What is 1440p & Why Do We Need It?

What is 1440p?

1440p is named for the height, in pixels, of the resolution. 1440p has a resolution of 2560×1440 and 1080p has a resolution of 1920×1080 resolution hence their names. The number “p” indicates whether the resolution is progressive or interlaced which would be demarcated with an “I”. Progressive is the better resolution as it gives a higher quality picture thanks to the fact that it pains all lines constantly as opposed to interlaced which only paints in alternating frames, this is what causes the “flicker” on older CRT monitors.

If you’re looking to buy the best 1440p monitor, we have reviewed the top 10 available in 2020.

1440p is also called QHD or Quad High Definition and it was meant to succeed 1080p or Full High Definition, however it has been superseded by 4K. It is also referred to as WQHD or Wide Quad HD which refers to the aspect ratio it offers which is 16:9.

View our Best 1440p Monitors

What’s the Difference Between 1440p and 1080p?

So what is the difference between 1440p and 1080p and why would it make a difference when viewing 1080p on a 1440p screen? The basic difference is that 1440 is QHD which is a higher resolution than 1080p Full HD. It may not be as high as 4K but it is a lot higher than your 720p. 1440p is in-fact the perfect resolution for your small screen and your big screen, it is not hard to work with and it is definitely a lot less expensive than your 4K monitors. 1080p On the other had is Full High Definition and it was the benchmark for many years in picture quality.

Can You Display 1080p on 1440p?

The short answer to this question of whether you can use a 1440p monitor to display 1080p is yes you can display your 1080p video or watch your 1080p movies on a 1440p monitor without problems. You will have to make sure that you are running your 1080p footage at a high bitrate to ensure the best quality from your screen but otherwise there is no problem.

Is up-Scaling a Problem

As we said it is not a problem however it is not the ideal, especially for gamers. The quality of the picture will not be as good as watching 1440p on a 1440p monitor however it will give you a lot clearer picture than what people think. The main problem is that you will need a higher bitrate in order to ensure that your picture when you view your 1080p on a 1440p monitor does not distort in anyway. This is easily done if you adjust your settings.

Can Your Graphics Card Handle 1440p Resolutions?

You’ll need to make sure your graphics card is up to the job to handle 1440p resolution games. We’ve got you covered with a number of guides on gaming graphics cards, from budget cards to the best graphics cards on the market. Once you’ve found the right graphics card, be sure to get the low down on the latest gaming monitors too.