Is 240Hz better than 165Hz for Gaming?

In short, 240Hz offers a slight improvement over 165Hz gaming monitors, but not enough to warrant upgrading for most people. The differences in smoothness and response times are noticeable but subtle between 165Hz vs 240Hz. Unless you‘re a highly competitive esports gamer using cutting-edge hardware, save some money and go with 165Hz.

Understanding Monitor Refresh Rates

A monitor‘s refresh rate determines how many times per second it updates the image on the display. Standard monitors operate at 60Hz, meaning they refresh 60 times per second. Fast gaming monitors can now reach up to 360Hz for incredibly smooth performance.

Higher refresh rates reduce perceived motion blur and deliver much lower latency between your system and the display. This results in a more fluid, responsive gaming experience.

How 165Hz and 240Hz Compare to Traditional 60Hz

Here‘s how 165Hz and 240Hz stack up against standard 60Hz monitors in terms of refresh cycles:

Refresh Rate	Refreshes Per Second
60Hz	60
165Hz	165
240Hz	240

As you can see, 165Hz provides almost 3x as many refreshes per second as 60Hz, while 240Hz is a full 4x faster. This dramatically increases smoothness and responsiveness. But is 240Hz noticeably better than 165Hz itself? Let‘s explore further.

Visual Smoothness and Motion Clarity

The most obvious benefit of higher refresh rates is improved motion clarity and fluidity while gaming. By updating the image more frequently, fast movement becomes clearer with less perceivable stuttering or blurring.

At a granular level, 240Hz refreshes the display every 4.17ms, while 165Hz updates every 6.06ms. This reduced delay between frames leads to a more seamless visual experience. Here‘s an illustration comparing the refresh cycles:

Based on human reaction times averaging around 200-250ms, both 165Hz and 240Hz offer huge improvements over 60Hz. However, 240Hz clocks in about 15% faster than 165Hz in terms of latency and transitions.

For most people, 165Hz will already provide an excellent, seamless experience both in graphics-intensive cinematic games and fast-paced competitive titles. The difference up to 240Hz is noticeable but rather subtle unless you‘re explicitly looking for it side-by-side.

Minimum FPS Requirements

To take full advantage of high refresh rates, your system also needs to output frames at an equivalent rate. Driving a 240Hz monitor requires 200+ FPS consistently, which demands extremely powerful hardware.

Here are some average FPS benchmarks on max settings for popular GPUs:

GPU	CoD: Warzone FPS	Fortnite FPS	Apex Legends FPS
RTX 3060 Ti	98	186	130
RTX 3070	116	215	155
RTX 3080	140	237	189
RTX 3090	160	257	205

As you can see, even top-tier cards like the RTX 3080 or RX 6800 XT will fall short of 240 FPS in many titles when maxing out graphics. A 240Hz monitor makes the most sense when paired with an absolute beast of a system.

On the other hand, 165Hz is much more obtainable for mid-range to high-end cards, providing headroom and future-proofing. Pushing 100+ FPS consistently at 1440p is realistic on most modern GPUs.

Competitive Advantage in Esports Titles

For esports professionals, every millisecond matters. The smallest difference in reaction times and input latency could mean the difference between victory and defeat at the highest levels of competition.

Clinical studies have found the average human visual reaction time to be around 200ms to 250ms. However, athletes and gamers with extensive training can achieve response times averaging closer to 130ms to 180ms. Top players exhibit reaction times as fast as 50ms to 100ms.

At a 240Hz refresh rate, the delay between displayed frames is just over 4ms. 165Hz reaches about 6ms. Therefore, the latency reduction upgrading from 165Hz to 240Hz monitors represents up to a 15% improvement, which can be the margin between winning and losing in esports tournaments where tenths of seconds matter.

Both refresh rates offer huge advantages over 60Hz. But for players striving to shave every last millisecond off their response times, 240Hz makes sense. Of course, you also need the hardware to power frame rates that high.

Supported Games

The most demanding AAA games with maxed out graphics will struggle to surpass even 165 FPS on all but the most top-tier systems. However, competitive esports titles are much more optimized for performance over visuals.

Games like CS:GO, League of Legends, Overwatch, Rainbow Six Siege, Fortnite, and Valorant are most likely to benefit from and properly utilize 240Hz due to generally being less graphically intensive.

For example, an RTX 3070 can deliver over 300 FPS in games like CS:GO, Rocket League, and League of Legends at 1080p. This allows you to fully capitalize on 240Hz monitors.

