lcd display refresh rate for sale

The refresh rate (or "vertical refresh rate", "vertical scan rate", terminology originating with the cathode ray tubes) is the number of times per second that a raster-based display device displays a new image. This is independent from frame rate, which describes how many images are stored or generated every second by the device driving the display.

On cathode ray tube (CRT) displays, higher refresh rates produce less flickering, thereby reducing eye strain. In other technologies such as liquid-crystal displays, the refresh rate affects only how often the image can potentially be updated.

Non-raster displays may not have a characteristic refresh rate. Vector displays, for instance, do not trace the entire screen, only the actual lines comprising the displayed image, so refresh speed may differ by the size and complexity of the image data.

Raster-scan CRTs by their nature must refresh the screen, since their phosphors will fade and the image will disappear quickly unless refreshed regularly.

In a CRT, the vertical scan rate is the number of times per second that the electron beam returns to the upper left corner of the screen to begin drawing a new frame.vertical blanking signal generated by the video controller, and is partially limited by the monitor"s maximum horizontal scan rate.

The refresh rate can be calculated from the horizontal scan rate by dividing the scanning frequency by the number of horizontal lines, plus some amount of time to allow for the beam to return to the top. By convention, this is a 1.05x multiplier.1280 × 1024 results in a refresh rate of 96,000 ÷ (1024 × 1.05) ≈ 89 Hz (rounded down).

CRT refresh rates have historically been an important factor in videogame programming. In early videogame systems, the only time available for computation was during the vertical blanking interval, during which the beam is returning to the top corner of the screen and no image is being drawn.screen tearing.

Unlike CRTs, where the image will fade unless refreshed, the pixels of liquid-crystal displays retain their state for as long as power is provided, and consequently there is no intrinsic flicker regardless of refresh rate. However, refresh rate still determines the highest frame rate that can be displayed, and despite there being no actual blanking of the screen, the vertical blanking interval is still a period in each refresh cycle when the screen is not being updated, during which the image data in the host system"s frame buffer can be updated.

On smaller CRT monitors (up to about 15 in or 38 cm), few people notice any discomfort between 60–72 Hz. On larger CRT monitors (17 in or 43 cm or larger), most people experience mild discomfort unless the refresh is set to 72 Hz or higher. A rate of 100 Hz is comfortable at almost any size. However, this does not apply to LCD monitors. The closest equivalent to a refresh rate on an LCD monitor is its frame rate, which is often locked at 60 fps. But this is rarely a problem, because the only part of an LCD monitor that could produce CRT-like flicker—its backlight—typically operates at around a minimum of 200 Hz.

Different operating systems set the default refresh rate differently. Microsoft Windows 95 and Windows 98 (First and Second Editions) set the refresh rate to the highest rate that they believe the display supports. Windows NT-based operating systems, such as Windows 2000 and its descendants Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7, set the default refresh rate to a conservative rate, usually 60 Hz. Some fullscreen applications, including many games, now allow the user to reconfigure the refresh rate before entering fullscreen mode, but most default to a conservative resolution and refresh rate and let you increase the settings in the options.

Old monitors could be damaged if a user set the video card to a refresh rate higher than the highest rate supported by the monitor. Some models of monitors display a notice that the video signal uses an unsupported refresh rate.

Some LCDs support adapting their refresh rate to the current frame rate delivered by the graphics card. Two technologies that allow this are FreeSync and G-Sync.

When LCD shutter glasses are used for stereo 3D displays, the effective refresh rate is halved, because each eye needs a separate picture. For this reason, it is usually recommended to use a display capable of at least 120 Hz, because divided in half this rate is again 60 Hz. Higher refresh rates result in greater image stability, for example 72 Hz non-stereo is 144 Hz stereo, and 90 Hz non-stereo is 180 Hz stereo. Most low-end computer graphics cards and monitors cannot handle these high refresh rates, especially at higher resolutions.

For LCD monitors the pixel brightness changes are much slower than CRT or plasma phosphors. Typically LCD pixel brightness changes are faster when voltage is applied than when voltage is removed, resulting in an asymmetric pixel response time. With 3D shutter glasses this can result in a blurry smearing of the display and poor depth perception, due to the previous image frame not fading to black fast enough as the next frame is drawn.

This gif animation shows a rudimentary comparison of how motion varies with 4Hz, 12Hz, and 24Hz refresh rates. Entire sequence has a frame rate of 24Hz.

The development of televisions in the 1930s was determined by a number of technical limitations. The AC power line frequency was used for the vertical refresh rate for two reasons. The first reason was that the television"s vacuum tube was susceptible to interference from the unit"s power supply, including residual ripple. This could cause drifting horizontal bars (hum bars). Using the same frequency reduced this, and made interference static on the screen and therefore less obtrusive. The second reason was that television studios would use AC lamps, filming at a different frequency would cause strobing.NTSC color coding) and 50 Hz System B/G (almost always used with PAL or SECAM color coding). This accident of chance gave European sets higher resolution, in exchange for lower frame-rates. Compare System M (704 × 480 at 30i) and System B/G (704 × 576 at 25i). However, the lower refresh rate of 50 Hz introduces more flicker, so sets that use digital technology to double the refresh rate to 100 Hz are now very popular. (see Broadcast television systems)

Another difference between 50 Hz and 60 Hz standards is the way motion pictures (film sources as opposed to video camera sources) are transferred or presented. 35 mm film is typically shot at 24 frames per second (fps). For PAL 50 Hz this allows film sources to be easily transferred by accelerating the film by 4%. The resulting picture is therefore smooth, however, there is a small shift in the pitch of the audio. NTSC sets display both 24 fps and 25 fps material without any speed shifting by using a technique called 3:2 pulldown, but at the expense of introducing unsmooth playback in the form of telecine judder.

Similar to some computer monitors and some DVDs, analog television systems use interlace, which decreases the apparent flicker by painting first the odd lines and then the even lines (these are known as fields). This doubles the refresh rate, compared to a progressive scan image at the same frame rate. This works perfectly for video cameras, where each field results from a separate exposure – the effective frame rate doubles, there are now 50 rather than 25 exposures per second. The dynamics of a CRT are ideally suited to this approach, fast scenes will benefit from the 50 Hz refresh, the earlier field will have largely decayed away when the new field is written, and static images will benefit from improved resolution as both fields will be integrated by the eye. Modern CRT-based televisions may be made flicker-free in the form of 100 Hz technology.

