In the contemporary age, technology is always in pursuit of advancement and breakthroughs. It is beyond belief that only a few years ago HD monitors used to be the only display buyers opted for. Then the customer choice shifted to 4K monitors and their popularity incremented. However, it won’t be long before 5K and 8K monitors rise to their richly deserved fame.
5K (5,120 × 2,880 pixels) and 8K (7680 × 4320 pixels) monitors not only offer a highly crisp viewer experience, but also provide substantial desktop space. What it means for creative digital creators, programmers, and gamers is that not only will they be able to view their screen in an ultra-high display, but with a powerful graphic card, they can also multitask with all of their tools always at hand. If you are among such dynamic gamers and are looking for a list of top 5k and 8k monitors in 2021, then this article has got you covered. Below is a thoroughly researched list of the best 5k and 8k monitors along with their pros and cons.
7 Best 5K And 8K Gaming Monitors
- iMac 27-inch (2020)
- LG 34WK95U-W
- Philips 499P9H
- Dell UltraSharp UP3218K
- MSI Prestige PS341WU
- Samsung CRG90 144hz
- Dell UltraSharp U4919DW
1. iMac 27-inch
Best 5k monitor for Mac
Specifications:
- Resolution: 5120 x 2880
- RAM: up to 128 GB
- Processors: 10th generation Core i5, i7 and i9
- Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro
Reasons to Buy
Reasons to Avoid
Recently released 27-inch iMac is the newest Apple computer. It is the ultimate all-in-one monitor with 5120 x 2880 resolution and a high Pixel Density of 218 PPI. The highlights include an enchanting 5K retina display, a higher resolution Face-time camera and audio hardware that has been upgraded. Variants available are of 10th generation Core i5, i7 and i9 processors and offer up to 128 GB of RAM. As for the connectivity options, it comes with 4 USB ports, Thunderbolt 3, Ethernet port and Two USB Type C ports.
The gamers that are more concerned with desktop display will be interested in knowing that with iMac 27-inch, a desktop display that was already the finest is now even better. It is indeed a tech masterpiece. With around 15 million pixels being projected the panel is exceptionally bright and offers an array of precise colors.
The 5K Retina provides a crisp, sharp, and bright view. The monitor has further integrated True Tone tech which is a useful brand-new feature and debuts on iMac using a built-in sensor that efficiently adjusts screen colors with respect to background lighting. Along with Tone tech, an optional Nano-texture glass has also available for this iMac 5K owing to which display reflectivity extensively reduces and irrespective of room’s lightning gamers will always have a consistent and accurate screen display. It also utilizes exceptionally efficient LEDs which minimizes power consumption yet offers display brightness of very high standard.
As for the gamers that are more interested in performance, know that this latest 27-inch 5K iMac Monitor possesses raise-worthy speed and audio. When compared to the outgoing model, iMac 5K Retina is currently considered best when it comes to video performance and audio. Along with the fact that it is powered by AMD Radeon Pro graphics and Intel’s newest processors, it also has ultra-fast SSD storage which offers further speed boost in comparison to previous generation’s Fusion Drive. If you were to even purchase just the entry-level iMac that comes with Core i5, you get 8 GB RAM and it performs amazing even with countless background apps opened and download files running.
If you are among the streamers, you should know that the FaceTime Camera of this iMac features a Full HD sensor and although the computer looks super thin, it comes with strong stereo speakers that deliver sound that is well-tuned. It doesn’t end there; you also get microphones that are of studio quality.
If it is the desktop design that captures your attention, the iMac 5K Retina comes with a well-executed metal build. An adjustable compact stand is also available which you can alter as per your comfort. Along with this monitor, you also get a bundle of Magic Keyboard, a Lightning cord, a polishing cloth, and a Magic Mouse 2.0
On the downside, since all the ports are placed in the back, it can be quite bothersome if you have to repeatedly plug in and plug out devices.
Although the speakers are of high quality, they are also built at the backside of the monitor. Since they are facing away from the user and with any sound-absorbing material present behind the desk, the speakers will not be functioning up to their maximum potential.
With the price, the buyers pay they expect the monitor to have all the Apple features that are available in a standard device. It is disappointing that with the price tag the monitor has it still does not feature a touch screen.
Considering the fact that between this 5k Mac Monitor and its predecessor there is a huge price gap, the users are unsatisfied that the updates are only minor. According to them, the display and performance improvement alone does not justify the price. Another disappointing feature is that it still does not feature any computer hard drive that could support DVD playback.
