144Hz vs 60Hz: Does Refresh Rate Matter for Gaming?

In 144Hz vs 60Hz, the 144Hz screen redraws the picture 144 times a second and the 60Hz screen does it 60 times, so motion looks smoother and updates arrive sooner. It matters most in fast games like shooters and racing, and only when your PC or console can actually produce enough frames to fill the screen.

In short

Refresh rate (in hertz) is how often the screen redraws; frame rate (FPS) is how often the game makes new pictures.
A 144Hz screen shows a new image about every 7 milliseconds; a 60Hz screen takes about 17.
You only benefit if your game runs at a frame rate well above 60.
The gain is clearest in fast shooters and racing, and small in slow or turn-based games.
Check that the refresh rate is actually switched on in your display settings.

Many gamers buy or book a 144Hz screen and never check whether it is running at 144. This post is for anyone choosing a monitor, a PC session or a game mode, and wondering whether the number on the box is worth it. You will learn what refresh rate means, how it differs from FPS, what the numbers look like in real motion, which games benefit, and the mistakes that leave a fast monitor running slowly. Game and hardware details change, so we avoid specific product claims.

What is refresh rate, and how is it different from FPS?

Refresh rate is how many times per second a screen redraws its picture, measured in hertz (Hz), and FPS is how many pictures per second the game creates. They are two different numbers that work together. The refresh rate belongs to the display. FPS (frames per second) belongs to the game and your hardware.

Think of a flipbook. FPS is how many drawings the artist produces each second. Refresh rate is how fast you flip the pages. If you flip 144 pages a second but the artist made only 60 drawings, you see each drawing more than once, and nothing looks smoother. If the artist makes 144 drawings and you flip at 60, you waste the extra drawings.

So the real question in 144Hz vs 60Hz is whether the game can make enough frames to use the faster screen.

144Hz vs 60Hz at a glance

This table compares the two on the points a gamer notices. The figures for time between refreshes are simple arithmetic: 1,000 milliseconds divided by the rate.

Point	60Hz	144Hz
Redraws per second	60	144
Time between redraws	about 16.7 ms	about 6.9 ms
Motion in fast games	Visible stepping on quick turns	Noticeably smoother
Needs from the game	60 FPS to match	144 FPS or close to use it fully
Good for	Slow games, films, office work	Shooters, racing, fighting games

A millisecond (ms) is one thousandth of a second. The gap between redraws shrinks by roughly 10 ms, which means your action can appear on screen a little sooner on average. That is a small number, but in fast games, small amounts add up.

What does the difference look like in motion?

The difference shows up as how far things jump between redraws. Imagine an object crossing a 1,920-pixel-wide screen in one second, such as a quick turn in a shooter.

At 60Hz it moves 32 pixels between redraws (1,920 divided by 60).
At 144Hz it moves about 13 pixels between redraws (1,920 divided by 144).

Smaller jumps make motion easier to follow, so you can track a moving target with your eyes more easily and your aim has fresher information. That is a worked example, not a measured test, but it shows why fast turns look smoother.

You will notice it most when you turn quickly or follow moving targets. If you mostly stand still and aim, you notice less. Our Valorant tips for beginners cover habits that matter at any refresh rate.

Is 144Hz worth it for gaming?

144Hz is worth it when you play fast, competitive games and your hardware can run them at high frame rates. It is not worth much in slow games or when your PC reaches only 50 or 60 FPS.

Choose 144Hz if:

You play shooters like Valorant or Counter-Strike 2, fighting games or racing games.
Your hardware reaches well above 60 FPS in your games.
You want smoother camera movement when turning fast.

Stay with 60Hz if:

You mostly play slow, turn-based or story games.
Your PC cannot go above 60 FPS in your favourite game.
You watch films or use the screen for office work, which do not need more.

On consoles, some PlayStation 5 (PS5) games offer a high frame rate mode, and it needs a display that supports it. Check the game's own settings and your display's specifications before you assume it is running.

What are the common refresh rate mistakes?

The most common mistake is owning a 144Hz monitor that is still set to 60Hz. Windows can stay on a lower rate until you change it.

