Best Refresh Rate for Gaming: What You Need to Know from 60Hz to 360Hz

You probably already know that your display’s refresh rate has a big impact on how smooth and responsive your games feel—whether you’re deep into competitive shooters, racing sims, or story-rich RPGs. But what does refresh rate actually mean? And more importantly, what’s the best refresh rate for gaming based on the types of games you play and the hardware you’ve got?

In this guide, we’ll break it all down. We’ll explain what refresh rate is, compare popular options like 60Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz, and beyond, and help you figure out what’s worth spending on—and what might be overkill. If you’re building or upgrading your gaming setup, this is one spec you’ll want to get right.

What Is Refresh Rate?

Refresh rate refers to how many times your display updates the image on screen every second. It’s measured in hertz (Hz), so a 60Hz monitor refreshes the image 60 times per second, while a 144Hz display refreshes it 144 times per second.

Why does this matter for gaming? Because a higher refresh rate generally means smoother motion, less blur, and more responsive gameplay. It’s especially noticeable in fast-paced games like first-person shooters, racing titles, or anything where quick reactions and fluid visuals make a difference.

It’s important to note that refresh rate is not the same as frame rate (FPS). Frame rate is how many frames your graphics card (GPU) can produce per second, while refresh rate is how many of those frames your monitor can actually display.

For the best experience, you want your frame rate and refresh rate to be closely matched. If your GPU can pump out 120 FPS but your monitor is capped at 60Hz, you won’t fully benefit from that performance.

Common Refresh Rates Explained

Here’s a breakdown of the most common refresh rates and what they offer:

60Hz

This is the standard refresh rate for most budget and non-gaming monitors. At 60Hz, your screen refreshes 60 times per second—which is fine for casual gaming, slower-paced titles, or older hardware that can’t push high frame rates.

You’ll still get a playable experience, but don’t expect ultra-smooth motion or lightning-fast response. If you mostly play story-driven games, strategy titles, or are gaming on a console that caps at 60 FPS, this can still work well.

120Hz

A solid step up from 60Hz, 120Hz is a good gaming refresh rate that offers noticeably smoother motion and reduced input lag. It’s increasingly common in mid-range gaming monitors and is also supported by current-gen consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X.

If your graphics card can deliver consistent frame rates above 60 FPS, a 120Hz display will make your games look and feel more fluid—especially in genres like racing, action-adventure, or open-world games.

144Hz

This is a sweet spot for many PC gamers. A 144Hz refresh rate offers a major upgrade over 60Hz, with buttery-smooth visuals and a more responsive feel—ideal for competitive titles like Call of Duty, Valorant, Fortnite, or CS2.

It strikes a nice balance between performance and affordability. Most modern gaming PCs can handle 100+ FPS in popular titles, which means you’ll actually benefit from what 144Hz can deliver.

240Hz

Stepping into high-performance territory, 240Hz displays are aimed at serious gamers who want every possible edge—especially in esports. These monitors offer ultra-smooth motion and ultra-low latency, but you’ll need a powerful GPU to keep up.

That said, the jump from 144Hz to 240Hz isn’t as dramatic as the jump from 60Hz to 144Hz, and not everyone will notice the difference. But if you play at a competitive level and your system can handle it, 240Hz can give you a slight but valuable advantage.

360Hz

This is the bleeding edge of refresh rate tech—designed for elite competitive gamers who demand the absolute fastest response times. With 360 refreshes per second, you’re getting the smoothest motion possible, paired with minimal input lag.

But be realistic: unless you’re playing competitive shooters at a pro level and have a GPU that can reliably push those frame rates, you probably won’t see a huge difference over 240Hz. It’s a niche upgrade—but an impressive one.

How to Choose the Right Refresh Rate for Your Gaming Setup

Choosing the best refresh rate for gaming monitor isn’t just about going for the highest number—it’s about finding the right balance between performance, budget, and how you like to play. Here’s what to consider when deciding which refresh rate makes the most sense for your setup.

