I’m thinking about upgrading from my ancient 60Hz monitor and trying to decide between a 144Hz and a 180Hz option. I’ve got a 4070 Super, so I could potentially hit 180 FPS in games with lower settings, plus there’s frame generation to consider. However, I’ve heard that past 144Hz, the benefits start to flatten out. Since my budget isn’t huge, I’m uncertain if the jump from 144Hz to 180Hz is really worth it. Is the difference minimal enough that I should just invest in a solid 144Hz monitor instead?
2 Answers
The choice really depends on what games you enjoy playing and whether you want features like HDR. For single-player games, the difference between 144Hz and 180Hz is generally pretty small. However, if you’re into fast-paced games like Counter-Strike, then the 180Hz might be better. Just keep in mind that you’re already stepping into diminishing returns territory after 144Hz.
Sounds like you enjoy a mix of games! Honestly, having played at 60Hz for years, anything above is going to feel like a huge upgrade for you. If you’re mostly enjoying titles like The Finals or Marvel Rivals, that boost in frames will be noticeable regardless of the Hz you choose.
I actually cap my 180Hz monitor at 144Hz because most games on my 4070 Super just can’t reach that 180 mark at 1440. Unless you play lighter indie games, hitting 180Hz consistently may be a challenge.
That’s a great point! I think less mainstream games or indie ones could easily reach 180Hz, which is part of why I’m considering it. But yeah, if you’re not running games that can actually make use of that refresh rate, maybe 144Hz is the better bet!
Exactly! Once you exceed 120Hz, it’s hard to notice much difference. I have both 144Hz and 165Hz monitors, and I hardly see a change. Going from 180Hz to 160Hz can feel jarring, while capping at 144Hz keeps things smooth. For non-competitive gamers, 180Hz seems unnecessary unless you have top-of-the-line hardware like a 4090.