To encapsulate, altough iMac is the Best 5k monitor for Mac but sadly it is not an option for fast-paced shooting games or 3D action games. It is because although the GPU is fantastic, the screen does not fulfill the high frame rate requirements. If you were to play Fortnite, for instance, it plays okay at 1440 p with 60 frames per second at Epic settings but there is possibility of experiencing screen stuttering due to 60Hz locked refresh rate. Another example is of Civilization VI which you can play at Ultra settings, 1440p resolution and it will work smoothly.
2. LG 34WK95U-W
Best 5K HDR Monitor
Specifications:
- Screen Size: 34 inches
- Resolutoin: 5120 x 2160
- Panel: Nano IPS
- Aspect ratio: 21:9
- Brightness: 450 cd/m²
- Contrast: 1200:1
Reasons to Buy
Reasons to Avoid
LG 34WK95U-W is an ultra-wide gaming monitor. Diagonally it is 34 inches with resolution of 5120 x 2160 pixels. Here Nano-IPS panel is utilized to boost image quality. This 5k HDR monitor comes with a slim bezel, white framework and employable VESA mount.
LG 34WK95U-W comes with numerous connection options. There are two HDMI ports available, a USB c port that offers fast charging and file transfer simultaneously, a DisplayPort, upstream and downstream USB connectors and a Thunderbolt 3 port that is capable of transmitting files at a 40 Gbps rate – world’s fastest USB port.
Due to availability of multiple alternatives for display settings in this 21:9 aspect ratio monitor, you also get the option to customize the quality of image by adjusting saturation, color temperature, luminance settings or picture mode.
LG 34WK95U-W 5k gaming monitor can handle as many apps as you may wish to use concurrently. It comes with a first-rate Standard Display Range and covers almost entire Adobe Wide Gamut RGB. This ultra-wide screen monitor gives an advantage over your gaming opponents by providing you wider display of your gaming arena. The input lag is extremely low making it super responsive to all of your actions.
Biggest downside of purchasing LG 34WK95U-W monitor is its low refresh rate of 60 Hertz which is the fundamental reason that stops most gamers from opting for it. Unfortunately, with gamma curve of 2.26 when this 5K HDR monitor is viewed in a dark room, it provides rather inferior contrast ratio which makes the screen look grayish. Due to its poor ergonomics, you cannot do much about repositioning of the monitor.
However, if you enjoy playing Battlefield, Fortnite, Call of Duty, or PUBG you can opt for this monitor keeping in mind the refresh rate, which is comparatively low if its price tag is brought into light, but it still works fine. Needless to say, size and resolution are the defining features of this monitor making it more suitable for content creators and video editors.
3. Philips 499P9H
Best 5k Curved Monitor
Specifications:
- Resolution: 49-inch 5120 x 1440-pixel resolution
- Aspect ratio: 32:9
- Ports: 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, and USB 3.1
- Contrast ratio: 3000:1
Reasons to Buy
Reasons to Avoid
Philips 499P9H 49-inch ultra-wide gaming monitor comes with aspect ratio of 32:9 and resolution of 5120 x 1440 pixel. As you can see from the picture, it has a curved screen with curvature of around 1800mm. It comes with multiple ports including two HDMI 2.0 ports and USB 3.1 ports.
Its super wide screen was designed in such a manner that would render multiscreen setups useless. Having a 32:9 super-wide 49-inch screen would be like two 16:9 27-inch Quad HD displays placed side by side.
Philips Brilliance employs Adaptive-Sync technology which means farewell to broken frames and choppy gameplay. With this technology gamers get uninterrupted performance at any given frame rate leading to quick and smooth gaming experience.
Philips 499P9H allows convenient one-cable docking with its thin USB connector. The USB type-C docking station is built-in where all of the external devices including Ethernet cable, keyboard and mouse can be connected. You can not only connect your device to transfer data on super-speed, but you can also recharge your device simultaneously.
It allows you two easily switch between different sources with its built-in KVM USB switch. Two PCs can be controlled with only single keyboard-monitor-mouse setup. It proves immensely useful in setups that utilize dual PC computing and with a press of a button you can quickly switch over to a separate PC.
Equipped with Display HDR 400 that offers a comprehensive range of colors, it engages senses in a way it seems as if images have come to life. Furthermore, Flicker-free technology used by Philips Brilliance with regulated brightness means that users will not experience eye strain. Furthermore, smart technology is used by Philip’s LowBlue mode to prevent harmful rays from reaching gamers’ eyes.
With Multiview, the users are able to multitask on separate devices simultaneously.
