Is 120Hz TV worth it for gaming?

With major leaps in TV technology giving us 4K resolution, HDR, and next-gen gaming features like variable refresh rate (VRR), high frame rate support has also arrived for televisions. 120Hz and even 144Hz refresh rates are now common on many new TV models. But is upgrading to a 120Hz television really necessary or impactful for gaming? Just how much better is the experience compared to a standard 60Hz TV? In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll break down what refresh rate means, how it affects gaming performance, and whether 120Hz offers a worthwhile boost.

What does refresh rate mean for TVs?

The refresh rate refers to how many times per second a display updates the image. It‘s measured in hertz (Hz). A 60Hz TV refreshes the screen 60 times per second, while a 120Hz TV refreshes twice as often at 120 times per second.

This faster refresh cycle provides a smoother viewing experience with reduced motion blur. Our eyes don‘t perceive motion perfectly smoothly – we see a rapid series of still images instead. So the quicker the display can transition between images, the more fluid and sharp motion will appear to our vision.

Faster refresh = reduced blur

With a higher refresh rate, a new image is drawn more frequently, minimizing the perceived blur that occurs with fast on-screen motion. LED TVs have to light up and turn off individual LEDs to generate images, while OLED TVs rely on turning pixels on and off – both processes that take a small but finite amount of time. So a higher Hz rate cuts down on the transitional blur we see during quick movements across the screen.

Research conducted by Rtings.com using high-speed cameras shows how 120Hz TVs can display crisper motion resolution than 60Hz models when panning across test patterns. The faster refresh cycle results in less visible blurring during fast movement.

Game responsiveness

For gaming, higher refresh rates translate to lower input lag which is critical for a responsive gameplay experience. Input lag refers to the delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen.

Rtings input lag testing shows top-tier 120Hz TVs now achieve incredibly fast response times under 10ms, nearly half the input lag of many 60Hz models. This enables highly responsive gameplay where your actions feel instantly translated on-screen.

So in summary, 120Hz improves gaming in two key ways:

1. Smoother, sharper visuals when motion is fast paced

2. Faster response where inputs and on-screen actions are in sync

Now let‘s explore the gaming impacts in more detail.

120Hz vs 60Hz gaming experience

In side-by-side comparisons, the gaming experience at 120Hz versus 60Hz is night and day. The higher refresh rate delivers noticeably smoother visuals with crisper clarity in motion, extremely low input lag for ultra responsive controls, and an overall more immersive gaming experience.

Reduced motion blur

Fast paced games with quick camera movements and on-screen motion inherently involve a lot of rapid blurring at 60Hz as pixels struggle to keep up. This can make following the action more challenging. But at 120Hz, the faster pixel response helps everything stay sharp as you quickly pan the camera or spin around in a shooter game.

Objects that would turn into a blurry mess previously retain their shape and edges much more cleanly during speedy action at 120 fps. This clearer motion resolution is easier on the eyes and helps you better track targets and visual details.

Higher frame rates for smoothness

To take full advantage of a 120Hz TV for gaming, the content‘s frame rate also needs to be sufficiently high. This means having games consistently run at 100-120+ fps (frames per second) to match the display‘s capabilities.

At higher uninterrupted frame rates, animation will appear remarkably smooth without any jitter, choppiness, or staggered motion. Everything moves with beautiful fluidity for a highly responsive and natural gaming experience.

Competitive multiplayer advantages

For competitive online multiplayer games, the smoothness and ultra low input lag provided by 120Hz gives players a real edge over 60Hz displays in tracking targets, reacting quickly to threats, and feeling fully in control.

Frame rates directly impact how up-to-date you see other players‘ positions and actions. At 120 fps networked multiplayer gameplay feels razor sharp and instantaneous, enabling peak competitive performance. Esports players overwhelmingly opt for 120Hz+ monitors to gain every possible advantage.

More immersive gameplay

The benefits of higher refresh rates apply across game genres for a more immersive and responsive experience overall:

• Racing games feel blisteringly fast and blur-free so you can accurately steer and powerslide around corners

• Sports games react instantly so you can time your shots and hits with split-second precision

• RPGs and adventure games pan smoothly as you survey expansive scenery and environs

• Fighting games animate every punch and special move fluidly

• Shooters feel adrenaline-fueled with super sharp aim and tracking of targets

Simply put, gameplay is sharper, cleaner, and more responsive at 120Hz for next-level gaming immersion across the board.

120Hz TV features for gaming

To fully unlock high frame rate gaming, you need a TV that‘s equipped with the right capabilities:

• HDMI 2.1 – For 4K at 120Hz, you need new HDMI 2.1 ports that support up to 48 Gbps bandwidth. Older HDMI 2.0 maxes out at 1440p/120Hz.

• Variable refresh rate – VRR (Freesync or G-Sync) matches the TV‘s refresh rate to the source‘s frame rate for smooth, tear-free variable FPS.

• Auto low latency mode – Automatically reduces input lag when gaming. Crucial for response times below 20ms.

• Fast panel tech – OLED‘s near-instantaneous pixel response time delivers the clearest 120Hz motion. Mini-LED also excels here.

