In short, 240Hz makes fast-paced gaming incredibly smooth and fluid.
What is 240Hz?
240Hz refers to a refresh rate of 240 times per second. This means a 240Hz TV can redraw the image on the screen 240 times per second. The higher the refresh rate, the smoother and more fluid motion will appear.
Benefits of 240Hz for gaming
Here are some key benefits of using a 240Hz TV for gaming:
– Smoother motion – With 240 frames rendered per second, motion will look extremely smooth without blurring or ghosting during fast motion scenes. This is ideal for fast-paced games like first person shooters, racing games, fighting games, etc.
– Lower input lag – 240Hz TVs have very fast response times, resulting in virtually instant on-screen feedback to your controller inputs. This allows you to react quicker in games.
– Reduced motion blur – The high refresh rate minimizes the perceived motion blur inherent in displaying moving images. Objects remain sharp and clear when in motion.
– Decreased eyestrain – Fluid motion reduces eye fatigue that can occur from lower refresh rate displays where motion doesn‘t look as smooth.
240Hz vs other refresh rates for gaming
– 240Hz vs 60Hz – Going from standard 60Hz TVs to 240Hz is a massive upgrade for gaming. 60Hz can‘t keep up with fast motion, resulting in blurring, ghosting, and high input lag. The difference is extremely noticeable.
– 240Hz vs 120Hz – While still a significant upgrade from 60Hz, the difference between 120Hz and 240Hz is less substantial but still noticeable. Some sensitive users report lower eye strain and smoother motion with 240Hz.
– 240Hz vs 144Hz – 144Hz is common for high end gaming monitors while 240Hz is more rare. The difference is minor but 240Hz gives slightly smoother motion.
What resolution to pair with 240Hz
Since 240Hz requires the GPU to render a very high frame rate, lower resolutions are recommended to achieve 240fps in games:
– 1080p is the most common resolution paired with 240Hz. At 1920 x 1080, most modern GPUs can deliver 240fps in competitive esports titles.
– 1440p is demanding but can still reach 240fps in some games if you have a top-tier GPU like an RTX 3080/3090. This provides greater detail than 1080p.
– 4K is not really feasible for 240Hz gaming. Only the most powerful GPUs can surpass 100fps at 4K, much less 240fps. Stick to 60Hz-120Hz for 4K.
Do I need a 240Hz TV for gaming?
240Hz TVs provide an advantage for gaming but are not essential. Here are some recommendations based on use case:
– Competitive multiplayer gaming – 240Hz gives a competitive edge from the faster response and motion clarity. If you play esports or any fast-paced online multiplayer, consider 240Hz.
– Single player games – Visual quality may be more important here. A 4K 60Hz-120Hz TV would look much sharper and detailed than 1080p 240Hz.
– Console gaming – Since consoles are capped at 60fps, a 120Hz TV is fine. 240Hz is overkill for PS5/Xbox unless running at 1080p.
– Casual gaming – 60Hz is adequate for casual gamers and those who play slower paced games. 240Hz isn‘t necessary.
So in summary, 240Hz TVs provide the smoothest gaming experience but aren‘t always practical. Competitive players benefit most from upgrading to 240Hz displays.In short, 240Hz makes fast-paced competitive gaming incredibly smooth and fluid. But is it right for your needs? Let‘s dive into the details.
What is 240Hz?
240Hz refers to a refresh rate of 240 times per second. This means a 240Hz display can redraw the entire image on the screen a whopping 240 times per second. Compare that to standard 60Hz displays that only refresh 60 times per second.
The higher the refresh rate, the smoother and more fluid motion will appear. It also leads to much lower input lag for a more reactive experience.
Benefits of 240Hz for gaming
Upgrading from 60Hz or even 120/144Hz to 240Hz provides some key advantages:
Smoother motion – With 240 frames rendered each second, motion will look extremely smooth and fluid without blurring, ghosting, or choppiness during fast gaming scenes. This is ideal for fast-paced competitive games.
Lower input lag – According to Rtings testing, 240Hz monitors have response times around just 4ms, resulting in virtually instant on-screen feedback to your controller inputs. This allows you to react quicker in twitch gameplay.
Reduced motion blur – The high refresh rate minimizes the perceived motion blur inherent in displaying moving images. Fast-moving objects remain sharper and clearer compared to lower refresh rates.
Decreased eyestrain – Fluid motion and lower input lag reduces eye fatigue that can occur after long gaming sessions on lower refresh rate displays where motion doesn‘t look as smooth.
According to Nvidia, the difference between 60Hz and 240Hz is similar to going from 30fps to 120fps. It‘s a massive upgrade especially for competitive gaming.
240Hz vs other common refresh rates
Here‘s how 240Hz compares to other refresh rates specifically for gaming:
240Hz vs 60Hz – Going from standard 60Hz displays all the way up to 240Hz is transformative for gaming. At just 60Hz, fast motion in games will exhibit pronounced blurring, ghosting, and higher input lag due to the low refresh rate. The difference is extremely noticeable.
240Hz vs 120Hz – While still a big upgrade from 60Hz, the difference between 120Hz and 240Hz is less substantial but still noticeable according to most gamers. 120Hz will show slightly more motion blur and input lag than 240Hz. Some sensitive users report lower eye strain and fatigue with 240Hz.
