With the power of today’s computer hardware and the release of powerful next-generation consoles such as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, 4K gaming is quickly becoming one of the most popular gaming resolutions.
The stunningly realistic image quality, crisp and vibrant graphics, as well as increased visual details means that 4K gaming adds a new level of immersion to the gaming experience like never before.
It used to be that you had to spend a fortune to be able to even consider running games at a 4K resolution. However, thanks to the increased hardware options, lower prices, and console alternatives, 4K gaming is more attainable than ever.
So why should you consider making the leap into 4K, and what do you need to do to make the change? Well, let’s take a bit of a dive into the realm of Ultra HD and take a look.
What Are the Most Commonly Used Resolutions for Gaming
First of all, let’s take a look at the most commonly used display resolutions for gamers.
1080p
This is a common resolution that lots of people use: whether they’re gamers or regular users. The reason why 1080p is so popular is thanks to the low barrier it takes to get into 1080p gaming.
Generally speaking, gamers can enjoy playing games at a 1080p resolution with a lower end gaming computer. This means that you don’t have to buy the latest and greatest hardware out there in order to get started.
In the market, you’ll find a sea of monitors available that sport this resolution, all coming in at various price points. As a result you can find a monitor that will fit pretty much anyone’s budget.
Whilst 1080p does not give you in game graphics anywhere near that of a 4K monitor, it does still give you an enjoyable gaming experience.
1080 monitors are also pretty much the standard for daily regular/office tasks. You can get the monitors for cheap and can handle most of the productivity tasks that you need to do.
1440p
Things now start to get a bit more interesting when we start looking at 1440p monitors.
1440p monitors provide more pixels than that of 1080p monitors. Getting extra pixels means you’ll be able to enjoy better quality images while you play than that of their 1080p counterpart.
This also means you’ll experience smoother and more fluid visuals when gaming. Combined with boosted refresh rates, this resolution offers a great middle ground between standard HD and Ultra HD gaming..
You will need to use a mid range gaming PC in order to drive those extra pixels, but nowadays most modern gaming rigs that people have shouldn’t have any issues.
4K
This is what truly is the 1080p successor. 4K monitors are the holy grail of monitors and provide you with some of the best image quality available today.
Making use of a 4K display offers graphics that look stunning when compared with other resolutions. You will receive a vibrant and crisp imagery that shows off impressive crystal-clear details. This is something that just isn’t possible with monitors that provide you with lower resolutions.
When we speak of games and gaming, nothing can beat a resolution of 3840 x 2160. This will allow you to see your favourite games that will pop and appear almost realistic. You may even find that you gain an edge against other players because of the clarity and crispness of visuals during gaming and play.
If you are a PC gamer then you would need a higher end gaming PC, but for those that like console play, you simply need to purchase a next-gen console and you are good to jump right in.
Why 4K Displays Make a Big Difference
When it comes to 4K displays there are a range of benefits when comparing them to displays that offer a lower resolution.
Mind Blowing Image Quality
4K displays offer far superior image quality than that of other displays, it really is that simple. These displays come with a resolution of 3840×2160 which display 8,294,400 pixels. Compared to a 1080p monitor that has a resolution of 1920×1080 displaying 2,073,600 pixels, 4k monitors give you 4 times the image quality and details.
With this resolution you are presented with more crisp, clear, vibrant, and detailed images. This increased image quality gives you a more realistic image that truly adds to the immersion that you experience when gaming.
Increased Pixel Density
Resolution is not the only factor that comes into play when it comes to great image quality. Pixel density also plays a critical role in determining what kind of image quality you are going to get. Pixel Density refers to the number of pixels that are displayed within a certain area of the screen. This Pixel Density is measured in what’s called Pixels Per Inch, or PPI for short.
The more pixels that are displayed in a given area, the better the image quality you will get as a result. This is due to the fact that the more pixels that you can squeeze into an area, the harder it is for the human eye to be able to differentiate between the pixels.
Get The Most Out Of Your Next-Generation Consoles
The beauty of the current next-gen consoles such as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X is that they offer some serious gaming horsepower at a very affordable price. Once you purchase the console all you need to do is connect it up to your TV and you are ready to start gaming. They truly are a set and forget gaming device.
