144Hz vs. 240Hz – Which Should I Choose?


Many players were never quite impressed with the standard 60Hz, even with a fancy 2K or 4K resolution. Although some care about the visuals, the standard refresh rate doesn’t give you many advantages when it comes to performance. 

The question here is whether you should buy a 144Hzs or 240Hz gaming monitor, and to decide this, we’ll have to dig a little deep, so stick around. 

Short Answer:

Both types of panels are great for gaming. If performance is your main priority, a 240Hz will give you all the privileges you’re looking for. However, if you care mainly about the visuals, a 144Hz panel would be a sound choice. 

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What is the Refresh Rate

What is the Refresh Rate 144Hz vs. 240Hz

The refresh rate refers to the number or “rate” that the screen updates or “refreshes” the displayed images. Of course, it’s clear that this is the maximum number of frames you’ll get in a second (FPS). 

So, here’s the part that confuses many gamers, what about the graphics card? Whatever the number of frames your graphics card supports, the monitor will only show the maximum number it can handle. 

check out our list of the best monitor for x box one x .

Can Your Graphics Card Handle It

The first thing you need to figure out is whether your current GPU system can handle such high rates. It’d be such a waste of money if you bought a 144Hz, let alone 240Hz monitor only to find out your device can’t handle it. In fact, it can turn into a hindrance in such cases. 

Because the graphic requirements vary from one game to the other, it’s better to run a Benchmark Test while playing your favorite games and check the performance of the GPU. 

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Performance vs. Visuals 

Performance vs. Visuals 144Hz vs. 240Hz

As mentioned earlier, there’s more to the refresh rates than just an enhanced performance. Your choice can have a great impact on the image quality that you end up with, something that some gamers think of as a deal-breaker. 

You may already know that there are 3 LCD technologies that are used to build monitors. 

The first one is the TN, which is the most affordable and the most commonly used by gamers. 

TN monitors are the only ones that can support both 144Hz and 240Hz refresh rates. The only issue is that the visuals are the poorest with such panels. Get ready for a faded-out image with shifting colors and terrible viewing angles. 

The other 2 technologies are the VA and IPS. These are only compatible with 144Hz, so let us do the math for you. 

If you’re looking for the best color stability and viewing angles, you should settle for IPS monitors. Unlike VA, IPS can offer you great images and lower response times when compared to the former. 

In addition, settling for a 144Hz, IPS, would be your sweet spot. You won’t get the best performance out there, but it’ll still be better than the standard 60Hz monitor. Not to mention, you’ll end up with great image quality. 

On the other hand, settling for the 240Hz will guarantee excellent performance, but poor image quality.

Are you still confused, check what we have next. 

Check out our list of the best 1440p 144Hz gaming monitors.

Can You Feel the Difference

One thing that you might have heard from some gamers is that there’s no difference between 144Hz and 240Hz panels. Well, that’s not true in numbers, but there’s another side to the story. 

240Hz is such a high refresh rate for your eyes to catch. Most of us won’t be able to tell the difference between the performance of such monitors and their 144Hz counterparts. 

This is not true when comparing 60Hz monitors to 144Hz ones. So, if you don’t really see the difference between the two panels, why compromise for a poor image and still pay extra money. That doesn’t sound right by any means. 

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Final Verdict 

The value of the monitor depends on your requirements. A 240Hz panel might be totally worth it for you, but not as necessary for another gamer, and vice versa. 

If you can see the difference and you’re willing to pay whatever it takes to get the best performance, then, by all means, go for a 240Hz panel. 

On the other hand, a 144Hz monitor is a great choice that will deliver high performance without compromising on image quality. Besides, it’s more affordable than its 240Hz counterpart. 

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