actually, due to how youtube compression work, watching 4k does resulted in higher bitrate stream and better image even with 1080p monitor.
Edit: I guess I just gonna add some stuff now that this comment has gathered some upvote. Another to take note if you want to watch YouTube above 1080p is your GPU decoding support. Below 1080p, YouTube can use either VP9 or H.264. Above 1080p, YouTube only use VP9 (well, AV1 also used but it still quite early in adoption). H.264 hardware decoding is supported by a lot of GPU. VP9 hardware decoding only supported by ryzen based APU, Navi GPU on AMD side. On Nvidia, GTX 950, 960, 750 GM206, and Pascal and newer GPU. Intel iGPU only from Kaby Lake and newer. Though, Intel iGPU from my testing only capable on handling 1080p60 max. For system with other GPU, decoding would be handled either purely by CPU or by the Hybrid mode (using shader instead of a dedicated silicon).
I research a bit too much regarding this as this is one of the criteria for me when choosing GPU. I definitely care too much about these things.
Edit2: By default, YouTube always use VP9. To force YouTube to use H.264, install h264ify extension(available on Chrome and Firefox).
ItIsFinished3 on October 1st, 2020 at 01:43 UTC »
I'm the opposite right now except im watching more like 480p on my 4k 43inch monitor because im having to tether using my phones internet atm...
spectre_laser97 on October 1st, 2020 at 02:18 UTC »
actually, due to how youtube compression work, watching 4k does resulted in higher bitrate stream and better image even with 1080p monitor.
Edit: I guess I just gonna add some stuff now that this comment has gathered some upvote. Another to take note if you want to watch YouTube above 1080p is your GPU decoding support. Below 1080p, YouTube can use either VP9 or H.264. Above 1080p, YouTube only use VP9 (well, AV1 also used but it still quite early in adoption). H.264 hardware decoding is supported by a lot of GPU. VP9 hardware decoding only supported by ryzen based APU, Navi GPU on AMD side. On Nvidia, GTX 950, 960, 750 GM206, and Pascal and newer GPU. Intel iGPU only from Kaby Lake and newer. Though, Intel iGPU from my testing only capable on handling 1080p60 max. For system with other GPU, decoding would be handled either purely by CPU or by the Hybrid mode (using shader instead of a dedicated silicon).
I research a bit too much regarding this as this is one of the criteria for me when choosing GPU. I definitely care too much about these things.
Edit2: By default, YouTube always use VP9. To force YouTube to use H.264, install h264ify extension(available on Chrome and Firefox).
rapescape on October 1st, 2020 at 04:23 UTC »
It genuinely looks a lot better, the bit rate is significantly increased and the image is much cleaner since it's basically supersampling