Is a 144Hz Monitor good for Gaming? Explained [2024]

A computer monitor is an output device that showcases information in the form of pictures or text. A monitor typically includes a visual display, some circuitry, a housing, and a power supply. The monitor is also similar to a TV but usually displays information at a higher resolution. With the best monitor, you would be able to enjoy all types of games at any high frame rate. It will offer incredibly smooth visuals and quick responses. If you’re a competitive gamer, you need the best monitor since you’re directly working with visuals and scenes in the games. 

While some may overlook the importance of the monitor, it is one of the most critical factors in determining gaming and media performance. Even if you have a top-of-the-line gaming PC, it doesn’t make any sense if you don’t have a solid monitor to project it properly. Well, we’re always hearing people talking about those fancy 144Hz monitors, but you’re not sure what they mean, or is a 144Hz monitor good for gaming? Check out this article, where we have explained all the pros and cons of these displays in detail, plus discussed several other factors.

Is a 144Hz monitor good for Gaming?

Yes, the 144Hz monitors are perfect for fast-paced, competitive games that benefit from fast response times. The higher the frames per second, the smoother and faster the user will see the visuals. If you’re a serious gamer and have a fairly high-quality GPU, you must consider the 144Hz minimum requirement for competitive gaming. In addition, not all the monitors support such an excellent refresh rate. However, a 144Hz monitor will solve this issue by allowing you to run games at 144 frames per second. Let’s explore more about the 144Hz monitor to better understand the query!

What are the benefits of 144Hz monitors?

Quick response, smother graphics

When talking about the benefits of a monitor with a higher refresh rate, we’re mainly thinking about the benefits of higher frame rates rather than lower frame rates. The more frames per second displayed, the smoother and more responsive the gaming experience will be. Plus, it means less motion blur, which is great news for those prone to motion sickness. But more importantly, competitive gamers love such high refresh rates because they provide a competitive advantage. That said, more frames mean more data displayed per second.

High refresh rate

With a 144Hz monitor, you can get any high frame rate (up to 144Hz, of course) as long as your GPU is capable. It offers incredibly smooth visuals and quick responses. It also eliminates the motion blur and weird blur effects common with 60Hz monitors. These monitors are almost always equipped with additional technologies like G-sync or AMD FreeSync for optimal game input performance. If you’re a competitive gamer, you’ll have a significant advantage here, as your input is instantly reflected on the screen.

What are the downsides of 144Hz monitors?

Need a powerful GPU

Another problem with 144Hz monitors is the frame rate usage. While it can support high frames per second, it depends on your GPU. The world’s most expensive 144Hz monitor won’t let you get very high frame rates if your GPU is weak. This means that if you’re going to get a 144Hz monitor, you already have to shell out a lot of cash for a high-performance GPU. Even if you have a great GPU, you must make some compromises to get these crazy high frame rates, like turning your settings down a bit to move at that speed.

High price

Price is the first disadvantage. While you can find affordable 144Hz monitors, they are significantly lower quality than more expensive models. The reason is TN panels since these lower-quality panels have several drawbacks and are less colorful. This means that if you’re expecting a colorful experience, you won’t be satisfied, as the colors on these monitors can be very pale and washed out. While there are also IPS 144Hz monitors that offer better visuals, those cost substantially more.

What users will benefit most from 144Hz?

If you use a computer to watch the video, then 144Hz will make a massive difference for you as it reduces any screen flicker and increases the actual frame rate. That means they load 144 images per second, more than double that of traditional monitors. This higher refresh rate means images look smoother, especially moving images. The result will be the “soap opera” effect common on most modern TVs, although many people don’t like it and choose to keep the original frame rate.

On the other hand, gamers can also utilize these monitors’ actual value. Gamers can handle higher frame rates and play at the highest settings as long as their GPU supports it. In addition, the monitor also has a built-in game mode, which can provide the ideal performance and visual effects for different scenarios. In short, if you’re the type of gamer who idealizes fast frame rates and smoothness over pure graphics aesthetics, then a 144Hz monitor is for you.

Do we choose the 144Hz monitor?

The biggest monitor decisions these days revolve around whether you want 4K or 144Hz. Of course, there are 4K and 144Hz monitors, but they cost a lot and aren’t a logical choice for most consumers. The users are mainly divided into three categories:

• Case 1: If you’re not a competitive game type and prefer an RPG with a massive, sprawling story and landscape to explore, a 4K model with a shorter input response time (4ms is common) but better visuals might be your best bet.
• Case 2: However, for those who are really willing to shell out and want to invest, there are 4K and 144Hz refresh rate monitors to choose from, and when you choose one of these, all compromises disappear, and you’ve reached the perfect gaming experience.
• Case 3: If you’re a competitive gamer, you usually don’t care too much about the color brightness and details in 4K resolution. Regardless, you’d rather turn down your settings so that your lightning-fast input responses and on-screen actions give you a competitive edge.

Conclusion

All in all, as long as your CPU/GPU and monitor’s response time can keep up with the monitor’s refresh rate, a monitor with a refresh rate of 144Hz or higher can significantly improve your gaming experience in competitive games. If you need to upgrade your monitor because you’re tired of ghosting effects, motion blur, and input lag on screen, a 144Hz monitor is your best friend. This higher refresh rate means images look smoother, especially moving images. Especially if you’re into competitive eSports games.

Now, back to the main question, is a 144Hz monitor excellent for gaming, and do they offer good value? The answer will be highly subjective with all of the above in mind. Basically, it comes down to what you prefer: visual quality or performance. Of course, if you’re bent on both, you can spend upwards of a lot of money on an IPS 144Hz monitor, but not everyone will invest that much. As for us, we have chosen the only 144Hz monitor for those who primarily play multiplayer games and want every possible advantage.