What is the Max FPS on TV?

When shopping for a new TV in 2024, "max frames per second (FPS)" is an important specification to understand. especially for gaming and fast-action content. In this guide, we‘ll break down what factors determine max FPS, and realistic limits today and in the future.

The key points:

• Max FPS is limited by a TV‘s native refresh rate – 60Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz, etc.

• 120Hz is the current standard for 4K TVs, enabling up to 120 FPS.

• Achieving 4K 120FPS requires HDMI 2.1, powerful GPU/console, and well-optimized games.

• Diminishing returns set in past 120Hz. 144Hz/240Hz only beneficial for competitive esports.

• Future HDMI standards theoretically support up to 10K at 120Hz, but adoption is still a ways off.

Native Refresh Rate Limits Max Frames Per Second

A TV‘s native refresh rate specifies how many times per second the display updates with a new image. It‘s measured in hertz (Hz).

Standard refresh rates today are:

• 60Hz – Most affordable 4K TVs

• 120Hz – High-end 4K TVs

• 144Hz to 240Hz – Specialty gaming monitors

So a 60Hz TV can only display up to 60 FPS, while a native 120Hz TV can do 120 FPS. This is an absolute hardware limit.

Higher refresh rates enable TVs to show more frames of video or game visuals per second. This results in much smoother apparent motion clarity.

Why High Refresh Matters for Gaming

Image Credit: RTings

For fast-paced sports, video games, and action movies, a higher refresh rate is extremely beneficial. It reduces motion blur during quick camera pans and object movement.

First person shooters, racing sims, and fighting games are especially responsive with the reduced input lag and latency. This gives competitive gamers an edge.

RTings conducted a study showing significant improvements in motion clarity going from 60Hz to 120Hz. The upgrade makes gameplay more fluid and natural.

120Hz Becomes the 4K Gaming Standard

Up until recently, 60Hz was the norm for most flatscreen LED/LCD TVs. But thanks to HDMI 2.1, 120Hz panels have become standard for 2022/2023 mid-range and high-end 4K TV models.

This enables TVs to take full advantage of the PS5, Xbox Series X, and high-end gaming PCs. These can output 4K resolution at up to 120 frames per second when optimized by developers.

For example, many Xbox Series X enhanced games like Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5 allow you to choose between 4K/60fps or 1080p/120fps modes. This wasn‘t possible on 60Hz-limited TVs.

To experience 4K gaming at 120 FPS, an HDMI 2.1 connection is required. This updated standard can handle up to 48 Gbps bandwidth, versus just 18 Gbps on HDMI 2.0b.

What it Takes to Achieve 4K 120FPS Gaming

According to LG, the requirements for maxing out 4K 120FPS across devices are:

Console:

• Xbox Series X
• PlayStation 5

PC:

• Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 or higher
• Radeon RX 6800 XT or higher

TV/Monitor

• Native 120Hz refresh rate
• HDMI 2.1 port (48 Gbps bandwidth)

Additionally, the game itself must be well-optimized by developers to output 4K at high frame rates. This involves balancing factors like resolution, visual effects, physics, and entities.

As Digital Foundry notes, true native 4K 120FPS is still difficult for even the most powerful consoles and GPUs to sustain. Developers often use reconstruction techniques like checkerboarding and upscaling to hit these high performance targets.

But the experience is still far superior to 60Hz displays, with buttery smooth visuals and snappier response. For competitive multiplayer, many gamers opt to lower resolution to hit uncapped frame rates exceeding 120 FPS.

Diminishing Returns Past 120Hz

While some high-end gaming monitors exceed 120Hz refresh rates, going higher than that offers diminishing returns for most TV use cases.

For example, the Asus ROG Swift PG259QNR can do 360Hz at 1080p resolution, which is complete overkill for all but the most hardcore esports gamers.

There is a lack of 4K 120Hz-ready content available today, much less 4K 144Hz or 200Hz+. Achieving these extreme framerates requires incredibly expensive GPU power that won‘t be accessible or reasonably priced for years.

Gamers seeking the absolute max competitive advantage are still better served by dedicated high-refresh gaming monitors like the LG 27GP950 (4K 144Hz) or Alienware AW2524H (1080p 360Hz).

For the living room, 120Hz covers even the most demanding users. And image quality advantages of a large OLED TV outweigh the ultra-high refresh.

The Cutting Edge: 8K 120Hz and Beyond

Where does max refresh rate go from here?

Theoretically, the HDMI 2.1 specification supports resolutions up to 10K and refresh rates up to 120Hz. So we could see 8K 120Hz TVs arrive sometime further down the road.

Next-gen HDMI standards also promise increased bandwidth – up to 80 Gbps for HDMI 2.1a. Enabling even higher performance like 4K 240Hz.

DisplayPort 2.0 likewise promises up to 16K at 60Hz or 4K at 240Hz. But mainstream adoption of these bleeding-edge specs is still a long way off.

As Nvidia notes, it takes an incredibly powerful GPU just to run games at 4K 120 FPS today. So 8K at 120Hz or 4K beyond 120Hz will have to wait for future GPU/console generations.

Realistically, we are still in the early adoption phase for 4K 120Hz gaming. The priority for display makers is bringing HDMI 2.1 and 120Hz panels to more affordable TVs.