Many high-end LCD televisions now have a 120 or 240 Hz (current and former NTSC countries) or 100 or 200 Hz (PAL/SECAM countries) refresh rate. The rate of 120 was chosen as the least common multiple of 24 fps (cinema) and 30 fps (NTSC TV), and allows for less distortion when movies are viewed due to the elimination of telecine (3:2 pulldown). For PAL at 25 fps, 100 or 200 Hz is used as a fractional compromise of the least common multiple of 600 (24 × 25). These higher refresh rates are most effective from a 24p-source video output (e.g. Blu-ray Disc), and/or scenes of fast motion.

As movies are usually filmed at a rate of 24 frames per second, while television sets operate at different rates, some conversion is necessary. Different techniques exist to give the viewer an optimal experience.

The combination of content production, playback device, and display device processing may also give artifacts that are unnecessary. A display device producing a fixed 60 fps rate cannot display a 24 fps movie at an even, judder-free rate. Usually, a 3:2 pulldown is used, giving a slight uneven movement.

While common multisync CRT computer monitors have been capable of running at even multiples of 24 Hz since the early 1990s, recent "120 Hz" LCDs have been produced for the purpose of having smoother, more fluid motion, depending upon the source material, and any subsequent processing done to the signal. In the case of material shot on video, improvements in smoothness just from having a higher refresh rate may be barely noticeable.

In the case of filmed material, as 120 is an even multiple of 24, it is possible to present a 24 fps sequence without judder on a well-designed 120 Hz display (i.e., so-called 5-5 pulldown). If the 120 Hz rate is produced by frame-doubling a 60 fps 3:2 pulldown signal, the uneven motion could still be visible (i.e., so-called 6-4 pulldown).

Additionally, material may be displayed with synthetically created smoothness with the addition of motion interpolation abilities to the display, which has an even larger effect on filmed material.

Shopping for a new TV used to be just a matter of TV brand and screen size. These days, there’s way more to consider, like the different types of display technology, HDR support, and smart features.

One label that you’re sure to see on just about every TV box is refresh rate. It’s a hardware specification that describes how motion is handled on any given TV. Before you buy your next TV, it’s worth taking this spec into consideration—particularly if you’re an avid gamer or sports fan who watches a lot of fast-paced action. We"ll help dispel the mysteries of this technology to help you make the right decision.

To put it in the simplest terms, a display’s refresh rate describes the number of times per second the display resets the image, whether you’re shopping for a TV or a computer monitor. The refresh rate is measured in Hertz (Hz).

Essentially, the higher your display"s refresh rate, the less amount of time that will pass between each individual video frame being displayed on screen. Higher refresh rates mean that a TV or monitor can display more frames per second (fps) which, depending on the content it"s fed, could affect how smooth and pleasing your video looks.

There are essentially two types of common refresh rates available when it comes to contemporary TVs: 60Hz and 120Hz. Generally, 60Hz TVs are more affordable than 120Hz TVs because the 120Hz spec is usually found on TVs that offer premium hardware and software features in addition to higher-quality motion handling.

In 2022, TCL and Samsung both announced TVs with a 144Hz native refresh rate. This spec has been available in some computer monitors for years, and in fact, some monitors offer native refresh rates that go much higher, up to 360Hz.

While the refresh rate describes the number of frames of video per second a particular TV or monitor is capable of displaying, the frame rate describes the playback speed (in seconds) of a piece of video content. The frame rate of a piece of video content will be listed in fps (frames per second). A frame rate that divides cleanly into a TV’s refresh rate will make video smoother to watch.

For example, broadcast television in the U.S. plays at a standard 30fps (actually just below this at 29.97fps), which fits nicely into a 60Hz TV"s refresh rate. However, most movies are shot at 24 frames per second (fps), which was settled upon in the early days of film. This is the frame rate you"ll likely see when you pop in a Blu-ray disc or a film on streaming service. If you settle in to watch a movie on Netflix, you"re probably watching something at 24fps.

The problem is, the average 60Hz TV can"t render native 24fps content without a little bit of help, since every three seconds the TV gets out of sync. To combat this, many modern 60Hz TVs use a telecine technique called 3:2 pulldown, where frames are doubled in alternating sequences in order to "meet up" with the display"s 60Hz refresh rate. Unfortunately, 3:2 pulldown usually results in a motion artifact called judder, where some sequences during playback can have a stuttering or skipping effect.

While many modern 60Hz TVs do 3:2 pulldown so successfully that you probably won"t notice the amount of judder in most scenarios, you can save yourself any trouble by purchasing a 120Hz TV. That"s because 24fps divides evenly (5 times) into a 120Hz refresh rate.

In addition, if you"ve recently bought a next-gen gaming console, you"re likely going to be displaying content at much higher frame rates than film or broadcast TV. This is where having a TV with a higher refresh rate can really pay off.

Currently, the Xbox Series X and the PlayStation 5 are all capable of displaying 4K games at 120fps, and while there aren’t very many games yet that hit this benchmark, you can expect to see more of them in the coming years. If you"re a PC gamer who wants to play on the big screen, you"ll also reap the benefits from a 120Hz TV, as high frame-rate games have been available in that ecosystem for quite some time.

If you own one of these consoles but don’t own a TV with a native 120Hz refresh rate, you won’t have the best possible gaming experience at your fingertips. That"s not to mention other gaming advantages that often come with premium TVs, like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM).

Regardless of frame rate, higher refresh rates tend to eliminate blur from fast motion, which isn’t just valuable for gaming: It also matters during high-action content, like sports. Because 120Hz TVs check for new information twice as often as 60Hz TVs, they can sometimes render particular sequences in sports with more clarity.

All of the options in our round-up of the best gaming TVs feature a native refresh rate of 120Hz, and several of the picks in our round-up of the best TVs do, as well.

However, the Samsung QD-OLED S95B has also hit unbelievably low prices considering it uses a next-gen screen, and it actually has an even higher 144Hz refresh rate that may tempt PC gamers.

The best 120Hz 4K TVs are a fantastic choice for both gamers and movie lovers. The 4K resolution they offer bring you a boatload of pixels for better clarity while the 120Hz refresh rate means that games play buttery smooth.

For gamers, a 120Hz refresh rate means you’ll experience a smoother and sharper picture without that nauseating motion blur you may find when you turn the camera quickly in-game. Add in fast response times and several vital HDMI 2.1 ports, and you"ll find that the best gaming TVs are mostly 120Hz TVs.

Some players may not notice a massive difference, but refresh rates are crucial for fast-paced shooters where quick reflexes and frame pacing really counts. Meanwhile, 24fps movies will play without the "judder" you’ll find on some cheaper TVs.

