Refresh Rate vs. Frame Rate
When shopping for a new gaming monitor or tweaking your PC settings, you will inevitably encounter two critical terms: Refresh Rate (measured in Hz) and Frame Rate (measured in FPS). While they are closely related and both crucial for a smooth visual experience, they are not the same thing. Understanding the difference between refresh rate vs. frame rate is essential for optimizing your setup, whether you are a competitive gamer or a casual user.
What is My Refresh Rate?
If you want to verify what presentation cadence your screen is currently achieving, you can run our free test at the top of this page. It observes the browser's frame delivery rate in real time, helping you confirm whether your monitor is operating at its intended frequency or held back by operating system settings.
What is Frame Rate (FPS)?
Frame rate, or Frames Per Second (FPS), is determined by your system's hardware—specifically your Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) and Central Processing Unit (CPU). It represents the number of individual images (frames) your computer can render and output every second. If your game is running at 120 FPS, your PC is generating 120 unique images each second. A higher frame rate means smoother motion and more responsive gameplay, as the on-screen information is updated more frequently.
What is Refresh Rate (Hz)?
Refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), is an attribute of your monitor or display. It dictates how many times per second the screen can draw a new image. A 60Hz monitor refreshes its image 60 times per second, while a 144Hz or 240Hz monitor refreshes 144 or 240 times, respectively. Unlike frame rate, which fluctuates based on how graphically demanding a scene is, your monitor's refresh rate remains constant (unless you are using variable refresh rate technology).
The Crucial Connection: How They Work Together
The relationship between FPS and Hz is where the magic (or frustration) happens. Your PC and your monitor work in a pipeline: the PC renders the frames, and the monitor displays them.
- High FPS, Low Hz: If your PC pushes 144 FPS but you have a 60Hz monitor, you will only actually see 60 frames per second. The monitor acts as a bottleneck, discarding the extra frames.
- Low FPS, High Hz: If you have a 144Hz monitor but your PC can only manage 60 FPS, the monitor will simply display the same frame multiple times until a new one is ready. You won't benefit from the high refresh rate.
- The Sweet Spot: The ideal scenario is having your FPS match or exceed your monitor's refresh rate, allowing you to utilize the display's full potential.
The Problem of Screen Tearing
When your GPU outputs frames out of sync with your monitor's refresh cycle, you experience "screen tearing"—a jarring visual artifact where the screen appears split horizontally, showing parts of two different frames at once. This happens because the monitor is drawing a new frame while the GPU is in the middle of sending the next one.
The Solution: VSync, G-Sync, and FreeSync
To combat screen tearing, technologies like VSync (Vertical Sync) force the GPU to wait for the monitor's next refresh cycle before sending a frame. However, this can introduce input lag. Modern solutions like NVIDIA's G-Sync and AMD's FreeSync offer Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). These technologies dynamically adjust the monitor's refresh rate to match the GPU's frame rate in real-time, eliminating tearing without the severe input lag penalty of traditional VSync.
Conclusion
In the battle of refresh rate vs. frame rate, neither is the sole winner—they are partners. For the ultimate smooth experience, you need a powerful PC capable of generating high FPS and a high refresh rate monitor capable of displaying those frames. By understanding how they interact, you can make informed decisions when upgrading your gear and ensure you are getting the most out of your hardware.
Test Your Monitor Now
See exactly what Hz your display is running — takes 3 seconds.