Quick Decision Summary
Refresh rate (measured in Hz) indicates how many times per second your monitor can display a new image. Higher refresh rates create smoother motion and can reduce input lag, but only provide benefit when your hardware can generate enough frames to match.
- 60Hz: Adequate for single-player, strategy, and casual games. Matches console output.
- 144Hz: Noticeable improvement for most gamers. Sweet spot for price-to-performance.
- 240Hz+: Competitive advantage in fast-paced shooters, but diminishing returns for most users.
The jump from 60Hz to higher refresh rates has become a common upgrade path for gamers. However, understanding when this upgrade actually matters prevents spending money on capabilities you won't benefit from.
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Refresh rate improvements follow a curve of diminishing returns. The leap from 60Hz to 144Hz is immediately apparent to most people. The jump from 144Hz to 240Hz is more subtle. Beyond 240Hz, only competitive esports players tend to perceive meaningful differences.
What the Numbers Actually Mean
60Hz
16.67ms between frames
Standard for decades. Still the baseline for consoles and office monitors.
144Hz
6.94ms between frames
2.4x smoother than 60Hz. Current mainstream gaming standard.
240Hz
4.17ms between frames
1.67x smoother than 144Hz. Competitive gaming territory.
The frame time reduction from 60Hz to 144Hz (9.73ms) is much larger than from 144Hz to 240Hz (2.77ms). This explains why the first upgrade feels transformative while subsequent upgrades feel incremental.
Scenario Breakdowns: When Each Refresh Rate Matters
Competitive FPS (CS2, Valorant, Apex Legends)
Higher refresh rates provide measurable advantages: faster visual feedback of enemy movement, reduced motion blur when flicking, and lower system latency. Professional players universally use 240Hz or higher.
Recommendation: 144Hz minimum, 240Hz preferred if your GPU can push the frames. 360Hz only if competing at high levels.
Single-Player Action Games (God of War, Elden Ring)
These games typically target 60fps on PC with unlocked framerates available. 144Hz makes combat feel more responsive and camera movement smoother, but isn't essential for the experience.
Recommendation: 144Hz improves the experience noticeably. 60Hz is perfectly playable. 240Hz provides minimal additional benefit.
Strategy and Turn-Based Games (Civilization, XCOM)
These genres involve minimal fast motion. Camera panning and unit movement don't benefit significantly from high refresh rates. Your GPU resources are better spent on resolution and effects.
Recommendation: 60Hz is sufficient. Higher refresh rates won't hurt but won't improve gameplay.
Racing and Sports Games
Fast lateral movement and quick directional changes benefit from high refresh rates. The sense of speed feels more realistic, and tracking other vehicles or players becomes easier.
Recommendation: 144Hz provides significant improvement. Racing sim enthusiasts often prefer 165Hz+ for the smoothest cockpit view.
Console Gaming (PS5, Xbox Series X)
Current consoles support up to 120Hz in compatible games, but many titles run at 30fps or 60fps. A 144Hz monitor provides headroom for 120Hz modes while remaining future-compatible.
Recommendation: 120Hz capability is useful. Higher than 144Hz provides no benefit for console use.
How to Decide if This is Right for You
- Good fit if: You play competitive multiplayer games and have a GPU capable of high framerates, you're sensitive to motion smoothness, or you're upgrading from 60Hz and want a noticeable improvement in game feel.
- Not ideal if: Your GPU can't consistently hit framerates above 60fps in your games, you primarily play strategy or turn-based titles, or you'd need to sacrifice resolution (1440p to 1080p) to afford a higher refresh rate.
- What to compare: Your current GPU's performance in your most-played games, the price difference between refresh rate tiers, and whether G-Sync/FreeSync support matters for your variable framerates.
Tradeoffs and Limitations
Hardware requirements: A 240Hz monitor displaying 60fps looks identical to a 60Hz monitor at 60fps. You need a GPU powerful enough to generate frames matching your refresh rate. At 1440p 240Hz, even high-end GPUs struggle in demanding games.
