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Refresh rate is how many times per second a display updates its image, measured in hertz (Hz). A higher rate can make fast motion look smoother and reduce the display’s potential share of input delay, but it does not make a game render more frames or guarantee sharper motion or lower total latency. For gaming, the useful rate depends on the game, the frames your PC or console can produce, and the display’s response time, settings, and connection.
Refresh rate and frame rate are different
A display’s refresh rate describes how often its screen refreshes; a game’s frame rate describes how many frames the PC or console renders each second. Refresh rate is measured in Hz and frame rate in frames per second (fps). They may line up, but they are not interchangeable: a 240Hz monitor cannot make a game that outputs 90fps render at 240fps. The source frame rate and the display’s presentation method determine what you see.
Each refresh interval is the reciprocal of the refresh rate. For example, 60Hz corresponds to about 16.67 milliseconds per interval, while 240Hz corresponds to about 4.17 milliseconds. Shorter intervals give the display more opportunities to show newly available frames.
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Smoother-looking fast motion
At higher refresh rates, frames are shown for less time, which can reduce persistence blur and make rapid camera turns or moving targets easier to follow. This tends to matter more in fast action and competitive games than in slower or turn-based games. People differ in how readily they notice the change; there is no universal point at which higher rates stop being perceptible. The jump from 60Hz to 240Hz is generally more apparent than a comparable increase from 500Hz to 700Hz.
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Potentially less display-side delay
A shorter refresh interval can reduce the time the display may wait before showing a frame. RTINGS describes a theoretical minimum for its middle-of-screen input-lag method; these are technical minimums, not guaranteed measurements for every monitor:
| Refresh rate | Refresh interval | RTINGS minimum input lag |
|---|---|---|
| 60Hz | 16.67ms | 8.33ms |
| 120Hz | 8.33ms | 4.17ms |
| 144Hz | 6.94ms | 3.47ms |
| 240Hz | 4.17ms | 2.09ms |
| 360Hz | 2.78ms | 1.39ms |
These figures are from RTINGS’ monitor refresh-rate explainer, updated September 15, 2026, and do not predict the measured input lag of a particular display. Total responsiveness also depends on game and PC processing, peripherals, and—for online play—network latency. A monitor upgrade alone cannot guarantee a competitive advantage.
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Refresh rate is not response time or a complete performance score
Refresh rate tells you how often the display can update. Response time describes how quickly pixels transition between colors. If pixels transition slowly, they can leave trails or blur even on a high-refresh display. RTINGS illustrates the difference with two 240Hz monitor examples whose cited total response times are 0.6ms and 7.1ms; those are figures for those examples, not a general specification for 240Hz monitors.
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How variable refresh rate helps when fps changes
With fixed refresh, a display updates at set intervals. If a new game frame is not ready at a refresh boundary, parts of two frames can appear together as screen tearing. Variable refresh rate (VRR) lets a compatible display adjust its refresh timing to follow changing frame rates, which can mostly prevent tearing when frame times remain within the supported range.
VRR requires compatible support across the display, graphics source, and connection. Formats and console support differ: RTINGS reports that PS5 supports HDMI Forum VRR, while Xbox Series X|S supports HDMI Forum VRR and FreeSync. Do not assume that support for one VRR format means support for every other format on a given setup. AMD describes FreeSync as synchronizing a compatible display’s refresh rate with a compatible graphics card’s frame rate. Its Premium tiers specify at least 120Hz at minimum FHD resolution and low framerate compensation; check the current tier and device requirements in AMD’s documentation.
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Is 60Hz good enough for gaming?
For many players, 60Hz remains usable, including for console gaming, provided the display performs well in other respects. A faster display is more relevant if you play fast-paced or competitive games, can sustain higher frame rates, and notice the smoother motion. Slower-paced games may benefit less from a high headline rate, and a console cannot output beyond its own supported modes.
There is no single refresh rate that is best for every player. A 120Hz ceiling on the console, a PC that cannot sustain high frame rates in the games you play, or a preference for slower games can make resolution, response time, or other display qualities more valuable than a much higher maximum Hz rating.
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- 27-inch Full HD (1920x1080) 1500R curved gaming monitor with ultrafast 165Hz refresh rate designed for professional gamers and immersive gameplay
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Check what your complete setup can actually use
Before choosing a target rate or buying a display, check each part of the signal path:
- Game and source performance: Identify the games and resolution you use, then check the frame rate your GPU or console can sustain in those conditions.
- Display mode: Confirm the monitor supports the desired refresh rate at your intended resolution. The headline maximum may apply only to a different resolution or input.
- Motion and latency: Look for response-time and motion-handling performance, plus input lag at the refresh rate and mode you plan to use.
- VRR compatibility: Check that the monitor, GPU or console, and connection support the same VRR format. For FreeSync, AMD’s official setup guidance is titled How to Enable AMD FreeSync™ with AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition.
- Port and bandwidth: Verify the HDMI or DisplayPort version, cable, port, and any monitor or operating-system setting required to enable the mode. RTINGS notes an example where a display reached its advertised maximum through DisplayPort but was limited by HDMI 2.0 bandwidth over HDMI.
- Console ceiling: Check the exact console model and mode. RTINGS’ September 15, 2026 explainer reports support up to 60Hz or 120Hz, depending on console and mode, for PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. A faster monitor cannot raise the console’s output ceiling.
How to compare gaming displays
Compare displays against your own system and games rather than ranking them by refresh rate alone. Useful comparison points are:
- Maximum refresh rate at your intended resolution and connection.
- Frame rates your PC or console can produce in the games you play.
- Pixel response and measured motion clarity at the selected rate.
- Input lag for the intended input mode and refresh rate.
- VRR format compatibility with your specific PC or console.
- Resolution and any trade-off, such as needing a lower resolution to use a faster mode.
- Whether the game genre and your own sensitivity make smoother motion a priority.
RTINGS’ refresh-rate guide, updated September 15, 2026, covers the distinction between refresh and frame rate, motion effects, and display-side lag: A Monitor’s Refresh Rate: How Much Does It Matter? Its comparison of VRR formats and device compatibility is in FreeSync vs G-SYNC: Which Is Better?, updated December 15, 2025. AMD’s FreeSync support page was last updated March 3, 2025.
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