What is 4:5 in Pixels? An Esports Enthusiast‘s Guide to Square Gaming Displays
When discussing display resolutions and aspect ratios, 4:5 refers to a ratio of 4 units horizontal to 5 units vertical. In pixels, this typically manifests as 1080 pixels wide by 1350 pixels high.
As gaming hardware continues to push boundaries, this relatively square format is creating new immersive experiences compared to widescreen 16:9 monitors. Let‘s dive deeper into the emergence of 4:5 displays for gaming.
The Steady Rise of Square-Formatted Gaming Displays
Since 2010, the standard gaming monitor moved from 4:3 towards a widescreen 16:9 format, which offered a wider field of view in first-person shooters and more cinematic experience in story-driven games.
However, competitive esports continues to favor response time over immersive realism. As a result, more square-shaped displays are reemerging, with 4:5 becoming a sweet spot balancing the two priorities.
Comparing Common Aspect Ratios for Gaming
Here‘s how 4:5 stacks up against other display ratios for gaming:
16:9 – The modern widescreen standard at 1920×1080. Offers expanded horizontal view but decreased vertical area.
16:10 – A happy medium providing added vertical space compared to widescreen. An example resolution is 2560×1600.
4:3 – The retro standard now fading away. Provides a narrow yet tall view. Example resolution is 1024×768.
Ultrawide 21:9 – An extreme widescreen format spanning multiple monitors side-by-side. Very immersive for RPGs but FOV challenges remain in shooters.
4:5 – A balanced option with more vertical area than 16:9 and more horizontal space than 4:3. Optimizing single-monitor gaming.
Maximizing Field of View with a 4:5 Aspect Ratio
Why does more vertical space matter for gaming? It comes down to field of view (FOV).
Most game engines horizontally crop the views taller ratios to fit 16:9 standards. This means 4:3 and 4:5 displays technically render more vertical FOV before cropping to output.
The taller view can reveal things otherwise hidden above and below the frame on 16:9. This is especially vital in FPS titles, allowing players to spot enemies or objectives missed on widescreen displays.
Pro players have used 4:3 resolutions for years to maximize info onscreen. But 4:5 provides added width to minimally impact horizontal FOV while still expanding the vertical area.
Hitting Higher Refresh Rates Using Square-Style Resolutions
Another benefit of shifting from 16:9 to 4:5 is easier access to high refresh rates.
Pushing triple digit frame rates requires serious GPU power at 1440p and 4K resolutions. But by slightly reducing horizontal pixels in favor of more vertical space, refresh rates rise.
For example, a 2560×1440 monitor can struggle to break 144 Hz during intense gameplay. But a 4:5 ratio 2560×1600 monitor can sometimes exceed 160 Hz at the same graphical settings.
Every last frame matters in twitch-based shooters. So 4:5 allows reliably higher FPS marks compared to equal-resolution widescreens.
Recommended Resolutions for Common 4:5 Monitor Sizes
When selecting a square-formatted gaming display, you‘ll want to match the resolution to your PC‘s graphics capability:
24 to 25 Inches – For smaller 4:5 monitors, aim for 2560×1600. This is an ideal pairing for modern GPUs like the RTX 3070 Ti and RX 6800 XT at high frame rates.
27 Inches – Step up to a higher 4K-esque resolution of 2880×1800 to maintain sharpness on larger 27-inch panels. This still enables 140+ refresh rates on mid-tier hardware.
32+ Inches – If going jumbo-sized, target 3840×2400 or 4096×2560 to match next-gen specs. This keeps pixel density crisp but demands top-end graphics like an RTX 4080.
No matter the size, remember to keep that handy 4:5 aspect ratio for maximizing FOV and speeds!
My Top Picks for 4:5 Gaming Monitors in 2024
If you want to experience square-style displays first-hand, here are my current favorites to consider purchasing:
Lenovo Legion Y25g-30 – This 24.5" model offers 1080×1350 resolution with a lightning-quick 240 Hz refresh rate and 0.5 ms response time. It‘s perfectly optimized for esports with AMD FreeSync premium included.
Dell UltraSharp 30" – For added screen space, check out Dell‘s upcoming 30-inch 4:5 monitor launching in early 2023. It will feature a 5K2K resolution (5120×2880) at 60 Hz refresh rate.
ASUS ROG Swift PG27AQN – This cutting-edge 27-inch monitor combines 4K visuals, NVIDIA G-SYNC, and a blending angle filter for reduced eye fatigue. It‘s 4:5 resolution checks in at a comfortable 2880×1800 paired with 165 Hz.
Final Take – The Future Looks Square
Gone are the days where widescreen 16:9 felt like the inevitable future. Competitive gaming continues to drive innovation, and 4:5 displays strike an enticing balance.
By allowing expanded vertical field of view and easier access to triple-digit frame rates, square-shaped monitors offer fresh opportunities for immersion. And there‘s potential for even more radical formats like 3:4 for future hardware generations.
But for now in 2024, 4:5 remains the sweet spot – literally splitting the difference between past and present. With 1080×1350 resolutions, you‘re ensuring games render optimally today and into tomorrow across this unique aspect ratio.