Resolution versus refresh rate: Many gamers face a choice between 4K/60Hz, 1440p/144Hz, or 1080p/240Hz at similar price points. For most, 1440p/144Hz provides the best balance of visual quality and smoothness.
Panel type considerations: The fastest 240Hz+ panels often use TN technology with inferior colors and viewing angles. IPS 240Hz options exist but at premium prices. VA panels rarely exceed 200Hz due to slow dark transitions.
The "ruined forever" effect: Once accustomed to high refresh rates, 60Hz feels noticeably choppy. This isn't necessarily bad, but be aware that upgrading is a one-way trip perceptually.
Common Mistakes When Evaluating Refresh Rate
Buying 240Hz with a mid-range GPU
If your GPU outputs 80fps in your games, a 240Hz monitor provides no advantage over 144Hz. Match monitor capability to realistic GPU performance.
Forgetting to enable high refresh rate in settings
Windows often defaults to 60Hz. Check Display Settings to ensure your monitor runs at its rated refresh rate. Many users game at 60Hz for months without realizing.
Using the wrong cable
HDMI 2.0 maxes out at 1440p/144Hz or 1080p/240Hz. Higher combinations require DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.1. Check cable specifications against your target resolution and refresh rate.
Ignoring variable refresh rate (VRR)
G-Sync and FreeSync eliminate tearing when framerates fluctuate. If your GPU can't maintain consistent high framerates, VRR support matters more than peak refresh rate.
Assuming higher Hz equals less input lag
Refresh rate affects visual smoothness more than input lag. A well-optimized 144Hz monitor can have lower input lag than a poorly-implemented 240Hz panel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see the difference between 60Hz and 144Hz?
Most people immediately notice the difference when moving windows, scrolling, or playing games. The improvement is most obvious with fast mouse movements and camera panning. Some people are more sensitive than others, but the majority find 144Hz noticeably smoother.
Is 144Hz enough for competitive gaming?
144Hz is sufficient for competitive play in most games. Many professional players used 144Hz before 240Hz became common. The advantage of 240Hz exists but is smaller than the jump from 60Hz to 144Hz. Unless you're playing at high competitive ranks, 144Hz won't hold you back.
Does higher refresh rate reduce eye strain?
Some users report reduced eye strain at higher refresh rates, particularly during extended sessions. The smoother motion may require less effort from your visual system to track. However, factors like brightness, blue light, and screen distance typically matter more for eye comfort.
What happens if my FPS is lower than my refresh rate?
The monitor will display duplicate frames or show tearing (unless you have VRR enabled). If you average 80fps on a 144Hz monitor, you'll see smoother motion than at 60Hz, but won't get the full 144Hz benefit. VRR (G-Sync/FreeSync) handles this gracefully by matching refresh rate to framerate.
Is 360Hz or 500Hz worth it?
For the vast majority of gamers, no. These ultra-high refresh rates target professional esports players who need every possible advantage. The visual difference from 240Hz is minimal, and the GPU requirements to drive these framerates at any resolution are extreme.
Does refresh rate affect productivity work?
Higher refresh rates make cursor movement and scrolling smoother, which some find more comfortable. However, for static work like reading, writing, or looking at spreadsheets, refresh rate makes no difference. The smoothness benefit is most noticeable when moving things on screen.
Why does my 144Hz monitor still show tearing?
Tearing occurs when GPU frame output doesn't sync with monitor refresh timing, regardless of refresh rate. Enable V-Sync to eliminate tearing (at the cost of some input lag) or use G-Sync/FreeSync to eliminate tearing without the V-Sync latency penalty.
Should I choose 4K/60Hz or 1440p/144Hz?
For gaming, most users prefer 1440p/144Hz. The smoothness improvement is more impactful than the resolution increase for games. For content creation, photo editing, or primarily non-gaming use, 4K/60Hz may be preferable for the additional workspace and detail.