Both of these consoles are designed with 4K gaming in mind. All you need to do to take advantage of their 4K support is connect the console to a display that supports 4K. If you use a display that has a HDMI 2.1 port you will be able to game at a 4K resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate.
The Perfect Resolution For Media Consumption
4K displays are also the pinnacle when it comes to media consumption. If you are someone that likes to use their display to watch movies and TV shows then you really want to do that on a 4K display.
With most content, whether it be on YouTube, Twitch, Netflix or Disney Plus, being available in 4K resolution you really want to take advantage of that. There is nothing better than sitting back and watching the latest Marvel movie in full, glorious 4K.
As a result this makes 4K monitors the perfect choice for both gaming and entertainment.
The Ideal Resolution For Productivity and Content Creation
Another area where 4K Ultra HD resolutions shine is in the productivity and content creation space. By having a display that supports a 4K resolution you are provided with much larger screen real estate which allows you to set up your workflow exactly how you would like it.
The additional space on your screen means that you can position multiple windows exactly where you want them, which is important for tasks such as graphic design and video production.
If you are a content creator that works with video and photos then one of the most important requirements when it comes to choosing a display is colour accuracy and image quality. You want to make sure that what you are creating is what your audience is actually going to see. This is especially important for people that are creating or streaming 4K videos for the likes of YouTube and Twitch. If you are working with 4K video then you need a 4K display to work on.
So, What Do You Need To Get Started Gaming In 4K?
Thankfully, there is very little that you need to get started with 4K gaming and can be done without breaking the bank.
The first thing that you will need to get is something that is capable of putting out 4K gaming content. The most common choices here are a gaming PC and a next-generation console.
A 4K Capable Gaming PC
In order to play games in Ultra HD, you need a gaming PC that is capable of powering this increased display resolution. This gaming PC needs to house some of the more powerful computer hardware that is currently available, and although it’s not the cheapest, it is much more affordable than it used to be.
You are going to need a GPU that is capable of driving those pixels during games. You can’t go wrong with either Nvidia or AMD when it comes to graphics cards. You will need to look at the higher-mid to high end graphics cards that are currently available, such as an RTX 3070 or RX 6800 XT.
In addition to the GPU you will also need to look out for a quality CPU to install as the brains of the entire operation. Thankfully today’s CPUs are powerhouses that offer performance like never before. Take a look at something like an Intel 12700K and AMD 5800X, both of these offer fantastic performance and can be found at an affordable price.
When choosing RAM, it’s recommended to have at least 16GB, but if you can go for 32GB of RAM to give yourself a nice bit of headroom. RAM prices are very affordable now compared to what they were a few years ago, so it should be easy to find an affordable 32GB setup.
A Next-Generation Console
The easiest and most cost effective way to get into 4K gaming is to go for a next-gen console. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X both offer unparalleled gaming performance and the lineup of games available is fantastic.
Provided you have a display with a HDMI 2.1 port you can enjoy Ultra HD gaming at a butter smooth 120Hz refresh rate. This provides you with a gaming experience that is silky smooth and offers some of the best visuals and gaming experience available.
The other benefit of going the console route is that you do not require any technical expertise as you simply need to purchase the console from your local store, plug it in, and you are good to go.
There is nothing like lounging around on the couch and playing the latest Call of Duty and just unwinding after a long week.
A Quality 4K Gaming Monitor
One of the most important decisions to make is what display to go for. You might have the best gaming PC around, or both of the latest consoles, but it means nothing if the display is not able to provide you with the best image possible.
This is where the GIGABYTE AORUS lineup of displays come into play. They offer unmatched 4K gaming performance for all types of gamers out there. They give you the best image quality possible that really shows off what your gaming PC and console is capable of.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular 4K display offerings amongst gamers.
M28U
The M28U is their stand out 28 inch 4K monitor. Being a 28 inch display it doesn’t require as powerful hardware to run compared to larger 4K displays.
This monitor is great for those that are into competitive gaming that want to get more crisp image quality from their gameplay. It is also ideal for those that don’t have large amounts of space available on their desk.
One of the best features of this monitor is the included KVM. The KVM allows you to use one single monitor across multiple devices using a single mouse and keyboard. This is perfect for those to use more than one device such as a Mac for work and a PC for gaming.
