Refresh-rate actuality examine: 144Hz vs. 240Hz vs. 500Hz screens

Refresh fee is among the primary metrics PC avid gamers examine on to see what sort of gaming expertise we’re going to have with a monitor — with greater charges typically that means smoother gameplay.

That’s the gist of it, however most avid gamers don’t want astronomically quick refresh charges when the candy spot of 144Hz is sweet sufficient for many gaming wants.

Refresh fee in a nutshell

A refresh fee, measured in hertz (Hz), signifies what number of instances per second a show updates the picture it reveals. Meaning a monitor with a refresh fee of 60Hz updates its picture 60 instances per second, whereas one with a 144Hz refresh fee updates its picture 144 instances, and so forth.

These aren’t simply numbers; they do change the readability and smoothness of the movement being displayed, with sooner refresh charges producing extra fluid movement, much less movement blur, and fewer display screen tearing in comparison with slower ones. A great way to see this in motion is utilizing the movement check at UFO Take a look at at Blur Busters.

To get probably the most from a monitor’s refresh fee, although, your video card wants to have the ability to produce sufficient frames per second to do it justice.

You’re additionally going to want the best picture processing software program and drivers loaded — so for a 240Hz refresh fee you’re going to want an RTX 50 Sequence or equal graphics card and 4x multi-frame era software program, as a way to actually make the most of your body fee.

Additional studying: Finest gaming screens

Why 144Hz is sweet sufficient for many avid gamers

Gaming shows begin at 144Hz as of late. With top-tier refresh charges now reaching greater than 600Hz, you’d be forgiven for considering 144Hz is a awful possibility. The truth is, it’s nonetheless head and shoulders above the 60- to 90Hz charges that ship with most productiveness laptops.

The truth is, screens with 144Hz are completely advantageous for many avid gamers and can produce largely clear movement with none perceptible blur. Gameplay is easy, sufficient for an fulfilling expertise. Whereas, gaming in some titles with only a 60- to 90Hz refresh fee is a way more jerky and blurry expertise.

An additional advantage is that shows with 144Hz refresh charges are usually extra inexpensive. For instance, you’ll be able to decide up the Acer Nitro V15 gaming laptop computer with a 144Hz refresh fee for simply $950 on Amazon, whereas laptops with 240Hz or above are inclined to price much more.

Gaming screens just like the Asus TUF Gaming 24 (VG247Q1A) and Samsung Odyssey G7 (G70D), are additionally fairly inexpensive choices sporting 144Hz refresh charges.

At 240Hz it’s beginning to get critical

A 240Hz refresh fee goes to be an enormous asset in case you’re an esports participant making an attempt to get the sting in aggressive multiplayer video games — particularly video games that depend on your reflexes.

We’re speaking about millisecond benefits to enter lag right here, so not everybody will profit: For instance, in a 240Hz show the utmost time between frames is 4.16 milliseconds in comparison with the 16.67 milliseconds on a 60Hz show.

For that cause, numerous aggressive avid gamers of third- and first-person shooters like Valorant or CounterStrike:Go select a 240Hz refresh fee over a slower refresh fee.

Once more, there are numerous gaming laptops with 240Hz shows, just like the 2025 Asus ROG Strix G16. You’ll additionally discover numerous gaming screens with this refresh fee available on the market — screens just like the 27-inch Alienware gaming monitor (AW2723DF)

IDG / Mark Knapp

Going for a 240Hz refresh fee over 144Hz means you’ll get higher visible fluidity; movement can be smoother; and movement blur can be diminished, which can permit you to monitor foes simpler and make extra hits. When you’re only a informal gamer, 240Hz goes to be overkill, so save your money and simply get a 144Hz show as an alternative.

When you’re elite esports professional, then strive 500Hz

If I used to be singing the praises of a 240Hz refresh fee, then it’s not a stretch to think about how a 500Hz refresh fee, being greater than double the pace, is a step up once more for smoothness in movement and discount in movement blur.

As soon as once more, although, we’re millisecond benefits to enter lag for a 500Hz refresh fee in comparison with a 240Hz refresh fee (2ms versus 4.16ms), so not all gamers are going to profit.

Esports gamers graduating from a 240Hz show that need to push the envelope are in all probability the most effective poised to make the most of the 2ms sooner responsiveness. However 500Hz goes to be whole overkill for informal avid gamers.

The pool of obtainable 500Hz shows available on the market is lot smaller than shows with different refresh charges, too, they usually are usually much more costly. Look out for screens just like the 24.5-inch Alienware gaming monitor (AW2524HF), in case you actually need to land one in every of these beauties

I hope that sheds some gentle on the refresh charges. Good luck benefiting from them and benefit from the fast-paced gaming!