60 vs 120 vs 144 Hz: can you actually tell the difference?
Everyone says high refresh rate changes everything. Here's what changes in numbers, who notices, and when it isn't worth paying for.
The numbers
| Refresh rate | Time between pictures | Saved vs 60 Hz (gap) | Average wait for the next picture |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Hz / 30 fps | 33.3 ms | −16.7 ms | 16.7 ms |
| 60 Hz | 16.7 ms | – | 8.3 ms |
| 90 Hz | 11.1 ms | 5.6 ms | 5.6 ms |
| 120 Hz | 8.3 ms | 8.3 ms | 4.2 ms |
| 144 Hz | 6.9 ms | 9.7 ms | 3.5 ms |
| 165 Hz | 6.1 ms | 10.6 ms | 3.0 ms |
| 240 Hz | 4.2 ms | 12.5 ms | 2.1 ms |
| 360 Hz | 2.8 ms | 13.9 ms | 1.4 ms |
Each doubling saves half as much as the last. That is why 60 to 120 feels dramatic and 240 to 360 barely registers for most people.
What you actually notice
- Motion clarity. At 60 Hz a fast-moving object jumps further between pictures, so it looks blurrier and steppier. This is what most people see first: scrolling a web page, moving the mouse, turning the camera in a game.
- Responsiveness. Your press reaches the screen a few ms sooner, and in games that run at the higher frame rate the game itself reacts sooner too. Together that's often 10 to 20 ms better from 60 to 144 fps.
- Not much else. Films are 24 fps and most video is 25 to 60, so a higher refresh rate doesn't make them look better. Motion smoothing that fakes extra frames is a different thing and adds lag; see TV game mode.
Refresh rate vs frame rate
The screen's refresh rate is how often it can draw. The game's frame rate (fps) is how often it makes a new picture. A 144 Hz screen showing a game at 60 fps mostly shows each frame twice or three times. You need both up. Lower graphics settings or resolution, or turn on upscaling, to raise fps; with VRR an uneven 90 to 130 fps still looks smooth.
My 144 Hz monitor is stuck at 60 Hz
- Windows: Settings > System > Display > Advanced display > Choose a refresh rate. New monitors often start at 60. Mac: System Settings > Displays > Refresh Rate.
- The cable and port. Use DisplayPort, or an HDMI port and cable that support the rate (older HDMI ports often top out at 60 Hz at 1440p or 4K). Plug into the graphics card, not the motherboard, on a desktop PC.
- Graphics driver. Install the proper driver; the basic Windows one can limit modes.
- In the game. Some games have their own refresh rate or frame cap setting, and V-Sync caps fps at the refresh rate.
120 Hz on PS5, Xbox and TVs
- You need a TV with a true 120 Hz panel and an HDMI 2.1 input for 4K at 120 Hz (some TVs only have it on one or two ports). Many "100 Hz / 200 Hz motion" labels are processing, not a 120 Hz input.
- Turn on the console's 120 Hz output (PS5: Screen and Video > Enable 120 Hz Output; Xbox: Video modes > Allow 4K 120 Hz) and the TV input's enhanced HDMI mode.
- The game must have a 120 fps or performance mode. Most console games run at 30 or 60.
Is it worth it?
- 60 to 120 / 144: yes for almost anyone who games on a PC or scrolls a lot. 144 Hz monitors are inexpensive.
- 144 to 240: worth it if you play fast competitive games and your PC can reach 200+ fps in them.
- Beyond 240: for dedicated competitive players. The saving is a couple of ms.
The input lag calculator shows how refresh rate compares with the controller, the game and the TV in your own setup.
Want to see it rather than read it? The interactive flip-book lesson plays judder, screen tearing and VRR in slow motion, with a 24 fps film on 60 vs 120 Hz.
Related
Monitor stuck at 60 Hz? · High FPS but still choppy? · HDR looks washed out on PC · VRR, G-Sync and FreeSync explained · Nvidia Reflex and AMD Anti-Lag · TV game mode: what it does · Controller lag: wired vs wireless vs Bluetooth
Questions
Can you tell the difference between 60 Hz and 144 Hz?
Most people can, straight away, especially when moving the mouse, scrolling or turning in a game. Each picture arrives every 6.9 ms instead of 16.7 ms.
Is 120 Hz vs 144 Hz noticeable?
Barely. The gap between pictures only shrinks from 8.3 to 6.9 ms. Most people can't tell them apart in a blind test.
Is 240 Hz worth it over 144 Hz?
For fast competitive shooters, if your PC reaches 200+ fps, many players notice it. For most other games and everyday use, 144 Hz is plenty.
Why is my 144 Hz monitor only running at 60 Hz?
Usually the Windows display setting is still 60 Hz, or the cable or port can't carry the higher rate. Check Advanced display settings and use DisplayPort or a suitable HDMI cable.
Does 120 Hz matter on a PS5?
Only in games with a 120 fps mode, on a TV with a 120 Hz HDMI 2.1 input and 120 Hz output switched on. There it makes fast games noticeably smoother and more responsive.
Does a higher refresh rate reduce input lag?
Yes, a little: pictures arrive more often, saving about 4 to 10 ms from 60 Hz, more if the game's frame rate rises too.
Published 路 updated .