A decade ago 60 Hz displays were the norm. Today, 120 Hz panels are common on laptops, TVs, phones, and Mobile Pixels Monitors. But is doubling the refresh-rate worth it for you? This guide explains the technology, measures the real-world benefits, and helps you decide which refresh rate matches your workload, hardware, and wallet.
1. Refresh-Rate Essentials
| Term | Definition | Authoritative Source |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh Rate (Hz) | Times per second a display can draw a new image. | VESA |
| Frame Rate (FPS) | Frames the GPU outputs each second; should ≈ Hz. | NVIDIA Docs |
| Persistent (Eye-Tracking) Blur | Smearing seen while tracking motion; inversely proportional to Hz. | Blur Busters |
| Input Lag | Delay from user action to displayed result; ≈ ½ refresh period. | RTINGS DB |
| VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) | Syncs panel Hz with FPS to prevent tearing. | HDMI 2.1 Spec |
2. 60 Hz vs 120 Hz at a Glance
| Metric | 60 Hz Panel | 120 Hz Panel | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frame Time | 16.7 ms | 8.3 ms | 2× faster updates |
| Typical Input Lag* | 9–11 ms | 4–6 ms | ≈ 5 ms less latency |
| Eye-Tracking Blur (960 px/s)** | ~16 px smear | ~8 px smear | 50 % shorter |
| Min. GPU FPS Needed | 60 fps | 120 fps | 2× render load |
| Power Draw (LCD)** | Baseline | +5–10 % | Slightly higher |
| Content Support | All sources | PCs, PS5/XSX, high-end phones | Expanding rapidly |
*RTINGS centre-screen click-to-photons, 2024. **Blur Busters TestUFO @ 200 nits.
3. Visual Clarity & Motion Smoothness
- Persistence Blur – Because your eyes track motion continuously, each refresh persists on the retina until the next one replaces it. Halving the frame time (16.7 → 8.3 ms) halves motion blur.
- Sample-and-Hold vs Strobing – 120 Hz pairs better with backlight strobing or OLED due to shorter dark intervals, producing CRT-like sharpness (VESA MPRT paper).
A 120 Hz panel without full FPS still looks smoother thanks to 3:2 judder elimination in 24 fps video and reduced UI blur.
4. Input Latency
Latency ≈ ½ × (1 / Hz) + processing overhead.
| Refresh Rate | Refresh Period | Theoretical Min. Lag |
|---|---|---|
| 60 Hz | 16.7 ms | 8.3 ms |
| 75 Hz | 13.3 ms | 6.7 ms |
| 100 Hz | 10 ms | 5 ms |
| 120 Hz | 8.3 ms | 4.2 ms |
Competitive gamers feel every millisecond, but even casual users notice snappier cursor movement and smoother scrolling at 120 Hz.
5. Hardware & Cable Requirements
- GPU – 120 fps @ 1080p usually needs an RTX 3060/RX 6650 XT or better; 1440p needs RTX 4060 Ti/RX 7700 XT.
-
Connector Bandwidth
• 1080p 120 Hz: HDMI 2.0 (18 Gbps) or DP 1.2
• 4K 120 Hz: HDMI 2.1 (48 Gbps) or DP 1.4 DSC - Cables – Use certified Ultra-High-Speed HDMI or DP 1.4 HBR3 to avoid blank screens/chroma loss.
- Laptop iGPUs – Intel Xe-LP & AMD RDNA 3 iGPUs can drive 120 Hz internal panels under 10 W.
6. Use-Case Decision Matrix
| Primary Use | Key Benefit of 120 Hz | Who Should Upgrade? |
|---|---|---|
| Competitive FPS | 40–50 % lower input lag | Essential |
| Esports MOBA/RTS | Smoother map panning | Recommended |
| Console Gaming (PS5/XSX) | Matches 120 fps modes | Strongly advised |
| Video/Film Editing | Exact 5× cadence for 24 fps | Nice-to-have |
| Office / Coding | Scrolling clarity, reduced strain | Optional |
| Casual Streaming | Minor benefit | Not critical |
7. Cost Comparison (Mid-2025)
| Size & Resolution | 60 Hz Model | 120 Hz Model | Price Delta |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24″ 1080p IPS | $149 | $199 | +$50 |
| 27″ 1440p IPS | $219 | $289 | +$70 |
| 34″ UWQHD | $499 | $639 | +$140 |
| 55″ 4K TV | $399 | $699 (HDMI 2.1) | +$300 |
Seasonal sales (e.g., Back-to-School) often trim these gaps by 20–30 %.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Will 120 Hz drain my laptop battery faster?
Yes, but typically only 5–10 %. Many laptops offer an “adaptive refresh” toggle to fall back to 60 Hz on battery.
Q2: Does VRR matter at 120 Hz?
Absolutely. Dropping from 120 fps to 90 fps mid-game causes tearing/stutter unless G-SYNC or FreeSync is active.
Q3: Can the human eye really see beyond 60 Hz?
Blind studies (EIZO 2019; Blur Busters 2024) show >90 % of participants reliably distinguish 60 vs 120 Hz motion.
9. Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
- Choose 120 Hz if you game competitively, use a PS5/Xbox Series X|S, edit high-frame-rate video, or want a smoother UI.
- Stick to 60 Hz if your PC rarely exceeds 60 fps, you mainly watch movies, or budget is tight.
A higher refresh rate demands matching FPS, so balance your upgrade between panel, GPU, and cable.
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