Posted by Imagine you’re watching a movie on your TV. The movie is playing at 24 frames per second (FPS), which means that a new frame is displayed on the screen 24 times every second. If your TV has a refresh rate of 60 Hz, then it’s refreshing the screen 60 times per second. This means that each frame is displayed on the screen for 2.5 milliseconds (ms).
Now, imagine that you’re playing a video game on your monitor. The video game is running at 60 FPS, which means that a new frame is being generated by the computer 60 times per second. If your monitor has a refresh rate of 60 Hz, then it’s refreshing the screen 60 times per second. This means that each frame is displayed on the screen for 2.5 ms.
So far, everything is matching up. The video game is running at 60 FPS and the monitor is refreshing at 60 Hz, so each frame is displayed on the screen for 2.5 ms. This results in a smooth and fluid gaming experience.
But what if the video game is running at 120 FPS? If the monitor is still refreshing at 60 Hz, then each frame will be displayed on the screen for 5 ms. This is because the monitor can’t refresh fast enough to keep up with the video game.
This can result in a less smooth and fluid gaming experience. It can also lead to tearing, which is a visual artifact that occurs when the monitor is displaying multiple frames at the same time.
To avoid tearing and to get the smoothest and most fluid gaming experience possible, you need to make sure that your monitor has a refresh rate that is equal to or greater than the frame rate of the video game you’re playing.
So, to answer your question, a 120 Hz refresh rate in FPS means that the monitor can refresh the screen 120 times per second. This allows the monitor to display 120 frames per second without any tearing.
Refresh rate test
If you’re not sure what the refresh rate of your monitor is, there are a few ways to test it. One way is to use the settings menu on your monitor. Another way is to use a refresh rate test website.
To test your refresh rate using a website, simply open a web browser and go to a website like subgadgets. Once the website is loaded, you’ll see a UFO moving across the screen. The website will also display the refresh rate of your monitor.
If you’re not sure how to interpret the results of the refresh rate test, here’s a quick guide:
60 Hz: This is the standard refresh rate for most monitors. It’s good enough for most tasks, but it’s not ideal for gaming.
120 Hz: This is a good refresh rate for gaming. It will give you a smoother and more fluid gaming experience.
144 Hz: This is a good refresh rate for competitive gaming. It will give you a slight edge over your opponents by allowing you to see things a little bit faster.
240 Hz: This is a very high refresh rate that’s typically only used by professional gamers. It’s not necessary for most people, but it can give you a very competitive edge if you’re playing at a high level.
Benefits of a 120 Hz refresh rate
A 120 Hz refresh rate offers a number of benefits, including:
Smoother and more fluid gaming experience: A 120 Hz refresh rate can reduce motion blur and tearing, resulting in a smoother and more fluid gaming experience.
Improved responsiveness: A 120 Hz refresh rate can also improve your responsiveness in games. This is because you’ll be able to see the latest frames of the game more quickly.
Reduced eye strain: A 120 Hz refresh rate can help to reduce eye strain, especially when gaming for long periods of time.
Is a 120 Hz refresh rate worth it?
Whether or not a 120 Hz refresh rate is worth it for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you’re a gamer, then a 120 Hz refresh rate can offer a number of benefits, including a smoother and more fluid gaming experience, improved responsiveness, and reduced eye strain.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a 120 Hz refresh rate is a good refresh rate for gaming and other tasks where a smooth and fluid image is important. It’s not necessary for everyone, but it can offer a noticeable improvement over a 60 Hz refresh rate.
If you’re a gamer, then a 120 Hz refresh rate is a good investment. It will give you a smoother and more fluid gaming experience, which can lead to improved performance and reduced eye strain.