If you are a fan of video games or if you are a designer and you are looking for a new monitor, we tell you why you should choose a 120Hz monitor . We will see how important a high refresh rate is, both for gaming fans and designers.

What is the refresh rate or frequency

It is the number of images that a screen can display per second . The refresh rate or frequency is usually measured in Hertz (Hz), although it can sometimes appear in frames per second (FPS). Note that these two ways of identifying the refresh rate or frequency are the same.

The refresh rate (this term is more commonly used) means that a certain number of images per second are displayed on the screen . A 120Hz monitor means that it will have the ability to display up to 120 images per second on the screen. Something that allows greater fluidity in movement within video games.

The higher the refresh rate, the sharper and more accurate the image is displayed on the screen. This is especially important in competitive games where the action is very fast, such as first person shooter games.

Why buy a 120Hz monitor for gaming

Currently, gaming monitor manufacturers offer solutions with an increasing refresh rate. The reason for offering a monitor with a high frequency response is mainly due to the fluidity of competitive games . Shooter games, where the speed of the action is maximum and where great aim is required, are where the most impact has a high refresh rate.

For strategy type games, story type or simply simulators, the refresh rate loses relevance. These types of games are usually more static and a high refresh rate is not necessary. While it may be, to a certain extent, interesting, it is not something we should have high priority.

We must not only look at the refresh rate, but also the response time . If we have a monitor with a high refresh rate and a high response time, we will have a monitor that is not as good as it should be. For a monitor with a 120Hz response rate, you should ideally have a response time of 1ms. Note that the usual is that the higher the refresh rate, the shorter the response time.

What is the best resolution for a 120Hz monitor for gaming

Until relatively recently, most 120Hz gaming monitors had VA or IPS panels with 1080p resolution . More and more we see 1440p resolution monitors with 120Hz and 144Hz refresh rates. The current offering of 2160p resolution monitors that work at refresh rates of 120Hz or more is limited and they tend to have very high prices.

The most common, to play competitive titles such as Fortnite or Counter Strike, are usually 1080p monitors . These types of games do not offer spectacular graphics and it is not something to look at either. For this same reason, a high refresh rate is prioritized over a high resolution.

Something that a good gaming monitor with a high refresh rate should have is:

NVIDIA G-Sync

This image synchronization technology is company property and requires meeting a number of requirements. For a monitor to receive the NVIDIA G-Sync label , it requires the incorporation of a specific module for image synchronization. What this module or technology does is synchronize the frame rate offered by the GPU and the refresh rate of the monitor , adapting the frequency of the latter according to the amount of FPS.

NVIDIA currently has two variants of this technology. G-Sync Premium also requires that the monitor meet a series of additional specifications to ensure high image quality, in addition to including the specific module for this technology. While G-Sync Compatible does not require specific hardware or meet certain specifications.

NVIDIA has always stressed that G-Sync Compatible monitors meet some of the company’s standards, not all. The good thing about these monitors is that they work well when it comes to frame synchronization. Additionally, G-Sync Compatible monitors are much cheaper than G-Sync models.

AMD FreeSync

This technology is a small variation of the VESA Adaptative Sync technology. The nice thing about AMD’s image sync technology is that it doesn’t require dedicated hardware . AMD simply requires meeting a fairly affordable set of parameters to receive this label.

Within the AMD FreeSync technology we have several versions, the “basic”, the so-called FreeSync Premium and the FreeSync Premium Pro version . The difference between them is simply in the specifications that the monitor receives this name.

We have to emphasize that most AMD FreeSync monitors can be compatible with G-Sync, at least partially. Interestingly, G-Sync and G-Sync Premium monitors are often not supported or “certified” for AMD FreeSync.

Why buy a 120Hz monitor for design

Usually someone who is dedicated to the design tends to prioritize characteristics such as resolution, color quality and other specific characteristics . The refresh rate is not usually taken into account, something that can be quite interesting. Having a 120Hz monitor is a good thing , since we will have better fluidity in the user interface (GUI) . We will see how the drop-down menus and the software executions are very fluid, something that is always appreciated.

The designers who notice it the most are those who dedicate themselves to video editing. Although these video editors then work with content at rates from 24 to 30FPS, the difference is noticeable. Interactions and execution look much smoother, and then video playback speed is something else.

We can find in the market a good offer of monitors specifically thought for the design that offer refresh rates of 120Hz or more. These monitors usually offer 1920 x 1080 (1080p) resolutions, although they are becoming more common with 2160p resolution . As a great drawback of this type of monitor is the price, which is usually quite high, although monitors for design have never been characterized by being cheap.

Final words on the 120Hz monitor

A monitor with a response frequency of 120Hz or higher, we will obtain a more fluid operation. This is especially good for competitive-type video games, where precision is vital. But it is also interesting for those who are dedicated to design, since operating with the interface is much more fluid.

We recommend this article with the best monitors on the market

Finding a gaming monitor with a refresh rate of 120Hz is quite simple and we can find models with quite affordable prices. The best, for competitive gaming, are monitors with a 1080p resolution. Those who want a monitor for design with a 120Hz rate, it can already be a bit more complex. There is not a great offer of monitors with this characteristic and they have a high cost. We must add to the high frequency rate, the parameters of color, brightness and others, since in design they have more weight.