The times indeed are a-changin’ as the latest data from the Steam hardware survey sees an intriguing transition in monitor resolution preferences among gamers.
While 1080p or Full HD dominates the majority of desktop setups, there’s a resolution revolution that’s slowly taking place.
We’re seeing players manage the leap from 1080p to 1440p and even 4K. Steam’s June survey suggests that 2.33% of users have ventured beyond the familiar terrain of 1080p. While that might seem like a small number, it translates to roughly 2.7 million players (given Steam’s massive 120 million monthly user base) who’ve upgraded their resolution in June alone.
This figure could be a lot higher if Nvidia and AMD can get their acts right and deliver properly-specced graphics cards at the right prices.
Aside from 1440p and 4K, the surge in popularity of handheld PCs like the Steam Deck and the ASUS Rog Ally, which use a “lower” resolution like 720p or 800p, have made 1080p less popular as well. Still, the bulk of the resolution upgrade is the adaptation of 1440p and 4K resolutions.
It’s a promising shift for players looking to upgrade their displays and punch a bit harder than 1080p, especially in the case of gaming PCs where graphics cards make up the bulk of the cost.
On the other hand, the adoption of Windows 11 is slow among gamers. With a market share of 35.75% when you compare it to Windows 10’s 59.43%, Windows 11’s journey hasn’t had a smooth journey. It’s been met with challenges such as steep system requirements and bugs affecting certain versions of the operating system. Given Microsoft’s continued support for Windows 10 for over two more years, many users aren’t exactly chomping at the bit to upgrade.
From a user’s perspective, moving to a 27-inch 1440p or 4K monitor feels like a breath of fresh air. The increased space and superior game performance make the upgrade feel worthwhile. Although the font size might be on the smaller side, most gamers are all the better for it. Once adjusted to the new normal, returning to 1080p feels archaic. With the progression in monitor resolutions, the world of gaming is becoming increasingly immersive and impressive.
While the cost of graphics cards remains a barrier, the advent of newer, better graphics cards and the lowering of monitor prices are sure to fuel this resolution revolution.
