Native vs Non-native resolution on the same screen size

[Low Profile Gamer]

Assuming all other things are constant, which would look better? A 720p native resolution on a 13 inch screen, or a 1080p resolution scaled down to 720p on a 13 inch screen? Specifically in gaming

 

[Suzuki@1473780084@1473780163]

Native is always best, that's a fact.

However, it's not clear what you ment. Upscaled 1080p on a 720p display (AMD VSR or NVIDIA DSR) is better than 720p on a 720p display.



All the best!

 

[Low Profile Gamer]

Native is always best, that's a fact.

However, it's not clear what you ment. Upscaled 1080p on a 720p display (AMD VSR or NVIDIA DSR) is better than 720p on a 720p display.



All the best!

Hi there, thanks for the quick response. I'm actually pertaining to the Alienware 13 laptop. I'm torn between getting the 720p model vs the 1080p model. The price difference is $100 which is a big deal for me. I will be gaming at 720p, so if I get the 1080p version, I will be downscaling it to 720p. I want to know if there will be a difference in quality if I get the native 720p display or the 1080p display and downscaling it to 720p.

 

[Suzuki@1473780084@1473780163]

1080p is obviously better, there's more information in the signal too. However, now it's down to your visual acuity and viewing distance from the display. I can't really tell you, but my guess would be that 720p is going to be all you'll need on a display that small.


All the best!

 

[Low Profile Gamer]

1080p is obviously better, there's more information in the signal too. However, now it's down to your visual acuity and viewing distance from the display. I can't really tell you, but my guess would be that 720p is going to be all you'll need on a display that small.


All the best!

I really appreciate your help, but one last thing I want to confirm. I read this on an article:

"What Happens When You Use a Non-Native Resolution
Now, imagine that your computer’s video card sends an 800×600 image to a 1366×768 LCD — you’ll see that the 800×600 image doesn’t evenly correspond to the number of pixels in the LCD. To produce an image smaller than its native resolution, the display would still be using 1366×768 pixels – so the display must interpolate (scale) the image to be larger and fill the screen. In the example here, the aspect ratios (4:3 for 800×600 and 16:9 for 1366×768) are different – so not only will the image be enlarged, the image will be distorted." source: http://www.howtogeek.com/119117/htg-explains-why-using-your-monitors-native-resolution-is-important/

Will that be applicable to the 1080p screen of Alienware 13 rendering at only 720p? Will it look worse than the native 720p?

 

[Suzuki@1473780084@1473780163]

Yes it will look worse using 720p on a 1080p display, but the display is so small, and then there are of course the other factors I mentioned. The difference it makes might not be noticeable, but still, 1080p on a 13" display is just ridiculously small pixels per inch. You're approaching smartphone type usage, which you would already know is not too far away from your face.

 

[Low Profile Gamer]

Yes it will look worse using 720p on a 1080p display, but the display is so small, and then there are of course the other factors I mentioned. The difference it makes might not be noticeable, but still, 1080p on a 13" display is just ridiculously small pixels per inch. You're approaching smartphone type usage, which you would already know is not too far away from your face.

Thank you very much! I am now leaning more towards the 720p Alienware 13. It's going to save me $100 which is great.

 

[Suzuki@1473780084@1473780163]

It's also going to save battery life.