Understanding Refresh Rates: What Do 144Hz and 240Hz Mean?

The refresh rate of a monitor, measured in Hertz (Hz), indicates the number of times the display updates its image per second.

• A 144Hz monitor refreshes the screen 144 times per second, resulting in frame updates approximately every 6.94 milliseconds.
• A 240Hz monitor refreshes 240 times per second, updating frames every 4.17 milliseconds.

A higher refresh rate leads to smoother motion and less visible blur during fast-paced gaming sequences. The difference between 144Hz and 240Hz monitors means that the 240Hz model reduces frame time by about 2.77 milliseconds per update, making it ideal for competitive, reaction-based gameplay where milliseconds count.​

Gaming Needs and Performance Impacts

Smoothness and Visual Clarity

• 144Hz monitors deliver a very smooth experience compared to standard 60Hz displays. The motion clarity is good, and ghosting is moderate.
• 240Hz monitors significantly reduce ghosting (up to 90% reduction with a fast response 1ms panel) and improve motion tracking, resulting in clearer and more fluid visuals during rapid movements. This allows gamers to track targets and react faster.

The improvement from 60Hz to 144Hz is very noticeable, while the jump from 144Hz to 240Hz, though less dramatic, still provides a perceptible advantage, especially in esports and fast-paced shooters.​

Input Lag and Responsiveness

• Input lag tends to be lower on 240Hz monitors due to the faster frame updates.
• Pro gamers reportedly track targets and respond 18–25% faster with 240Hz compared to 144Hz monitors.

For gamers focused on precision and speed, such as in competitive first-person shooters and fast multiplayer games, the reduced input lag and smoother frame delivery of 240Hz monitors provide a strategic edge.​

System Requirements and Cost Considerations

Achieving the full benefit of either refresh rate depends on the system's ability to render frames at or near the monitor's refresh rate:

• 144Hz monitors have moderate system requirements and are compatible with mid-range GPUs, making them more accessible for budget-conscious gamers.
• 240Hz monitors demand more from the GPU to maintain high frame rates (around 240 FPS). Thus, a high-end graphics card like Nvidia RTX 4080 or RTX 4070 Ti is often needed to fully utilize these monitors.

The cost difference between 144Hz and 240Hz monitors has narrowed over the years. However, 240Hz models still tend to be more expensive and may sacrifice some features or image quality to maintain the ultra-high refresh rate. Gamers must weigh the expense against the performance benefits relevant to their gaming style.​

Which Refresh Rate is Best for Your Gaming?

Casual to Moderate Gamers: A 144Hz monitor is excellent for smooth visuals and responsive gameplay without requiring the highest-end PC components. It strikes a balance between cost and performance.

Competitive and Esports Gamers: 240Hz monitors provide subtle but important improvements in smoothness, reduced motion blur, and faster responses. These benefits become more noticeable in fast-paced, competitive gaming scenarios.

Future-proofing: If you have or plan to invest in a robust gaming rig and want to maximize every performance advantage, a 240Hz monitor offers more longevity and cutting-edge experience.

Additional Features to Consider

• Panel type (IPS, VA, OLED) affects color accuracy and viewing angles.
• Adaptive sync technologies like NVIDIA G-SYNC or AMD FreeSync reduce screen tearing.
• Response times (1ms or lower) further improve gaming clarity at both refresh rates.
• Other ergonomic features (adjustable stands, blue light filters) enhance comfort during long sessions.

Summary

Both 144Hz and 240Hz gaming monitors in 2025 offer high refresh rates that significantly enhance smoothness and responsiveness over standard displays. 144Hz monitors are suitable for most gamers, providing excellent value and performance with moderate hardware needs. However, for serious competitive gamers seeking the fastest responses and clearest motion, 240Hz monitors reduce input lag and motion blur further, giving a slight edge crucial in esports scenarios. Choosing between them depends on your gaming style, system power, and budget.