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While the next generation of consoles are finally set to deliver 1080p gaming to the masses, the consumer electronics industry is rapidly gearing up for a full-scale push towards 4K - the next standard in high definition viewing. 4K, or 3840x2160 Ultra High Definition as it is officially called, delivers four times the resolution contained in the current standard of 1080p, approaching the maximum amount of video information resolved in a high-quality 35mm film print. The result is not only the potential for a staggering increase in detail, but also a smoother image and the complete elimination of the screen door effect visible when sitting closely to large HDTVs and PC monitors.However, there has been much debate as to whether the jump to 4K is worthwhile, given that there are limits on how much detail the human eye can resolve in relation to smaller screen sizes - some experts claim that you'll need at least a massive 80-inch screen to really benefit from a noticeable increase in detail. Our own testing with 27-inch 2.5K displays revealed that there are tangible gains upgrading to a 1440p screen, and we imagine that in a similar desktop set-up the improvements in picture quality with 4K could be even bigger - as long as you don't sit too far away. In this respect, the typical desktop PC gaming scenario serves the new display standard quite well.
The Asus PQ321Q is one of the first desktop displays capable of displaying a full 3840x2160p signal at 60Hz, either via DisplayPort or using dual HDMI 1.4 connections. Up until now, previous 4K displays have been pegged at a mediocre 30Hz refresh, as we found in our first feature on gaming with the new ultra HD standard. At 32 inches the PQ321Q is well below the recommended screen size for use with 4K material, but the modest nature of the display does yield other advantages: sporting 140 pixels per inch (PPI), any hint of screen door effect should be practically invisible compared to 1080p at similar viewing distances, with the extra pixel fill leading to a tangible increase in image clarity.
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