240Hz vs 144Hz – 144Hz is common among modern high end gaming monitors. But 240Hz pushes performance even further. The difference is minor but 240Hz gives slightly smoother perceived motion and responsiveness.
According to Hardware Unboxed testing, once you go above 144Hz, improvements become more subtle and diminishing. But 240Hz still provides a small competitive edge.
What resolution to pair with 240Hz
Since 240Hz gaming requires the GPU to render a very high frame rate, lower resolutions are recommended to actually achieve 240fps in games:
1080p is the most common resolution paired with 240Hz displays. At the standard 1920 x 1080 resolution, most modern GPUs can deliver 240fps in competitive esports titles like CS:GO, Valorant, Overwatch, and Fortnite.
1440p is more demanding but high-end cards like an RTX 3080 or RTX 3090 can still reach 240fps in many games at 2560 x 1440. This provides greater detail and sharpness than 1080p while benefitting from the fluidity of 240Hz.
4K is not really feasible currently for 240Hz gaming. Only the most powerful GPUs can surpass 100fps at 3840 x 2160, much less hit 240fps. 4K gaming monitors are best at 60Hz-144Hz.
According to Nvidia, pairing a high refresh rate monitor with a GPU that can‘t keep up defeats the purpose. Aim to match your monitor refresh rate with expected in-game frame rates.
| Resolution | GPU Needed for 240fps |
| 1080p | RTX 3060 Ti or better |
| 1440p | RTX 3080 or better |
| 4K | Not feasible currently |
Do I need a 240Hz display for gaming?
240Hz monitors and TVs provide a competitive advantage for gaming but are not essential for everyone. Here are some recommendations based on use case:
Competitive multiplayer – The extremely fluid motion and fast response times give a tangible edge in competitive genres like multiplayer shooters, MOBAs, and fighting games. If you play Ranked modes or esports, a 240Hz display can elevate your game.
Single player – Visual quality, resolution, and immersive graphics may be more important here. A 4K 60Hz-120Hz display would provide a sharper and more cinematic experience than 1080p at 240Hz.
Console gaming – Since PS5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles are capped at 60fps-120fps, a 120Hz or 144Hz screen is likely sufficient. 240Hz gives minimal benefit for most console gaming.
Casual gaming – More casual single player gaming doesn‘t demand the performance of 240Hz. Standard 60Hz displays are adequate for lighter gaming.
In summary, 240Hz monitors and TVs provide the smoothest possible gaming experience, but aren‘t always practical or needed. Competitive and esports players benefit most from upgrading to 240Hz displays.
240Hz gaming monitors vs TVs
Both monitors and TVs are available with 240Hz refresh rates these days. Here‘s how they compare for gaming use:
Gaming monitors
– Tend to be smaller 24" – 27" screens best used at a desk
– Offer quicker response times – often 1ms or less
– Catered towards competitive PC gaming
– Feature optimizations like FreeSync/G-Sync
Gaming TVs
– Larger screen sizes 43" – 85"+ ideal for couch gaming
– Response times slightly slower around 4-8ms
– Well-suited for console and casual gaming
– Big screen provides immersive experience
If playing on PC at a desk, a 240Hz monitor is recommended. For console or casual living room gaming, a 240Hz television provides a great experience.
Panel types for 240Hz displays
There are two main panel technologies used for 240Hz monitors and TVs:
TN panels
– Inexpensive panel type
– Offer fastest response times around 1ms
– Downside is viewing angles and color accuracy
IPS panels
– Provide better colors and wide viewing angles
– Slightly slower 4-5ms response times
– Overall best panel type for 240Hz gaming
According to Rtings, IPS is preferred for 240Hz gaming monitors thanks to the improved viewing experience. But some opt for TN panels primarily for their ultra fast pixel response times.
Requirements for 240Hz gaming
To take full advantage of 240Hz for super smooth gaming, you need sufficient hardware:
– GPU – The graphics card has to be powerful enough to render very high 240fps frame rates, especially at 1080p or 1440p resolution. An RTX 3070 or better is recommended.
– CPU – The processor must be fast enough to keep up with the GPU to avoid bottlenecking. Aim for top-end CPUs like Intel Core i7/i9 or Ryzen 7/9.
– DisplayPort 1.4 – This display connection is required to transmit the bandwidth needed for 240Hz refresh rates at 1440p or 4K.
– Quality cable – Use a premium certified DisplayPort cable and eliminate converters and adapters for clean signal.
Upgrading all components is key to maximize 240Hz performance. This includes the GPU, CPU, monitor/TV display connection, and cables.
The verdict on 240Hz gaming
In summary, 240Hz displays deliver an extremely responsive and fluid gaming experience perfect for competitive play. The difference from standard 60Hz screens is profound. While visible improvements start to diminish past 144Hz, 240Hz provides a bit more smoothness and responsiveness that some discerning gamers will appreciate and take advantage of.
For most, a high quality 144Hz or 120Hz screen will still offer great gaming performance. But upgrading to 240Hz gives you the absolute smoothest possible motion to elevate your game for multiplayer and esports alike.
