Refresh Rates of 60Hz, 75Hz, 120Hz and All the Way to 540Hz

Ever look at a monitor spec and think, "Wait… 540Hz? That's even a thing?" Yeah, it's crazy, but it's true. Refresh rates indicate how many times a second your screen is updated, and the higher the rate, the smoother everything looks — from gaming to scrolling memes. Let's cut through the confusion in a way that actually makes sense.

What "Hz" Means

Hz (Hertz) is used to measure frequency. For monitors, it indicates how often, per second, the screen repaints the image.

• 60Hz = 60 updates per second
• 120Hz = 120 updates per second
• 540Hz = 540 updates per second

Higher numbers = smoother motion. But there's more to it than just numbers.

60Hz – The Classic

• Perfect for simple tasks like web browsing, videos, and office work.
• It works for casual gaming, but quick shooters can feel a little choppy.
• Affordable and common.

75Hz – Minor Improvement

• Significantly smoother than 60Hz.
• Great for casual gamers who don't feel like breaking the bank.
• Makes daily usage slightly more fluid.

120Hz – Smoothness becomes noticable

• Major improvement in gaming smoothness.
• Feels snappy in games and overall use.
• Works fine if your GPU can output 120 FPS in games.

144Hz – The Gaming Standard

The majority of gaming monitors in 2025 are 144Hz.

Reduces motion blur and input lag.

Best for FPS and competitive games.

165Hz, 180Hz, 240Hz – Competitive Advantage

• 165Hz & 180Hz: Slightly smoother than 144Hz, perceptible mainly in fast games.
• 240Hz: Hardcore competitive gamers adore it — motion appears buttery, input feels instantaneous.

360Hz – Next-Generation E-Sports

• Primarily for professional e-Sports gamers.
• Your eyes and reflexes perceive tiny differences.
• Needs a behemoth GPU to use its potential.

480Hz – Extreme Gaming

• Nearly every frame matters.
• Used in high-level competitive gaming environments.
• Affordable for average users? Not quite.

540Hz – Maxed Out

• Ultra-rare, cutting-edge tech.
• Only makes sense if you’re chasing professional-level eSports performance.
• At this point, diminishing returns kick in — your eyes might not even notice beyond 360Hz in most games.

Important Note: Your GPU Matters

A high refresh rate monitor is useless if your GPU can’t produce enough FPS to match it.

• 240Hz monitor + 100 FPS GPU = wasted potential
• 540Hz monitor + 200 FPS GPU = wasted money

Always balance PC performance with monitor refresh rate.

Quick Recap

• 60Hz: Casual, standard use.
• 75Hz: Light gaming, slightly smoother.
• 120–144Hz: Sweet spot for the average gamer.
• 165–240Hz: Competitive edge.
• 360Hz+: Pro, extreme gaming.

If you game in 2025, at least 120Hz is the minimum. But if you've got a pro setup and burning cash, feel free to pursue 540Hz — don't hold your breath, though, without comparable hardware.