How to use your gaming laptop or PC with a 4K TV

A 4K TV is a great device for watching high-resolution TV shows and movies, but it can also be used for one other thing: playing games. Gamers often tend to get dedicated gaming monitors, but the already available 4K TV in your home can dramatically change your PC gaming experience. While the availability of four times as many pixels as a 1080p monitor has its charms, playing games on your 4K TV isn’t straightforward.

A common practice for playing games on TV is to connect it to a gaming console like Xbox One or Sony PlayStation, but for those without a console, a gaming laptop or PC can extend a similar experience. For smooth gameplay and optimised performance, here is how to use your gaming laptop or PC with a 4K TV.

PC gaming setup: How to use your gaming laptop or PC with a 4K TV

There are several reasons to choose to play your PC games on a 4K TV including the access to a large screen with 4K resolution. This will be a step up from your gaming monitor, which uses tech similar to the one found on 4K smart TVs.

Since some TVs now come with features like Nvidia’s G-Sync, it is not far-fetched to say that 4K TVs are meant to be used for playing games. Without further ado, let’s look at how to use your gaming laptop or PC with a 4K TV:

1. Plug your PC or laptop into the right port

Your 4K TV will have multiple ports including several HDMI ports and one of the first things you need to do is connect your gaming laptop or PC into the right port. 

ALSO READ: The 5 best 4K TVs to buy in 2024

While you can simply plug your PC into any HDMI port, choosing the right port has its advantages since some TVs tend to support 4K at 60Hz at certain ports and your TV may also have HDMI 2.1 and HDMI 2.0 ports meaning choosing the HDMI 2.1 port will be a better option since it offers more bandwidth necessary for gaming.

2. Use a high-quality HDMI cable

It is crucial to choose the right HDMI port but even more crucial is to use a high-quality HDMI cable to connect your gaming laptop or PC to your 4K TV. A standard HDMI cable might only support 1080p resolution but a high-speed HDMI 2.0 or HDMI 2.1 cable will support 4K gaming at 120Hz with HDMI 2.0 being particularly a good choice for 60Hz.

3. Tweak graphics on your device

Once you have connected your gaming laptop or PC to your 4K TV using the right cable, you need to tweak the graphics on your device for the best output. Running games at 4K resolution can be demanding for your system and it is important to understand whether the mobile GPU or desktop GPU powering your system is capable of handling the computing demand. If you are not certain, it would be better to run demanding game titles at 1440p (or 2K) for a smoother visual experience without compromising on image quality.

TV gaming setup: Steps to follow to use your gaming laptop or PC with a 4K TV

Choosing the right GPU settings or plugging your gaming laptop or PC into the right port is only the first step. There are other actions you need to take on your TV to get the best gaming experience. These will help you enjoy a smooth gameplay experience from your gaming laptop or PC on your 4K TV: 

1. Adjust display settings

You will need to change the display settings once you connect your gaming laptop or PC to the TV. You can do this by right-clicking on the desktop and going to the display settings option. We recommend setting the resolution to 3840 x 2160 and setting the refresh rate to 60Hz or 120Hz depending on your TV. If your TV supports Game Mode then enable it to reduce input lag.

2. Choose TV’s input

Like choosing the right cable and port, it is important to choose the right input on your TV screen. Once connected, it is better to label your device as a PC instead of a gaming console and turn on the HDR mode for the selected input.

After playing on a small but gaming-centric monitor or playing games on a PC, the TV experience will be different. For immersive or enhanced gaming, you need to ensure that your gaming laptop or PC has hardware that supports 4K and you are using the right HDMI cable. 

ALSO READ: How to connect a laptop to a TV?

One accessory you will need is a joystick that makes it easier to play games even when connected to your TV. Once you get these basics right, it is all about tweaking the essential settings to enjoy stunning visuals and smooth gameplay on your home’s biggest screen.