A gaming-focused monitor buying guide argues that despite 5K displays offering a sharper image, 4K remains the better choice for gamers due to superior value, faster refresh rates and lower hardware demands. The piece is aimed at consumers weighing up a new monitor purchase, noting that 5K panels are primarily designed for prosumers such as photographers and video editors rather than gamers.

The article compares 4K (3840 x 2160, roughly 8.29 million pixels, around 35% US market share) with 5K (5120 x 2880, about 14.7 million pixels, 77% more pixels than 4K). It highlights that 5K monitors cost considerably more, with the cheapest model (ASUS ProArt Display PA27JCV) around $650 versus roughly $200 for entry-level 4K screens, and that the fastest 4K panels reach 240Hz refresh rates compared with just 165-180Hz for the quickest 5K displays. It also notes that native 5K gaming demands extremely powerful hardware, such as an Nvidia RTX 5090, whereas 4K gaming can achieve strong results more affordably using upscaling technologies like DLSS and FSR.