Know What Kind of Games You Play

If you’re asking, what is a good refresh rate for gaming, start by thinking about the types of games you usually play:

• Fast-paced competitive games (like Fortnite, Valorant, Overwatch, or CS2) benefit most from higher refresh rates like 144Hz or above. Every millisecond counts, and smoother motion can give you a real edge.
• Cinematic or slower-paced games (like Red Dead Redemption 2 or The Witcher 3) look great even at 60Hz or 120Hz, and you may not notice much difference beyond that.
• Racing and sports games fall somewhere in the middle—higher refresh rates definitely help with responsiveness and realism, but they’re not as twitchy as shooters.

Check What Your Hardware Can Handle

Your monitor is only half the equation. You’ll also need a graphics card and CPU that can output high enough frame rates to match your ideal refresh rate for gaming.

• If your GPU struggles to push more than 60–80 FPS in your favorite games, jumping to a 240Hz or 360Hz monitor won’t do much.
• On the other hand, if you have a powerful rig that can consistently hit 120 FPS or more, going for a higher refresh rate monitor will absolutely enhance your experience.

Tip: Use tools like in-game FPS counters or software like MSI Afterburner to check how your system performs in the games you actually play.

Match Refresh Rate with Monitor Resolution

Higher refresh rates often come with trade-offs in resolution, especially on more affordable monitors. Here’s a quick way to think about it:

• 1080p at 144Hz or 240Hz is great for fast-paced competitive play.
• 1440p at 120Hz or 144Hz strikes a strong balance between sharp visuals and smooth motion.
• 4K monitors are typically limited to 60Hz or 120Hz unless you’re spending big—and driving 4K at high frame rates takes serious GPU power.

Consider Your Budget

Refresh rate is just one part of a monitor’s price. Generally speaking, the higher the refresh rate, the more you’ll pay—but there’s a sweet spot:

• 144Hz monitors are widely available and very affordable now, making them a great upgrade for most gamers.
• 240Hz and 360Hz displays tend to cost more and are best suited for players who are chasing ultra-competitive performance.

Think About Future-Proofing

Even if your current hardware can’t max out a 240Hz monitor today, buying one might make sense if you plan to upgrade your GPU soon. Monitors tend to outlast other components, so investing in a slightly higher refresh rate can keep your setup feeling fast for years.

How to Optimize Gaming PC for High Refresh Rates

To maximize the benefits of a gaming monitor refresh rate, your gaming PC needs to be capable of handling high frame rates. Here are some tips to optimize your setup:

Upgrade Your Graphics Card (If Needed)

The GPU is the engine behind your frame rates. If your current card is struggling to push 100+ FPS in your favorite games, it might be time for an upgrade—especially if you’re aiming for 144Hz or higher.

• For 1080p at 144Hz: Look for GPUs like the NVIDIA RTX 3060 or AMD RX 6600 XT and up.
• For 1440p at high refresh rates: RTX 4070, RX 7800 XT, or better.
• For 240Hz+ or 4K gaming: You’ll want a high-end card like an RTX 4080 or better.

Lower In-Game Graphics Settings

To hit higher frame rates, you don’t always need new hardware—you just need to adjust your game settings:

• Prioritize performance over visuals. Lower settings like shadows, anti-aliasing, and post-processing can give a big FPS boost.
• Use preset performance modes (like “Low” or “Competitive”) in games with built-in tuning profiles.
• Turn off V-Sync, which can limit your frame rate to match your monitor’s refresh rate, sometimes adding input lag.

Enable High Refresh Rate in Windows & Your GPU Software

Even if your monitor supports a high refresh rate, it might not be enabled by default. Here’s how to double-check:

• In Windows: Go to Display Settings → Advanced Display Settings → Refresh Rate, and make sure it’s set to the highest available option.
• In NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Software: Set your preferred refresh rate and resolution manually under display settings.

