What Does Hz Mean in Monitors: Refresh Rates for Gaming

Hertz (Hz) is a unit of measurement that represents the refresh rate of a display monitor. Hertz is how many times a monitor can update its image per second. When you have a display with a high refresh rate, that will translate into smoother and clearer graphics/visuals. You will definitely notice it during fast-paced games and heavy video editing. 

For instance, a 144Hz monitor refreshes its image 144 times per second. This will give the viewer a significantly smoother viewing experience compared to a standard 60Hz display.

This guide breaks down what Hz as a monitor's refresh rate and how it affects performance in PC gaming.

Understanding Hertz (HZ)

Hertz quantifies the number of times a screen's image is refreshed. For example, a 60Hz monitor refreshes its image 60 times per second, while a 144Hz monitor does so 144 times per second. At 144hz, your experience will be much better as there's less motion blur and screen tearing. Hertz is a crucial factor in determining the responsiveness and visual quality of a display.

Refresh Rate in Monitors

Think of refresh rates like a flipbook; the faster you flip the pages, the smoother the animation. With displays, a higher refresh rate means more frames per second, resulting in less motion blur and a more immersive viewing experience. Whether you're a gamer chasing every frame advantage or a video editor demanding precision, refresh rate is a crucial factor in choosing the right monitor.

How Refresh Rate is Expressed in Hertz

Hertz (Hz) is the unit of measurement that determines how smoothly your screen updates its images. You can think of it as the speed of a movie projector - the higher the Hz, the more frames per second, and the smoother the picture. So, a 144Hz monitor shows 144 images every second, making games and videos look great and uninterrupted. It's like the difference between watching a movie in slow motion or at normal speed.

Common Refresh Rates in Gaming PCs

Common refresh rates for gaming PCs range from 60Hz to 240Hz and higher.  While 60Hz is the standard for most traditional monitors, gamers who play action oriented and fast paced games usually seek higher refresh rates for a more responsive and immersive experience. 144Hz and 240Hz are key in competitive gaming because they offer significantly smoother visuals, reducing motion blur and input lag. As higher refresh rates become available, look for another gravitational shift toward those for faster, bigger and explosive play.

How Refresh Rates Affects Graphics

Low refresh rates will impact your gaming experience, especially when playing complex games. While 60Hz is sufficient for many casual gamers, competitive players need higher refresh rates for a more exciting and responsive experience.

If you're using a monitor with a low refresh rate, the following can occur:

• Motion blur: Objects appear blurry or smeared when moving quickly.
• Input lag: The delay between your actions and the on-screen response.
• Reduced competitiveness: Lower refresh rate =  player disadvantage.

Optimal Refresh Rates for Gaming

For competitive gamers, high refresh rates of 144Hz and 240Hz are pretty much essential. These settings will give you a smoother, more responsive experience by reducing motion blur and input lag. As technology continues to evolve, expect higher refresh rates to become the new standard, pushing the boundaries of immersive gameplay.

Hardware’s Role in Refresh Rate

The graphics card plays a hugely important role in determining a monitor's refresh rate. The graphics card, the hardware responsible for rendering images, has to be able to  produce frames at the rate needed, whether it be lower for the casual gamer or the highest possible for competitive gameplay. A powerful graphics card will throw higher refresh rates, especially in demanding games and applications. Also, your monitor has to be compatible with the refresh rate and have the necessary circuitry to support it. Investing in a high-quality monitor and graphics card is crucial for experiencing the full benefits of a high refresh rate display.

GPU (Graphics Processing Unit / Graphics Card)

The graphics processing unit (GPU) is the force behind high refresh rates. It's responsible for rendering the individual frames that are displayed on your monitor. A powerful GPU can produce frames at a much faster rate, allowing for smoother visuals and reducing motion blur. For gamers seeking a competitive edge, a high-performance GPU is necessary. It enables the monitor to display images more quickly, resulting in a smoother, more responsive gaming experience. This is particularly important in fast-paced games where even a fraction of a second can make a difference.

CPU (Central Processing Unit / Processor)

The CPU is the component behind game logic, physics calculations, and AI processing. If your CPU is not strong enough to keep up with work you are producing or the games you are playing, it can bottleneck the system, limiting the GPU's ability to produce frames at a high rate. With a powerful CPU you can maximize the benefits of a high-refresh-rate monitor. 

Refresh Rate Vs. Frames Per Second (FPS / Frame Rate)

Refresh rate determines how often the images shown on your monitor are updated. These rates are  measured in Hertz (Hz). The higher the refresh rate, the smoother the visuals will since the screen can display more frames per second. But refresh rates are a duo and without a high frame per second or FPS, your system won’t be able to generate them fast enough, which will cause slow down and frustration.