Once 4K 120Hz becomes as ubiquitous as 4K 60Hz today, then we can talk about 8K at even higher frame rates. For now, 4K 120FPS is the golden standard for premium displays.

Which TVs Are Capable of 4K 120FPS?

Here are some current TV models that support full 4K gaming at 120 FPS:

• LG C2 OLED – 42", 48", 55", 65", 77", 83" sizes. Native 120Hz OLED panel plus HDMI 2.1.

• Samsung S95B QD-OLED – 55" and 65" models have 120Hz refresh and HDMI 2.1.

• Sony X90K LED – 50", 55", 65", 75" sizes. Features cognitive processor to upscale content to 4K 120Hz.

• Asus ROG Swift PG42UQ – 42" OLED monitor with HDMI 2.1, 144Hz refresh rate.

For a comprehensive list of TVs that support 4K 120Hz, refer to this handy spreadsheet compiled by enthusiasts. Sort by "4K/120Hz support" for quick identification.

Optimizing High Frame Rate Gaming

To get the smoothest possible performance from a high refresh display, there are a few additional technologies worth mentioning:

Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)

VRR matches the TV‘s refresh to the game‘s frame rate output in real time. This prevents stuttering and tearing. Supported through HDMI Forum VRR and Nvidia G-Sync. All major TV brands now include VRR support.

Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)

ALLM automatically switches the display to low latency game mode when a compatible console is detected. Reduces input lag. Also an HDMI 2.1 feature supported on new TVs.

AMD FreeSync

Like VRR, FreeSync also dynamically syncs refresh rate and frame rate. Supported on select LG TVs along with Xbox Series X/S and AMD GPUs. Helps smooth fluctuating framerates.

Correctly setup, these enhancements take full advantage of the TV‘s high refresh capabilities for stutter-free, tear-free, low latency gaming.

TV vs. Monitor – Which is Better for High FPS?

Gaming monitors and TVs take different approaches, each with their pros and cons.

Monitors excel at no-compromise performance:

• Higher refresh rates – Up to 360Hz at 1080p
• Lower input lag and response times – Better for twitch gameplay
• Features for esports like size/ergonomics

TVs offer a more cinematic, immersive experience:

• Larger screen sizes – Can go up to 85"
• Superior image quality – OLED delivers true blacks and contrast
• Better integrated audio

For most living room gaming situations, a high-spec 4K 120Hz TV strikes the right balance. But monitors give competitive players the last fraction of advantage.

There are also 4K home theater projectors approaching 120Hz refresh. But lag and input delay make them less ideal for fast-twitch gaming.

Ultimately, choose based on your priorities around visuals, screen size, sound, genre of games, and environment. Fortunately, the technology exists today to build an incredibly immersive high FPS setup using either display type.

The Road Ahead – Making High Frame Rates More Accessible

While current generation consoles and GPUs are now capable of 4K 120Hz, achieving it still requires premium components. As adoption increases, the next steps are making the experience more accessible to a wider audience.

Here are some near-term advances we can expect:

• HDMI 2.1 Across More Mid-range TVs – Key for broad 4K 120Hz adoption. Already expanding from flagship models down.

• GPU/Console Upgrades – Even more power to hit native 4K at high FPS without reconstruction tricks, in demanding titles.

• New Display Connection Standards – HDMI 2.1b/c, DisplayPort 2.0 enable higher 8K/10K bandwidth down the road.

• cheaper High Refresh Gaming Monitors – Today‘s 240Hz+ esports monitors should become more mass market.

• Games Optimized for High FPS – Especially console titles designed with upcoming hardware in mind.

As more pieces fall into place, from content creation to connections to display and graphics hardware, high frame rates will become the new baseline across TVs and monitors. Rather than a luxury just for early adopters.

Balancing Resolution, Graphics, Frame Rate

Of course, there are always tradeoffs around resolution, visual quality, frame rates. Gamers must decide the right balance for their play style.

For example, competitive esports benefit from unlocking frame rate, even at the cost of resolution. While open world adventures demand higher resolutions for immersion, at 30-60 FPS.

Developers also make nuanced choices in rendering techniques, lighting, assets based on target platforms and frame rates.

The beauty of today‘s consoles and PCs is giving players options. Whether you prefer buttery smoothness or maximum eye candy.

Conclusion

While 60Hz was once the ceiling for displays, we now have affordable 4K TVs and monitors that can reach up to 240 frames per second. This unlocks incredibly responsive high FPS gaming.

A display‘s native refresh rate directly determines max FPS. So 120Hz is currently the benchmark for premium TVs. Enabling up to 4K 120FPS with the power of new consoles and GPUs.

Pushing beyond that offers diminishing returns. 120Hz hits the sweet spot between price, real-world content support, and competitive advantage. While still delivering jaw-dropping speed and fluidity.

As next-gen connection standards and GPUs arrive, even more advanced high FPS gaming will become possible. But we are still in the early days of fully utilizing displays that can keep up with titles optimized for 60-120 FPS.

For both multiplayer and single player experiences, a high refresh 4K TV opens up gameplay possibilities that simply aren‘t possible at 30 or 60 FPS. Once you try it, going back feels unacceptable. That makes max frames per second one of the most game changing innovations in displays today.