We’ve tested hundreds of TVs over the years and know what to look for. Below you"ll find a list of all the 120Hz 4K TVs we recommend. Some of them feature a 144Hz refresh rate, but they also support 120Hz. This isn"t an essential upgrade over 120Hz in our opinion – read our guide to whether 144Hz TVs are a big deal for exactly why – but the option is there for hardcore PC gamers who want it.

The Sony X90K is an excellent value TV, delivering top performance for the price. It has a full-array LED backlight, which features local dimming. The result is deep blacks. Paired with the LCD panel’s quantum dots, there’s enhanced brightness and color – although it"s not the brightest TV on the market.

However, it really shines as a gaming TV, especially for PS5 owners. The X90 has a fantastic suite of gaming features, which is why it"s in second place in this guide. Aside from 4K/120Hz video support (available only on two of the set’s four HDMI inputs) it has both variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low latency mode (ALLM). Input lag as measured by our 4K test meter was 13.8ms, a very good result.

The Samsung Q80B is a high value mid range 4K QLED screen that we consider to be a fantastic all-rounder as it"s well-suited for everyday TV viewing and supports high frame rate gaming.

However, with four HFR (high frame rate) compatible HDMI inputs, useful Game Bar user interface, and a polished smart home interface, only serious home cinephiles are likely to feel shortchanged.

This includes a high 120Hz display, Game Mode Pro to help reduce input lag, an Auto Low Latency Mode, Variable Refresh Rate that"s compatible with the PS5 and FreeSync for PC/Xbox gamers. All of those features should definitely help serious gaming enthusiasts or aspiring esports players looking to have the biggest advantage possible. It helps that the U7G features many standards to Hisense’s U Series line-up including Dolby Vision, IQ and Atmos alongside HDR10+ – in our tests, we were very impressed with the brightness and overall image quality for the price.

The Hisense U8H is a solid choice if you"re looking for a 120Hz TV that offers great picture quality and exceptional brightness at a good price. Although Hisense doesn"t specifically market this TV as a gaming display, there"s a lot of support for next-gen gaming consoles here. Its 4K/120Hz, VRR, and ALLM support, along with FreeSync Premium Pro, makes it one of the better options for gaming, particularly in its price class.

Let"s get something clear from the start, this is not one of the best gaming TVs or 120Hz TVs for several reasons. It"s lacking Dolby Vision gaming with 4K 120Hz signals—if you want Dolby Vision you have to stick with 4K at 60Hz. What"s more, only 2 of the 4 HDMI 2.1 ports support 4K 120Hz and variable refresh rates—all of this is disappointing for such a cutting-edge TV.

In addition to the 120Hz video there are twin HDMI 2.1 ports with variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low latency mode (ALLM), and there"s Auto HDR Tone Mapping for PS5 gaming. In the US there"s also a built in ATSC 3.0 tuner, so it"s ready for next-gen digital TV broadcasts.

Ultimately this TV is all about that mini-LED panel, which delivers a punch that OLED displays can"t match. If anything it"s too bright by default, although that does mean it"s a great TV for daytime viewing of things such as sporting events.

For example do you want an OLED or an LED TV? We"ve written a an OLED vs LED vs LCD guide that covers the tech types in depth, but in summary, LED has a backlight whereas OLED pixels produce their own light.

It might seem like an obvious consideration, but bear size in mind when you"re looking for a new 120Hz 4K TV. If you"re going to be using it as your main screen, you"ll need to be sure it fits into the space you have available. If it"ll be in a second room specifically for gaming, you might not want to go for the biggest available size but instead choose a small display, like the LG C2, which is available in 42-inches.120Hz panel: why does it matter?Do refresh rates really matter enough to justify buying a new television set? We"d argue that without an advanced television, the upgraded hardware in your new Sony or Microsoft console becomes superfluous. All that power won"t translate into better performance unless your TV can support it.

Hertz, or refresh rate, determines the number of frames that your television can display per second. Because both the PS5 and Xbox Series X can generate 120 frames per second (fps) in 4K UHD resolution, you need a television panel that works up to 120 Hertz to make that mode work.

Your current 4K TV likely can only support 60Hz/4K. That worked perfectly well with the Xbox One X and PS4 Pro, both of which could hit 60FPS in 4K for some games. Yet if you upgrade to the latest console, your frame rate can"t substantially improve unless you play at a lower resolution like 1440p. So you won"t see the performance boost you might be expecting.

VRR is a tool that enables your TV to automatically adjust its Hz based on the output from your gaming console. While the Xbox Series X and PS5 offer a 120Hz 4K maximum, individual games" frame rates will fluctuate and drop based on what"s happening on screen. The more frames you drop, the more tearing and stuttering you"ll see as the television tries to adjust.

With VRR activated, your television will adjust its refresh rate on the fly so it never deviates from the game"s fps output. That way, even if the game performance is struggling, the gameplay will remain smooth and seamless.

For more on the differences between refresh rate, input lag and refresh time, read our guide: Input lag and monitor speed explained.Why are 120Hz devices important?It"s worth noting that, just as 4K TVs require 4K sources to output in native 4K, a 120Hz TV will need 120Hz gaming or video to really get the most of out of its capabilities.

Confused about 120Hz and 120fps? Don"t be. The former refers to the number of frames a game outputs while the latter refers to how many frames the associated screen can display.Today"s best 120Hz 4K TV deals

The monitor is the window to your PC’s soul. Without the right display, everything you do on your system will seem lackluster, whether gaming, viewing/editing photos and video or just reading text on your favorite websites.

Hardware vendors understand how the experience changes with different display specs and features and have flooded the market with a plethora of options. But which features and specs are most valuable for how you use your monitor? For example, should you get 4K, 1440p, 1080p or just plain HD resolution—and what"s the difference anyway? How much do refresh rates and response times matter? Are things like flicker-free, low blue light mode, G-Sync and FreeSync crucial? And how should your priorities change if your focus is gaming versus professional applications versus general use?

Before we get started, if you"re looking for recommendations, see our Best Computer Monitors page or gaming-specific Best Gaming Monitors list. We also have high-res picks on our Best 4K Gaming Monitors and Best Budget 4K Monitors pages and break down HDR displays in our How to Choose the Best HDR Monitor article.

