144Hz vs 60Hz - Which Refresh Rate Should I Choose? [Simple] (2024)

If you surpass 60FPS in most games and mostly play competitive FPS, go with a 144Hz monitor; otherwise, a 60Hz monitor will do just fine.

Are you interested in buying a new monitor?

Not sure whether 144Hz is for you?

We’ll provide you with a quick and simple answer and explanation.

144Hz vs 60Hz Refresh Rate

While it’s true that a 144Hz refresh rate offers a more responsive and fluid fast-paced gaming experience, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best option for you – as there are alternatives.

To benefit from 144Hz, your FPS (Frames Per Second) in video games must also be around that number to see any benefits. Depending on your PC and resolution, this may only be possible in undemanding and competitive games, such as CS: GO, Overwatch, Fortnite, etc.

In case you mostly play more graphically-oriented games and the latest AAA titles, where you hardly surpass 60FPS at decent settings, a 144Hz monitor is unnecessary.

Instead, you can get a monitor with a better panel or a higher screen resolution for better details and visuals.

Now:

If you play a little bit of both, we suggest getting a 144Hz monitor as it will make competitive games a lot smoother, while the more challenging games will run just as well at ~60FPS on a 144Hz monitor as they would on a 60Hz monitor.

Naturally, whenever you surpass 60FPS on a 144Hz monitor, you will feel smoother performance than you would on a 60Hz display, though for it to become noticeably better, you’ll need to hit at least ~80FPS.

Even if you’re only getting 60FPS on a 144Hz monitor, you still get lower input lag than you would on a 60Hz display.

What’s more, higher refresh rate displays have become much more affordable lately, so we highly recommend investing in a 100Hz+ monitor.

Conclusion

So, in the end, it all comes down to what type of video games you play and at what frame rate and resolution can your PC system drive those games.

Luckily, nowadays the difference between 60Hz/75Hz and 144Hz+ displays is not that big, especially when it comes to 1080p, 1440p and ultrawide gaming monitors.