Ideally also look for dedicated gaming features like genre-specific picture modes calibrated for gaming and settings to reduce input lag.

120Hz vs 240Hz

While 240Hz TVs and monitors now exist, is there any significant benefit over 120Hz? For most gaming purposes, diminishing returns start to set in past the 120Hz mark.

The jump from 60Hz to 120Hz makes a huge difference in motion clarity and input lag. But doubling from 120Hz to 240Hz provides a much subtler incremental improvement that won‘t drastically change the gaming experience.

240Hz can further enhance motion resolution in some instances, but it‘s not usually worth the substantially higher cost over a comparable 120Hz display. 120Hz aligns perfectly with the 120fps that today‘s consoles and PC graphics cards can readily power in graphically intense games.

Is 60Hz still okay for gaming?

For console gaming, 60Hz was the standard target last generation. While 60 fps delivers very playable performance, especially for more cinematic single player games, 60Hz displays do have some inherent limitations compared to the 120Hz gaming experience:

• Noticeably more motion blur during fast movement

• Higher input lag – response times in the 15-30ms range

• Can exhibit judder or microstutters at 60 fps

• Limits max frame rate to 60 fps

So while certainly playable, 60Hz won‘t provide the same razor-sharp responsiveness and silky smooth clarity you get during 120Hz gaming. For a truly elevated next-gen gaming experience, 120Hz displays are recommended.

That said, not all games support 120fps modes even on the latest consoles. So 60Hz still provides a decent experience for many games where 60fps is the target. But for competitive online multiplayer titles especially, 120Hz provides a clear edge.

120Hz gaming on PS5 and Xbox Series X

The PS5 and Xbox Series X aim to deliver up to 120fps gaming in many titles. Their HDMI 2.1 connections can handle 4K at 120Hz along with variable refresh rate. So to take full advantage of what they can output for the smoothest possible performance, a compatible 120Hz TV is recommended.

Here are some popular games that support 120fps modes on PS5 and Xbox Series X:

• Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
• DIRT 5
• Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition
• Fortnite
• Halo Infinite
• Destiny 2
• Tony Hawk‘s Pro Skater 1 and 2

For these games especially, playing at 120fps on a 120Hz display transforms the experience with incredible smoothness and response. It makes an immediately noticeable difference.

But some PS5/Series X games like Horizon Forbidden West and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart prioritize 4K visuals and targeting 60fps. So 120Hz benefits won‘t apply universally across every title. But with 120Hz support becoming more common, it helps future proof your setup.

PC gaming at 120Hz and beyond

For PC gaming, displays advertising 144Hz, 240Hz, and even 360Hz refresh rates are now widely available. This is because PCs with cutting edge graphics cards can readily power frame rates exceeding 120fps in many games.

Competitive esports pros who play at 1080p to maximize frame rates often opt for 240Hz+ monitors to keep up with the 200-300fps their systems can deliver in games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Valorant, Overwatch, and Rainbow Six Siege.

But for visually maxed out gaming at 1440p or 4K resolution, frame rates tend to fall more in the 80-120fps range even on powerful hardware. So 144Hz or 165Hz monitors are more realistic targets. And connecting a gaming PC to a 120Hz 4K TV can provide an excellent big screen gaming experience as well.

Variable refresh critical for PC gaming

With the variable frame rates inherent to PC gaming, displays featuring variable refresh rate technology (Freesync or G-Sync) are strongly recommended. This dynamically matches the monitor‘s refresh rate to the FPS output of the graphics card to prevent stuttering and screen tearing.

All else being equal, a 120Hz monitor with variable refresh will deliver much smoother PC gaming performance than a 144Hz display without it. Ensuring your monitor or TV supports VRR is arguably more impactful than chasing extremely high refresh rates for PC gaming.

Do movies and TV benefit from 120Hz?

Given that movies and television content are filmed at 24 or 30 frames per second, they won‘t benefit substantially from 120Hz in the same way as gaming‘s high frame rates. You won‘t achieve silky smooth 120fps motion clarity watching films or shows at 24 to 30fps.

However, 120Hz will still provide a bit smoother playback of 24p movie content versus 60Hz, without any jitter or judder during panning shots. Animation also looks a bit crisper.

But the difference is quite minor for non-interactive content. Movies and shows will appear very similar at both 60Hz and 120Hz. Where 120Hz shines brightest is definitely for gaming.

The verdict: 120Hz is highly recommended for gaming

In summary, if you play a lot of games and want the absolute smoothest, most responsive TV gaming experience possible, upgrading to a 120Hz television is certainly worthwhile. The benefits are immediately tangible across game genres in terms of both clarity and control responsiveness.

Compared to 60Hz, the 120Hz gaming experience delivers sharper visuals with substantially less motion blur, extremely low input lag for pixel-perfect reactions, and buttery smoothness that enhances immersion and playability across the board.

If you plan on fully utilizing the PS5, Xbox Series X, or a high end gaming PC connected to your television, a 120Hz model ensures you can take full advantage of their 120fps capabilities for an elevated next-gen gaming experience that feels "just right" in terms of both visual fluidity and input latency.