I've been gaming on a 4K 144Hz Samsung monitor for my PC and PS5, which I got on offer. However, my RTX 3080 struggles with modern games at this resolution. I recently upgraded to a 3080 Ti for a slight performance gain, but I'm considering whether switching to a 2K monitor, possibly an OLED, would improve my gaming experience. Will downgrading to 2K be too much of a sacrifice after enjoying 4K?
6 Answers
Just a heads up, 2K is actually 1920 x 1080, not 1440p (which some people may refer to as 2.5K).
If you mean 1440p, go for it! 1440p native with a high refresh rate is way better than 4K. Also, if you're not using an oversized monitor, it's tough to even notice the difference.
Have you tried using DLSS in supported games? It can significantly boost performance while making the visual quality loss hard to notice. Playing at 4K with DLSS would likely look better compared to native 1440p on a 2K monitor, especially if you're sitting close to a large screen.
I made the switch from a 55" 4K TV to a 32" 1440p gaming monitor, and honestly, it's been a massive improvement for performance. The higher refresh rate is a game changer, plus it handles 1440p well, even with maximum settings and ray tracing (though not entirely maxed). Until I upgrade my GPU, I'm sticking with 1440p.
Stick to 4K if your GPU can handle it. But if it can't, upgrading to something like 1440p is fine for gaming. I'm happy with 1080p or 1440p since most of my gaming is in that range.
Honestly, with DLSS or FSR available, I don't see the need to downgrade from 4K. The experience is pretty solid for gaming if your GPU can handle it.
It’s all about what you prioritize: more frames per second or pixel density. FPS tends to drop over time as newer games get more resource-heavy, while pixel density remains consistent. Personally, I prioritize higher FPS for a smoother experience.
Just to clarify, DLSS 3 and Frame Generation work only on the 4000 series cards, so your 3080 Ti will max out at DLSS 2. Even at 1440p, you’ll need DLSS for some AAA titles, and that’s going to be the future for gaming. So if you're not investing over $400-$500 yearly in GPUs, maybe avoid 4K.