Why you can trust Tom"s HardwareOur expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.Determine your monitor’s main purpose: gaming, professional or general use. Generally, gamers should prioritize fast refresh rates and low response times, professionals should prioritize color accuracy and general use users have less specific needs but will often opt for a monitor with a high-contrast VA panel.The higher the resolution, the better the picture. A monitor’s resolution tells you how many pixels a monitor has in width x height format. 1920 x 1080 (also known as 1080p, Full HD (FHD) and HD) is the minimum you need. But you"ll get sharper images with QHD and even sharper with 4K.Size matters too.Pixel density has a big impact on monitor quality, and our sweet spot is 109 pixels per inch (ppi). A larger monitor will have low pixel density if it"s a lower resolution. For viewing from typical desktop distances, 32 inches is plenty ‘big." It’s not hard to find a 32-inch gaming or general use monitor at 4K resolution for under $1,000.Refresh rates: bigger is better. This tells you the number of times your monitor updates with new information per second and is measured in hertz (Hz). Bigger numbers equal better, smoother, less choppy images. Refresh rate is especially important for gamers, who"ll want a monitor with at least 75 Hz (most monitors designed for gaming offer at least 120 Hz), combined with the lowest response time you can find. If you’re not gaming, a 60 Hz refresh rate should do.Response times: Shorter is better, but it"s not a big priority unless you’re gaming. Response time tells you how long a monitor takes to change individual pixels from black to white or, if its GTG response time, from one shade of gray to another. Longer response times can mean motion blur when gaming or watching fast-paced videos. For gaming monitors, the highest response time you’ll likely see is 5ms, while the fastest gaming monitors can have a 0.5ms response time.Panel tech: For image quality, TN < IPS < VA. TN monitors are the fastest but cheapest, due to poorer image quality when viewing from a side angle. IPS monitors have slightly faster response times and show color better than VA panels, but VA monitors have the best contrast out of all three panel types. For more on the difference between panel types, see the dedicated section below.Consider a curved monitor.Curved monitors are supposed to make your experience more immersive with a large field of view(opens in new tab) and are said to be less eye-straining. However, they can be prone to glare when viewing from certain angles (light sources are coming from various angles instead of one). Effective curved monitors are usually ultrawide and at least 30 inches, which both point to higher costs.

If you do buy a curved monitor, understand curvature specs. An 1800R curvature has a curved radius of 1800mm and a suggested best max viewing distance of 1.8 meters -- and so on. The lower the curvature (as low as 1000R), the more curved the display is.

Images on an LCD panel are comprised of millions of tiny dots. Each pixel consists of three sub-pixels, one for each primary color. A monitor’s resolution provides a screen’s length x width in pixels. The more pixels you can pack into each square-inch of a monitor, the more realistic and smooth the image. A higher resolution (QHD or better) is important if you want a monitor that"s bigger than 27 inches.

For the best picture, more pixels are better. But when gaming, those pixels can also slow you down if you don’t have a beefy enough graphics card. Most video interfaces don’t support refresh rates faster than 60 Hz for 4K/UHD or 5K signals. That"s starting to change (for a premium), but you still need a very expensive graphics card to play at 4K and push past 60 frames per second (fps). The GeForce RTX 3080 can usually get there, as can the GeForce RTX 3090, but good luck finding one!

If you want ultimate speed that"s also not too taxing on your GPU, FHD (1920 x 1080) delivers the highest frame rates (you won"t find gaming monitors today with lower resolution). But avoid stretching that resolution past 27 inches, as you may notice a dip in image quality, with pesky individual pixels being visible.

4K gamers should find the fastest card they can afford. The GeForce RTX 3070 might be sufficient for lighter games or if you turn down some settings, but the GeForce RTX 3080/3090 or the Radeon RX 6800 XT or Radeon RX 6900 XT would do you better. For more tips on picking a graphics card, see our Graphics Card Buying Guide(opens in new tab), Best Graphics Cards(opens in new tab) and GPU Benchmarks(opens in new tab) Hierarchy pages. For help choosing a 4K gaming display, see our Best 4K Gaming Monitors(opens in new tab) page.

There are three major LCD technologies used in today’s PC monitors: twisted nematic (TN(opens in new tab)), vertical alignment (VA(opens in new tab)) and in-plane switching (IPS)(opens in new tab). Each has several variations that offer different advantages. We won’t get into the intricacies of how these differing panels work. Instead, the chart below explains how each impacts image quality and the best use cases for each panel.

PerformanceFastest: low response times, highest refresh rates, minimal motion blur; Low input lagLongest response times typically; Higher refresh rates possibleSlower response times than TN, faster response times than VA; Gaming-quality refresh rates are rare

DisplayWorst viewing angles;Worst colorViewing angles typically better than TN, worse than IPS; Good color; Best contrast;Best image depthBest viewing angles; Best color

While that graph should be enough to make a quick decision on panel type, if you want to dive deeper, consider the following:Contrast is the most important factor in image quality and reliability (5,000:1 is better than 1,000:1). As such, we consider VA panels to offer the best image quality among VA, IPS and TN.We’ve reviewed plenty of TN screens that can hold their own in the color department with more expensive IPS and VA displays. While the general perception is that TN offers less accurate color and contrast than VA and IPS panels, there’s a chance you won’t notice the difference. Many gaming monitors use TN panels for their speed. We’ve found that color quality differs by price more than it does by panel tech.

Competitive gamers should prioritize speed, which calls for high refresh rates (144 Hz or more), as well as the lowest response time and input lag (see our gaming monitor reviews(opens in new tab)) possible. This will likely limit you to 25 or 27 inches, possibly with lower pixel density and without extended color or HDR.

But maybe you"re a casual gamer who won"t notice the difference between 60 fps or 144 fps. You can settle for 75 Hz or even 60 Hz coupled withFreeSync or G-Sync(more on that below) and prioritize things like strong image quality, pixel density and 30 inches or larger. If your budget allows, this could also allow for more saturated color or even HDR.

Ideally, you want a monitor with at least a 75 Hz, combined with the lowest response time you can find. Refresh rate is particularly important for gamers, so most gaming monitors have a refresh rate of at least 120 Hz, (the fastest availabile is 360 Hz), and you’ll want a maximum response time of 5ms.

However, there are some worthy 60 Hz gaming monitors, and many 4K ones are limited to 60 Hz. If you opt for a 60 Hz display and plan to game, G-Sync or FreeSync is a must (more on that below).

Lower resolution + good graphics card = faster refresh rates. Look at the on-screen display (OSD) above from the Acer Predator Z35(opens in new tab) curved ultrawide. Its resolution is low enough where a fast graphics card can hit a 200 Hz refresh rate with G-Sync enabled. If you’re buying a monitor for the long-term, remember that the graphics card your PC uses 1-3 years from now may be able to hit these speeds with ease.

