Is 240Hz better than 165Hz? Simply Put, Not Really for Most Gamers

tags

• Use Markdown formatting for headings, lists, and emphasis
• Add tags to outline my approach before writing the full article

If we‘re being honest, for the majority of gamers the difference between 165Hz and 240Hz monitors is small and not worth the increased cost. While 240Hz sounds incredibly fast on paper, in reality diminishing returns sets in at higher refresh rates. The jump from 60Hz to 165Hz is far more substantial and impactful. Read on as we take a deeper look at when 240Hz makes sense and when it‘s overkill.

What You Need to Know About Refresh Rates and Frame Rates

Let‘s quickly cover some monitor terminology that‘s key to understanding this discussion:

• Refresh rate – How many times per second a monitor updates the image on the screen, measured in Hz. This is a fixed rate based on the monitor‘s specs.

• Frame rate (FPS) – How many images per second the GPU can render based on its processing power. Ideal to match or exceed refresh rate.

Here‘s how common refresh rates compare:

So in short, the higher the refresh rate, the smoother and more responsive the visuals, up to the limit of the GPU‘s frame rate output.

Seems like 240Hz would be obviously better, right? Well, it‘s more nuanced than that…

Diminishing Returns Starts Kicking in at 165Hz

Without a doubt, the jump from a traditional 60Hz monitor to a 165Hz display is game changing. Everything looks incredibly smooth, sharp, and responsive to user input.

But going from 165Hz up to 240Hz is a much smaller gap – we‘re talking a less than 50% increase. Some enthusiasts may notice the improved smoothness during intense FPS action. But many gamers will struggle to see a significant difference.

Esports professionals who play 8+ hours a day may get a slight edge from 240Hz through extensive training. But for casual and average gamers, the benefits diminish rapidly beyond 165Hz. The leap from 60Hz to 165Hz provides the biggest competitive boost by far.

In my opinion, 240Hz offers reduced returns for the majority of gamers except the most hardcore competitive esports players. 165Hz hits a great sweet spot before returns really start to drop off.

1440p at 165Hz Offers More Immersion Than 1080p at 240Hz

An interesting comparison is 1440p resolution at 165Hz versus 1080p at 240Hz. Which provides a better gaming experience?

Overall, I‘d argue 1440p 165Hz is superior for most gamers. The higher 1440p resolution displays finer details and textures for added immersion. Objects in the distance remain crisp and clear.

Although not quite as lightning fast as 240Hz, 165Hz still delivers an extremely responsive, smooth feel that excels for gaming. The graphics quality jump is noticeable, while the refresh rate change is subtle.

The one exception is esports titles like CS:GO where every millisecond matters. But for almost all other game genres, 1440p 165Hz is a great balance of graphics and performance.

You Need an Elite PC to See Full 240Hz Benefits

To fully leverage the power of 240Hz, you need a monster PC capable of render frames at 240 FPS or higher consistently. Anything less, and you won‘t see the full benefits over 165Hz.

Here are the PC specs required to properly run 240Hz:

• High-end CPU – Intel Core i7/i9 or Ryzen 7/9
• Top-tier GPU – Nvidia RTX 3070 and above or AMD RX 6800 and above
• Low graphics settings in games for maximum FPS

Realistically, AAA single player titles won‘t reach 240 FPS without compromises even on beastly PCs. Lightning fast esports games like CS:GO, Overwatch, and Rainbow Six Siege are among the few where 240Hz can stretch its legs.

Unless you have a CRG9 monitor and can afford an extreme setup, 165Hz still looks beautiful.

The Type of Games That Benefit Most from 240Hz

Given the hardware demands, which games and genres see the most benefit from 240Hz monitors?

• Competitive FPS games – Particularly Counter-Strike, Valorant, Call of Duty.240Hz allows your aim and reactions to be as snappy as possible.

• MOBAs like League of Legends – The extra refresh rate smooths out frenetic team fights with particle effects flying everywhere.

• Battle Royale games – Fortnite, PUBG, and Apex Legends benefit from the highly responsive feel during close quarters combat.

• Racing/flight simulators – For those pursuing the most realistic motion experience possible.

Story-driven single player experiences see fewer gains from going past 165Hz. The focus there is on immersion and graphics over split-second reflexes.

Esports Players Are the Main Benefactors of 240Hz

Given the nuances discussed, who would benefit most from upgrading to a 240Hz display?

• Professional esports gamers – Where microseconds matter, so 240Hz provides a slight edge.
• Aspiring esports pros – Who play for hours each day and want to mimic the pros‘ gear.
• Amateur players in FPS/MOBA games – Who still take gameplay seriously and compete often.
• FPS enthusiasts planning a GPU upgrade – To eventually power 240+ FPS gameplay.

Casual gamers or those focused on story games likely won‘t notice the difference from 165Hz to 240Hz. The better visuals of 1440p will enhance their experience more.

240Hz seems mostly useful for the small subset of elite competitive gamers who play a narrow selection of fast-paced titles. For everyone else, it‘s overkill.

My Take – 165Hz is the Competitive Gaming Sweet Spot

Given the diminishing returns above 165Hz, I believe that refresh rate currently hits the ideal balance for competitive gaming. The visual difference compared to 240Hz is negligible for most people. Yet 165Hz still delivers an exceptionally smooth, responsive gaming experience.

Upgrading from 60Hz to 165Hz provides a massive competitive benefit and visual improvement at a reasonable price. In contrast, 240Hz costs significantly more for small gains.

Of course, everyone‘s eyes and needs are different. But for the vast majority of gamers, even enthusiasts, I think 165Hz is more than enough. Chasing higher refresh rates results in pricey upgrades with minimal payoff.

I enjoy high frame rates as much as anyone. But based on the evidence, I don‘t think 240Hz warrants the premium over 165Hz for most gamers. The extra money is better spent on improved graphics and immersion.

Conclusion

While 240Hz seems amazing on paper, realistically it offers diminishing returns over 165Hz for the majority of gamers. The jump from 60Hz to 165Hz provides a far more noticeable benefit. Given the steep PC requirements and increased costs, 240Hz is difficult to justify for most people.

However, for professional esports players where every millisecond matters, the incremental improvements from 240Hz make sense. Amateur competitive players may also appreciate 240Hz, especially if playing FPS titles.

But for average gamers focused on graphics and immersion, 1440p at 165Hz generally hits the sweet spot. While not quite as lightning fast as 240Hz, 165Hz still delivers an excellent responsive gaming experience for most.