120HZ vs 240HZ Refresh Rate: What Is The Difference?

Due to the rapid advancement of LCD technology, screen refresh rates with HD monitors have reached up to 240Hz in recent years as technology has advanced ever further. Given that their outputs differ, it is crucial to understand the differences between 120Hz and 240Hz.

The number of times the screen is refreshed in a single second is the only distinction between 120Hz and 240Hz. The majority of monitors operate at a standard refresh rate of 120Hz. Usually, only one mode is available, and no settings alter the refresh rate. New developments in LCD technology, including 240Hz, have been made in recent years.

In this article, we compare the refresh rates of 120Hz and 240Hz so you can decide which is preferable.

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Table Of Contents

Side by Side Comparison of 120 vs 240 Refresh Rate

We should first look at the side-by-side comparison chart to grasp the differences between each refresh rate before getting into the specifics of 120Hz vs. 240Hz. The ANSI standards are the foundation for the chart below.

120 Hz	240 Hz
Smooth motion with a possibility of motion Artifacts	Smoother motion with a higher likelihood of motion artifacts
3D Content	3D Content
Most are reasonably priced; for instance, a 40" LED TV costs between $350 to $700	Very expensive, for instance, a 40” LED TV cost between $500 to $1000
24fps and 30fps compatibility	24fps and 30fps compatibility

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What is the difference between 120Hz and 240Hz Refresh Rate?

Each pixel on a monitor with a 120 Hz refresh rate updates 120 times per second. When the refresh rate is accurate enough, 120Hz often offers fast response times, translating to an update of the screen image every 8.33ms. As a result, there are fewer situations where moving visuals might cause your eyes to be distracted. The images appear incredibly sharp on your screen. This is accomplished using a new liquid crystal technology incorporated into monitors.

With this, any 120 Hz monitor can display around 16.7 million colors, allowing people to enjoy them without blur or ghost images and seamless transitions.

Monitors running at 120Hz age slower than those running at lower rates. Due to their ability to maximize the performance of their graphics cards, 120Hz displays are preferred by the majority of PC gamers.

Each pixel on the screen updates 240 times per second on a 240 Hz display. Every 4ms, the visuals on a 240Hz monitor's screen change. This increases the number of colors displayed on a 240 Hz monitor to around 120 million. Some players claim they can see projectiles and other FPS game elements better at 240Hz than 120Hz.

More frames and faster refresh rates result in images that move more fluidly and smoothly, which makes it less painful for your eyes to follow what's on the screen.

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Things you need to know about 120Hz and 240Hz Refresh Rate

• While 240Hz is more current and provides definite advantages, 120Hz is older and less expensive.
• LCD monitors typically have a refresh rate of 120 Hz, but 240 Hz can only be attained by overclocking.
• The higher frame rate of 240Hz results in clearer picture quality.
• Moving visuals can be more clearly seen at 240Hz than 120Hz, especially in movies.
• Although 120Hz laptops are becoming more common for various purposes, 240Hz is primarily for PC use.
• The resolution difference between 60Hz and 120Hz monitors is marginal at this moment.
• 240Hz monitors provide faster response times in games with high frame rates.
• Since 240Hz offers less input lag, it is ideal for gaming and other fast-paced activities.
• At the same price range, 120Hz will provide better colors than 240Hz; however, the difference becomes insignificant for more costly models.

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What Are Some of the Requirements of the 120Hz Monitor?

An NVIDIA GTX 650 Ti or above graphics card is all needed for a device to support a 120Hz display. If you don't have this GPU, a GPU that performs almost as well will do. For 120Hz monitors, you need at least an i7 processor and either HDMI 2.0 or Displayport 1.2 connectors.

• DisplayPort or HDMI connectors that support at least 120Hz refresh rate. Most modern DP and HDMI ports meet this specification. Older HDMI ports may be limited to 60Hz.
• Sufficient display resolution and graphics power. Running at 120Hz requires more graphics horsepower, so you'll need a powerful GPU. For 1080p resolution, 120Hz is very achievable. At higher resolutions like 1440p or 4K, you may need to lower some graphics settings.
• Use a DisplayPort cable if your video source is a PC. HDMI cables typically only support 120Hz at 1080p resolution. For 1440p and higher at 120Hz, DisplayPort is usually required.
• Enable the higher refresh rate in Windows display settings if using a PC. Select at least 120Hz for the monitor.
• Enable any performance/refresh rate boosting options in games and applications. Games will likely run at 60Hz by default unless you change this.

