Upgrading your gaming monitor: from Full HD to Quad HD

One of the best upgrades you can make to your PC gaming setup is by switching from a Full HD (1080p) monitor to a Quad HD (1440p) one. You’ll notice a big jump in the visuals straight away. And all your favourite titles – alongside those epic new releases – will be looking better than ever.

But what’s different about each resolution? And how does a Quad HD monitor compare to a 4K one? We’ll explain all. Let the games begin!

What’s the difference: 1080p vs 1440p

First things first, let’s have a quick look at the differences between 1080p and 1440p resolutions.

Simply put, 1080p (Full HD) refers to a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. On the other hand, 1440p – also known as QHD or Quad HD – is referencing a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels.

This means that your average 1440p monitor has more pixels. And that gives you a way sharper, more detailed image when you stack it up against a 1080p monitor. Nice.

Why upgrade to a Quad HD gaming monitor?

The answer is pretty straightforward - better visuals and improved performance. With that higher resolution display, you’ll notice textures are razor sharp, colours are extra vibrant, and you can pick out much greater detail in your games.

And that doesn’t just make that online shooter prettier. You’ll spot enemies and objects more easily, which might just give you an edge in those fast-paced battles.

Game visuals and performance boosts

We’ve already mentioned the visuals. But upgrading to a Quad HD monitor can bump up your performance too.

That’s because loads of modern graphics cards can handle higher resolutions, letting you really crank up the graphics settings without sacrificing your frame rate. You’ll be able to play the latest titles in all their graphical glory, with smoother gameplay, and all that added eye candy switched on – ray tracing, anyone?

So, you’re basically getting two very nice enhancements here for the price of one!

The value of Quad HD monitors

If you don’t want to splash out too much on your gaming loadout, Quad HD strikes the perfect balance between cost and performance. Especially when you compare it to 4K monitors.

While a 4K monitor come with even higher resolutions, they’re usually slapped with a fairly hefty price tag too. Oh, and they need more powerful hardware to run games smoothly at native resolution.

But with a Quad HD monitor, you’ll still get a noticeable improvement in your visuals without breaking the bank. And that makes them the most cost-effective choice if you’re looking to upgrade.

Is your rig ready for Quad HD?

Before you take the leap and switch over to a Quad HD (1440p) monitor, you’ll need to check your gaming PC can handle the higher resolution. See whether your graphics card actually supports Quad HD gaming and if your CPU and RAM are up to the task. Otherwise, upgrading to that 1440p display is going to be pointless if your hardware struggles to keep up and can’t run games at native resolution.

So, make sure you do your research and upgrade any other components if you still need to beef up your rig to get it Quad HD ready. Those monitors won’t be going anywhere!

Frame rate vs resolution: finding a balance

When you’re gaming at higher resolutions, you’ll want to find a good balance between frame rate and resolution. That way, you’ll have a game that looks amazing, but still plays great. After all, you don’t want to feel like you’re wading through mud when you’re trying to win that multiplayer round.

While higher resolutions do offer better image quality, they also need an extra bit of oomph when it comes to processing power. And this can obviously have a big impact on your frame rate.

Play around with the graphics settings in-game to find a good mix of shiny visuals and smooth gameplay. Then you’ll actually be able to go toe to toe with your enemies, without sacrificing too much detail.

Making the switch: how to choose the right Quad HD monitor

Here are a couple of key features you’ll want to keep an eye out for when you’re picking your monitor…

Refresh rate – High refresh rates (144Hz or higher) will keep your games running silky smooth.
Response time – Low response times means any motion blur will be kept to a minimum. So, you’ll always be able to see enemies sprinting at you or know where the ball is on the pitch.
Adaptive sync tech – System like FreeSync or G-Sync make for tear-free gaming. Which means you’ll stay completely immersed in whatever you’re playing.

Our picks

But what’s the best gaming monitor? Tough question. The AOC CU34G2XE Wide Quad monitor is a real looker. With its curved 34” ultra-wide Quad HD screen, it’ll put you slap bang in the middle of the action. And speaking of action, even the most intense fighting game won’t start chugging, as the 144Hz refresh rate kicks in to keep those battles stable and smooth.

Plus, if you’re a competitive gamer who cares about every single frame, you’ve got an AOC Low Input Lag Mode, letting you get extra precise with your strikes. You definitely won’t be lagging behind on those online leaderboards here…

Or there’s always the AOC CQ27G2S Curved LCD monitor. Its VA panel means everything in game really pops, with beautiful colours and better contrast. Whether that’s Spider-Man’s bright red suit, or that distant sunset while you’re whizzing round a rally track.

Basically, if you want to change the game, AOC gaming monitors should be your go-to!

Now you’ve got your monitor sorted, why not get the rest of your rig in shape? We’ll show you how to improve your gaming PC with some game changing components and upgrades. While you can level up your setup even further with some of our top gaming accessories picks.