144hz vs. 165hz: which refresh rate should i choose?
Are you in the market for a new gaming monitor and wondering which refresh rate to choose? With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to figure out which one is right for you.
Refresh rate refers to how many times per second the display updates the image on the screen. The higher the refresh rate, the smoother and more responsive the gameplay will be. Two of the most popular refresh rates on the market right now are 144Hz and 165Hz.
When it comes to gaming, every millisecond counts. That’s why it’s essential to choose the right refresh rate for your monitor. Although the difference between 144Hz and 165Hz may seem negligible, it can make a significant impact on your gaming experience. In this article, we will explore the differences between 144Hz and 165Hz refresh rates and help you determine which one is best for you.
165Hz vs 144Hz: What are the differences?
In gaming, the higher the hertz count of your monitor is, the smoother frames your screen can show. This ultimately results in better visuals and input latency over monitors with low hertz. It’s more evident when playing fast-paced games like first-person shooters where bullet physics and global illumination must be rendered quickly and accurately. The two most commonly used frequencies for gaming monitors are 165Hz and 144Hz, which is why it’s important to understand their differences.
165Hz gives gamers a slight edge compared to its counterpart 144Hz in terms of performance because it updates pictures at a faster rate. As such, if you prioritize responsiveness or want to achieve an even better image clarity at high detail settings during a competitive match, then you should opt for 165Hz as it offers up to 20 milliseconds faster refresh rates than standard 60Hz displays. On the other hand, if you’re not interested in intense gaming strategies that require precision and speed but merely enjoyable desktop sessions, then go for the more affordable 144 Hz display instead since it still offers smooth visuals without additional cost savings.
144 Hz: complete overview
Having a 144Hz display offers a slew of advantages for gaming. For one, you get ultra smooth motion with no unpleasant tearing or stuttering unlike that seen on lower refresh rate displays. High resolution games look particularly sharp and vibrant at this refresh rate; the increase in motion fluidity allows for more precise control and reduces eye strain to some degree. Furthermore, if you’re using an AMD FreeSync or NVIDIA G-Sync enabled monitor, then these technologies can independently sync your frames per second (FPS) output via GPU with the revised rate of the display, locking gameplay performance while eliminating onscreen juddering during quick movements.
The investment needed for a 144Hz monitor may be considerable; but guaranteed it is well worth it – especially if you use GPUs like the RTX 3090 or anything powerful enough to provide 144 FPS (or higher). Input lag tends to be low too due to quicker refresh cycles as opposed to other refresh rates and response times are also at an all-time low. Additionally, several players have reported an enjoyable competitive advantage with faster refresh rates compared to their opponents who are still stuck on 60Hz monitors. However, because of their added capabilities over standard 60 Hz displays those looking for144Hz monitors will need to pay a premium for the upgrade.
Benefits of 144 Hz refresh rate
The most obvious benefit of a 144 Hz monitor is the noticeable difference in image quality that users get to experience. As compared to 60Hz, the images are much clearer and more vibrant. The refresh rate ensures smoother movements while playing games, which gives players an improved gaming experience. This also caters to people who may be prone to motion sickness or other forms of visual discomfort. Due to its affordability as well, many people have moved on from their regular 60 Hz displays towards invest in 144HZ instead.
The cost difference between 144 Hz and 165 Hz is fairly negligible, yet it makes a huge impact on performance. The faster refresh rate of 144 Hz allows for smoother animations and delivers better clarity of motion during action-packed scenes like gaming or watching TV shows or movies with quick cuts between scenes. Furthermore, with less ghosting effects due to the faster response time, you can anticipate quicker reaction onscreen when you move your mouse around or perform any type of navigation through applications. Lastly, there’s not just a visual improvement but also some audio benefits such as richer sound provided by enhanced virtual surround capabilities that occur at higher refresh rates with gaming monitors that come integrated with soundbars.
165 Hz: complete overview
165Hz displays offer gamers the same features as 144Hz but with a higher refresh rate. This translates to more frames per second (FPS), resulting in faster and more responsive gameplay. Since 165Hz provides up to 20 milliseconds faster refresh rates than standard 60Hz displays, it can be especially beneficial for competitive players who want to gain an edge over their opponents.
The improved response time also results in smoother visuals while gaming, reducing instances of ghosting and tearing. Furthermore, 165Hz displays have lower input lag than 144Hz displays, resulting in a more responsive gaming experience. This makes them ideal for twitch shooters and other fast-paced games.
165Hz: good for competitive gaming?
The 165 Hz refresh rate of a monitor means that the television or PC monitor can handle more frames per second (FPS) than its predecessors like 144Hz. The higher the FPI,the smoother the image will be and thus provide a better gaming experience. This enabled gamers to get less ghosting, blurring and juddering during fast action gaming. For gamers who want to compete in an advanced way, additional improvements such as advanced low input lag reduction, reduced ghosting and improved response times are necessary.
One thing to note here is that 165 Hz monitors do have certain limitations. These displays require specialized GPU cards with a dual-link DVI-D port for connection to deliver the highesthz frequency for optimum performance. Depending on the game you’re playing and your preferences, the overall visuals may still not compare to higher refresh rates of 200Hz or above but for those looking for something within this sweet spot between 144Hz – 165Hz , then it can definitely offer a decent amount of performance when used in competitive gaming.
Does Hertz and refresh rate affect gaming?
Yes, Hertz and Refresh rate do significantly affect gaming. A higher refresh rate gives you an edge in fast-paced games, as a faster response time will help you identify incoming dangers and react quickly. To properly utilize a high refresh rate monitor, the rest of your gaming setup needs to be capable enough to keep up with the increased frame rates. This is why it’s necessary to have a powerful CPU accompanied by a GPU that can handle game graphics settings on higher display hertz. Besides reducing motion blur on fast-moving objects, higher frame rates also translate into less input lag which is crucial in competitive gaming scenarios. Having a good performing rig along with a high refresh rate monitor will invariably give gamers an advantage over their rivals and could potentially give them access to better performance than what they previously had at lower display hertz levels.