Frames per second (FPS) is a measure of how many frames a graphics card can render and send to your monitor. A higher FPS means there will be more detailed images.  So, for a great gaming experience or should you be calculating intense models, you need to a high refresh rate monitor and a powerful graphics card capable of producing enough frames.  

Game-Specific Refresh Rate Requirements

For intense and competitive games such Call of Duty, Rainbow Six Siege, and Fortnite a refresh rate of 144Hz or higher is highly recommended.  60Hz can be sufficient, but you will be much more competitive and be able to keep up, if you have 144Hz or more. 

Adaptive Sync Technologies

Adaptive sync technologies allow a monitor to adjust its refresh rate in real-time in order to match the number of frames being generated by the graphics card. A higher refresh rate can eliminate screen tearing, which occurs when the display's refresh rate doesn't match the frame rate of the content being displayed

• AMD FreeSync: Developed by AMD, FreeSync allows for variable refresh rates on compatible displays.
• NVIDIA G-SYNC: Developed by NVIDIA, G-SYNC offers similar functionality to FreeSync but requires NVIDIA-certified displays.

Future Trends in Monitor Refresh Rates / Hz

In competitive gaming, where every millisecond truly counts, refresh rate is a critical factor that separate the champions from the rest of the competitors. While 60Hz works for casual gamers, those wanting an immersive and responsive experience,  higher refresh rates like 144Hz or even 240Hz are necessary. It comes down to visual clarity and responsiveness that a high refresh rate monitor offers.

For demanding titles, a high refresh rate monitor is a must-have. It allows players to react more quickly to on-screen action, giving them a competitive edge.

FAQs About Refresh Rate & Hz

What is refresh rate?

Refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), determines how often a monitor's image is updated. A higher refresh rate means smoother visuals and reduced motion blur.

What is a good refresh rate for gaming?

For casual gaming, 60Hz is typically sufficient. However, competitive gamers often prefer higher refresh rates like 144Hz or 240Hz for a more responsive and immersive experience.

Does a higher refresh rate improve gaming performance?

Yes, by reducing motion blur, input lag, and overall visual artifacts.

What other factors influence gaming performance besides refresh rate?

Other factors include graphics card performance, processor speed, and game optimization.

Can I upgrade my monitor's refresh rate?

If your monitor supports adaptive sync technology (e.g., FreeSync or G-SYNC), you may be able to increase its effective refresh rate by enabling this feature in your graphics card settings. 

Are higher refresh rates worth the cost?

If you're a competitive gamer or someone who wants smooth visuals, a higher refresh rate is a worthwhile investment. However, if you're a casual gamer or content consumer, a lower refresh rate is probably sufficient.

What other benefits does a high refresh rate offer besides gaming?

Higher refresh rates can also improve the viewing experience for other activities, such as video editing, graphic design, and watching movies or TV shows.

Can a Monitor Have a Refresh Rate Higher than 60Hz?

Yes! Today's monitors offer refresh rates far surpassing the traditional 60Hz, revolutionizing the way we experience content. High refresh rate monitors, such as those boasting 144Hz or even 240Hz, deliver a cinematic experience, reducing motion blur and enhancing visual clarity. This leap in performance is especially noticeable in fast-paced activities like gaming and video editing, where every frame counts.

Why Do Gamers Prefer Higher Refresh Rates?

Gamers crave higher refresh rates for the same reason no gaming athletes crave faster equipment. A higher refresh gives gamers a competitive edge, allowing them to react more quickly to on-screen action and outmaneuver their opponents. It's like upgrading from a regular car to a sports car; the faster response time and smoother handling can make all the difference in performance.

What Happens if the Refresh Rate is Too Low?

Imagine trying to play a video game on a TV that keeps skipping frames. It would be really frustrating, right? That's kind of what happens when your monitor has a low refresh rate. The picture gets blurry, and it's hard to see what's going on. It's like trying to play a sport while wearing blurry glasses. It's just not fun. So, if you're a competitive gamer, a high refresh rate is a must-have!

Conclusion

Refresh rate and frames per second (FPS) are both essential for a smooth gaming experience. Think of refresh rate as the speed at which your monitor can display images, and FPS as the number of images your computer can generate. If your computer can generate images faster than your monitor can display them, you'll experience screen tearing or stuttering. To avoid these issues, both your monitor and graphics card need to be capable of handling high refresh rates and FPS.