114 PCWorld JUNE 2020HERE’S HOW 1080P VS 4K
B01K1IO2DG (go.pcworld.com/vx24) costs
about $230.
With that price, however, our base
argument still holds: A 1080p display, even a
more expensive model, simply makes more
financial sense. There are reasons to
consider 1440p, especially if you’re thinking
about gaming at higher resolutions. In
general, though, stick to a 1080p display if
additional space is the priority.WHO SHOULD BUY A 4K
DISPLAY? WHEN YOU’RE
READY TO MOVE UP FROM
1080P
Six months ago, I shelled out close to $400
for the LG 27UK650-W (go.pcworld.
com/27uk), a fantastic 4K 27-inch IPS displaywith HDR capabilities. I bought the display
for two reasons: as a replacement for an
existing 1080p display; and as a 60Hz
gaming display for an Xbox One X and some
PC gaming. I also retained an existing 1080p
monitor that I intended to continue using.
If you already own a pair of external
displays, now might be the time to start
thinking about higher-resolution upgrades,
especially if the ones you already own are
1080p.
It’s at this point that 1440p or even a 4K
display makes more sense, especially if
you’re trying to fit more information on your
screen or use the displays for watching video
and want your favorite shows or streams in a
higher-resolution format. Of course, you can
also simply choose a larger monitor in the
same resolution, or
choose among
HDR or higher-
refresh-rate
options for more
visual
improvements.
My advice,
though, is to start
basic and work
your way up. You’ll
enjoy all the
benefits of more
screen real estate
without breaking
the bank.If you have the hardware, three displays is an option as well. We have a guide for
setting up a three-display system (go.pcworld.com/mtmn), or even more.