Depending on the game you're playing, your monitor's refresh rate could be the difference between victory and defeat. So when it comes to selecting the best monitor, it can be confusing to choose the one with the proper refresh rate that meets your gaming needs.
We'll explain exactly:
- Why the refresh rate is essential for gamers
- Provide recommendations for refresh rates based on different gaming needs
- Other vital components to consider when selecting a monitor that impacts your refresh rate
- The wide selection of gaming displays available at The Monitor Lounge.
The Refresh Rate Explained
To understand why the refresh rate is so crucial for gaming, it all starts with understanding exactly what the refresh rate means for your display.
Your display works by showing you a series of still images from your computer. The display essentially "refreshes," and the higher the refresh rate means the faster those still images show on your display.
We measure the refresh rate using Hertz (Hz). So, for example, if your monitor has a refresh rate of 144Hz, that means your monitor refreshes the images 144 times per second.
When you have a higher refresh rate, that means the still images show up incredibly smooth and without delay. And when you’re playing a game, every split second matters!
Suggested Refresh Rates For Gamers
At The Monitor Lounge, we understand there are different types of gamers, from beginner to professional. Additionally, everyone loves playing different kinds of games, and you may have to stay within a specific budget when purchasing a new display.
So your level and game preference are essential factors to consider when it comes to selecting the best refresh rate. Of course, we'd always recommend the highest, but sometimes you don’t always need it.
The most common refresh rates include 60Hz, 75Hz, 144Hz, and 240Hz. Here are some examples of what kind of gamers would use different refresh rates:
60Hz For Beginner Gamers
If you like to play for fun or start on your professional gaming journey and want to warm up before investing in a big-time display, choosing a 60Hz display can be a good decision. This is the absolute minimum for any gamer!
This refresh rate is excellent for strategy and adventure games like Minecraft, Crusader Kings 3, and WarCraft.
75Hz For Beginner/Intermediate Gamers
If you're looking for a better refresh rate but have to stick to a budget, then a 75Hz could be the answer you're looking for. Various shooting games, such as Call of Duty and Unreal Tournament work great with a 75Hz refresh rate.
If you're a little more experienced gamer, you may notice some slight lagging. If that's the case, then you may want to consider upgrading to the next refresh rate.
144Hz For Intermediate and Experienced Gamers
When we talk about a 144Hz display, we're talking images showing as smooth as butter. If you're a gamer who loves face-paced games, or you just want simply a better quality display and are willing to pay more for it, then we suggest minimally starting with 144Hz.
240Hz For Professional Gamers and E-Athletes
If you’re a professional gamer competing in tournaments, or just a complete die-hard gamer, then having a 240Hz is an absolute must for you. This will deliver incredibly sharp images refreshing at 244 times per second! You’ll definitely notice an uptick in your ability to outrun and outshoot any adversary.
Other Important Factors That Affect Your Refresh Rate
While a higher refresh rate is critical for gaming, there are other essential factors to consider when selecting a gaming monitor.
Response time
In addition to the refresh rate, the response time is also crucial for gamers. The response time refers to how fast pixels change from one setting to the next one. This is important, especially if you're playing fast-motion games.
You’ll see this measured in milliseconds (ms). Minimally, you’ll want to look for 5 ms, but the lower, the better! You're looking at crystal-clear gaming when you combine a high refresh rate with a low response time.
CPU and GPU
The CPU (computer processing unit) is often referred to as your computer's hard drive, motherboard, or memory. And the GPU is the graphics processing unit responsible for rendering graphics and videos, so you see realistic scenes and amazing visual effects. So when you have a display with a higher refresh rate, that means you need to make sure you have a CPU and GPU that can support it.
You can determine your computer’s ability to handle different size refresh rates by utilizing a frame rate monitoring tool, such as Fraps. This will show you how many frames per second (FPS) your computer is displaying. So, for example, for a 144Hz refresh rate, you would ideally want a 144 FPS.
Is this absolutely necessary? No, even if your computer doesn't match up, you can't go wrong with having a higher refresh rate. But if you're looking for the absolute best experience, this is a crucial step to follow.
Resolution
Of course, when you have a higher resolution, that is always better for your refresh rate. The resolution is how many pixels your display has. More pixels means your images will look clean and sharp. For example, Full HD is 1920x1080 resolution.
Display size and curved vs. flat
The size of your display is also something to consider. While the screen size doesn't affect the refresh rate, it can affect the resolution.
Additionally, in the display is flat or curved doesn't affect the refresh rate. However, if you're looking for a more immersive experience, many gamers love a curved display.
The Gamers Dream: The G-Master Series From Iiyama
The Monitor Lounge carries the G-Master Series of displays, the ultimate choice for every type of gamer. So if you're looking to increase your gaming time or upgrade for the next tournament, we have you covered.
Here are just some of our top gamer display selections, all offering stellar refresh rates and all other vital qualities, so you're always ready to play your best game.
Iiyama G-Master G2440HSU-B1 24” Gaming Monitor
- Refresh rate: 75Hz
- Response time: 1ms
- Resolution: Full HD 1920x1080
Iiyama G-Master GB3266QSU-B1 32” Curved LED Display
- Refresh rate: 144Hz
- Response time: 1ms
- Resolution: QHD 2560x1440
Iiyama G-Master G2470HSU-B1 24” Fixed stand Gaming Monitor
- Refresh rate: 165Hz
- Response time: 0.8ms
- Resolution: Full HD 1920x1080
Iiyama G-Master GB2590HSU1-B1 Gold Phoenix 24.5”
- Refresh rate: 240Hz
- Response time: 0.4ms
- Resolution: Full HD 1920x1080
You can view our complete selection of gamer displays by visiting our website, or if you have questions about selecting the best gaming monitor, you can always contact us. We would be more than happy to help you choose your next gaming monitor.