Worried about input lag? Input lag is how long it takes your monitor to recognize output from your graphics card or when you’ve pushed a button on your keyboard or mouse and is something gamers should avoid. High refresh rates generally point to lower input lag, but input lag isn’t usually listed in specs, so check our monitor reviews(opens in new tab) for insight. Sites like DisplayLag(opens in new tab) also offer unbiased breakdowns of many monitors’ input lag.

Another thing to keep in mind is that G-Sync relies on DisplayPort, while FreeSync works with both HDMI and DisplayPort. For more on which port is best for gaming, see our DisplayPort vs. HDMI(opens in new tab)analysis. And for more on the two popular Adaptive-Sync flavors, see our G-Sync(opens in new tab) and FreeSync(opens in new tab) pages in the Tom"s Hardware Glossary(opens in new tab).

Regardless, if your budget only has room for a low to mid-speed graphics card, you’ll certainly want a monitor with either G-Sync or FreeSync that works at a low minimum refresh rate.

So, should you opt for G-Sync or FreeSync? Here’s what to consider:Which hardware do you already have? If you’ve already nabbed a shiny new RTX 3080, for example, the choice is clear.Team Nvidia or Team AMD? If you"re not tied to either, remember that G-Sync and FreeSync offer comparable performance for the typical user. We learned this when we tested both against each other in ourNvidia G-Sync vs. AMD FreeSync(opens in new tab) faceoff.What"s the Adaptive-Sync"s lowest supported refresh rate? G-Sync monitors operate from a 30 Hz refresh rate up to the monitor’s maximum, but not all FreeSync ones do.FreeSync monitors usually support Adaptive-Sync up to a monitor’s maximum refresh rate, but it’s the lower limit you must note. We’ve reviewed screens that bottom out at as high as 55 Hz. This can be problematic if your graphics card can’t keep frame rates above that level. Low frame rate compensation (LFC), which G-Sync kicks in at below 30 Hz, is a viable solution but will only work if the max refresh is at least 2.5 times the minimum (example: if the maximum refresh rate is 100 Hz, the minimum must be 40 Hz for LFC to help).Many FreeSync monitors can run G-Sync.Nvidia has tested and certified some of these as G-Sync Compatible. Many non-certified monitors can also run G-Sync too, but performance is not guaranteed. See our article on how to run on G-Sync on a FreeSync monitor for more.

If you plan on doing a lot of competitive gaming with HDR content, consider getting a G-Sync Ultimate or FreeSync Premium Pro display. Both features are certified for lower input latency and include additional benefits for HDR titles.

Overdrive reduces ghosting by speeding the rate at which pixels transition through higher voltages. When done correctly, the pixel reaches that level quickly, then changes for the next frame before voltage gets too high.

Both gaming and professional monitors are more than qualified to serve as general use displays. But if you want to avoid spending extra money on a specialized monitor, you need something that works well for every kind of computing, entertainment and productivity. Here’s how to decide what’s best for you:Contrast is king, so VA panels are too. We consider contrast the first measure of image quality, followed by color saturation, accuracy and resolution. When a display has a large dynamic range, the picture is more realistic and 3D-like. VA panels typically offer 3-5 times the contrast of IPS or TN screens. If you place a VA and IPS monitor next to each other with matched brightness levels and calibration standards, the VA screen will easily win in terms of image quality.Consider flicker-free if you"ll be staring at the screen for over 8 hours. They won’t flicker at any brightness level, so even those particularly sensitive to flickering will be pleased.Low blue light isn’t a buying point. Most operating systems, including Windows 10(opens in new tab), have modes for reducing blue light, based on the theory that blue light interferes with sleep. But although many monitors offer this feature, it"s not necessary. Low blue light can make a computer image less straining on your eyes, but so can accurate calibration. And since reducing blue brightness also affects all other colors, you may experience an unnatural look in graphics and photos. This is especially distracting in games and videos. There"s no need to prioritize low blue light, but it’s becoming harder to find monitors without it.

Professional users have special needs. If you’re a photographer, print proofer, web designer, special effects artist, game designer or someone that needs precise color control, this section’s for you. Here’s what to know:Monitors vendor-certified as color accurate cost more but are worth it. If you want a monitor that’s accurate out of the box, this is your best choice. It’s especially important for monitors without calibration capabilities. Professional monitors should come ready for work with no adjustment required. A DeltaE (dE)(opens in new tab) value of 2 or lower is a good sign. A dE under 3 is typically considered invisible to the human eye.You want calibration options. There are two ways to accomplish this: the on-screen display (OSD) and software. Check our reviews for monitor-specific calibration recommendations.Calibration options should include choices for different color gamuts, color temperatures and gamma curves. At minimum there should be sRGBand Adobe RGB standards, color temperatures ranging from 5,000 to 7,500K and gamma presets from 1.8 to 2.4. Monitors used for TV or movie production should also support the BT.1886 gamma standard.Flicker-free goes a long way if you’re spending eight hours or more in front of a computer screen. Many pro monitors today offer this.

What bit-depth do I need?Higher is better, and professionals need at least 10-bits. An 8-bit panel won’t cut it for most professional graphics work. If possible, opt for 12-bit. For more, see our article on the difference between 10 and 12-bit(opens in new tab).A deep color monitor won’t do you any good if your graphics card can’t output a 10- or 12-bit signal. Yes, the monitor will fill in the extra information, but only by interpolation. Just as with pixel scaling, a display can’t add information that isn’t there in the first place; it can only approximate. Many consumer-grade graphics cards are limited to 8-bit output.

The refresh rate of a display is the number of times per second that the image refreshes on the screen. For example, a 60Hz display will update the screen 60 times per second.

Overall, the refresh rate determines how smoothly motion appears on your screen. For example, if you’re playing a game that has a lot of fast-moving action, a higher refresh rate can help improve your overall gaming experience to keep up with the action. A higher refresh can also help you get a better experience with smoother motion when you"re browsing the web or using a digital pen to write or draw.

A higher refresh rate can also reduce battery life because it uses more power. So if you"re using a laptop or tablet and want to save some battery, you could lower the refresh rate. However, that might also reduce the overall experience when you"re using your device.

Note:You might see the word “dynamic” next to some refresh rates that are listed. Dynamic refresh rates will increase the refresh rate automatically when you’re inking and scrolling, and then lower it when you’re not doing these types of things. This helps to save battery and provide a smoother experience.

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This means that a single frame was divided into two fields containing the image’s odd-numbered lines and even-numbered lines, and the TV screen would display these fields in the correct order when displaying the video.