Wide-screen curved display removes all sort of image distortion and provides vast view of game field. Excellent ergonomics means you can tilt, swivel, or adjust your monitor as per position you consider ideal to provide gamers with maximum comfort.
Additionally, with Windows Hello™ facial recognition you can log into your windows effortlessly in a couple of seconds and it saves you from hassle of typing your password repeatedly.
If you’re among the gamers who sit up close to monitor, then it will be impossible for you with this colossal as you will not be able to view anything. Again, size can also be quite bothersome when it comes to desk spaces. Pixel-pitch is also second rate and for some gamers, this Best 5K Curved monitor’s exorbitant price can be another hindrance.
Now if you were to sit couple of feet away and play Counter Strike: Global Offensive you will not only get a surreal experience but the ultra-wide display will obviously give you an upper hand. With a 70 Hz refresh rate you can get a smooth experience on games like Apex Legends and Metro Exodus. However, gamers have complained about screen tearing while playing Battlefield V.
4. Dell UltraSharp UP3218K
Best 8k gaming monitor 2022
Specifications:
- Resolution: 31.5-inch and 7680 x 4320p pixels
- Ports: 2 DisplayPorts, USB 3.0 hub.
- Contrast ratio: 1300:1
- Brightness: 400 nits
Reasons to Buy
Reasons to Avoid
When talking about best 8K Monitors, the Dell UltraSharp is currently one of the few 8K monitors that are in the market. This 31.5-inch monitor comes with 7680 x 4320p pixel resolution that delivers perfect life-like visuals. Its design is absolutely exquisite with its bezels and aluminum frame. It comes with 2 DisplayPorts, an audio line-out and a super-speed USB 3.0 hub.
Dell utilizes the IPS panel type, which offers crisp colors along with wide viewing angles. With 100% Adobe RGB and 100% sRGB, Dell PremierColor offers coverage that meets all of the industry standards, and the color depth is 64 times than that of standard monitors. What it means for gamers is that even in dark areas, you will be able to view finer color gradation and precise shades.
Dell’s InfinityEdge offers a detailed display with no edges. What this edge-to-edge view means that you can easily enjoy the visuals presented on screen without any intervention of frame.
This 8K Gaming monitor is compatible with numerous stands and mounts there for it can easily conform to your setting. It comes with a stand of an adjustable height and can be tilted or altered to position most comfortable for the viewer.
Furthermore, owing to the Easy Arrange feature Multitasking has been made easier than ever.
However, If you wish to utilize Dell’s full resolution, you will need to connect to both DisplayPort for which your graphics card will need to be of high power and with two ports. You also cannot attach much of external devices as they will not be able to handle the 8K resolution at just 60 Hz.
As a consequence of having to push so many pixels, the top screen of Dell UltraSharp UP3218 tends to become hot even if you are performing simple tasks. Moreover, with 6ms response time and refresh rate of only 60hz, it definitely does not fulfil requisites of being a gaming monitor. This 8K Gaming monitor is extremely costly and with its given features can be considered by professionals only and not random customers. Even some professionals find Dell UltraSharp high price unjustifiable.
Users have experienced that even with powerful graphics card, either the game engine or the driver would sudden crash and Dell UltraSharp goes for even light games like Team Fortress 2. All things aside, the Dell UltraSharp 8K Gaming monitor therefore definitely should not be a choice of competitive gamers but rather occasional gamers who would enjoy the life like experience brought by the display.
5. Samsung CRG90 144hz
Best 5K Ultrawide monitor
Specifications:
- Aspect ratio: 32:9
- Contrast ratio: 3000:1
- Quantum dot technology
- Brightness: 1000 cd/m²
Reasons to Buy
Reasons to Avoid
Samsung CRG90 is considered to be one of the finest 5K gaming monitors available in the market. With 49 inches curved screen of 1800r and resolution of 5120 x 1440p, it has an aspect ratio of 32:9.
Due to 3000:1 contrast ratio, the monitor lets you view immense details and contrast even if shady areas and silhouettes appear side by side with when bright colors. Owing to Quantum dot technology, there is 125% coverage of sRGB and 95% of DCI. It provides you jaw dropping visual experience, perfect color consistency and smooth color transitions.
It is a VESA compatible monitor and comes with good ergonomics. Moreover, due to special use of eye care technologies like flicker free technology and blue light filter technology, gamers can play for longer periods with their eyes protected from harm
This 5K Ultrawide monitor has high refresh rate of 120 Hz which is higher than that of any previously discussed monitor. This minimizes motion blur and any kind of input lag. The monitor also comes with separate Low Input Lag mode that maximizes efficiency by minimizing keyboard and mouse response period. Samsung CRG90 also comes with AMD Free Sync which ensures fluid performance and eliminates screen stuttering and tearing.
