What Hz is Good for Gaming?

The ideal refresh rate for gaming largely depends on your needs and the type of games you play. Here’s a breakdown:

1. 60Hz:

   • Basic Gaming: This is the minimum refresh rate for smooth gaming, and it’s acceptable for casual gaming or older games that aren’t graphically demanding. For most casual or single-player games, 60Hz will provide an acceptable experience.

2. 120Hz:

   • Smooth Experience: If you want smoother gameplay for action-oriented games, 120Hz is a solid upgrade. It’s ideal for competitive gamers who play fast-paced games like FIFA, Fornite, or Overwatch but don’t necessarily need 240Hz. This refresh rate offers improved smoothness over 60Hz, especially when combined with a high refresh rate monitor.

3. 144Hz:

   • Great for Competitive Gaming: One of the most popular refresh rates for gamers. If you’re playing games that require quick reflexes, like FPS games (CS:GO, Valorant, Apex Legends), a 144Hz monitor provides a great balance between price and performance. It offers very smooth gameplay and can enhance your reaction times.

4. 240Hz:

   • High-End Competitive Gaming: For serious competitive gamers, 240Hz offers blistering smoothness. It's perfect for fast-paced FPS games or esports competitions where every frame counts. However, to make full use of 240Hz, you’ll need a high-performance GPU to push the frames at that rate.

5. 360Hz:

   • Top-Tier Esports: 360Hz is currently the highest refresh rate available for gaming monitors. Only elite players in esports would require this level of responsiveness, where the competitive edge can make all the difference. For most users, 240Hz is more than enough, but if you’re striving for absolute perfection, 360Hz could be your choice.

Does Refresh Rate Affect Eyes?

Yes, the refresh rate can affect your eyes, but it largely depends on the following factors:

1. Motion Smoothness:

   • Higher refresh rates (like 120Hz or 144Hz) offer smoother motion in games, reducing motion blur and making it easier for your eyes to track objects. This can help reduce eye strain because your eyes don’t have to work as hard to follow fast-moving images on the screen.

2. Flicker:

   • Lower refresh rates (like 60Hz) can cause the screen to flicker or appear less stable. This flicker can be more noticeable on older monitors and may cause eye fatigue, headaches, or even dizziness. Higher refresh rates tend to reduce this issue, making the viewing experience more comfortable.

3. Personal Sensitivity:

   • Some individuals are more sensitive to flicker or low refresh rates, which can lead to discomfort after prolonged exposure. For those who suffer from eye strain, using a higher refresh rate (e.g., 120Hz or 144Hz) may improve their comfort level.

4. Screen Brightness and Blue Light:

   • While refresh rate plays a role in smoothness and reducing strain, other factors such as brightness, blue light exposure, and screen resolution also contribute to eye comfort. It’s important to balance these elements for a better overall experience.

Does Refresh Rate Matter If Not Gaming?

Yes, the refresh rate still plays a role even if you're not gaming:

1. General Use:

   • For activities like browsing the web, watching videos, or using productivity applications (like word processing or spreadsheets), 60Hz is generally sufficient. However, a higher refresh rate can still improve smoothness when scrolling or interacting with content.

2. Video Watching:

   • While 60Hz is fine for movies and TV shows, if you're watching high-frame-rate content (e.g., 60fps video or 120Hz content), a higher refresh rate like 120Hz or 144Hz can enhance the smoothness of video playback. However, many content sources still use 24fps or 30fps, where refresh rate has less impact.

3. Productivity & Multitasking:

   • For graphic designers, video editors, and those working with high-res content, a higher refresh rate can improve cursor movement and make the workflow feel smoother and more responsive.

4. General Comfort:

   • Even when you're not gaming, higher refresh rates can still reduce motion blur and offer a more fluid experience, especially when scrolling through web pages or moving windows across your screen.

Learn More:

• Refresh Rate - Wikipedia
• Hz and Gaming Monitors - Wikipedia

These resources dive deeper into refresh rate technology and its impact on gaming and general use.