Resolution is a big thing in the world of PC gaming. While it is immediately obvious why more screen real estate is a good thing for productivity, it comes with compromises for gamers. Namely, a significant drop in performance as you rise up the resolution ranks. Handheld devices like the Steam Deck settle for an 800p screen, while gamers running high-end hardware such as the new RTX 5090 or RTX 5080 should most certainly be running a 4K monitor to match.

The next step up is 8K, but it may not be as close as you might think. We recently interviewed a spokesperson from BenQ to understand what the brand has been up to, as well as get some insider knowledge on how and when the display industry can move forward. They say that 8K might not be widespread for up to 10 years from now.

We could be waiting 10 years before 8K is mainstream

The ‘standard’ screen resolution for gaming is not exactly set in stone, but the most common among PC gamers is still 1080p. However, a growing number of users are upgrading as entry-level hardware becomes more and more capable. For example, Intel’s Arc B580 offers solid 1440p gameplay for just $250. We see more and more users upgrading to 1440p each month when the Steam Hardware & Software Survey rolls around. On top of that, current-gen consoles enjoy 4K support via HDMI 2.1, though the PS5’s advertised 8K support was eventually removed from its packaging.

When asked whether 8K resolution could become mainstream or as widely adopted as 4K, here’s what they had to say:

“At a high level, it’s going to take several years for 8K to really become mainstream. Content development for 8K has just really not kept pace with the display technology. Whether you’re talking 8K videos, livestreams, certainly games, there’s nothing widely available. As is always the case, once the demand and supply are both in harmony, and once that content starts becoming more widely available, the demand is going to naturally grow.”

BenQ spokesperson

They go on to say that “obviously there’s a high cost to an 8K panel that’s going to be a significant barrier” while ballparking a figure of “six to ten years before 8K adoption is really widespread”.

8K would represent a major step in display technology, and as BenQ says, there isn’t enough media to meet the demand right now. You could argue that 4K is more than enough for the common screen sizes these days – especially in a desktop environment at 32-inch. Earlier this year we saw Acer launch a 5K 1440p monitor, and it seems like this could be the next incremental step up – especially with 8K displays remaining very niche, even for productivity workflows.

About the Author

Jack Goodall

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.