*** There is plenty of confusion about the NTSC 29.97 and 59.94 frame rates. Many people just round these up to 30 and 60 frames per second. But this isn’t actually correct because modern HD cameras can record at 29.97 or 30 and 59.94 or 60 frames per second. So, they are actually two different rates. However, you can just think about 30 and 60 Hz to make things easier. ***

By the way, Hertz is a standard for describing the frequency of something, i.e., the number of cycles per second, and it can describe the frequency of anything, not just video frame rates.

Content recorded on film is traditionally recorded at 24 frames per second (fps). Although some movies have been shot in higher frame rates, this still holds today.

Over time, it hasn’t changed much because people have become used to watching movies at 24 frames per second. It ‘looks like a movie’ at this frame rate – and most viewers prefer it.

Well, due to the standard video frame rates that we’ve just discussed, televisions were designed with a refresh rate to match the frequency of the video transmissions.

Now, these frame rates were developed for analog TV systems. Even so, they’ve remained the standard even with the new digital broadcasting systems – ATSC in the US and DVB in Europe.

The higher video frame rate will display smoother motion as there are more frames to capture it – and it is this which determines how smooth the action will appear on your television – not your TV’s refresh rate.

In some instances, movies can look smoother on a 120 Hz TV because each frame can be repeated exactly 5 times to mirror the 120 Hz refresh rate (24 fps x 5 = 120).

On a 60 Hz TV, “3:2 pulldown” is used to display the movie, which can cause judder on slow panning scenes and cause them to jump. This is because the 24 fps of the film can’t be easily divided into the 30 fps used for NTSC video.

But, a 60 Hz TV can’t interpolate a 60 Hz source because it can’t show more than 60 frames per second – meaning it can only interpolate content with a lower rate than 60 Hz.

This annoys some people more than others. However, motion blur is caused by several factors, and the refresh rate of the TV will have little effect on these.

You just need to find out the native refresh rate – which you should find in the specifications on the manufacturer’s website – or in a technical review of that model.

It’s an essential issue related to TV refresh rates because people get confused between television refresh rates and the motion blur they see on screen.

If it says anything higher than 120 Hz, then it isn’t the real native refresh rate – and even with the correct numbers, there aren’t too many instances where a higher refresh rate will significantly affect your daily use.

There are only two native refresh rates for 4K TVs – 60 Hz and 120 Hz. Any number you see quoted above this isn’t the TV’s real refresh rate – it’s just created by image processing techniques. Most people will see little difference between 60 and 120 Hz refresh rates, so it’s not something to worry about too much.

A 120 Hz TV has some benefits over a 60 Hz TV, but most people will not notice the difference. A 120 Hz TV will display 120 Hz content as intended – but there’s not much of this. It may also show 24 Hz movies with smoother motion and reduce motion blur for some people.

It can be challenging to know the native refresh rate of your TV because many manufacturers quote elevated numbers. The native refresh rate can only be 60 or 120 Hz. If a manufacturer quotes a ‘motion rate,’ the native refresh rate is often half that number, although this varies. Another way is to check quality reviews for that TV, which should quote the actual number.

If you have a game created at 120 Hz and can use the latest HDMI 2.1 specification on all your hardware, you will benefit from higher refresh rates. Otherwise, it will unlikely make much difference.

No, a 60 Hz TV can only display 60 frames per second. A 60 Hz TV can use image processing to interpolate 30 fps video up to 60 fps – but the TV cannot show more than 60 frames every second.

In most cases, the refresh rate has little effect on the performance of a TV. On TVs with a high refresh rate, the picture may appear smoother to some people – with less motion blur. But the main limitation is the frame rate of the content, which is unlikely to be created at higher refresh rates, so your TV’s refresh rate will make little difference.

The best 120Hz TV we"ve tested is the Samsung Q95B OLED. It"s an incredible TV with fantastic picture quality and great gaming features. Like all TVs on this list, it has a 120Hz refresh rate and supports HDMI 2.1 bandwidth on all four of its HDMI ports. You can take full advantage of the Xbox Series X and the PS5, including 4k @ 120Hz gaming. Its near-instantaneous response time delivers a fantastic gaming experience, with no noticeable ghosting behind fast-moving objects. It also has fantastic low input lag, ensuring your actions are in-sync with the action on screen, and it has a few great gaming features, including FreeSync support to reduce screen tearing.

Refresh rate is a number that specifies how many times per second the image on your TV changes. With most TVs it"s 60, though it"s rare you"ll ever see a TV with that number listed. Instead, manufacturers use different technologies, such as

Higher refresh rate claims with numbers like 120, 240 and higher are common, but not always accurate. In fact, no matter what number you see listed with a 4K TV, no 4K TV has a native panel refresh rate higher than 120Hz. As we"ll explain, though, a number higher than 120Hz doesn"t necessarily mean the claim is false.

Effective refresh rate means the TV refreshes its image at a lower rate, but might appear to have similar motion resolution as a TV with an actual higher refresh rate.

Let me start with the terms you"ll see on various TV makers" marketing materials and web sites. Each one calls the TVs motion handling capability something different, and many don"t even mention the term "refresh rate" or use "Hz" at all.

LG"s web site lists the panel"s native refresh rate up front. On TVs that have a 120Hz refresh rate it simply says "120Hz Native," while with 60Hz models it lists "TruMotion 120 (60Hz Native)."

Samsung is better than it used to be about this, albeit not as transparent as LG. The 4K TVs and 8K TVs on its site list a "Motion Rate." This is, generally, twice the native refresh rate. So Motion Rate 240 indicates a native refresh of 120Hz while Motion Rate 120 means a 60Hz refresh. In the least expensive of their TVs, a Motion Rate of 60 means a 60Hz refresh.

For most of its 2021 TVs Sony doesn"t list a number on its website, instead it just says "Motionflow XR." On some, however, it lists a number along with the native refresh: "Motionflow XR 240 (native 60 Hz)" and "Motionflow XR 960 (native 120 Hz)."

Vizio used to list an "Effective Refresh Rate" on its web site, which was just double the native refresh rate. For 2021, however, none of its TVs use that term as far as we could find, and most don"t list any refresh rate spec. The bottom line? All of

For the most effective increase in motion resolution, and compatibility with next-gen gaming consoles" best video output modes, you need a native 120Hz refresh television. That said, it is possible to have some improvement in motion resolution even with a 60Hz TV if it uses some other feature, like backlight scanning or black frame insertion, that improves motion resolution.

So are these higher refresh numbers just another "more is better!" marketing ploy? Not entirely. Higher refresh rates can reduce motion blur in LCDs and OLED TVs.

Interestingly, this blur is largely created by your brain. Basically, your brain notices the motion, and makes assumptions as to where that object (or overall image) is going to be in the next fraction of a second. The problem with LCD and current OLED TVs is that they hold that image there for the full 60th of a second, so your brain actually smears the motion, thinking it should be moving, when in fact it"s just a series of still images.

