Your viewing experience from your projector or your flatscreen is all about the resolution. With full HD 1080p and 1440p or QHD options, you are left wondering which is better and if the higher resolution is worth your money.
To make sure you aren’t spending needless cash, our team of experts have compared 1080p VS 1440p.
What 1080p Entails
In short, 1080p is a screen capable of 1080 x 1920 with a 16:9 aspect ratio. You can find this resolution in video displays, TVs and top-rated projectors even below 500. You may also see 1080p commonly referred to as FHD or full HD, and this is not to be confused with simply HD, which is 720p, a much lower quality.
Compared to the 720p HD quality, the 1080p is 5 times the high definition, which is why gamers prefer 1080p gaming to just HD quality. Because it’s of lower resolution compared to the 1440p resolution, 1080p resolution is less demanding in terms of storage space and it will also need less CPU power when you game or watch movies.
1080p Advantages and Disadvantages
Our experts will take you through the advantages of owning a 1080p quality resolution screen first. As mentioned, the 1080p display screen or monitors are less expensive than the 5x higher 1440k monitor resolutions. Because the full HD offers less pixel density [1], your 1080p screen resolution will also need less computing power and storage space.
When it comes to the 1080p VS 1440p price, the full HD screen is more inexpensive than the latter, and it also comes in more variations. The lower quality can also hit a higher refresh rate with less bandwidth and storage space. However, 1080p full HD isn’t without its disadvantages.
Due to the intricate details a 1440p screen can produce, the 1080p can fit less in a screen than the 1440p can. You will especially notice the difference when gaming or scrolling through a website online. The 1080 full HD monitors will require more scrolling because they can fit less into the screen size.
What 1440p Entails
The 1440p has more pixels per inch and has a 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution and a similar 16:9 aspect ratio. 1440p monitors are also referred to as QHD, and beat out the 1080p screen for visual clarity and color. In other words, for movie viewing and gaming, the 1440p is more desired.
1440p Advantages and Disadvantages
To give you a clearer idea of 1080p VS 1440p, our team will also touch upon the advantages and disadvantages of a 1440p screen resolution to keep you better informed.
Let’s start with the advantages first. The QHD screens have superior image quality and higher frame rate. It is not comparable to IMAX or Dolby Cinema, but it is still an impressive display.
The pixel density is also higher, and this is regardless of the screen size. A 24 inch monitor compared to a TV screen at a 27 inch measurement will still deliver pixels with the same clarity.
As said, the 1440p quality can also fit more into your screen real estate than its counterpart, which makes overall viewing more comfortable and convenient. There will be less scrolling required and you can scan more information on one page than with the 1080p.
This is another reason why competitive gamers or hobbyists prefer the 1440p resolution to a 1080p monitor.
Again, the 1440p resolution isn’t without its drawbacks. The sharper images and potentially higher refresh rates come at the cost of your wallet. A disadvantage these screens have is the more expensive price tag.
Another con of 1440p higher resolutions is the amount of CPU power and storage space required. To get to a higher frame rate, the QHD will require more effort to get to the high refresh rate of 1440p 144Hz.
1080p and 1440p: For Everyday Use
Higher quality is always better, but are they needed for everyday use? To decide which is best for you, you need to consider the pixels per inch, or pixel density, and the screen real estate.
Let’s take a 27 inch screen for example. The 1080p monitor will offer less pixels per inch compared to the 1440p monitor. This means the 1440p screen can display larger images than the FHD full HD on the same inch monitor.
27 inch screens is our recommended size for computer monitor resolution as it’s the perfect ratio for both qualities to perform at their peaks. Also, since most content out there offers 1080p image quality as a standard, our experts believe a 1080p monitor is sufficient for one that’s purchased for everyday functions.
1080p and 1440p: For Gaming
When it comes to gaming and games, the need for advanced features of your monitor are more demanding. Think about your frames per second and your screen real estate. A 1080 monitor with the help of GTX 1080, GTX 1070 or 1080 TI, you can increase your settings and quality with a high performing graphics card.
A 1080p 27-inch monitor can process a lot faster, reach higher frame rates and take up less CPU power and storage space. This is why many gamers much prefer this option when winning victories in their games.
However, the higher pixels of the QHD monitor can offer much sharper images but will take more CPU and storage. To find and decide on the best option for your games, think about your gaming gear such as the graphics cards and other surrounding attachments.
FAQ
Is there a big difference between 1080p and 1440p?
Yes, there is a big difference between 1080p and 1440p. When we do the math, the 1440p monitor, or 2K resolution offers 78% more pixels than the full HD option. This means the 1440p offers enhanced picture and more clarity by far.
Which is better 1080p or 1440p?
The 1440p is better than the 1080p if you are looking at pixels alone. However, you can increase the performance of either resolution with the right graphics cards that can boost the efficiency and the result.
Does 1080p look good on 1440p?
Yes, the 1080p can look good on a 1440p screen. It’s not the best, but 1080p content on a 1440p screen can work. However, we always recommend going for the native resolution for the best results.
Is 2k 1080p or 1440p?
2k is 1440p. This is because 1440p, also referred to as QHD, has a screen resolution of 2560×1440, which is why it is shortened to 2K.
What percentage of 1440p is 1080p?
1080p is 75% of 1440p. This means the 1080p full HD is only capable of 75% of the clarity and image sharpness offered by the 1440p, which makes the 2K 1440p the preferred resolution.
How do I change from 1080p to 1440p?
You can change from 1080p to 1440p by adding a graphics card such as the GTX 1070. However, you have to make sure your GPU can support 1440p content, and this can be checked by accessing your display options.
Why does 1080p look blurry on 1440p monitor?
1080p looks blurry on a 1440p monitor because you get less pixels with the 1080p. Less pixels spread out in a larger monitor real estate will equal pixelated and blurry images.
Conclusion
There is no clear winner for 1080p VS 1440p resolutions, but if you like clear and sharp pictures with enhanced detail, our experts suggest going for the QHD. One thing that does put 1440p above the full HD is the details and pixelation. However, the 1080p is much more efficient, less costly and requires less CPU power and memory to operate.
Again, the best choice would depend on your personal needs and preferences. Our experts also advise not exceeding a 27 inch monitor to ensure optimal performance without the chance of blurry images.
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