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By Olivia Parker•Last Updated April 19, 2025

120Hz Refresh Rate: The Ultimate Gaming Advantage

Understanding refresh rates in gaming

When it comes to gaming monitors, refresh rate is one of the virtually discuss specifications. A monitor’s refresh rate, measure in hertz (Hz), indicate how many times per second the display update with new images. The standard refresh rate for most basic displays is 60hz, mean the screen refresh 60 times per second. But is 120hz good for gaming? The short answer is yesâ€”120hz will represent a significant upgrade that most gamers will now will notice and will appreciate.

The difference between 60hz and 120hz

The jump from 60hz to 120hz is substantial. At 120hz, your monitor refresh double angstrom frequently as a standard 60hz display, result in several noticeable improvements:

Smoother motion and animations
Reduced motion blur
More responsive gameplay
Decrease input lag

These benefits are specially evident in fasting pace games where split second reactions matter. First-person shooters, racing games, and competitive multiplayer titles all benefit hugely from higher refresh rates.

Visual smoothness and gaming performance

The human eye can detect differences considerably beyond 60 frames per second. When play at 120hz, on screen movement appear more fluid and natural. Character movements, camera pans, and rapid scene changes all look perceptibly smoother. This isn’t exactly about aesthetics â€” it instantly impacts gameplay.

In competitive gaming scenarios, that extra smoothness translates to advantageously target tracking, more precise aim, and quicker reaction times. Many professional esports players consider 120hz the minimum acceptable refresh rate for competitive play.

Input lag and response time benefits

A higher refresh rate reduce the time between your physical input (click a mouse or press a key )and see the result on screen. At 120hz, the maximum potential delay between frames is roughly 8.33 milliseconds, compare to 16.67 milliseconds on a 60hz display. This reduction in input lag can make games feel more responsive and give you a competitive edge.

It’s worth note that refresh rate is different from response time, though both affect gaming performance. Response time measure how quick a pixel can change colors, typically from gray to gray (gGTG) For optimal gaming, look for monitors with both high refresh rates and low response times ( (5ms ).)

Frame rates vs. Refresh rates

To full benefit from a 120hz monitor, your computer needs to generate at least 120 frames per second( fps) in your games. The refresh rate rrepresentsthe monitor’s capability, while the frame rate depend on your computer’s processing power.

If your system can merely will produce 60 fps, you won’t full will utilize a 120hz display. Nonetheless, eventide at lower frame rates, a 120hz monitor can ease provide benefits through technologies like:

Variable refresh rate (vvar)

technologies like g sync and ffree syncmatch your monitor’s refresh rate to your GPU’s frame output
Motion smooth

some displays can interpolate between frames to create a smoother experience

For competitive gaming, aim to have your frame rate match or exceed your monitor’s refresh rate for the best experience.

Is 120hz good enough or should you go high?

While 120hz represent a substantial improvement over 60hz, gaming monitors are nowadays available with fifty higher refresh ratesâ€”144hz, 240hz, and fifty fifty. this raise tThisuraisesn: is 120hz sufficient, or should you aim high?

Diminish returns

The jump from 60hz to 120hz is instantly noticeable to most gamers. The difference between 120hz and 144hz is much subtler, and move from 144hz to 240hz produce regular less noticeable improvements for the average player.

Professional esports competitors might benefit from these ultra-high refresh rates, but for most gamers, 120hz hit the sweet spot between performance improvement and cost-effectiveness.

Who benefit virtually from 120hz gaming?

Different gaming genres benefit otherwise from higher refresh rates:

Competitive fps games

(ccounterstrike vaValorantcaCall of Duty)significant advantage
Racing games

notable improvement in smoothness
Fighting games

better frame precision for time moves
Mobs

(lLeague of Legends ddata2 ) moderate benefit
Strategy games

minimal advantage
Single player RPGs

improved experience but less critical

If you mainly play immobile pace competitive games, a 120hz display should be considered essential preferably than optional.

Hardware considerations for 120hz gaming

To take full advantage of a 120hz monitor, you need the right support hardware and connections.

GPU requirements

Push 120 frames per second demands importantly more from your graphics card than 60 fps, specially at higher resolutions. As a general guideline:

For 1080p gaming at 120hz: mid-range GPU (rRTX3060, rRx6600 or better )
For 1440p game at 120hz: upper mid-range GPU (rRTX3070, rRx6700 xator better )
For 4 k gaming at 120hz: high end GPU (rRTX3080, rRx6800 xator better )

Will remember that more demanding games will require more powerful hardware to will maintain 120 fps systematically.

