4K Gaming Monitors The Ultimate Buyers Guide for 2025

As every seasoned gamer knows, a high-resolution display can elevate your gaming immersion to extraordinary levels. When looking at options in the UK market, a higher refresh rate monitor significantly contributes to a smoother experience, enhancing your gaming immersion. But how high is high enough? If you’re looking for an immersive experience here in Britain, consider exploring a 4K display for its detailed picture quality. While lower-resolution monitors may offer faster frame rates, you simply can’t beat the mesmerizing visuals of a super-crisp 4K display.

If your PC has the necessary processing power, investing in a graphically stunning 4K display is well worth considering. Among the choices available, finding the best gaming display often means comparing specs like motion clarity and refresh rate. Here’s how to execute the best 4K gaming display setup, emphasizing the importance of refresh rate gaming.

What is 4K?

Also known as Ultra-High Definition (UHD), a 4K display is any monitor or TV with a 3840 x 2160 resolution. Sporting 8,294,400 pixels, this dense swarm of tiny digital dots creates a sharp, high-fidelity image. The name “4K” comes from its approximate 4,000 horizontal pixels—“3.84K” doesn’t have the same ring to it.

Let’s compare 4K against other popular display resolutions:

UHD has four times more pixels than Full-High-Definition (FHD) and double the pixel count of Quad-High Definition (QHD).

The benefits of higher pixel density are substantial. 4K offers sharper images, crisper edges, smoother colour gradients, and better text readability for a superior in-game experience with a monitor refresh rate that facilitates motion flow.

The downside is you need a potent graphics processing unit (GPU) to render 8 million pixels in real-time. Without a capable graphics card, you’ll get sluggish frame rates and near-constant screen tears.

So is a 4K gaming monitor worth it? Given the best hardware, this choice enhances your experience with the right refresh rate. Absolutely—if you have the hardware to support it.

NOTE
An 8K display has a “better” 7680 x 4320 resolution with 33 million pixels. But this additional density is barely perceivable under normal viewing conditions and requires substantially more processing power—it’s not worth it for PC gaming in 2025, though future hardware generations may change this equation.

Understanding Frame Rates

Frame rates measure how many images your GPU can render per second, directly impacting gameplay smoothness. With the best specs, your setup offers smoother motion and high precision during gaming.

The optimal frame rate depends on your tolerance for slow-moving images and the type of games you play.

Love epic single-player sagas? You don’t need a lightning-quick frame rate to slaughter mobs in the Elden Ring or explore vast worlds of Starfield.

While a free-flowing 120 FPS frame rate will look more fluid, you’ll have to tone down the resolution to achieve it. Most 4K gamers feel 50-60 frames per second (FPS) provides a sufficiently smooth single-player experience. On slower-paced titles without rapid mouse movements, a modest 30-50 FPS could suffice.

Competitive gamers, take note: Most online gamers prioritize high refresh rates for competition, making a higher refresh rate essential for the best performance.

Quick-flowing graphics don’t only look smooth; they also facilitate faster reactions. Choosing a great monitor impacts gaming motion and response times. The extra millisecond or two may make the difference between winning and losing.

Pro Tip
You can turn a 4K display down to 1440p / 1080p for faster frame rates when playing online and then crank the resolution back up for single-player titles. Many games now include dynamic resolution scaling options that automate this process to maintain target frame rates.

What are Refresh Rates?

The refresh rate measures how fast a monitor can display new images. Whether on a 4K monitor or a 4K TV, it’s crucial for motion clarity. Thus, a 144 Hz gaming monitor can potentially display up to 144 unique images per second.

In reality, your refresh rate can’t exceed the frame rate, so don’t insist on a high-hertz monitor if your GPU isn’t up to scratch. The rule of thumb is to aim for a similar refresh/frame rate.

Understanding this relationship is crucial: A 4K monitor with a high refresh rate offers excellent performance, but it’s only beneficial if your system can match it with the necessary output.

4K Gaming Requirements

There’s no point buying a 4K monitor if your PC can’t power it. Here’s what you’ll need to achieve smooth 4K gaming in 2025:

4K Gaming Graphics Card Requirements

If budget isn’t a concern, the state-of-the-art NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4090 or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX will deliver exceptional performance with all settings maximized. But for a regular person with finite resources, these reasonably priced GPUs will have to do.

• Premium: AMD™ Radeon™ RX 7900 XTX or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Super
• Mid-range: AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
• Budget: Intel® Arc A770 or AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT

For optimal 4K gaming at 60 FPS with high settings, we recommend at minimum a mid-range GPU from the current generation.

