What Does the "P" in 1080p Stand for in Gaming?

For gaming and streaming, the "p" in 1080p stands for "progressive scan" – a technique that displays frames in their entirety for the smoothest, most fluid gaming experience possible.

At its core, 1080p refers to a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. It‘s considered "Full HD", even though higher resolutions now exist. The "p" sets it apart by denoting the progressive scan method used to display each complete 1080p frame sequentially without interruption.

This compares to interlaced 1080i where only half a frame is drawn at a time. 1080p gaming and streaming is all about smoothness, high frame rates, and low input lag. So progressive scan is preferred over interlacing.

Let‘s explore why 1080p became the de facto gaming resolution for so long and why it remains highly relevant even now with higher res options available.

Interlaced vs Progressive Scanning

Interlaced scan draws odd lines first, then fills in even lines to complete the image:

Image source: https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/Pi6NEqioOojVAhL2GN8M3CKge18=/1920×1326/smart/filters:no_upscale()/progressive-and-interlaced-scanning-184605023-56a056435f9b58eba4afef9c.jpg

This can result in combing artifacts and flickering.

Progressive scan displays complete frames one by one sequentially from top to bottom for smoother motion and transitions:

Image source: https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/4GKukHCL-j8B6Gru8OvjpP4b_5g=/768×0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/progressive-vs-interlaced-58891a3f5f9b5855e6619ee8.jpg

Gamers overwhelmingly prefer progressive scan‘s smoothness and responsiveness.

The Rise and Reign of Full HD 1080p Gaming

Back when 1080p first went mainstream in the late 2000s, its 1920 x 1080 progressive-scanned image was a revelation for gaming.

The jump from 720p to 1080p over 2x‘d pixels with the bonus of fluid progressive frames. This early "Full HD" standard rapidly dominated as the de facto resolution for gaming and console/PC release targets.

By 2013, over 50% of Steam‘s user base had adopted 1080p gaming displays:

Image source: https://www.extremetech.com/gaming/171158-steam-hardware-survey-over-50-percent-of-steam-gamers-use-1080p

And as of October 2022, Steam‘s surveys show over 75% still game at 1920 x 1080:

Image source: https://www.pcgamesn.com/steam/hardware-survey

1080p has had an exceptionally long reign – but why? What kept it as the gaming resolution to beat for over a decade?

Why 1080p Remains the Gaming "Sweet Spot"

There are several compelling reasons why 1920 x 1080 progressive scan has stuck around so long as the de facto gaming resolution:

1. 1080p @ 60fps Offers the Best Balance

• Hitting a flawless 60 fps in modern AAA games requires an optimal combination of GPU power, graphics settings, and resolution.
• 1080p has proven to hit the gaming performance "sweet spot" across countless GPU upgrade cycles.
• 60fps provides smooth, responsive play while allowing some graphical flourishes.
• Higher resolutions demand ever more powerful GPUs – 1080p is easier to hit high fps targets.

2. 1080p Maximizes Refresh Rates for Competitive Games

• Esports and competitive online titles demand very high refresh rates for optimal response times.
• 1080p allows extremely high refresh rates from 144Hz up to 360Hz on specialty monitors.
• Pushing such high frame rates at 1440p or 4K requires exponentially more GPU horsepower.

3. 1080p Gaming Displays are Affordable

• While 4K and high refresh 1440p monitors still command premium prices, there‘s a massive selection of quality 1080p displays at budget rates.
• You can get a slick 1080p 144Hz 24" monitor now for under $200. Equivalent 1440p models start around $300+

4. Contemporary GPUs Can Max Out 1080p Performance

• Modern video cards like the RTX 3060 Ti and RX 6700 XT deliver extremely high frame rates at 1080p, even in the most demanding new games.
• These GPUs struggle to maintain high fps in 1440p or 4K in intensive titles without compromises.
• Upgrading to higher resolutions demands more expensive flagship GPU silicon.

Given the compelling balance of performance, responsiveness, and affordability, it‘s no wonder 1080p remains the first choice display res for over 70% of PC gamers as of late 2022.

1080p Streaming – The Most Accessible Quality Option

For content creators streaming fast-paced competitive games, 1080p outputs offer the best balance of visual quality while maintaining high frame rates.

When streaming chaotic shooters, battle royales, and MOBAs, gameplay fluidity beats resolution. The minimal streaming encoder load also reduces input lag.

But even for streaming slower-paced games, 1080p is appealing thanks to the reception from live viewers.

1080p has much higher Twitch penetration than 1440p or 4K:

Image source: https://twitter.com/basti564/status/1228846161612226562

YouTube‘s bitrate recommendations also favor 1080p across multiple bandwidth scenarios:

Source: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2853702?hl=en#zippy=%2Cbitrate

In real-world testing, YouTube‘s 1080p @ 6 Mbps outperforms 1440p with less buffering and clearer motion. Twitch also advises staying under 6 Mbps to maximize viewer compatibility.

So for accessibility, frame rates, and latency concerns, 1080p streaming remains the best fit for most gaming content creators.

The Outlook on 1080p Gaming & Streaming

While displays and GPUs supporting 1440p, 4K and beyond continue advancing, 1080p still has a stronghold as the everyday gaming resolution preferred by the masses thanks to its proven balance of visuals, performance, and pricing.

However, looking ahead, advances like ray tracing and GPU hardware focused on 4K workflows could spur its successor. Only the newly announced RTX 4080 achieves a smooth 60+ fps rasterization and ray tracing combo in demanding games at 4K. And next-gen titles will push requirements higher.

Ultra-high frame rates displays could also disrupt 1080p‘s dominance for competitive games. 360Hz to 480Hz monitors now exist exclusively at 1080p. But down the road, 1440p and 4K displays will inevitably hit 360 Hz+ too.

For now, enjoy 1080p gaming‘s sweet spot. But on the horizon, emerging display resolutions and refresh rates enabled by new GPU tech could disrupt 1080p‘s long reign. The "p" will stick around though – because in gaming, smooth progressive scan isn‘t going anywhere.