If you're a gamer or have explored computer, laptop, or TV specifications, you're likely familiar with the term "refresh rate" - typically 144Hz or lower/higher. But have you ever wondered about its significance and whether it impacts the screen? If your answer is 'No,' Don't worry; we'll walk you through every detail in this article.
Although some individuals may underestimate the significance of a 144Hz monitor, it plays a crucial role in your games and media performance. Even with a high-end gaming PC, the experience can only be protected with a reliable monitor to display your games or media.
Fortunately, Rehisk offers a top-of-the-line portable monitor with an ultra-high definition 144Hz refresh rate to meet all your gaming needs. But before we review the features and functionality of this monitor, it's essential to understand the pros and cons of a 144Hz monitor.
In this article, we'll break down every complex detail by comparing 60Hz and 144Hz monitors and discussing their benefits and use cases.
Understanding Refresh Rate: From 60Hz to 144Hz and Beyond
What is Refresh Rate?
The refresh rate of a screen is measured in Hertz (Hz), which is the unit of frequency. It indicates how many pictures the screen can display in one second.
For example, a refresh rate of 60 Hz means the screen can show 60 pictures in one second, while a refresh rate of 144 Hz means it can display 144 images in one second, and so on.
A higher refresh rate results in more pictures per second, leading to a smoother picture display on the screen. This increased refresh rate is especially beneficial for gaming, as it delivers a smoother gameplay experience and higher video quality.
Comparing 60Hz vs 144Hz: Visual Differences and Benefits
In the past, it was believed that our eyes could only perceive up to 30Hz. This number was later increased to 60Hz, but now there is an ongoing debate about the upper limit. With the introduction of 144Hz screens, the significant difference between 60Hz and 144Hz displays became evident. Even transitioning from a 60Hz screen to a 120Hz screen shows noticeable improvements.
Compared to the standard 60Hz refresh rate found on most monitors and TVs, a 144Hz refresh rate offers significant visual enhancements, especially for gaming. The improved refresh rate allows frames to render more frequently, reducing motion blur and providing much smoother animation and transition between frames. Fast motion, like panning the in-game camera or fast-paced Action, will look crisper and more responsive.
Exploring Even Higher Refresh rates: 240Hz and 360Hz
As gaming monitors advance, even faster refresh rates have emerged for professional and competitive gamers. 240Hz monitors first reduced the delay between visual cues and input response times. More recently, 360Hz monitors were introduced to enhance further smoothness and hyper-responsive gameplay for games that can render high frame rates beyond 240fps. However, they come at a premium cost right now.
6 Benefits of Monitors with 144Hz Refresh Rate for Gamers
Here are six benefits of 144Hz gaming monitors for gamers:
A higher 144Hz refresh rate displays updates to the image on the screen more frequently than standard 60Hz monitors, leading to significantly smoother motion, faster transitions between frames, and reduced blurring while gaming. Immediate Action remains crisp and clear.
By refreshing imagery quicker, 144Hz monitors also decrease the slight delay between input signals and visual reactions on screen. This allows faster reaction times and improved competitive precision during intense gaming moments.
Higher refresh displays also allow GPU-generated frame rates to pace better with visual updates. This dramatically reduces stuttering, judder and ugly screen tearing during framerate fluctuations for more fluid animations.
The smoother and more fluid gameplay movement facilitated by 144Hz provides a heightened sense of immersion in expansive game worlds, helping you feel truly embedded in the thoughtful VR-like Action.
While achieving over 60fps gameplay now requires capable PC builds; next-gen GPU releases will increasingly push higher framerates well matched to 144Hz displays, keeping your investment relevant for years.
Seeing enemies and aiming quicker and crisper with reduced input lag grants a proven performance edge in the popular competitive shooter and MOBA titles relying on quick reflexes and precision.
So while 144Hz monitors require sufficiently powerful gaming rigs to unlock their full gaming strengths, they provide indispensable benefits like dramatically smoother perceived motion and lag reduction during action-oriented gaming compared to aging 60Hz displays of old.
When is 144Hz Not Necessary?
Casual gamers playing slow-paced games
If you mainly play slower-paced, more cinematic-style games that prioritize visual quality over fast response times, like RPGs, adventures, and single-player narratives, a 60Hz monitor will provide a great experience already. For those gaming styles, higher frame rates offer less practical difference compared to fast-paced competitive genres.
Limited budget constraints
Decent 1080p 144Hz gaming monitors start around $170-$200 nowadays. But you can easily spend way more for upgraded features or resolutions. If your budget is tight and you're seeking good value, a good 60Hz monitor (or even 75Hz+ overclockable model) may be the better buy. Only consider 144Hz if it fits comfortably in your spending limit.
Hardware Limitations: Can Your PC Handle 144fps Consistently?
To fully realize the benefits of higher refresh rates, your gaming rig needs to be powerful enough to render at frame rates consistently matching or exceeding your monitor's ceiling, like at least 144fps for 144Hz. If your hardware can only output 60-90fps, you won't see much difference and may just be wasting money only for potential future-proofing. Only upgrade if your configuration can pump out suitable frame rates.
