The age-old debate of whether refresh rate or frames per second (FPS) is more important has been around for years. The answer unfortunately is not as cut and dry as we would like it to be. Both refresh rate and FPS can be important depending on the situation. In some cases one will be more important than the other while in other cases they will both be equally important.
To understand why this is the case we need to understand a bit about how each of these factors affects your gaming experience.
FPS is the number of frames that your GPU can render per second. A higher FPS means that your GPU can render more frames per second which results in a smoother gaming experience. Refresh rate on the other hand is the number of times per second that your monitor can refresh the image on the screen. A higher refresh rate means that your monitor can refresh the image more times per second which can result in a smoother gaming experience.
So which one is more important? It really depends on the situation. If you are playing a fast-paced game then a higher FPS will be more important because you will need the extra frames to keep up with the fast action. If you are playing a game that does not require as much speed then a higher refresh rate will be more important because it will reduce screen tearing and give you a smoother image.
There are some games where both refresh rate and FPS are equally important. For example in first-person shooters you need a high FPS to be able to react quickly to the action but you also need a high refresh rate to avoid screen tearing. In these cases it is best to have a monitor that supports a high refresh rate and a high FPS.
Of course there are other factors that can affect your gaming experience such as the size and resolution of your monitor the quality of your graphics card and your internet connection. However in general refresh rate and FPS are the two most important factors. So if you are trying to decide between two monitors make sure to compare their refresh rate and FPS.
What is the difference between refresh rate and FPS?
FPS is a measure of how many images your computer can produce every second while refresh rate is how often those images are drawn on the screen.
A higher refresh rate means that your screen can display more images per second which can make animations appear smoother.
What factors affect FPS?
There are a few factors that can affect your FPS such as the quality of your graphics card and processor the amount of RAM your computer has and the settings you have your game on.
Will a higher refresh rate improve my FPS?
Not necessarily.
If your computer can only produce 60 FPS then a higher refresh rate of 75 Hz or more won’t make a difference.
Can a higher refresh rate decrease my FPS?
In some cases yes.
If your graphics card can’t keep up with the demands of a high refresh rate you may see a decrease in FPS.
How do I increase my FPS?
You can try a few things to increase your FPS such as updating your graphics drivers closing other programs while you’re gaming and changing the settings in your game to lower quality.
What is the best refresh rate for gaming?
It depends on your setup and what you’re playing.
Some gamers prefer high refresh rates for fast-paced games while others are fine with lower refresh rates.
Will a higher refresh rate help me spot enemies better in games?
In some cases yes.
A higher refresh rate can make it easier to spot fast-moving objects but it also depends on the game you’re playing and your own personal preference.
I’m not sure if my graphics card can handle a higher refresh rate.
How can I find out?
You can usually find out by checking the specifications of your graphics card or doing a search online.
My computer can only do 60 FPS.
Is that bad?
Not necessarily.
60 FPS is still a smooth experience for most people and it’s more than enough for most games.
I want to get a higher refresh rate but I’m not sure if my computer can handle it.
What should I do?
The best way to find out is to try it and see.
If you start to see a decrease in FPS you can lower the refresh rate.
I’ve been told that I need at least 144 FPS for gaming.
Is that true?
It depends on who you talk to.
Some gamers prefer high FPS for competitive gaming but you can still enjoy most games with lower FPS.
My computer can only do 30 FPS.
Will I be at a disadvantage in games?
In some cases yes.
A higher FPS can give you a competitive edge in fast-paced games but you can still enjoy most games with a lower FPS.
I want to get a higher refresh rate but I don’t want to lose any FPS.
Is that possible?
Yes it is possible to have a high refresh rate without sacrificing FPS.
Will a higher refresh rate use more power?
Yes a higher refresh rate will use more power.
Is there anything else I should know about refresh rates and FPS?
Refresh rates and FPS can be affected by a variety of factors so it’s best to experiment to see what works best for you.
