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144Hz vs 240Hz monitor – which is one is better for gaming?

Updated: Feb 29, 2024 6:27 am
144Hz vs 240Hz monitor – which is one is better for gaming?

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If you want to settle the “144Hz vs 240Hz” debate, then we have you covered right here.

High refresh rate gaming monitors are becoming more and more affordable, with 144Hz models nearly becoming the new norm for gaming. In fact, if you take a look at the gaming monitors available online, you will find a 144Hz refresh rate in budget monitors. 

Similarly, until a few years ago, a 240Hz refresh rate was the highest possible refresh rate commercially available. However, 240Hz monitors are now widely available within a reasonable price range. And the highest refresh rate available today is 540Hz – which is quite fast. 

Now, the leap from 60Hz to 120Hz or 144Hz is quite noticeable – you can see the smoothness of visuals and feel the quickness in performance. So, while the jump from 144Hz to 240z may not seem phenomenal to the human eye, it would definitely be a significant improvement in terms of performance. 

With that being said, whether you should get a 144Hz monitor or a 240Hz one will depend on quite a few things, including your setup’s capacity, use case, preferences, and budget. To help you resolve this debate, we have compiled a quick guide to help you out. 

144Hz vs 240Hz gaming monitor – what’s the difference?

144Hz gaming monitor240Hz gaming monitor
Usually affordableCostlier than 144Hz monitors
Suitable for moderate GPUsSuitable for high-end GPUs
Good for casual gamers & everyday useGood for professionals & competitive gamers

Let’s quickly compare a 144Hz gaming monitor and a 240Hz gaming monitor –

144Hz gaming monitors

ASUS ROG Swift PG32UQ

ASUS PG32UQ

Refresh Rate

144Hz

Response time

1ms MPRT

Screen size

31.9″

Resolution

3840 x 2160

When it comes to 144Hz gaming monitors, a new image is produced approximately every 7th ms. This is the main reason as to why images appear to be much smoother when compared to lower rates like 60Hz. The difference between 144Hz  and 240Hz is certainly less noticeable unless you slow the footage down but there is sufficient evidence to support the fact that a higher refresh rate brings you the most responsiveness.

144Hz could be considered a modern benchmark for competitive players, with a wide variety of options sprouting up, even in budget categories.

240Hz gaming monitors

BenQ ZOWIE XL2740 240Hz

BenQ Zowie XL2740 240hz gaming monitor

Size

27″

Refresh Rate

240Hz

Response Time

1ms

Panel Type

TN

Maximum Resolution

1920 x 1080

If you are currently rocking a decent gaming PC build and love competitive esports titles, a 240Hz gaming monitor could be the ideal next step for you and your gameplay. 240Hz monitors aren’t cheap and don’t come with all the added benefits we see in 144Hz monitors yet.

If you can’t achieve 240 frames per second with your favorite titles, you won’t reap the full rewards from a 240Hz gaming monitor and should look into a 144Hz model instead, as some can be overclocked to 165Hz.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you actually notice a difference between 144Hz and 240Hz?

As mentioned, the difference is noticeable when upgrading to a 144 or 240Hz monitor. It’s hard to put my finger on as the difference isn’t always apparent to the eye but motion feels fluid in all games. It’s a smoother experience just like when jumping from 60 to 144Hz, only less noticeable. Lower latency means FPS gaming feels highly responsive and can certainly give competitive players the upper hand.

Are 240Hz gaming monitors worth it?

It didn’t take long for the industry to introduce the golden egg of gaming monitor refresh rates- 144Hz. Jumping from 60Hz to 144Hz, you could instantly notice a huge difference in performance, with everything feeling buttery smooth in comparison.

When we get to 144Hz vs 240Hz, differences start to be less noticeable but there is still clearly an advantage to a higher rate. While you may not notice the jump from 144Hz to 240Hz, if your PC can handle it, it is 100% worth the upgrade.

Final Word

Competitive gamers stand to gain the most from a 144Hz or 240Hz monitor. For gamers, the small differences with 144Hz Vs. 240Hz plays an integral role in winning competitive games, especially FPS titles such as CS:GOValorantOverwatchBattlefieldFortnite, and PUBG.

If you do decide to go for a 240Hz option, just ensure your PC is actually capable of such frame rates to begin with. For the money you could save, going for a 144Hz monitor is a really good choice, too, and gives a similar experience and response times for a lot less money.


For as long as he can remember, Charlie has always been interested in computers and gaming. It all started with the Sega Mega Drive and then evolved into PC gaming in his early teens.

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