Choosing the Right 144Hz Monitor for You
Panel type: TN, IPS, or VA, and their pros and cons
You'll find 144Hz gaming monitors spanning traditional TN panels to more premium modern VA and IPS, each with characteristic pros and cons. TN panels offer fast response times crucial for competitive gaming and are usually more affordable in the 144Hz category. IPS and VA panels offer better colors, viewing angles and contrast at an increased price.
Resolution: 1080p, 1440p, or 4K and their impact on performance
The most common resolutions for 144Hz gaming displays are 1920x1080 (1080p) and 2560x1440 (1440p) resolutions. As higher resolutions require more processing power to render extra pixels at high frame rates, an excellent 1080p 144Hz monitor is balanced for affordable performance. Only consider a 1440p or 4K 144Hz monitor if you have a potent system (and deep pockets).
Additional features: G-Sync/FreeSync, response time, HDR
Variable refresh rate technologies like Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync eliminate ugly visual tearing artifacts and keep frame pacing smooth. Additionally, look for response times under 5ms, and increased contrast and HDR for a more immersive, color-rich image. Just be prepared to pay more for these premium extras.
Rehisk RE-17.3FC - Portable Monitor with Ultra-High Definition 144Hz Refresh Rate
The Rehisk RE-17.3FC is a 17.3-inch portable monitor featuring a resolution of 1920 * 1080 for detailed display. With a refresh rate of 144Hz, users benefit from smoother visuals and reduced eye strain during prolonged usage.
The monitor utilizes an IPS panel with a viewing angle of 178°, ensuring consistent color accuracy from various perspectives. WLED backlighting technology provides a contrast ratio of 1000:1, enhancing the depth of dark and bright areas on the screen. The color gamut covers over 45% of the NTSC range, delivering true-to-life colors.
Connectivity options include a mini HDMI and USB-C port for compatibility with laptops, gaming consoles, and smartphones. Power is supplied via a DC 5V 3A adapter for efficient energy consumption.
Designed for portability, the monitor features a lightweight, sleek black design, ideal for users on the move. The Rehisk RE-17.3FC offers superior multimedia experiences without compromising on quality or performance.
Case Studies: Real-World Examples of 144Hz in Action
Competitive FPS player: How 144Hz improved their aiming and K/D ratio
Chris needed help to get better at Apex Legends and CS: GO, often losing out in close 50/50 gunfights. Upgrading to a 25-inch 1080p 240Hz monitor helped improve his flick shot accuracy and tracking ability substantially from the faster pixel response and refresh rate. Now winning much more 1-on-1s and contests, his K/D and ranks have shot up significantly in 6 months after the upgrade.
Open-world RPG enthusiast: Improving the immersive beauty of vast landscapes
Jenny cherishes playing sprawling open-world adventures on her aging 60Hz monitor, but always felt like objects far away or fast-moving scenery was blurry and diluted graphical splendor. After upgrading to a curved 32-inch 1440p 144Hz display, she's blown away by how smooth and crisp, expansive vistas and traversal now feel during her sightseeing adventures in games like Elden Ring and Red Dead Redemption 2. She feels fully immersed in exploring these lifelike worlds now.
Fast-paced racing game addict: Feeling the adrenaline rush with smooth, blur-free visuals
As a veteran sim racing fanatic, Tyler thought he had reached peak performance already topping online leaderboards. But toggling between 60Hz and 144Hz modes on his new monitor during frantic Formula 1 laps, he was astounded by how much crisper braking points and apex lines became. The faster refresh completely eliminated previous motion distortions that obscured vital visual cues at high speeds. Shaving precious tenths off his lap times, Tyler now chases the elusive perfect racing line more intuitively than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is 144Hz really worth the money?
A: Only if high frame rate gaming is essential to you or you play competitively. More casual gamers focused on visuals over responsiveness will be perfectly happy with 60Hz still. Figure out your needs and budget to determine if 144Hz fits as an appropriate upgrade, providing tangible benefits you will actually notice.
Q: What games benefit most from 144Hz?
A: Primarily fast, competitive genres like first-person shooters, fighting games, racing sims, sports games, RTS titles, and MOBAs require quick reactions where 144Hz advantages appear most noticeably. Slower paced story or world exploration-focused single-player games see fewer practical gains.
Q: Do I need a powerful PC to use 144Hz?
A: Yes, you'll want a mid-range to high-end system capable of reliably pumping out 100+ fps minimum to take meaningful advantage of refresh rates exceeding standard 60Hz monitors. Players on lower-end builds or laptops are better served still by more modest 60-75Hz displays until they upgrade their PC hardware.
Q: Can I see the difference between 60Hz and 144Hz?
A: Many can discern and appreciate the upgrade right away when directly comparing, but personal vision limitations may constrain your perceptible gains. Players already used to higher PC frame rates also may feel less awestruck by 144Hz over 60Hz as console gamers stepping up to buttery PC gaming smoothness for the first time. Manage your expectations accordingly.
Q: What other factors should I consider besides the refresh rate?
A: Panel technology, resolution, adaptive sync support, optimal response times, HDR quality, curvature, size and form factor relative to usage scenarios, viewing angles, adjustable stand features, and connectivity options will also impact the gaming experience. Know what tradeoffs may apply for models in your ideal price bracket too.