The key things to watch for are the monitor's rated refresh rate, your PC's graphics card power, the video cables used, and changing the display settings in Windows and applications to take full advantage of the higher 120Hz refresh rate.

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What Are Some of the Requirements of the 240Hz Monitor?

A powerful PC system is needed to enable this functionality to run a 240Hz monitor. If you intend to use your computer for gaming, the processor must be at least an i7. Additionally, your PC must have display port 1.2 or HDMI 2.0 connections, as 240Hz monitors need these. Having a GPU at least GTX 980 or above would be best.

• To achieve 240Hz at 1080p resolution, the monitor needs either a DisplayPort 1.2 connection or an HDMI 2.0 connection. Older HDMI versions won't have enough bandwidth.
• For 240Hz at 1440p resolution, a DisplayPort 1.4 connection is required. HDMI 2.0 cannot support 240Hz beyond 1080p.
• Your graphics card needs to be powerful enough to run modern games at very high frame rates exceeding 200 fps consistently. For 240Hz, an NVIDIA RTX 3070 or AMD RX 6800 or above is recommended.
• Use a DisplayPort cable if connecting to a PC. HDMI cables generally can't support beyond 1080p at 240Hz.
• Enable 240Hz mode in Windows display settings and your games. This is often disabled by default.
• Consider using a CPU with high single-core speed, as this greatly impacts high fps gaming. Intel Core i5/i7 or Ryzen 5/7 chips are good options.

The key considerations are an extremely powerful PC built for high frame rate gaming, a native 240Hz monitor, and the proper DisplayPort cable connectivity. Game settings may need to be reduced in demanding titles to maintain 240+ fps.

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What are the things to consider before purchasing a 240Hz Monitor?

It's crucial to take the following factors into account when deciding whether or not to purchase a 240Hz monitor:

1. Will My Hardware Support the 240Hz Monitor?

You won't be able to fully take advantage of a 240Hz panel if your GPU is less potent than the GTX 980. As a result, you must consider whether it is better to save up and get a stronger GPU before upgrading your PC to take advantage of this feature. This is crucial if you are on a tight budget and need more money for improvements.

2. Which Kind of Monitor do I need?

To avoid upgrading your computer to enable this function, ensure your device has the required ports and is not an older model (older than 2010). If it is, this might indicate that the ports on your computer only have HDMI 1.3, which is incompatible with 240Hz monitors. If you need this port, it can be a problem.

2. Will 120Hz gaming be possible for me?

Spending money on a 240Hz display can be worthwhile if you intend to play eSports competitively or frequently. You will experience better gaming outcomes and faster skill development thanks to the higher frame rate that such a display may offer and the additional game functionality.

4. Are there any input lag problems?

The input lag value measures how quickly your computer responds to action requests. Although input lag is reduced at 240Hz, this varies from panel to monitor. As a result, it is important to compare input lag between different displays before purchasing to ensure you are getting the best possible experience.

5. What quality is it?

You will pay less for this than if you were to obtain a 240Hz display because 120Hz monitors require that your device has a minimum of a GTX 650 Ti. Therefore, 240Hz monitors will perform better than other monitors, making them the most expensive option. Check which one delivers the greatest quality if you don't have at least a GTX 980, as you can experience input lag or screen tearing otherwise.

6. Do You Need to Reduce Screen Tearing?

Suppose your computer is not as powerful as it should be and cannot keep up with the refresh rate of any monitor; an issue known as screen tearing arises. This implies that there may be some regions on your screen where the image is not entirely updated, resulting in a line drawn across your screen to the left. Any gamer who has to deal with this issue regularly may find it distracting and irritating.

7. Do You Need to Reduce Screen Tearing?

Suppose your computer is not as powerful as it should be and cannot keep up with the refresh rate of any monitor; an issue known as screen tearing arises. This implies that there may be some regions on your screen where the image is not entirely updated, resulting in a line drawn across your screen to the left. Any gamer who has to deal with this issue regularly may find it distracting and irritating.

There will be spots on your screen that you can see that are not being updated if your PC is not as powerful as your display. This implies that they will appear on the screen and will appear to have been drawn, which implies that you may become angry and disturbed by this.

8. How quickly is the response?

You should respond in at least 1 millisecond. This affects how quickly the display's refresh rate will be compared to the computer's frame rate. Your eyes will detect it as an instant response; hence, the refresh rate needs to be higher than the frame rate.

9. Supports G-Sync or FreeSync, respectively?

Having G-Sync or FreeSync will give you an advantage over others who don't have it and enable you to push your Monitor's refresh rate well above what is typical for your screen, which is useful if you're utilizing a new monitor.