Monitor Recommendations for 165Hz and 240Hz

When choosing a high refresh rate gaming monitor, you‘ll want to consider aspects like response times, adaptive sync support, and panel types in addition to the maximum refresh rate.

Here are some of the top-rated 165Hz and 240Hz monitors:

165Hz Monitor	Key Features
ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQM	1440p, IPS, 1ms, G-Sync
Acer Nitro XV272U	1440p, IPS, 1ms, FreeSync
MSI Optix G273QF	1440p, IPS, 1ms, G-Sync
240Hz Monitor	Key Features
Alienware AW2521HFL	1080p, IPS, 1ms, G-Sync
ASUS ROG Swift PG259QN	1080p, IPS, 1ms, G-Sync
Acer Predator XB273U	1440p, IPS, 1ms, G-Sync

I recommend sticking with known gaming brands like ASUS, Acer, MSI, Alienware etc. for best performance. Look for 1ms response times or better and adaptive sync like G-Sync or FreeSync for smooth gaming.

Pricing Breakdown

240Hz gaming monitors demand a premium price over their 165Hz and 144Hz counterparts when comparing otherwise equivalent specifications. Here are some example monitor prices from Amazon:

Monitor	Refresh Rate	List Price
ASUS VG279QM	1080p, 280Hz	$329.99
MSI Optix MAG274QRF	1440p, 165Hz	$399.99
Alienware AW2721D	1440p, 240Hz	$594.99

As you can see, 240Hz models at 1440p resolution command nearly a $200 premium over an equivalent 165Hz monitor. And prices only go up more for bleeding edge 360Hz displays.

Consider whether saving over $100 is worthwhile for you. 240Hz makes the most sense for esports pros or ultra enthusiasts not concerned about budget. 165Hz provides excellent quality and performance at a more affordable level.

The Diminishing Returns of Ultra High Refresh Rates

While 240Hz is tangibly faster than 165Hz, the overall improvement may be considered marginal and perhaps not worth the added costs for many gamers.

The jump from 60Hz up to 144Hz/165Hz is quite pronounced, taking you from a baseline to buttery smooth territory. And 165Hz already represents nearly 3x the refresh rate of standard 60Hz monitors. So the gains going from 165Hz up to 240Hz are subject to diminishing returns.

Unless you‘re obsessed with having the absolute best esports responsiveness andAlready at 144Hz or 165Hz, most gamers are satisfied and may not feel the need to keep chasing ever higher refresh speeds with marginal improvements.

Future of Monitor Technology

While 240Hz represents the cutting edge of gaming monitors today, display technology continues advancing at a rapid pace. Emerging innovations give us a glimpse into the future of high refresh rate monitors.

360Hz monitors are already emerging for esports, refreshing the image a staggering 360 times per second. Response times are nearing 0.5ms approaching the limits of human perception.

Dual QHD resolutions paired with refresh rates up to 240Hz promise incredibly immersive gaming. Mini and micro LED technology will further expand contrast and color quality.

OLED panels also offer phenomenal pixel response times and contrast for a true step up in image quality. As prices fall, OLED will likely replace IPS and VA as the enthusiast‘s choice.

So while 240Hz seems extremely fast today, expect even higher refresh rates to become more commonplace in a few short years.

Should You Upgrade from 165Hz to 240Hz?

If you currently have a quality 165Hz gaming monitor, the benefits upgrading to 240Hz will be rather minimal in most instances.

The smoother motion and lower latency offered by 240Hz certainly provides an edge in competitive gaming. But we‘re talking about gaining mere milliseconds in response times. Visually, the differences are difficult to discern.

I would only recommend upgrading if:

• You are an esports professional where every tiny advantage counts.
• Price is not a consideration for you.
• You already have a top-tier system capable of 240+ FPS.
• You obsess over having the absolute best gaming experience possible.

Otherwise, enjoy your buttery smooth 165Hz gaming! Maybe consider upgrading your GPU first to better take advantage of 165 FPS.

The Verdict: 165Hz Offers the Best Balance for Most Gamers

240Hz monitors provide a cutting-edge competitive esports experience. But 165Hz models strike an excellent balance of responsiveness, visual quality, and affordability for the majority of gamers.

The difference between 165Hz and 240Hz, while measurable, is less pronounced compared to earlier refresh rate leaps. Unless you play at a professional level, or budget is no consideration, I typically recommend high-end 165Hz monitors over 240Hz.

Make sure you have the GPU horsepower to fully take advantage of whichever high refresh monitor you choose. Focus on other aspects like response times, adaptive sync, and panel types as well. Aim for at least 144Hz/165Hz for super smooth gaming!