Will 1080p Look Bad on a 1440p Monitor?
If you are planning to buy a new monitor for your gaming setup and you wonder if 1080p look bad on a 1440p monitor, we will answer that here.
Whether you’re a casual gamer or diehard fanatic, you likely want the best computer setup possible. As such, you may be wondering if a 75Hz monitor is sufficient enough for gaming.
Although a 75Hz refresh rate isn’t as smooth and impressive as a 144Hz monitor, it’s enough for casual gaming. However, competitive gamers should go for a 144Hz display since a higher refresh rate, and FPS gives you a competitive advantage. However, 75Hz is perfectly suitable for most gamers, and you can still remain competitive at 75Hz.
In this in-depth guide, you’ll learn all about:
More importantly, you’ll learn if a 75Hz monitor is worth it or not. This being said, let’s jump right in.
If you have experience gaming, you likely spent the majority of your time playing on a 60Hz monitor. As such, you most likely still had an enjoyable experience despite using a 60Hz monitor.
For this reason, a slight increase to 75Hz will only enhance your gaming experience. Furthermore, a 75Hz monitor is a budget-friendly option that renders 75 FPS (frame rates per second). In other words, a 75Hz monitor refreshed the image 75 times per second.
Additionally, FPS games like Valorant or Call of Duty: Warzone benefit from a higher refresh rate than games such as GTA V or Minecraft. This is because real-time performance is much more critical in first-person shooters.
Your monitor refreshes multiple times per second in order to display new images on your screen. The number of times your monitor refreshes itself per second is measured by its refresh rate. The primary reason why refresh rate is important is that it impacts your computer’s graphics.
As your monitor refreshes more per second, the refresh rate will increase. As a result, the image displayed on your computer will become smoother. Furthermore, refresh rate is essential because it prevents screen tearing and stutters. When screen tearing arises, your in-game performance will be affected.
It’s also important to know that if your computer’s FPS is higher than your monitor’s refresh rate, your monitor can’t display the additional frames.
For example, if your computer can output 120 FPS as you’re gaming and your monitor has a 75Hz refresh rate, your screen can only show 75 images per second.
This is why you should always look for a monitor with the same refresh rate as the FPS you get in-game.
A common issue that arises when gamers search for a monitor is when they confuse refresh rate with frame rate.
The primary difference between frame rate and refresh rate is that frame rate is not related to the monitor itself. Instead, your frame rate is determined by your graphics card, CPU, and the game you’re playing. Furthermore, frame rate is measured in FPS or frames per second.
Alternatively, your refresh rate is directly associated with the monitor you use. Your monitor’s refresh rate determines the number of times your monitor can display an image per second.
Although only your refresh rate is directly correlated with your monitor, both frame rate and refresh rate impact the quality of your screen.
If you are using a high refresh rate monitor, but your graphics card and CPU do not produce a high frame rate, you won’t be able to enjoy the benefits of a higher refresh rate display.
So, turn on ‘View FPS’ in the in-game settings and see what FPS you average throughout the duration of your gaming session.
There are three vital benefits of using a higher refresh rate monitor.
These include:
A monitor with a higher refresh rate produces smoother scrolling. As such, smooth scrolling plays a considerable role in helping you understand what’s on your screen.
The faster the images change, the smoother the appearance of your screen. A 75Hz monitor provides a smoother scrolling experience when compared to a 60Hz monitor. Since a 75Hz monitor refreshes 75 times per second and a 60Hz monitor refreshes 60 times per second, you’ll notice a 17% increase in display quality.
As a result, the scrolling will look much smoother.
With a higher refresh rate, you can also see more visual elements. This is because more frames are being displayed to you.
Many gamers have switched from a 60Hz display to a 75Hz display and noticed definite improvements in their viewing experience. Although it’s only 15 extra frames per second, the change is usually noticeable.
However, if you’re looking to make a drastic difference to the viewing experience of your monitor, we recommend switching to a 144Hz monitor. A 1080p 144Hz monitor is usually not much more expensive than a 1080p 60Hz monitor.
When it comes to competitive gaming, a higher refresh rate can prove to be extremely beneficial. For competitive games, you’ll have the edge over players that are using a lower refresh rate display.
This is because lower refresh rate players have more input lag and can’t react as fast as players with a high refresh rate monitor. A 75Hz monitor is an excellent choice for casual or semi-competitive players looking for an affordable way to boost their gaming experience.
However, it’s important to note that a 75Hz monitor is more ideal for gamers who average around 75 FPS in-game.
If you’re a hardcore gamer, you’ll want the highest refresh rate you can afford. This is because a higher refresh rate grants a smoother gameplay experience.
More specifically, a higher refresh rate provides a more polished motion and allows you to respond faster while gaming. Based on the majority of hardcore but not professional gamers, 144Hz is the sweet spot of gaming. Although they are more expensive than 75Hz monitors, they are worth it in the long run.
In our experience, you can search for a used 144Hz monitor on your Facebook marketplace or eBay. You may find that a used 144Hz monitor costs the same as a new 75Hz monitor. However, make sure the used monitor is in good condition without any scratches or dead pixels.
Let’s discuss the pros, cons, and best use cases for each of the three types of monitors.
75Hz monitors are great for single-player games or RPGs that don’t have a competitive aspect. Some games that fall under this category include Red Dead Redemption 2, GTA V, Assassins Creed, and so forth. In high graphically intensive titles like these, it will be extremely difficult, even reaching 144 FPS.
However, first-person shooters are definitely playable on a 75Hz monitor if you’re not a diehard competitive gamer. This is because the players in higher ranked lobbies will likely all be using a 144Hz monitor and have an advantage over you.
If you’re just casually playing games with your friends, there’s nothing wrong with using a 75Hz monitor.
If you want the best gaming experience possible, we highly recommend getting a 144Hz monitor. However, you need to ensure that your graphics card can support up to 144 frames per second while you’re in-game.
When it comes to 75Hz monitors for gaming, there’s nothing inherently wrong with it. The only reason why you should choose a 75Hz monitor over a 144Hz monitor if you’re looking to upgrade your gaming setup is because of budget.
This is because 144Hz monitors are typically $50 to $100 more expensive than a 75Hz monitor. For this reason, we recommend looking for a used 144Hz monitor at the same price point as a new 75Hz monitor.
If you already have a 75Hz monitor and are wondering if it’s suitable for gaming, the answer is yes. 75Hz is a step up above standard 60Hz displays, so you should see a noticeable improvement when it comes to gaming.
Furthermore, a higher refresh rate transfers over to tasks other than gaming as well. For example, your casual internet browsing will be smoother and more high quality.
All in all, 75Hz is great for casual gaming but not ideal for competitive multiplayer gaming.
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