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Understanding Refresh Rate
Refresh rate refers to how many times per second your monitor updates the image on screen. A 144 Hz panel refreshes 144 times per second, while a 240 Hz monitor refreshes 240 times. Moving from 60 Hz to 144 Hz cuts the time between frames from 16.67 ms to 6.94 ms, an improvement of nearly 10 ms that gamers can easily feel. By contrast, the jump from 144 Hz to 240 Hz reduces frame time by only 2.77 ms. Competitive players may notice slightly smoother motion, but the benefit is far less dramatic. Higher refresh rates also reduce input lag, but the end‑to‑end latency depends on your system’s CPU, GPU and peripherals.
144 Hz vs 240 Hz vs 360 Hz
| Refresh Rate | Frame Time | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 144 Hz | ~6.94 ms per frame | Big leap over 60 Hz. Ideal for mainstream competitive gaming on mid‑range GPUs. |
| 240 Hz | ~4.17 ms per frame | Only 2.77 ms faster than 144 Hz. Offers marginally smoother motion and lower input lag. Best for esports titles like CS 2 or Valorant. |
| 360 Hz | ~2.78 ms per frame | Gains over 240 Hz are just 1.39 ms, a difference most players won’t perceive. Requires cutting‑edge GPUs and typically limits resolution to 1080p. |
While 360 Hz monitors exist, many pros choose 240 Hz 1440p displays because they strike a balance between resolution and frame rate. For most players, the sweet spot is a 144 Hz or 165 Hz monitor, which delivers fluid gameplay without the hardware strain of 240 Hz.
Panel Types and Input Lag
- IPS vs TN vs VA: IPS panels offer the best color accuracy and wide viewing angles. TN panels can achieve extremely fast response times but have washed‑out colors. VA panels provide deep contrast but suffer from slower pixel transitions and black smearing. Modern IPS monitors with overdrive can match TN panels’ response times, making them popular for gaming.
- OLED and QD‑OLED: OLED displays deliver near‑instant response times and perfect blacks, producing blur‑free motion and high contrast. However, they are still rare above 240 Hz and can suffer from burn‑in with static HUD elements.
- Input lag: Refresh rate is only part of the equation—firmware processing and your system’s total latency matter too. Even a 360 Hz monitor can feel sluggish if paired with a slow mouse or a poorly optimised game engine.
Top Monitors by Tier
| Tier | Example Models | Why They Stand Out |
|---|---|---|
| Budget (144–165 Hz) | ASUS TUF VG279QM (1080p 240 Hz), Gigabyte M27Q‑X (1440p 240 Hz) | Affordable IPS displays that overclock to 170–240 Hz. They offer excellent motion clarity and built‑in Adaptive‑Sync to eliminate tearing. |
| Midrange (240 Hz) | Dell Alienware AW2725DF, MSI MAG 274UPF | 27‑inch 1440p monitors with 240 Hz refresh and wide color gamuts. They balance high frame rates with sharper resolution, making them ideal for competitive FPS and open‑world games. |
| Elite (360 Hz) | ASUS ROG Swift PG27AQN, Acer Predator X25 | Designed for esports pros, these monitors push 360 Hz at 1080p or 1440p. They feature ultra‑low motion blur modes and advanced overdrive tuning. The improvement over 240 Hz is subtle and best appreciated by high‑ranking competitive players. |
Note: Specific models may vary by region and release year; the above suggestions reflect popular categories at the time of writing.
Getting the Most from a High‑Refresh‑Rate Monitor
1. Ensure your GPU can keep up. Running a 240 Hz or 360 Hz panel at its full potential requires a graphics card capable of outputting hundreds of frames per second. If your games rarely exceed 144 fps, you’ll gain little from a 240 Hz monitor.
2. Use the right cable. To run 240 Hz at 1440p or 360 Hz at 1080p, use a DisplayPort 1.4 cable or HDMI 2.1. Lower‑grade cables may cap your refresh rate.
3.Enable high refresh in software. Windows often defaults to 60 Hz. After connecting your new monitor, open Display Settings → Advanced Display and select the highest refresh rate.
4. Optimise in‑game settings. Lower graphics settings like shadows and post‑processing to achieve higher frame rates. Enable the monitor’s Adaptive‑Sync or G‑Sync/FreeSync mode to prevent tearing.
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High‑refresh‑rate monitors can give competitive gamers a slight edge by reducing motion blur and input lag. The jump from 60 Hz to 144 Hz offers the most noticeable improvement, while gains beyond 240 Hz are incremental. Unless you’re an esports professional with a top‑tier GPU, a 144 Hz or 165 Hz display will provide smooth gameplay without breaking the bank. For those chasing every millisecond, 240 Hz at 1440p remains the sweet spot. Looking for specific recommendations? Check our reviews of the ASUS TUF VG279QM and ROG Strix XG27ACS to see which tier suits your setup.