Keep Drivers Up to Date

Always make sure your GPU drivers are current. Both NVIDIA and AMD regularly release updates that improve game performance, fix bugs, and optimize support for the latest titles.

You can also enable game-specific performance profiles through your GPU control panel to tweak settings automatically.

Turn on Game Mode & Hardware Acceleration

In Windows:

• Enable Game Mode in Settings → Gaming → Game Mode. It helps prioritize system resources for gaming.
• You can also turn on Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling (in Graphics Settings) to reduce latency and improve performance in some setups.

Use Adaptive Sync (G-Sync / FreeSync)

If your monitor supports G-Sync (NVIDIA) or FreeSync (AMD), turning it on helps eliminate screen tearing and stuttering without the input lag that comes with traditional V-Sync. It’s especially useful when your frame rate fluctuates below your monitor’s refresh rate.

Use the Right Cables and Ports (And Consider a Docking Station)

When aiming for high refresh rates, the way you connect your monitor matters—a lot. Not all HDMI or USB-C ports support 120Hz, 144Hz, or higher at resolutions like 1440p or 4K. If you’re gaming on a laptop, working with limited ports, or running a multi-monitor setup, it’s worth investing in a reliable docking station that can handle high-bandwidth video output.

That’s where options like the Anker 563 USB-C Docking Station (10-in-1) come in. It turns a single USB-C port into a full-fledged workstation, including two HDMI ports, a DisplayPort, and power delivery. You can unlock triple display support—even on M1 MacBooks—and output up to 2K at 60Hz or 4K at 30Hz, depending on your configuration. It’s ideal for gamers who want smoother visuals on multiple screens while keeping their setup tidy and powered.

For even more connectivity, the Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station (13-in-1) steps things up with 4K@60Hz output via HDMI or DisplayPort, triple-display support at 1080p@60Hz, 85W laptop charging, and a full range of ports for peripherals, storage, and networking. It’s perfect if you’re running a high-performance setup with multiple monitors and want a simple, powerful way to manage it all from one hub.

Both docks support high-speed file transfers and simultaneous charging, which makes them great not just for gaming, but for streaming, content creation, or multitasking. Just make sure your laptop supports DisplayPort Alt Mode and Power Delivery to get the full benefit.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, choosing the best refresh rate for gaming comes down to how you play—and what your PC can keep up with. A 60Hz display might be just fine for slower-paced games or casual sessions, while 144Hz or 240Hz can give you a serious edge in fast-twitch shooters and competitive titles.

No matter where you land, it’s not just about slapping on a high-refresh-rate monitor. You’ll also need to make sure your GPU and settings are optimized to take full advantage of those extra frames. With the right pairing, you’ll notice the difference immediately—smoother motion, lower input lag, and a setup that feels dialed in just for you.

FAQs

Is 240Hz better than 120Hz for gaming?

Yes, 240Hz is better than 120Hz in terms of smoother motion and lower input lag—especially in fast-paced, competitive games. But the difference is more noticeable if your PC can consistently hit high frame rates and you’re playing games where quick reactions matter, like first-person shooters.

Is 120Hz good for gaming?

Yes, 120Hz is a great refresh rate for gaming, offering smoother motion than 60Hz and noticeably better responsiveness. It’s especially ideal for current-gen consoles (like PS5 and Xbox Series X) and mid-range gaming PCs.

Is 240Hz overkill for gaming?

It depends. 240Hz can be overkill if you’re playing slower-paced or cinematic games, or if your PC can’t consistently hit high frame rates. But for competitive gamers and esports players, it can offer a real advantage in responsiveness and fluidity.

Which Hz is best for gaming?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—it depends on your games, hardware, and budget. That said, 60Hz is fine for casual gaming, 120Hz or 144Hz is ideal for most players and modern systems, while 240Hz+ is best for competitive gaming and high-end PCs. If you’re looking for the best refresh rate for gaming, 144Hz is the sweet spot for most people.