Buying guide
Dual-mode monitors and their compromises
How dual-mode gaming monitors switch between a high-resolution mode and a faster low-resolution mode, what you gain, and the scaling, switching, and sharpness trade-offs.
A dual-mode monitor offers two personalities: a sharp native resolution for work and immersive games, and a lower resolution at a much higher refresh rate for competitive play. It is an appealing idea for anyone who cannot decide between 4K and speed.
Current examples
| Monitor | High-resolution mode | Fast mode |
|---|---|---|
| ASUS PG32UCDP | 4K 240Hz | 1080p 480Hz |
| ASUS XG32UCWMG | 4K 240Hz | 1080p 480Hz |
| LG 32GS95UE-B | 4K 240Hz | 1080p 480Hz |
| ASUS PG27AQWP-W | 1440p 540Hz | 720p 720Hz |
| LG 27GX790B-B | 1440p 540Hz | 720p 720Hz |
| LG 27GM950B-B | 5K 165Hz | 1440p 330Hz |
| LG 45GX950A-B | 5120×2160 165Hz | 2560×1080 330Hz |
| Alienware AW2725QF | 4K 180Hz | 1080p 360Hz |
| AOC U27G4XM | 4K 160Hz | 1080p 320Hz |
| GIGABYTE M27UP | 4K 160Hz | 1080p 320Hz |
What you gain
The fast mode halves frame duration. On a 4K 240Hz OLED, each frame lasts about 4.2 ms; in the 1080p 480Hz mode, about 2.1 ms. Lower resolution also makes high frame rates easier for your GPU to reach.
What you give up
- Sharpness. The fast mode shows fewer pixels on the same physical panel. Reviewers consistently describe it as softer: Tom's Hardware found the AW2725QF's 1080p mode “a little softer than 4K,” and Tom's Guide called the 27GX790B's 720p mode “very blurry.” On 27-inch screens, 720p is a large step down.
- Scaling quality. 4K to 1080p and 1440p to 720p are exact 2x ratios, which allows clean pixel doubling, but the result depends on how each monitor scales. PC Monitors found the M27UP's 1080p scaling looked a little odd from a normal viewing position.
- Switching time. Changing modes is not instant; TFTCentral timed about five seconds on the PG32UCDP and about three on the 32GS95UE.
- Not every feature carries over. Check whether VRR, HDR, or blur reduction works in both modes for the model you want.
Who should buy one
- You split time between detail-rich games or desk work and a single competitive title.
- Your GPU can drive 4K at moderate frame rates, and your esports game can run very fast at 1080p.
Monitors with three modes have been announced, such as MSI's MPG OLED 322URDX36 (4K 360Hz, 1440p 520Hz, or 1080p 680Hz), but none is on sale yet, so none is ranked here.
If you play competitively most of the time, a native 1440p 480Hz to 540Hz monitor gives you speed without the resolution drop. If you rarely play competitively, a single-mode 4K monitor is simpler.