4K? The answer depends on your personal needs and budget limitations. If you are looking to upgrade your current monitor and doesn’t want to spend a fortune, then a 1440p monitor with at least a 144 Hz refresh rate is the right fit for you.
4K displays on the other hand have excellent picture quality with great detail. Their cost is more compared to 1440p and importantly you need high-end hardware to pair with a decent 4K monitor.
