5K describes a display resolution of 5120 x 2880. Resolution explains how many pixels a display has in length x width format (the more, the better when choosing a PC monitor).
Few monitors actually have this resolution today, though Apple's 27-inch iMac offers it. LG's 27-inch Ultrafine 5K monitor also outputs at 5120 x 2880. Few games benefit from running at this high of a resolution. Unless you're a graphics professional, you can probably be satisfied with a lower resolution screen.
Common Monitor Resolutions:
| 5K | 5120 x 2880 |
| 4K | 3840 x 2160 (typical monitor resolution)4096 x 2160 (official cinema resolution) |
| Ultra HD (UHD) | 3840 x 2160 |
| Quad HD (QHD) aka Wide Quad HD (WQHD) | 2560 x 1440 |
| 2K | 2560 x 1440 (typical monitor resolution)2048 x 1080 (official cinema resolution) |
| WUXGA | 1920 x 1200 |
| Full HD (FHD) aka 1080p aka HD | 1920 x 1080 |
| HD aka 720p | 1280 x 720 |
This article is part of the Tom's Hardware Glossary.
Further reading:
5K is the industry's latest way of unburdening the impatient of their money; and fostering the mentality of continual and frequent upgrades, just to "keep up with the Joneses"...