900p vs 1080p – What’s the Difference in Monitor Resolution?

If you’re looking to buy a new monitor or TV, you’ve probably come across terms like 900p and 1080p.

But what do these resolutions mean, and what are their difference?

This article’ll explain everything you need about 900p vs. 1080p.

Quick Answer:

900p and 1080p refer to monitor resolutions; 900p has a resolution of 1600×900 pixels, while 1080p, also known as Full HD, has a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels, offering sharper and clearer visuals.

What is Monitor Resolution?

Resolution refers to the number of pixels on a monitor or TV screen.

Pixels are tiny dots that make up the image you see on the screen. The more pixels there are, the sharper and more detailed the image will be.

Resolution is displayed as the number of pixels horizontally x the number vertically.

For example, a resolution of 1920 x 1080 means there are 1920 pixels across the width and 1080 pixels down the height.

Common monitor resolutions include:

• 720p – 1280 x 720 pixels
• 900p – 1600 x 900 pixels
• 1080p – 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD)
• 1440p – 2560 x 1440 pixels (QHD)
• 4K – 3840 x 2160 pixels (UHD)

Higher resolutions like 1440p and 4K are found on more expensive gaming monitors and high-end TVs.

For everyday use, 1080p is the most popular resolution.

What is 900p Resolution?

900p refers to a resolution of 1600 x 900 pixels. It sits above 720p but below 1080p in terms of sharpness and detail.

Some key points about 900p resolution:

• Displays around 1.5 million pixels on the screen
• Considered an HD (High Definition) resolution
• Found on affordable 19-24 inch monitors and laptops
• Provides decent image quality for everyday tasks
• Not ideal for gaming or graphics work

900p strikes a balance between display sharpness and affordability. It provides a noticeable step up from 720p for general computing, web browsing, and media viewing.

However, for more immersive gaming and crystal clear image quality, a 1080p or higher monitor is recommended.

What is 1080p Resolution?

1080p refers to a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. It’s considered the base standard for HD displays and is also called Full HD.

Key points about 1080p resolution:

• Displays over 2 million pixels on the screen
• It provides very sharp, highly detailed image quality
• Well-suited for gaming, graphics work, and movies
• Found on most mid-range to high-end monitors and TVs
• Provides excellent visuals for both productivity and entertainment
• Requires a more powerful graphics card for gaming

For many users, 1080p hits the sweet spot between price and performance.

You get superb visuals and clarity not found at lower resolutions like 900p or 720p.

This makes 1080p monitors ideal for gaming, watching movies, visual design work, and daily computing tasks.

The abundant detail lets you fully immerse and engage with on-screen content.

900p vs 1080p Compared

So how exactly does 900p stack up against the more popular 1080p resolution? Here’s a side-by-side comparison:

Pixels

• 900p = 1600 x 900 = 1.44 million pixels
• 1080p = 1920 x 1080 = 2.07 million pixels

1080p displays over 30% more pixels than 900p, resulting in sharper images and finer detail.

Screen Size

• 900p best for 19-24 inch monitors
• 1080p well-suited for 24-27 inch monitors

Due to the lower pixel density, 900p monitors tend to be smaller, in the 19 to 24-inch range.

1080p monitors are best to appreciate the extra detail from 24 to 27 inches.

Use Cases

• 900p sufficient for everyday tasks
• 1080p is recommended for gaming and graphics

900p provides enough clarity for general home and office use. But for the best gaming graphics and visuals, 1080p or higher is advised.

Picture Quality

• 900p has decent HD image quality
• 1080p delivers excellent Full HD quality

While 900p content looks okay, 1080p offers noticeably crisper, clearer, and lifelike visuals. Side-by-side, the difference is quite apparent.

System Requirements

• 900p requires a basic discrete GPU
• 1080p works best with a mid-range GPU

900p isn’t too demanding and can run fine on integrated graphics. But 1080p requires a dedicated mid-range GPU like an NVIDIA GTX 3050 or AMD RX 6500 XT.

Price

• 900p monitors are very affordable
• 1080p monitors have a mid-range price

A 900p monitor can easily be found for under $150.

Expect to spend $180-$300 for a quality 1080p monitor with good color reproduction and fast response time.

Which is Better for You?

So which resolution is right for your needs?

For most gaming and entertainment purposes, 1080p is the better choice. The bump-up in pixels and detail provides a noticeably sharper, more immersive viewing experience.

Though more expensive than 900p, 1080p monitors have come down in price and offer good value.

However, if you need a basic display for web browsing, documents, and media viewing, then 900p should suffice.

It will save you money while providing decent HD resolution for daily use.

If your budget is very tight, a 900p monitor allows you still to enjoy HD resolution at an affordable price point.

But expect to upgrade to 1080p down the road to keep up with modern games and video standards.

Finally, also consider the monitor’s panel type, refresh rate, response time, and color reproduction.

Resolution isn’t the only factor that determines display quality and performance. But it does play a big role in clarity and pixel density.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques 1: Can a 900p monitor display 1080p content?

Ans: Yes, a 900p monitor can show 1080p content, but it will be downscaled to fit the 1600×900 resolution. This will result in a slightly softer, less detailed image compared to viewing 1080p content on a native 1080p monitor.

Ques 2: Is 900p good for gaming?

Ans: 900p is usable for gaming, but 1080p is much better and provides a more immersive experience.

Competitive esports gamers will want at least a 1080p display. More casual gamers may find 900p sufficient depending on the game and graphics card.

Ques 3: Is 900p considered HD?

Ans: 900p is considered an HD (High Definition) resolution, sitting above 720p but below 1080p. It provides a noticeable boost in sharpness compared to 720p screens.

Ques 4: Can the human eye tell the difference between 900p and 1080p?

Ans: On monitors 24 inches or larger, most people can discern the difference between 900p and 1080p in side-by-side comparisons. The higher pixel density of 1080p makes images look sharper and more lifelike. But the difference is less noticeable on smaller screens.

Ques 5: Should I buy a 900p or 1080p monitor?

A: For gaming, visual design work, or daily use on a 24 inch or larger screen, a 1080p monitor is recommended. 900p is fine for basic home/office use, multimedia and web browsing on smaller 19-23 inch monitors. Go for 1080p if your budget allows to get the best image quality.

Final Thoughts

900p and 1080p resolutions both offer HD clarity for monitors. But 1080p’s higher pixel count makes it better suited for gaming, movies, and visual work.

For everyday tasks, 900p can provide decent quality on smaller budget screens.

Ultimately, choose 1080p if you want the best detail, crispness and immersion from your display.