4K Gaming Processor Requirements

Although the GPU handles most of the legwork, 4K gaming does require a decent CPU with a high clock speed and multiple cores. When combined with a good graphics card, the following processors can handle 4K gaming with ease.

• Premium: Intel Core™ i9-14900K or AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
• Mid-range: Intel Core i7-14700K or AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
• Budget: AMD Ryzen™ 5 5600 or Intel Core i5-13400F

CPU bottlenecks become less significant at 4K resolution, as the workload shifts more heavily to the GPU. However, newer games with advanced physics and AI systems still benefit from powerful multi-core processors.

4K Gaming RAM Requirements

RAM stores gaming assets as temporary files for speedy retrievals. Higher-resolution gaming requires larger file transfers, which extra RAM can expedite. Look for DDR5 RAM for faster clock speeds.

• Premium: 64GB RAM is ideal for resource-hungry Triple A (AAA) games and/or streaming.
• Mid-range: 32GB RAM is the sweet spot for smooth, stable gameplay without any frame rate drops.
• Budget: 16GB RAM will facilitate smooth 4K gaming on modest titles or handle high-intensity games with occasional performance issues.

Most AAA games in 2025 recommend at least 16GB of RAM, with 32GB becoming the new standard for optimal performance, especially when multitasking or streaming.

4K Cable Requirements

An HDMI 2.0 cable with 18Gbps of bandwidth will transmit 4K content at 60Hz. Newer DisplayPort standards (1.4 or higher) offer more bandwidth with faster refresh rates. You can also daisy chain DisplayPort for multi-4K-monitor setups.

If you’ve lost your monitor’s power cable, find a replacement with the appropriate wattage.

What to Look for in a 4K Display?

Now that you know your PC has what it takes, here’s what to consider when shopping for a 4K display.

Size

The ideal display size depends on your budget and available desk space. High pixel density loses its lustre on smaller screens; aim for 27 inches or more—most 4K gamers prefer a 32-inch screen. For immersive gaming, many enthusiasts are now choosing ultrawide or super ultrawide 4K displays offering expanded horizontal real estate.

Refresh Rates

While casual gamers can make do with a standard 60Hz monitor, competitive players prefer higher refresh rates of 120Hz or more.

But Remember, your refresh rate can’t exceed your frame rate.

Response Times

Fast-paced online gamers find that a responsive 1ms response time offers a competitive edge with smoother motion and better output synchrony.

Everyday enthusiasts will be happy with 4ms.

Panel Types

Gaming fans prefer QLED and OLED panels for their fast response times, colour accuracy, and great brightness.

More affordable IPS panels offer almost-as-good images and broader viewing angles. Mini-LED panels are also gaining popularity in 2025, offering OLED-like contrast with higher brightness capabilities.

High Dynamic Range (HDR)

Monitors with cutting-edge HDR technology boost the brightness range to broadcast inkier blacks and more life-like visuals. Look for VESA DisplayHDR™ 400 or better. For truly impressive HDR, seek displays with DisplayHDR 1000 certification or OLED panels with perfect black levels.

You can adjust settings to get the right colour for HDR games.

Brightness & Contrast

Get a brightness of at least 300 nits and a contrast ratio of 1,000:1 or higher. For proper HDR performance, peak brightness of 600+ nits is recommended.

Adaptive Sync Technology

G-Sync® (NVIDIA) and FreeSync™ (AMD) synchronise the monitor and GPU to avoid tearing.

FreeSync and G-Sync technology improve response and reduce tearing.

Ensure both components are compatible. Most newer monitors support both technologies, offering flexibility regardless of your GPU brand.

4K Gaming Monitors vs. TVs

Pro gamers playing frantic titles prefer gaming monitors for their low input lag, faster refresh rates, and high responsiveness. 4K gaming TVs offer extra on-screen real estate and a comfier viewing experience, perfect for couch co-op or movie nights. Modern OLED TVs now offer gaming-focused features that rival dedicated monitors, making them viable alternatives for console and PC gamers alike.

NEW FOR 2025: Consider these Additional Features:

• HDMI 2.1 ports: Essential for connecting next-gen consoles at their full capabilities
• USB-C with Power Delivery: Lets you connect and charge laptops with a single cable
• KVM Switch functionality: Allows you to control multiple devices with one keyboard/mouse setup
• Blue light reduction: Reduces eye strain during long gaming sessions
• Built-in speakers: While not replacing a dedicated audio system, quality built-in speakers provide convenience

Setting up your 4K Gaming Display

Before you start 4K gaming, take a minute to configure your vibrant new display.

