monitor

Monitor basics: running 75 Hz over HDMI

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Getting right to it:

  • Modern HDMI gaming monitors do support 75 Hz
  • Starting with HDMI 1.3 (2006) displays using the standard could output 1080p at 120 Hz
  • HDMI 2.0 (2013) introduced support for 1080p at 240 Hz

Despite the push for high refresh rate displays, 75 Hz monitors are still a great option for low latency gaming. They’re much lower priced than 144 Hz monitors, often have low input lag, and are usually 1080p (great for all PC build types). When it comes to hooking your monitor up to your GPU you’ve got two options: HDMI and DisplayPort.

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Yes, a 75 Hz monitor can run 120 FPS (with exceptions)

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First things first: refresh rates and how many frames you get in game are related to one another but not quite the same thing. If you’re someone with a 75 Hz monitor (refresh rate) you can output 120 FPS (or more) depending on your setup. The only catch is that the end result may not be to your liking.

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60 Hz is quite alright for gaming (yes, really)

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60 Hz might be good enough for you if:

  • You’re a casual fan (you play a few hours a week at most)
  • You aren’t deeply invested in competitive multiplayer
  • You’re just getting into gaming
  • High refresh rate displays are outside your budget (FOMO be damned)

Jumping into Modern Warfare II at 120 FPS for the first time was an absolutely wild experience. I felt in control in a way I never had before. In fact, it felt like I was never really in control playing games like Call of Duty or Halo Infinite when playing at 60 FPS prior. In some ways, it was more game changing than other huge tech advancements I had experienced in the past – moving Windows to an SSD or experiencing high definition for the first time.

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PC Gaming: is 60 Hz the same thing as 60 FPS?

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Getting right to the difference between refresh rates and frame rate…

60 Hz and 60 FPS (frames per second) are interrelated, but not the same thing. 60 Hz refers to the refresh rate of your display while 60 FPS is the number of frames per second rendered by your PC or console.

To put it another way, the frame rate determines how fluid any particular game is while the refresh rate of your monitor (or TV) will dictate how smooth a game will appear.

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Display essentials: do monitors affect fps?

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from hz to fps

Despite TV manufacturers catering to gamers, monitors largely remain a much better option in terms of faster response times. New TVs offer features like Auto Low Latency Mode and Variable Refresh Rate, but monitors have offered much better latency for over a decade.

While not important to all players, lower latency and higher fps means more fluid gameplay and a greater level of control. For those playing first-person shooters and fighting games, a better response time can mean a competitive advantage over those playing on laggy displays or lower specced machines.

Just how do monitors affect fps?

Technically, monitors only affect fps indirectly. They’re responsible for the visible frame rate that a player will see, and it’s the reason why those with powerful machines opt for 144Hz displays.

No matter the in game fps, a 60Hz display will only ever output 60 fps.

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Does PS5 have DisplayPort?

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One of the best aspects of the continuing evolution of consoles has been the methodical shift towards bringing PC like functionality.

From genres previously exclusive to the PC to added tools, systems like the PS5 show that we’re long past the days of being relegated to a slim subset of features.

A side effect of these blurred lines has been the increased usage of PC monitors to game on systems like the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Thankfully, this use case is as easy as ever and even more pronounced with added features to monitors such as HDR, high refresh rates, and increased resolutions.

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Is 4K gaming worth it without HDR?

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While the amount of households with a 4K TV has soared over the past few years, the process of upgrading is hardly cut and dry.

With technical jargon like Ultra HD, HDR, local dimming, and 10 bit color depth, it’s hard to know exactly what you’re getting yourself into, and whether or not the TV you’re about to buy is the right fit for your needs.

HDR, 4K’s partner in crime, makes things particularly puzzling for home theater setups – many TVs on the market lack HDR and those that do offer the new color standard often miss the mark.

If you’re someone just venturing into the land of higher fidelity, you might be wondering whether 4K, on its own, carries the same punch independent of all the developing TV tech.

Keep reading for a dive into what makes the jump in resolution worth it and whether it should be considered for gaming without HDR.

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Does PS4 have dual monitor support?

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One of the biggest draws to PC gaming is flexibility, and among a player’s options to configure the display output is the ability to game on a dual monitor setup.

Monitors are essentially stacked side by side in order to create a much wider, and subsequently more immersive, field of view. It’s features like this that make the PC landscape one ripe with possibility for tech enthusiasts.

Slowly but surely PC gaming features have been sliding into the scene of console gaming, but for the most part, PC is far and away the place to be for the cutting edge.

If you’re playing on the PS4, you might be wondering – does the PS4 support dual monitors?

In short, Sony’s console lacks dual monitor capability (as do the Switch and Xbox One). If you want true dual monitor support, then you’ll need to buy a gaming PC.

Read on to learn about PS4 features that are similar to dual monitors and how you can integrate the console into an already existing setup.

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