Monitor Refresh Rate and Competitive Advantage

Monitor refresh rate (measured in Hz) determines how many times per second your monitor updates the displayed image. A 60Hz monitor displays 60 frames per second. A 144Hz monitor displays 144 FPS. A 240Hz monitor displays 240 FPS. Higher refresh rates mean smoother motion and reduced visual input lag (the delay between actual motion and displayed motion).

Competitive advantage from high refresh rates is significant. A 60Hz monitor introduces ~16ms display lag; a 144Hz monitor introduces ~7ms; a 240Hz monitor introduces ~4ms. At high speeds, these millisecond differences compound: a moving opponent appears smoother and more predictable on high-refresh monitors.

To utilize a high-refresh monitor, you must achieve matching FPS in-game. A 240Hz monitor requires 240+ FPS to display all frames. If you only achieve 120 FPS on a 240Hz monitor, you're not utilizing the full capability. Target FPS: 1.5-2x your monitor's refresh rate (e.g., 240+ FPS for 144Hz monitor).

For competitive play, 144Hz is the minimum recommended standard. 240Hz is preferred for elite competitive play. 60Hz monitors are sufficient for casual play but provide noticeable disadvantage in competitive matches. Budget for monitor upgrades if you only have 60Hz—the competitive impact justifies the investment.