Optimal Placement

Correct positioning is crucial to avoid neck and eye strain. Pay attention to the distance from your 4K display based on its screen size. The go-to formula is to sit 1.6 x the diagonal distance of your screen. For a 27-inch monitor, position yourself about 46 inches from the display for optimal viewing quality and reduced neck strain. If you’re rocking a roomier 32-inch screen, sit 51 inches (4.2 feet) away.

TIP
Consider ergonomics too: The top of your monitor should be at or slightly below eye level, and your arms should form a 90-degree angle when typing.

Colour Calibration

Many monitors come with configuration tools. Choose a neutral colour temperature of 6500K for faithful colour reproduction. Tweaking the red, green, or blue channels can resolve any perceivable imbalances.

For precise calibration, consider investing in a colorimeter like the X-Rite i1Display or Datacolor SpyderX. These affordable tools can significantly improve colour accuracy.

HDR Setup

Don’t assume a 4K HDR setup will run straight out of the box; double-check HDR is enabled in your monitor settings. Switch HDR on and off while testing compatible games to see the difference first-hand.

In Windows 11, ensure HDR is properly configured in Display Settings > HDR. For gaming, enable the “Auto HDR” feature for compatible titles.

Gaming Modes

Some 4K gaming monitors let you switch between different modes. FPS mode offers better visibility in darker areas, so you can snipe those lurking in the shadows. RPG mode provides a more immersive experience for non-competitive titles.

Many monitors now include specialised modes for different game genres and even specific game profiles that automatically optimise settings.

HP OMEN Gaming Hub

The OMEN Gaming Hub software lets you tweak various display-related settings, including RGB lighting, colour schemes, user profiles, and game mode/low input lag.

This software also provides performance monitoring, system optimisation, and access to exclusive gaming features across the OMEN ecosystem. This app further aids in monitoring response and performance.

The Best 4K Gaming Displays in the UK

Need help choosing a dazzling 4K gaming display? Here’s one of the top options from the HP UK Store.

Best 27-inch: OMEN 27k (27″) 4K UHD IPS Gaming Monitor

This impressive 27-inch 4K gaming monitor from OMEN delivers a top-tier gaming experience with its lightning-quick refresh rate and response time. It’s perfect for competitive online players who need precision and clarity during intense gaming sessions. The monitor’s built-in KVM switch lets you control multiple devices with just one keyboard and mouse setup, making it ideal for streamers or multitaskers.

• Size: 27 inches
• Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
• Sync: AMD FreeSync™ Compatible; NVIDIA® G-SYNC® Compatible
• Response time: 1ms GtG (with overdrive)
• Refresh rate: 144 Hz
• HDR: VESA DisplayHDR™ True Black 400

The OMEN 27k combines stunning visual quality with performance features that serious gamers demand. Its 144Hz refresh rate ensures smooth gameplay even in the most fast-paced scenarios, while the 1ms response time eliminates motion blur for crystal-clear action.

Professional Option: HP Series 7 Pro 27 inch 4K Conferencing Monitor

For those who need a premium 4K display for both work and gaming, the HP Series 7 Pro offers exceptional versatility. While primarily designed for professional use with its integrated 5MP webcam and conferencing features, its 4K UHD resolution, IPS Black technology, and HDR support make it an excellent choice for casual gamers who also need a high-performance work monitor.

• Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
• Panel technology: IPS Black with 2,000:1 contrast ratio
• Response time: 5ms GtG (with overdrive)
• Connectivity: Thunderbolt™ 4, DisplayPort, HDMI
• HDR: VESA DisplayHDR™ 400

This monitor delivers outstanding color accuracy with factory calibration and Pantone validation, making it perfect for content creators who game. The Thunderbolt™ 4 connectivity provides a clean, single-cable solution for connecting to modern laptops while delivering up to 100W of charging power.

Summary

FAQs About 4K Gaming Monitors

Is a 4K monitor worth it if I mostly play competitive esports titles?

For competitive gaming, high refresh rates (144Hz+) usually take priority over resolution. Consider a 1440p monitor with 240Hz+ refresh rate instead for esports.

Do I need to upgrade my PC cooling when gaming at 4K?

Possibly. Gaming at 4K pushes your GPU to its limits, generating significant heat. Ensure your case has adequate airflow and consider additional cooling for intensive 4K gaming sessions.

Will 4K gaming work well with my PS5 or Xbox Series X?

Yes! Current-gen consoles support 4K gaming, though typically at 60fps rather than higher frame rates. Ensure your monitor has HDMI 2.1 ports for the best console gaming experience.

How much of a difference is there between 1440p and 4K for gaming?

The difference is noticeable, especially in detailed scenes and on larger monitors. However, 1440p offers an excellent middle-ground between visual quality and performance demands.