Not changing the setting. In Windows, open Display settings, then Advanced display, and choose the highest refresh rate listed.
Using the wrong cable or port. Some older cables and ports cannot carry the higher rate, so the option may not appear.
Expecting FPS to rise on its own. The monitor does not make the game faster. Lower graphics settings or resolution if your FPS is low.
Capping the game at 60 FPS. A frame limit set at 60 wastes the monitor.
Blaming refresh rate for lag. If your shots feel late online, the cause may be your connection, which ping, lag and latency explains.
Ignoring tearing. When frames arrive mid-redraw, you can see a split in the picture. Adaptive sync features on some monitors reduce this. Check your monitor's manual.

Does refresh rate change how well you play?

A higher refresh rate gives you smoother information, which can help, but it does not replace practice. Smoother motion can make it easier to track a moving target, and the shorter wait for each new image can make controls feel more responsive. Latency is the delay between an input and its result on screen, and refresh rate is only one part of it, alongside the mouse, the game, the PC and the network.

Players who improve fastest usually fix habits first, such as crosshair height and stopping before they shoot. They also learn their sensitivity, which our guide on mouse DPI and eDPI explains. Your keyboard matters less than you think too, as our post on mechanical keyboard switches shows. A faster screen is a helpful tool, not a shortcut.

For comfort, general information only and not medical advice: any screen can tire your eyes over a long session. The American Academy of Ophthalmology's advice on computer use includes the 20-20-20 rule, which suggests looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Parents can read our parents' guide to gaming lounge screen time.

How this works at Playsole

Playsole Gaming Lounge has gaming PCs, PlayStation 5 (PS5) consoles and racing-simulator rigs across its two outlets, Playsole Kharghar in Navi Mumbai and Playsole Vile Parle in Mumbai, and the equipment differs by outlet, so check the booking page for the one you plan to visit. Most PC and sim stations seat one player, and PS5 stations can seat up to four.

We do not list monitor models or refresh rates here, because equipment varies by outlet and we only state what we can confirm. If a screen's refresh rate matters to you, check the details shown for each station on the booking page or ask the lounge. The page shows live availability and the per-person price for each station, with a "By game" filter and a choice of start time and session length. You sign in with your email to book, and you receive a confirmation code to show at the counter.

FAQ

Is 144Hz noticeably better than 60Hz?

Most people notice the difference when they move the mouse quickly or turn fast in a game, because motion looks smoother. It is harder to see on a static desktop or in slow games. To benefit, your game must run at a frame rate well above 60, otherwise the screen has nothing extra to show.

Do I need a powerful PC for 144Hz?

You need a PC that can run your game at a high frame rate, which depends on the game, resolution and graphics settings. Older or lighter games, such as many competitive shooters, can reach high frame rates on modest hardware. Check your game's FPS counter to see what you actually get.

Can the human eye see the difference between 60Hz and 144Hz?

Yes, many people can see the difference in motion, especially in fast scenes, although how obvious it is varies from person to person. Side by side with a fast game, most players see smoother turns on 144Hz. In everyday use, such as browsing, the difference is smaller.

Does a higher refresh rate reduce input lag?

It can reduce one part of it, because the screen updates more often and so shows your action sooner. The gap between redraws falls by roughly 10 milliseconds going from 60Hz to 144Hz. Other parts of the chain, including the mouse, the game and the network, also affect the delay you feel.

How do I check my refresh rate on Windows?

Open Settings, go to System, then Display, then Advanced display, and look for the refresh rate. If your monitor supports a higher value, choose it from the drop-down list. If the higher option is missing, check the cable and port, and install your graphics driver.

Is a 60 FPS game smoother on a 144Hz screen?

Not by much. A 60 FPS game on a 144Hz screen still has only 60 unique pictures a second, so motion looks about the same, though some screens with adaptive sync handle the timing better. The real gain comes when the game itself runs above 60 FPS.

Next step

Before you decide on 144Hz vs 60Hz, find out what your games actually run at: switch on the FPS counter, play a few rounds and note the number. If it stays well above 60, a faster screen is worth using. To compare on real equipment, check availability and station details on the booking page. If you like testing your skills, the Arena shows how play time ranks, and our article on whether sim racing can make you a better driver shows another place smooth motion matters.