The motion blur we"re talking about here, despite coming from your brain, is caused by how the television works. This is separate from whatever blur the camera itself creates.

Both of these techniques are what manufacturers use to come up with their "effective refresh rate" numbers. For example, a TV with a 60Hz refresh and a scanning backlight might claim to have an effective refresh rate of 120. A TV with a more elaborate BFI mode, and frame interpolation, might have a claimed effective refresh rate of "540." There"s no transparency in how companies determine their "effective rate" numbers, but there is at least more consistency than there used to be.

It"s also possible these features, when enabled, are bothersome over time. Some people are especially sensitive to a flickering backlight, so you might need to turn these features off. If you"re concerned about that, or notice motion blur, it"s best to find a TV that actually has a 120Hz refresh rate.

The best high refresh rate monitors are as important a piece of a competitive gaming setup as a great graphics card, mouse, or keyboard. If you want to see the smooth look of a game running at a high refresh rate like 144Hz or 240Hz, a high refresh rate monitor will deliver that experience, and you probably won"t be able to go back to anything lower.

What refresh rate should you be looking for in a potential upgrade? You can feel the difference between even 60Hz and 75Hz monitors, though you start to notice the benefits in-game around 120Hz. We consider the standard for gaming monitors is 144Hz, though 165Hz is common enough with overclocked panels. Beyond that, you have 240Hz and 360Hz, targeting competitive gamers, such as twitch shooter players. These usually come alongside lower resolutions and higher price tags, so you want to be sure you"ll need that snappy response before investing in a 240/360Hz gaming monitor. Don"t even get us started on 480Hz gaming monitors(opens in new tab)that are supposedly coming pretty soon.

Refresh rate is just one element of modern gaming monitors, though, and what else you desire is up to you. Should you go for an IPS or VA panel, for instance. And what about panel, size, shape, and resolution? Is the 16:9 aspect ratio still the most versatile and compatible, or is ultrawide the way? Do curved panels add anything? And what about resolution? 4K? Or does 1440p strike a better balance? Is 1080p obsolete?

We"ve tested each of these high refresh rate gaming monitors in this list to see whether their claims stand up and make sure no compromise has been made to post those sky-high refresh rate claims.

Refresh rate, resolution, black levels, panel size: pick two. That"s been the PC monitor buyer"s dilemma for several years now, since we collectively realised that yes, playing at a higher refresh rate does actually make you better at Counter-Strike. MSI"s latest panel, bearing the catchy moniker Oculux NXG253R, aims to at least address the most common tradeoff in modern gaming panels: refresh rate for colour quality.

Whereas the majority of high refresh rate panels are VA or TN screens with limited viewing angle and shallow colours, MSI"s latest is built around an IPS panel, with all the inky blacks and rich colours that technology brings with it. Traditionally IPS has been slower to the party since it"s costlier to manufacture high refresh rate panels, but evidently enough of us are sold on 120Hz and beyond.360Hz does look and feel smoother than 120Hz.

At enthusiast level, there"s still just a sense of pure enjoyment in watching Overwatch or Quake Champions zip along. Anecdotally, I found D.Va"s out-of-suit pistol combat that bit easier with frames and refresh rate way up at 300 (the game"s capped there) since my targets were always where my screen told me they were. In similarly frenetic Quake Champions matches, I pulled off Ranger"s tricky teleport kill with a bit more ease, too.

But something to bear in mind: you still need the GPU to get your frame rate up there in the hundreds in order to feel the benefit of that 360Hz refresh.

This being an IPS panel with typically darker blacks, it definitely looks more vivid in-game than even a good TN screen, and the colours hold up at any viewing angle. You"ve got a few preset brightness and color balance modes to cycle between on the OSD, arranged by genre. FPS is super-bright and saturated, racing is a bit more subdued by contrast. Out of the box, the default colour and brightness settings are easy on the eye and really sell the IPS benefit.

This monitor isn’t perfect. But it is dramatically better than any LCD-based monitor by several gaming-critical metrics. And it’s a genuine thrill to use. Of course, that’s getting ahead of ourselves. First, we need to cover off the basics.

What makes the AW3423DW far superior to your typical LCD panel on a PC gaming monitor is the near-percent color saturation and screen brightness capable of hitting a peak brightness of 1000 nits. It"s done all this while providing a ridiculously fast 175Hz refresh rate and a response time of .1ms. It might just be the best 3440 x 1440p gaming monitor we"ve ever used, and, boy, do we look at a lot of ultrawide.

Common to all OLED tech are two critical advantages over any LCD panel, namely contrast and response. Put simply, every pixel in an OLED panel is its own light source, which can be turned completely off, essentially delivering ‘true’ black levels and more or less infinite contrast. There’s no need for any of that complicated, problematic local dimming to stop the light from leaking through an LCD panel. OLED is the real HDR deal.

Unlike LCD monitors with claimed HDR capability, this OLED screen needs to be in HDR mode to do its thing. And that applies to SDR content, too. Alienware has provided two HDR modes, HDR 400 True Black and HDR Peak 1000. The latter enables that maximum 1,000 nit performance in small areas of the panel but actually looks less vibrant and punchy most of the time.

Instead, it’s the HDR 400 True Black mode that generally gives the best results. That includes SDR content. For SDR content to look its best, you have to jump into the Windows Display Settings menu and crank the SDR brightness up, after which it’s much zingier all around. That’s actually handy because it means that once you have the AW3423DW set up properly, you’re all done. There’s no need to switch modes for SDR and HDR content.

Why, exactly, does the AOC Agon AG273QXP run at 170Hz refresh? Is it a cynical marketing move designed to give AOC’s latest gaming panel a superficial edge over the usual 165Hz suspects? Is there some specific technical reason for the extra 5Hz?

It’s a pity to be distracted by such trivia because the AOC Agon AG273QXP has loads going for it. That 170Hz panel is a 1440p IPS item, making it a goldilocks model for modern gaming. Not too many pixels. Not too few. But just the right balance between visual detail and frame rate.

You can add extras like adaptive sync support in the form of AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync Compatibility, plus VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification. Rounding it all out is a claimed response time of 1ms.

Cyberpunk 2077 looks glorious, that’s for sure. The Agon sports a pretty decent HDR implementation, too. At least it does for an HDR 400 panel that lacks local dimming. Like any other HDR 400 screen, it’s not a true HDR experience. But this is still a great high refresh rate monitor.