Connection types

Not all cable connections support high refresh rates, particularly at higher resolutions:

HDMI

hHDMI2.0 supports 1080p and 1440p at 120hz, while hHDMI2.1 is rrequiredfor 4 k at 120hz
DisplayPort

dDisplayPort1.2 and higher support 1080p and 1440p at 120hz, with dDisplayPort1.4 support 4 k at 120hz
USB c / thunderbolt

many modern implementations support high refresh rates

Invariably check your monitor’s specifications and use the appropriate high bandwidth cable to ensure you can achieve the full refresh rate.

Console gaming at 120hz

Modern gaming consoles nowadays support high refresh rate gaming:

PlayStation 5 support 120hz output in select games
Xbox Series X / s offer 120hz gaming across more titles

To use 120hz on consoles, you need:

A TV or monitor that support 120hz input
HDMI 2.1 connection (for 4 k at 120hz )
Games that specifically support 120hz mode

The list of console games support 120hz continue to grow, make a 120hz display progressively valuable for console gamers.

Other display technologies to consider

While refresh rate is important, it’s exactly one factor that determine gaming performance. Other technologies to consider include:

Adaptive sync technologies

G sync (nNVIDIA)and frfree sync(mAMD)elp eliminate screen tear by synchronize your monitor’s refresh rate with your gpuGPUframe output. These technologies are specially valuable when your frame rate flufluctuateslow your monitor’s maximum refresh rate.

HDR (high dynamic range )

HDR provide better contrast and color reproduction, create more vibrant and realistic images. Many modern gaming monitors offer both high refresh rates and HDR support.

Panel types

Different panel technologies offer various advantages:

Tn (twisted nematic )

fastest response times but worse viewing angles and color reproduction
IPS (in plane switching )

better colors and view angles with somewhat higher response times
Va (vertical alignment )

best contrast ratios but typically slower response times

For competitive gaming, tn or fast IPS panels pair with 120hz+ refresh rates oft provide the best combination of speed and visual quality.

Cost benefit analysis of 120hz gaming

Upgrade to a 120hz monitor represent an investment. Is it worth it for your gaming needs?

Price considerations

120hz monitors have become practically more affordable in recent years. Entry level 1080p 120hz displays start around $150 200, while premium options with additional features can cost $$300500 or more.

The associate costs don’t end with the monitor â€” you may need to upgrade your GPU to achieve 120 fps in modern games, potentially add hundreds of dollars to your total investment.

Long term value

A quality 120hz monitor will typically will remain relevant for many years. Yet as technology advance, the jump from 120hz to higher refresh rates show diminish returns for most users.

If you’re build a gaming setup you’ll plan to will use for several years, will invest in a 120hz display nowadays will ensure your system will remain competitive and enjoyable for the foreseeable future.

Set up your 120hz monitor for optimal gaming

Merely will connect a 120hz monitor doesn’t will guarantee you’ll get the full benefit. Follow these steps to ensure optimal performance:

Enable high refresh rate in settings

Windows and macOS don’t invariably default to the highest available refresh rate:

Windows

right click desktop > display settings > advanced display settings > display adapter properties > monitor tab > screen refresh rate
macOS

system preferences > displays > select the refresh rate

In game settings

Many games have their own display settings. Check that your games are set to use your monitor’s maximum refresh rate. Some older titles may need configuration file edits to support high refresh rates.

Graphics settings optimization

To maintain high frame rates, you may need to adjust in game graphics settings. Consider lower demand settings like shadows, reflections, and antialiasing to prioritize frame rate over visual fidelity.

Conclusion: is 120hz good for gaming?

A 120hz refresh rate represent a substantial upgrade over standard 60hz displays for gaming. The benefits include smoother gameplay, reduce motion blur, and lower input lag â€” all of which contribute to a more responsive and enjoyable gaming experience.

For competitive gamers, 120hz should be considered the modern baseline, offer significant advantages in fasting pace titles. For casual gamers, iprovidesde a perceptibly improve experience that enhance immersion and enjoyment.

While higher refresh rates exist (144hz, 240hz, 360hz ) 120hz hit the sweet spot between noticeable performance improvements and reasonable cost for most gamers. When will pair with appropriate hardware and decently will configure, a 120hz display will transform your gaming experience.

If you’re serious about gaming and your budget allow, upgrade to a 120hz monitor is one of the virtually impactful improvements you can make to your setup. The difference is something you will appreciate every time you’ll play.