The M28U comes packed with the following specs:
- 28 inch SS IPS display
- 94% DCI-P3/ 120% sRGB colour saturation
- 8bits display colours
- 1000:1 contrast ratio
- 1ms GTG response time
- 144Hz refresh rate with 120Hz for consoles
- VESA Display HDR400
- HDMI 2.1
- KVM
M32U
The M32U is the bigger brother to the M28U. It is a great option for those that want a bit more screen real estate and for those that like to also enjoy additional entertainment such as streaming the latest movies and tv shows.
The 144Hz refresh rate means that you will be able to enjoy an incredible gaming experience and since it makes use of FreeSync VRR, the tear-free gaming gives you a buttery smooth game.
Being a larger display it is a good choice for those that like to play on their next-gen consoles and is perfect for someone’s bedroom.
Like the M28U, the M32U also includes KVM. This means that this really is the only monitor that you need on your desk. Allowing you to control more than one device with the same keyboard and mouse makes productivity so much simpler.
The M32U comes packed with the following specs:
- 31.5 inch SS IPS display
- 90% DCI-P3/ 123% sRGB colour saturation
- 10bits (8bit + FRC) display colours
- 1000:1 contrast ratio
- 1ms GTG response time
- 144Hz refresh rate with 120Hz for consoles
- VESA Display HDR400
FI32U
The FI32U is probably one of the most popular displays in the AORUS range, thanks to its 4K IPS screen with an impressively fast 144Hz refresh rate. This monitor is designed from the ground up with 4K gaming in mind.
The monitor comes with RGB lighting which allows you to customise the colour theme to suit your room, and is a great feature to add a bit of flair to your gaming space.
Thanks to the inclusion of HDMI 2.1, you can get the most out of your PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X with 4K gaming at refresh rates of 120Hz.
The FI32U comes packed with the following specs:
- 31.5 inch SS IPS panel
- 90% DCI-P3/ 123% sRGB colour saturation
- 1000:1 contrast ratio
- 1ms GTG response time
- 144Hz refresh rate with 120Hz for consoles
- VESA Display HDR400
- HDMI 2.1
FV43U
The FV43U is one of the larger displays from AORUS that sports a 43-inch screen 4K VA Panel with a refresh rate of 144Hz. This makes it an ideal choice for console gamers that are looking for a larger display to play games on.
Once again, it comes with HDMI 2.1 meaning that you can get the most out of your console with 120Hz 4K gaming.
This display offers unparalleled image quality that draws you into the games that you are playing, making you feel as though you are in the game.
The FV43U comes packed with the following specs:
- 43 inch VA QD display
- 97% DCI-P3/ 150% sRGB/ 99% AdobeRGB colour saturation
- 10bits (8bits+FRC) display colours
- 4000:1 contrast ratio
- 1ms MPRT response time
- 144Hz refresh rate with 120Hz for consoles
- VESA Display HDR1000
- HDMI 2.1
FO48U
The FO48U is another display from AORUS that offers a large screen area and stunning 4K performance. This is largely due to the fact that it makes use of an OLED panel that offers realistic, true colours and strong deep blacks.
With the FO48U being self-emissive it means that the display does not need to rely on backlights which leads to better image quality while also reducing the response time. This is a big plus for gamers.
In addition, this display also includes KVM which makes it an ideal choice for those looking to run multiple devices with the FO48U.
The FO48U comes packed with the following specs:
- 47.53 OLED display
- 98% DCI-P3/ 130% sRGB colour saturation
- 10bits display colours
- 135000:1 contrast ratio
- 1ms GTG response time
- 120Hz refresh rate
- HDR10 / HLG
- HDMI 2.1
- KVM
S55U
The S55U display offers everything that you need as a console gamer. The display boasts a gargantuan 54.6-inch quantum UHD dot display with unmatched image quality.
It comes packed with an eSports-grade refresh rate of 120Hz and offers a 2ms GTG response time, meaning lag free gaming.
One of the best things about this display is that it is an Android-powered product. This means that it comes with popular applications such as YouTube, Netflix, and Chromecast, which makes it perfect for all of your home entertainment needs.
The S55U comes packed with the following specs:
- 54.6 inch VA display
- 96% DCI-P3/ 150% sRGB colour saturation
- 5000:1 contrast ratio
- 2ms GTG response time
- 120Hz refresh rate
- Dolby Vision / HDR10 / HDR10+ / HLG
- HDMI 2.1
*the S55U is not currently available in Australia