Peak brightness provided by Samsung CRG90 is 1000 cd/m² ensure vivid and crisp experience. It comes with Game Mode with which you can optimize your setting pertinent to any game genre which means altering the FPS, RTS, RPG and AOS.
Samsung CRG90 comes with Samsung Black Equalizer that offers twenty separate dark level values to improve visibility and provide detailed content of the dark areas. The connectivity options include four USB Ports, two DisplayPorts and a HDMI port. This 5K Ultrawide monitor is also compatible with Xbox and PlayStation 4.
You have the option to plug in to two sources to be displayed and view synchronously with picture-in-picture (PIP) and split-screen (PBP) technology. You are able to execute tasks and witness result simultaneously at two separate screens. Window management is made further convenient through Easy Setting Box software which further augments your efficiency.
As for the downsides, It only comes with response time of 4ms. Samsung CRG90 does not have built-in speakers which is considered by users as a big downside of it. It goes without saying that like all the rest of the 5K and 8K monitors you will be needing a highly powerful GPU if you wish to make the most out of Samsung CRG90 ultrawide. Along with all that, you will be needing deep pockets if you wish to purchase this monitor because it is highly expensive.
For serious gamers, Samsung CRG90 monitor will be worth every penny and also the best choice for 5K Ultrawide Monitor. Be it any game, Apex Legends or Call of Duty, this monitor provides fluid gaming experience. However, it should be noted that the wide screen can mean that for some games that come in lower and fixed aspect ratio there will be black bars on both sides of screen, for instance, in Dark Souls III.
6. MSI Prestige PS341WU
Best 5K 34 inch monitor
Specifications:
- Resolution: 5120 x 2160
- Ports: HDMI | DisplayPort | USB Type-C Inputs
- Contrast Ratio: 1200:1
- Brightness: 600cd/m2.
Reasons to Buy
Reasons to Avoid
The 39-inch MSI Prestige PS341WU comes with 5K resolution and aspect ratio of 21:9. MSI Prestige PS341WU monitor has a Nano IPS panel with 98% DCI-P3 color gamut and 100% sRGB, along with 163 PPI high Pixel Density which higher than standard monitors of this range.
MSI Prestige PS342WU is VESA DisplayHDR 600 certified and has maximum brightness of 600cd/m2. It offers extensive connectivity options including DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB type C port with single cable connectivity.
It also comes with a 5-way navigator joystick which brings the most efficient control system ever. This 5K 34 inch monitor is VESA compatible and the screen can be adjusted, tilted, or rotated as suited to the gamer’s desire. The height can also be altered. Picture quality and accuracy are offered at the contrast ratio of 1200:1, which is above the standard.
On the other hand, just like the above-mentioned monitors its refresh rate too is just 60 Hz. Even if the refresh rate was higher, there would be frame rate issues due to high pixels. Build quality is mediocre when compared to the monitor’s high price. The framework seems plasticky and cheap at first glance.
MSI Prestige PS341WU monitor is definitely more of perfect monitor for content creators and falls short on most of the prerequisites of being a gaming monitor
7. Dell UltraSharp U4919DW
Best 5K Monitor 2022
Specifications:
- Screen Size: 49-inch
- Resolution: 5120 x 1440
- Aspect ratio: 32:9
- Contrast ratio: 1000:1
- Brightness: 350 nits
Reasons to Buy
Reasons to Avoid
This 49-inch Dell UltraSharp U4919DW looks highly impressive with its 3800mm curvature and aspect ratio of 32:9. It comes with slim bezels and adjustable stand along with tiltable screen.
Dell UltraSharp U4919DW monitor is available with multiple connectivity options. It has 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, a Displayport 1.4, a USB type C port and seven USB 3.0 Ports with two downstream along its bottom edge and two upstream USB ports. With the USB type C port, you can plug in two separate PCs and control their functions by using single keyboard and mouse for both.
It offers clear, sharp, and detailed view with high resolution Separate buttons are allocated for adjusting brightness, contrast, sharpness, color hue, saturation, and sharpness.
This Dell 5K monitor comes with Display Manager Software which allows you to conveniently split your screen into several smaller windows which allows you to multitask. It comes with ComfortView technology and anti-reflective coating for protection of the eyes from harmful ultra-violet rays.
