1440p vs 1080p 144Hz Refresh Rate – Which Is Better in 2024?

By: Editorial Team

144Hz monitors have become popular among PC gamers due to their performance and affordable prices.

They have different resolutions, often ranging from 720p to 4K. The most sort after are 1440p and 1080p resolution monitors. Which of these would you choose?

To make your selection easier, below is a 1440p vs. 1080p 144Hz comparison.

Is 1080p Better Than 1440p?

Higher resolutions often mean sharper images. Gaming on a 1440p display will offer smoother edges and curves.

However, the increase in resolution at 144Hz also means that your graphics card will have to work harder.

Alternatively, 1080p monitors are considered entry-level for most gamers. They’re cheaper and have lower performance requirements.

It’s easier to run higher frame rates at 144Hz and 240Hz on 1080p monitors than on 1440p monitors. The latter requires more bandwidth and storage space.

If you intend to use the monitor for gaming, 1080p 144Hz would be the perfect starting point.

gaming monitor
Gaming Monitor

Is 1440p 144Hz Good for Competitive Gaming?

Yes, 1440p 144Hz offers impressive gaming performance and image sharpness without taxing the GPU like a 4K display.

If you intend to play games on a larger display, higher resolutions such as 1440p would be ideal. When compared to a 1080p 27” display, a 1440p 27” display would have a sharper image thanks to its higher pixel density.

Also, playing graphically-intensive games at 1440p 144Hz requires a powerful GPU. If you don’t have such a GPU, buying a lower resolution monitor is better.

However, in competitive gaming, speed matters more than resolution. Therefore a 1080p 240Hz display is better than a 1440p 144Hz monitor.

Similarly, a 1440p 144Hz monitor is better than a 1080p 144Hz display if you have the GPU to support graphically intensive games at native resolutions.

Is 1080p 144Hz Good for Competitive Gaming?

Yes, 1080p displays are good enough when paired with higher refresh rates.

In competitive gaming, higher resolutions don’t give you an edge over your competition, but higher refresh rates do.

Currently, 1080p 144Hz is the sweet spot for competitive and casual gamers. It has a decent resolution and high refresh rates.

This combination is less demanding on your build, especially when running it for extended periods.

Higher Resolutions vs. Higher Refresh Rates

Higher refresh resolutions like 4K and 2K will offer better visuals for gamers like Far Cry 5 and The Witcher 3. Better visuals can improve the gaming experience and make the game more immersive.

Most of these games aren’t primarily geared towards competition; thus, you don’t need the highest refresh rates possible to get an edge.

Higher refresh rates will enhance the immersive experience, but you don’t need them.

Ultimately, a good balance between resolution and refresh rates is needed. Ideally, a 1440p 144Hz display should have stunning visuals and decent refresh rates for competitive and visual-stunning titles.

Final Thoughts: What Monitor Should I Get 144Hz?

1440ps vs. 1080p 144Hz is only debatable if money is money is an issue. 2K resolution displays more pixels; thus, it has sharper images than 1080p monitors.

If your hardware can support 1440p 144Hz, go for it over 1080p 144Hz. If not, 1080p 144Hz should offer decent performance and image quality without being too hard on your GPU.