1080p not your bag? Better jog on as the Acer Predator XB253QGX won’t be for you. It isn’t really for most of us, either, given 1440p is a better all-around compromise for most gamers from a purely visual point. But if ultra-low latency and frames rates high enough to give you a nosebleed sounds like your thing, this 1080p 25-incher should be on your shortlist.

It’s very similar to the Alienware 25 but clocks in at a mere 240Hz to the Alienware’s outrageous 360Hz. In truth, only the most demanding esports addicts will be able to tell the difference. But if you are that sensitive to latency, the Acer’s 1080p resolution actually makes sense. After all, the fewer the pixels, the higher your frame rate.

As it happens, this Acer is slightly more vibrant than the ostensibly identical Lenovo Legion Y25-25, even if it isn’t as punchy as the much pricier Alienware. As with many screens of this type, you can fine-tune pixel response through an overdrive setting. Predictably, the most aggressive setting introduces some ghosting. But set to medium, this is a very quick IPS monitor. That said, even with a claimed MPRT response time of just 0.5ms, this is not an entirely blur-free monitor. That’s LCD technology for you.

There’s an elephant in this high refresh rate monitor round-up. And it’s the inevitable question of diminishing returns. When, exactly, do they kick in? 165Hz? 240Hz? How about 360Hz? Oh yes, this updated Alienware 25 is good for the full 360. In purely experiential and subjective terms, it’s not easy to separate it from otherwise similar 1080p IPS monitors that hum along at a comparatively pedestrian 240Hz refresh. They all feel swift.

Of course, esports aficionados with ninjascopic reflexes will appreciate the difference. And there’s certainly no penalty to pay, given this IPS panel. It’s not like you’re forced to suffer a dingy TN panel to have all those Hz. As for pixel response, it’s about as good as IPS monitors get, though once again hard to really separate from the cheaper 240Hz brigade.

But it’s actually Alienware’s other qualities that set it apart. For starters, this is the brightest and punchiest of the 25-inch bunch. The integrated Nvidia G-Sync chip also makes for a noticeably smoother low-frame-rate experience than a mere G-Sync ‘Compatible’ or FreeSync display. Ironic, given the 360Hz refresh is the main attraction.

That works out at over a billion per second at 144Hz, which just so happens to be the refresh rate of the Acer Predator XB273K, Acer’s more affordable 4K gaming panel. Compared to the pricier Acer Predator X27, it lacks local dimming, delivers lower peak brightness, and is merely G-Sync ‘Compatible’. So, there’s no Nvidia G-Sync module onboard.

None of which is to say this screen lacks appeal. No, siree. Once you’ve seen Cyberpunk 2077 running in full IPS-plus-4K glory, you won’t want to go back to 1440p, let alone crummy old 1080p. The problem is the philosophical incompatibility between maximizing image quality and frame rates at the same time. You can’t really have both. Not even with, say, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080(opens in new tab).

In other words, while this monitor is capable of 144Hz, you’re not going to get near those kinds of frame rates in the prettiest games. And if you’re not bothered about prettiness, you probably don’t need 4K if you follow. It’s a very nice screen, this Acer Predator XB273K, and better value than its Acer Predator X27 sibling, but it still doesn’t make much sense for this kind of money.

Unfortunately, the Viewsonic VX2718-2KPC-MHD is a VA screen slightly out of the old school, despite delivering a 165Hz refresh. Crank this 27-inch, 1440p curved monitor over for the first time, and it doesn’t bode well. In fact, the VX2718-2KPC-MHD is a bit of a blurry mess. It does improve with a little time and temperature. But even fully warmed up, it’s simply not as quick as the latest IPS panels. Or, for that matter, the implied performance of the 1ms MPRT response specification.

Incidentally, the VX2718-2KPC-MHD ‘1ms’ mode does little to improve response, but it does crush brightness and vibrancy pretty effectively. While we’re beating on Viewsonic’s latest, we note it lacks a refresh rate counter. It’s a small detail, but it’s also a handy feature to ensure that you’re running at the right refresh rate and confirm that adaptive sync is enabled.

This isn’t to imply this screen has nothing to offer. The 1440p native resolution on a 27-inch panel is a sweet combo for balancing frame rates with in-game detail, while the VA panel tech delivers plenty of contrast. Of course, as 1440p 165Hz monitors go, it’s competitively priced, but the mediocre response and lack of punch might feel a bit too budget for most.

The Lenovo also has pretty sweet build quality with a lush alloy stand, full adjustability including height, tilt, rotate and swivel, plus styling that little bit slicker and more grown-up than your average, rather adolescent, gaming peripheral. The integrated, rather than external, power supply likewise soothes our collective OCD, and G-Sync compatibility is welcome if expected in this class of screen.

High refresh rate gaming monitor FAQWhat"s the best PC monitor panel type for gaming?If in doubt, go IPS. There are now VA screens with good response speed, like the fabulous MSI MPG ARTYMIS 343CQR. But IPS more consistently delivers the goods and is now sufficiently fast in terms of refresh rate that you absolutely needn"t settle for TN anymore.What refresh rate do you really need for PC gaming?If you"re asking the question, 144Hz is probably plenty. Esports fiends who will really appreciate higher refresh rates already know who they are and what they want. And that answer is likely getting on for 240Hz these days.What"s the best resolution for a gaming monitor?With the latest unobtainable graphics cards, 4K gaming at high triple-digit refresh rates is a stretch in the most demanding games. So, 1440p (at either 16:9 or 21:9 aspect ratio) is probably the better compromise. 1080p is only of interest to those who demand the very highest frame rates for competitive shooters.Should I buy a curved gaming monitor?For our money, curved panels make the most sense in larger formats and with super-wide 21:9 or wider panels. A curved panel on, say, a smaller 27-inch 16:9 panel isn"t necessarily a bad thing. But, nor does it really add much to the experience.Does HDR matter for PC gaming monitors?The problem with HDR in this context is that few LCD monitors offer a true HDR experience. What"s more, monitors with HDR-boosting local dimming remain painfully pricey and for what is really only marginal benefit. That said, HDR certification usually ensures high brightness, and HDR 600 and beyond requires wide color support.G-Sync or FreeSync: which adaptive screen tech is best?We think screens with Nvidia"s G-Sync module built-in have the edge when it comes to smooth performance at lower frame rates. At higher frame rates, mere G-Sync compatibility is fine, and AMD"s FreeSync is likewise much of a muchness.Round up of today"s best deals

High-end smartphones increasingly boast blazing-fast 90Hz, 120Hz, and even faster refresh rate displays. This sounds great on paper and it’s yet another way that smartphones attempt to differentiate themsel