Unfortunately, the monitor does not support HDR or DCI. Refresh rate is also low, 60 Hz. Dark room performance of this monitor is unexceptional and users experience high lag at non-native resolution.
5K Vs 8K Monitor
The most obvious distinction between two is their pixel count with 5K monitors having lower pixel count compared to 8K monitors. However, since 8K monitors offer more pixel count, their requirements are high too. These monitors requisite powerful PC to support its demands. Another difference between 5K and 8K is their variability in aspect ratio. 5K monitors are mostly available in their typical 16:9 aspect ratio or you can also opt for 32:9 aspect ratio which encompasses all the ultra-wide monitors.
On the contrary, 8K monitors are only available in 16:9 aspect ratio. This makes a difference as although the regular aspect ratio is considered to be better for work related to design; in 16:9 aspect ratio the Windows and macOS high-DPI modes enable the users to manipulate the images and videos conveniently and in much greater depth while ensuring sharp text and results. The ultra-wide monitors like 32:9 ratio, on the other hand, do not offer this pixel scaling but instead stretch out the screen space to great extents.
Overall, both monitors perform their jobs excellently and as mentioned earlier your choice really depends on your performance. With 8K or 5K monitors, it is impossible to miss the details. Your videos and images are much clearer than ever and much easier to adjust as well. Nevertheless, there are certain factors that are important to take into consideration before buying a gaming monitor that we will be listing below.
Things to Consider before buying a 5K and 8K gaming monitor
Refresh Rate
Measured in Hertz, refresh rate of monitor defines the number of images your screen is able to update in one second. The faster the refresh rate, the better. This will allow you to experience smoother action on your monitor as 60 Hz would result in the image getting refreshed 60 times in one second where as 240Hz would refresh the same image even quicker. You will find different monitors in our article with different refresh rate. However, it is important that you must ensure that your graphics card can deal with it.
Response Time
Measured in milliseconds, response time defines the rate at which pixel of your monitor shifts from one color to another. This factor is highly important for gamers. You should choose gaming monitors with either 1 millisecond or 2 millisecond response time to get the best out of your gaming experience.
Input /Output
To best utilize high resolutions and to ensure that the compatibility with gaming card is high, you should opt for a monitor that comes with HDMI support and DisplayPort connectors,
Panel Adjustment
Select the best 5k or 8k monitor with support for adjustment between landscape and portrait reorientations. Furthermore, since competitive gamers, streamers and multi-taskers employ more than one so also make sure that the monitor you are choosing allows swiveling or tilting.
Panel Type
The different types include IPS, TN and VA. TN panels are not only more affordable but they also have relatively faster response times and higher refresh rates. Therefore TN is considered to be best suited for fast-paced games. However, the color reproduction is relatively poor in TN with color seemingly appearing ‘washed out’. VA models, on the other hand, have better color quality from different angles which makes it perfect for immersive multi-display gaming. If you need ultimate premium gaming experience then monitors that support IPS models with be ideal.
Gaming features
This is what makes gaming monitors unique and distinct from monitors bought for general use. Presence of AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G Sync is important to avoid problems like screen tearing. Gaming monitors also provide quick adjustments to contrast and brightness level e.g. BenQ’s Brightness Intelligence Plus, so that while gaming you can easily spot your enemies in dark regions
Considering that gaming universe and gaming technologies are advancing ever so quickly, if you keep the above-mentioned points in your mind you can easily choose the best 5k or 8k gaming monitor. We have further made this convenient for you by compiling this list of 5k and 8k monitors by selecting the ones with considerable refresh rate, response time, best panel types and gaming features offered.
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Conclusion
To summarize, if you are looking for a multi-monitor experience with just single screen you should opt for Ultrawide monitors. Most of the 5K and 8K monitors are built for design work and for manipulating images in great detail.
Another thing which is imperative to be considered is their price. Their price gaps can be justified by their differences in pixel output. So, for the knowledge of budget-minded gamers, the LG 34WK95U-W, and Philips 499P9H would cost you under $1500 approximately, while Dell UltraSharp UP3218K being an 8K monitor will cost you around $5000, and the Samsung CRG90 – $1500, MS Prestige an average of $1300 and iMac 27 inch around $1500.
The ones mentioned on the list are one of the best products currently in the market. Each one has its own specifications, advantages, and downsides. From gamers’ point of view, it is undeniable that here Samsung CRG90 surely wins, considering the high refresh rate, low input lag and smooth performance. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, you should choose the one that perfectly suits your usage and fulfills all your demands.
