Most gamers know refresh rate is an important spec to look for when buying a monitor. The higher the refresh rate, the smoother the image will be, vital for fast-paced games where any stuttering or tearing can mean the difference between winning and losing. So, is 165Hz the best choice for serious gamers? And what are the benefits?
165Hz offers the clearest, most fluid motion of any refresh rate available. Screen tearing and stuttering are virtually eliminated for responsive and immersive gaming. Higher refresh rates also help reduce eyestrain and improve visual clarity, which is beneficial for long gaming sessions.
Do you want to learn more? If so, let’s look at what 165Hz is and how it compares to 144Hz. You’ll also learn the difference between hertz and frames, what a graphics card is, why it’s essential, and whether HDMI 2.0 can run 165Hz.
What is 165hz?
So, what is 165hz? Simply put, it’s the number of times per second (measured in hertz) that a monitor refreshes its image. A higher refresh rate means smoother motion and less blurring or tearing during highly dynamic scenes.
To put it another way, the higher the refresh rate, the faster the response time. The result is a smoother, more responsive gaming experience. Most gamers prefer to play at 144Hz or above for an optimal gaming experience.
The standard refresh rate for most desktop monitors today is 60Hz. That means the image refreshes 60 times per second.
144Hz is standard for most gaming monitors because it improves motion clarity more than 60Hz. 165Hz is the next step up, offering an even smoother and more responsive viewing experience.
165hz offers an excellent balance between smoothness and responsiveness because it provides an exceptionally smooth visual experience without sacrificing too much response time. These features make it an optimal balance between performance and enjoyment for many games.
What are the Benefits of 165Hz?
There are many benefits to 165Hz monitors, which is why they are increasingly popular with serious gamers. In addition to a higher refresh rate, other key benefits include the following:
Reduced Input Lag
Input lag is the time it takes for a monitor to respond to an action the user has taken. For example, when you press the mouse button, it takes some time before your actions appear on the screen—this time is input lag.
With a 165Hz monitor, this response time can be significantly shorter than lower refresh rate monitors, which makes for faster reaction times during intense gaming sessions.
If you’re still experiencing lag with a 165Hz monitor, there are external devices, such as an SSD, that can help increase performance.
Faster Responses
Faster response to user input can make all the difference in shooter games, where split-second reactions are crucial to winning or losing a match.
When combined with a GPU that supports G-Sync or FreeSync technology (which synchronizes the frame rate output from the GPU with the refresh rate of the display), gamers can expect even smoother visuals and easier control over their gaming experience.
Motion Clarity
The increased hertz rate has significantly improved motion clarity, making fast-moving objects appear sharper and clearer on-screen. This effect can be especially noticeable in sports or racing games that involve lots of movement.
Increased Visual Flair
When used with compatible GPUs and accessories such as HDR lighting solutions and G-Sync/FreeSync technologies, 165Hz monitors provide gamers with increased visual flair.
Gamers can see more vivid colors and deeper contrast levels than lower refresh rate monitors can produce. As a result, games have a more cinematic feel and greater immersion, making for a better gaming experience overall.
Reduced Eye Strain
The higher refresh rate helps reduce eye strain since it eliminates the display’s flickering, which can tax the eyes.
Since there is less blurring during fast motion sequences, players won’t have to strain their eyes as hard-to-track objects on the screen. This reduces fatigue and ensures gamers can enjoy long gaming sessions without experiencing visual discomfort.
The Difference Between 165hz vs. 144Hz
While both 165hz and 144Hz monitors offer fast refresh rates, the main difference is the response time. A 165Hz monitor has a shorter response time than a 144Hz monitor, so it can provide faster reaction times for gamers in fast-paced games.
However, most people won’t be able to tell the difference between 144Hz and 165Hz without a side-by-side comparison. So, if you can’t afford a 165Hz monitor, 144Hz is still an excellent choice for gaming.
Other notable differences are:
- Response time: 165Hz monitors typically have a faster response time than 144Hz monitors, which can reduce motion blur and make fast-moving objects appear more detailed. These features are especially helpful in shooter and racing games.
- Price: 165Hz monitors may be more expensive than 144Hz monitors, as they are newer and more advanced. However, the price difference between the two isn’t always that significant.
- Hardware: 165Hz monitors may require more power to run at their maximum refresh rate, so you may need an upgraded graphics card or other hardware to take full advantage of their capabilities.
- Compatibility: 165Hz monitors may not be compatible with all graphic cards, so you should check compatibility before purchasing. Look for graphic cards with G-Sync or FreeSync technologies to ensure maximum compatibility and performance.
Some users may not see the difference between a 165Hz and 144Hz monitor, especially if they are playing games or watching movies that don’t require high response times.
Simply put, a 165Hz monitor is an investment in smoother visuals, more vivid colors, and improved motion clarity. However, it may not be worth the extra expense if you don’t need the enhanced performance. It all comes down to preference and budget.
Hertz and Frames Explained
Hertz (Hz) measures the frequency or the number of times something happens per second. In terms of computer monitors, hertz measures the refresh rate—the number of times the image on screen refreshes each second.
Frames are the individual still images or “pictures” that make up a video. They are usually displayed at 24 frames per second (FPS) in most movies and 60 FPS in some modern games. The higher the frame rate, the smoother the motion appears since there is less time between each image being displayed.
When you combine the Hertz rate and frames per second, you get a more accurate picture of how well an image can be displayed on a monitor.
A higher Hertz rate means less time between each refresh, resulting in smoother motion and quicker response times.
The monitor’s refresh rate and the frame rate at which a game runs determine how smoothly the game appears on the screen.
For example, a game running at 60fps on a 144Hz monitor will be displayed smoothly, but the same game running at 60fps on a 60Hz monitor may appear choppy and blurry.
What is a Graphics Card? And Why is it Important?
A graphics card, or GPU (graphics processing unit), processes and renders the images displayed on your computer monitor.
The graphics card is critical because it determines how many frames per second the monitor can display. The more powerful the graphics card, the more fps the monitor can display, making the screen image appear more fluid.
For the best performance, you’ll want a high-end graphics card to match your monitor’s refresh rate, whether 144Hz, 165Hz, or above. Otherwise, the monitor won’t be able to display all the frames per second rendered by the graphics card.
For example, if your graphics card and monitor both have a high refresh rate, you can take advantage of it by selecting a higher frame rate in games to make the action appear smoother.
But if the graphics card isn’t powerful enough, it won’t be able to keep up with the monitor’s refresh rate, which may lead to stuttering, tearing, and other artifacts.
Is HDMI 2.0 Capable of Running 165Hz?
Yes, HDMI 2.0 can support refresh rates up to 165Hz, depending on the resolution and other factors. In addition, this newer version of the HDMI connection type has a much higher data rate, so it can support image resolutions up to 4K.
HDMI 2.0 is also backward compatible with HDMI 1.4 and can carry the same audio and video signals supported by previous versions. It also supports 3D content and can transmit 32 channels of audio at higher bandwidth, making it suitable for the latest surround sound systems.
That said, even if you have a high-speed HDMI 2.0 cable, your display may not be able to support 165Hz over HDMI, depending on the capabilities of your monitor and the resolution you are using.
Some displays may only support 165Hz at lower resolutions, while others may not support it at all.
So you’ll want to check the specifications carefully and opt for something labeled as “165 Hz compatible” or “165 Hz over HDMI” if you plan on using a high refresh rate.
You should also check the specifications of your graphics card and confirm it supports these refresh rates before purchasing a monitor with a higher refresh rate. For example, an older or less powerful graphics card may not be able to keep up with the refresh rate of a 165Hz monitor.