What Is 5K Resolution? A Basic Definition

27-inch iMac with a 5K display. (Image credit: Shutterstock)

5K is a display resolution measuring 5120 x 2880 pixels. Resolution explains how many pixels a display, like a PC monitor or laptop screen, has in length x width format. The more pixels, the sharper the image l ooks.

So who needs 5K resolution with their PC? Few games benefit from running at that high of a resolution. You'll need a powerful graphics card to power 5K, and both of the 5K displays mentioned target creative professionals. So unless you fit that category, you can probably be satisfied with a lower-resolution screen.

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Common Monitor Resolutions

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5K	5120 x 2880
4K	3840 x 2160 (typical monitor resolution); 4096 x 2160 (official cinema resolution)
Ultra HD (UHD)	3840 x 2160
QHD aka WQHD aka 1440p	2560 x 1440
2K	2560 x 1440 (typical monitor resolution); 2048 x 1080 (official cinema resolution)
WUXGA	1920 x 1200
Full HD aka FHD aka 1080p	1920 x 1080
HD aka 720p	1280 x 720

This article is part of the 3DTested Glossary.