What Is The Difference Between 60 Hz, 144 Hz, And 240 Hz Monitors?

Last Updated: December 27, 2020By

Front of monitor

If you are someone who plays video games on the computer, then the chances are that you are familiar with the 144 Hz and 240 Hz monitors. However, it may be difficult for you to decide whether you should switch to either 144Hz or 240Hz monitor or if you should stick to a 60 Hz one all your life.

Below we have provided information that will help you get to know the difference between a 60 Hz, 144 Hz, and a 240 Hz monitor and how one is better than the other is. This will also help you determine whether you should switch your monitor or not.

60 Hz Vs. 144 Hz Vs. 240 Hz Monitors

The Refresh Rate

The term ‘Hz’ that you might have often heard of regarding a computer monitor actually refers to its refresh rate. Your monitor’s screen refreshes according to the Hz, which means the higher the Hz, the more quickly the screen will refresh. For instance, the screen of a 60Hz monitor will refresh about sixty times each second, whereas, on the other hand, a 144Hz screen has a higher Hz compared to the Hz monitor. Its screen image refreshes 144 times each second.

Putting this in much simpler words, the duration of the update speed of the image you see on the monitor’s screen depends on the refresh rate. The higher the refresh rate, the smaller the duration of the screen update is going to be.

Frames per second

frame per second

Other than a few differences, the working of the refresh rate is quite much the same as the working of frames per second (FPS). FPS is the frequency of the frames rendered on your graphics card every second, whereas on the other hand, the refresh rate measures the number of times the graphic on the monitor screen updates.

So, if you are using a 60 Hz monitor but are playing a game with 300 frames per second, then the image on your screen will have five times less frame ‘updates’ than the highest one possible. Therefore, unless your graphic card works at 60 frames or higher, shifting to another monitor with an improved refresh rate does not help quite much. You can easily use different utilities to check the frames per second for the game you are playing.

Overall performance

According to a few people, the eye can observe up to a specific number of frames every second. This is not accurate and has been said to be just a myth for the most part. Our eyes do not exactly work the way that displays do. Hence it is difficult to quantify what number of ‘FPS’ we can see.

However, people who have used both 60 Hz monitor and higher must have felt the difference in both while playing games. The most obvious difference that a user might feel is when he/she shifts to a 60 Hz display from a 144 Hz. Almost all the users have said that they can feel the cursor speed and the overall performance turning sluggish when they shift from a higher Hz to a lower.

Another significant thing to remember is that the graphics technology typically utilized for monitors with a higher Hz does not necessarily mean that your monitor will have a good color accuracy and display quality.

It would be best if you went for a 60 Hz monitor if you care about looks. However, if you are more about the frame rate and the performance, you should consider a higher Hz monitor.

Should you upgrade from a 60 Hz monitor to a 144 Hz one?

Thanks to technology and innovation, it is super easy to buy a monitor that is working 120 fps or more in a computer game. In fact, most sports games accessible on computers can get up to 300 fps on top of the line machines.

Upgrading to a 144Hz monitor might be a good option for you if you can run the games you play on higher than 120 fps dependably; however, it should only be viewed as a choice if you are more about improving the performance.

A few things should be in your mind before you upgrade. Here is an agenda to consider before switching to a 144 Hz monitor:

  • You require a competitive edge.
  • You wouldn’t fret giving up some of the display quality in films and a little of color accuracy for better performance.
  • Your PC is equipped for running games at 100 fps or more.

Is it a good idea to switch from 144Hz to 240Hz?

240 Hz monitors are more advanced than 144Hz monitors, which have become more common in passing the time. The general accord for 240Hz screens is that it can be worth the upgrade if your PC can handle 240 frames in a game. This is only applicable for monitors that have a 1920×1080 resolution. It is going to take some time until you start seeing 240 Hz 4K resolution.

According to several people’s feedback, the shift from 144 Hz to 240 Hz does not exactly offer that equivalent bounce in the performance that is offered from shifting from 60Hz to 144Hz.

There are a few things that should be in your mind before you upgrade. We’ve provided an agenda below which will help you to consider whether or not moving up to 240Hz is a good idea or not:

  • You require the best performance for your video games.
  • You want to have the absolute edge against different players.
  • Your PC is capable of running the games you play at 240 frames or more.
  • You wouldn’t fret spending more money on this monitor and know that the cost for the 240Hz monitors might decrease as these are becoming more and more common.

The best option for a 240 Hz monitor (ASUS ROG Strix XG258Q)

Front of ASUS ROG Strix XG258Q

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One of the best choices available in the market for 240 Hz monitors is the ASUS ROG Strix XG258Q 24.5” Gaming Monitor Full HD 1080P 240Hz. The ASUS ROG Strix XG258Q features a resolution of 1080 pixels. The monitor improves the overall gaming experience for serious players. The best thing about this 240 Hz model is that it features ASUS Eye Care technology, and it is G sync compatible. Because of its high pixel density, you can expect this model to offer sharper detail and better images.

Furthermore, it also features Flicker-Free Technology, which reduces the flicker that people usually encounter while using their computers. This helps reduce strain on the eyes while you are playing games and better overall gaming experience. This unit’s screen size is 24 inches, and the highest screen resolution is 2560 x 1440 pixels.

Overall, this monitor is a great choice if you think about switching to a 240 Hz monitor. Not only does it look amazing, but it also offers some pretty good features that you are bound to fall in love with.

The best option for a 144 Hz monitor (ASUS VG248QE)

ASUS VG248QE

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One of the best choices available in the market for 140 Hz is the ASUS VG248QE 24″ monitor. This unit offers a resolution of 1920×1080. You can expect it to offer outstanding performance with a rapid refresh rate of 144 Hz and 1ms (GTG) response time. The monitor screen decreases the time needed for rendered frames to show on the screen. The signal processing between your monitor and system is improved with better response time, thanks to the lower monitor latency. The frames per second are sped up due to the fast refresh rate of 144Hz, which in return conveys a super smooth movement in even the most complicated action games.

Other than this, the unit also features some pretty good connectivity options such as HDMI, DisplayPort, and Dual-link DVI. The monitor measures 24 inches and has a maximum resolution of 1920×1080.

Overall, the ASUS VG248QE is a great choice for you if you think about switching to a 144 Hz monitor. It is bound to provide you great gaming experience, and you will be satisfied with the monitor’s overall performance.

Conclusion

If you want to reduce the latency, fluidity, and smoothness of the image on your monitor screen, then shifting to a system with a higher refresh rate might be a good option for you. This will also increase the overall responsiveness of the system. Other than this, it also decreases ghosting issues and screen tearing. Hence, a monitor with a higher fresh rate means better gameplay. Therefore, if you are someone who takes his or her gaming session seriously, then the choice should be quite obvious for you.