Choosing the Right Monitor for PS5: 4K 60Hz vs 1440p 120Hz

Deciding between a 4K 60Hz and a 1440p 120Hz monitor for your PlayStation 5 (PS5) is a crucial choice. It depends on personal preference, the types of games you play, and your budget. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of each option to help you make an informed decision.

Understanding the Key Factors

When it comes to gaming, two aspects are paramount: resolution and refresh rate. Resolution refers to the number of pixels your monitor can display, while refresh rate is the number of times your monitor updates the image each second. Both play a critical role in the gaming experience, but their importance varies depending on the type of game and your personal preference.

Fortnite: A Case Study

Fortnite is a competitive multiplayer first-person shooter game that benefits significantly from a monitor with a high refresh rate. A 120Hz screen would provide a smoother and more responsive gaming experience, making it easier to react quickly to fast-paced action. This is crucial for competitive play where milliseconds matter.

FC24 and NBA2K: Console Games

Games like FC24 and NBA2K, which are primarily designed for consoles, do not require the same level of precision and fast reactions as Fortnite. In these games, a 60Hz screen is often sufficient. However, a 4K resolution can still offer slightly better visuals, especially if you are sensitive to aliasing or pixellation. If you sit close to the screen, you might even notice a slight improvement in detail and overall appearance.

4K at 60Hz vs 1440p at 120Hz

For Fortnite, a 1440p 120Hz monitor provides a better gaming experience due to its lower resolution, which is less taxing on the graphics card. In my tests using a RX 5700 XT GPU and a Dell P2715Q 4K monitor, I found little difference in visual quality between 4K and 1440p at the same refresh rate. The higher resolution of 4K can be more noticeable when you sit very close to the monitor, but some of that visual clarity can be mitigated by the higher resolution of 1440p when viewed from a typical gaming distance.

For other games, particularly those designed for consoles, a 4K 60Hz monitor offers better graphics. While there might be a small drop in resolution from 4K to 1440p, HDR can help mitigate this issue. However, the higher refresh rate of 1440p is often more beneficial for smoother gameplay, making it a better choice for those games.

Waiting for the Next Generation

While the PS5 supports both 4K 120Hz and 1440p 144Hz, it’s worth considering the technology trends. Most gaming 1440p monitors now have a 144Hz refresh rate, making it a more common and reliable choice. Similarly, LG has released a 27-inch 4K 144Hz monitor, with others expected to follow soon.

For those on a tight budget, a 1440p 144Hz monitor offers a good balance. It provides a high refresh rate for smoother gameplay and maintains a high enough resolution for most gaming monitors. A 4K TV with a high refresh rate (120Hz or 144Hz) can also be an excellent alternative, though it can be more expensive.

Conclusion

The choice between a 4K 60Hz and a 1440p 120Hz monitor for your PS5 ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. For competitive games like Fortnite, a 1440p 120Hz monitor is likely the better choice. For more console-like games and those sensitive to visual detail, a 4K 60Hz monitor can provide a superior experience. However, if you are on a budget or want the best of both worlds, a 1440p 144Hz monitor or a high-refresh-rate 4K TV is a great solution.

To summarize:

4K 60Hz: Good for visuals and competitive games. 1440p 120Hz: Better for smoother gameplay and console-like games. 1440p 144Hz or 4K TV: A balanced choice for budget-conscious gamers.