The frame rate at which you are playing a game activates FreeSync. Because this technology relies on V-sync, it can only function if the two are in sync. The AMD graphics card will let your Monitor run at a higher refresh rate than usual to match your game; you need a high frame rate to use this technology.

Another form of technology called G-Sync enables your screen to match the frame rate of your game and, as a result, adjusts the refresh rate to provide you with the best possible experience. Since NVIDIA manufactures this technology, only products they have approved will be able to support it. There must be a match between G-Sync and V-Sync for you to have the greatest experience. This is crucial since there can be screen tearing if it's missing.

10. Which Port Types Do I Need?

Consider whether it offers PC input, Display port 1.2, or HDMI 2.0  when choosing a monitor connector. You can only achieve the best quality out of your screen if you have a Display port 1.2 or HDMI. Consider that iteration.

11. How Much Power Do I Need?

Before buying a monitor, you should carefully consider the power requirements, which vary depending on the type. Lack of electricity could harm your computer or the Monitor, costing you a long process.

12. Does the Monitor support HDMI 1.3, which is necessary for 240Hz and higher refresh rates?

If a monitor lacks the connectors or other capabilities required to run a display at 240Hz or above, there is no purpose in acquiring it. Some displays may function with an area that may be a better investment than an investment because you'll probably want to buy one to obtain the finest results, especially if you intend to play competitively.

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120 vs 240HZ (Pros & Cons)

	Pros	Cons
120Hz Monitor	Higher frame rates when playing video games More realistic picture quality Less motion blur when watching videos and playing games on your PC Compatibility with Mac, PC, and consoles	Unable to play video games at the highest frame rate feasible Unable to provide an image with the same degree of quality as a 240Hz display
240Hz Monitor	An extremely high refresh rate - A far more enjoyable and fluid gameplay experience Better quality and reduced judder when watching 240Hz-capable movies or playing 240Hz-capable video games A higher resolution (one that exceeds 1080p) The better display means that you can save more money	High costs Eye strain

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FAQs

Q. Is 240Hz or 120Hz a better motion rate?

The 120Hz and 240Hz motion rates are good, but which is better depends entirely on what you want to do on the screen (play games, watch movies, watch sports, work from home, etc.). For example, a 240Hz motion rate will be better for sports and gaming, while a 120Hz motion rate is still preferred for personal use and business work.

Q. Is it worthwhile to move at 240Hz?

Yes, a 240Hz motion rate is worthwhile because the experience improves with higher motion rates. A 120Hz real refresh rate is included in a 240Hz motion rate.

Q. What motion rate is ideal for video games and sports?

A 240Hz motion rate is the finest choice for sports and gaming since it will provide a brighter and sharper image view than a 120Hz motion rate.

The smoother your game runs, the greater the rate is for gaming. A professional gamer should use 240Hz motion rate, whereas a casual gamer should use 120Hz.

The rate is important in video games since a target is clearer and moves more quickly with a greater motion rate. Your motion rate should increase when more frames are changed in a game. So, one factor to consider while selecting a gaming monitor and TV is the price.

Q. What distinguishes a motion rate from a refresh rate?

You might wonder if the motion rate and refresh rate craze are real or just a marketing gimmick businesses use to promote their goods.

However, that is not the case; if you intend to get a TV, you must be aware of the distinctions between the two.

While a screen's refresh rate is static, motion rates are often used.

The refresh rate is half what the motion rate is. As a result, a refresh rate of 60Hz is equivalent to a motion rate of 120Hz. And a refresh rate of 120Hz is shared by a 240Hz motion rate.

While motion rate considers software and artificial intelligence (AI) advancements, refresh rate counts how many times the TV panel may physically redraw an image per second. It has a twice-faster refresh rate.

Q. Is 120Hz a reasonable motion rate?

The motion rate is a collection of image processing tools that uses frame rate interpolation to enhance the real refresh rate. There is no need to compensate with a motion rate when you have a greater refresh rate.

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Final Thoughts

There is no denying the astounding quality of 120Hz. This is so that it can create an image that is more fluid and has less blurry motion at a greater refresh rate. In most cases, 240Hz is a better option than 120Hz. For instance, the faster refresh rate makes gaming and fast-action games feel sharper and more realistic to players.

But it doesn't matter how fast the refresh rate is when it comes to movies and TV shows. In light of this, and given that 240Hz monitors are pricier than 120Hz panels, most consumers will find that 120Hz is a superior option. A 120Hz monitor will perform better because many games you play won't be played at 240 frames per second.

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