Refresh Rate and Response Time

Refresh rate is how many times per second a display redraws the image (Hz); response time is how quickly pixels change from one shade to another. Together with frame rate, they determine motion clarity.

1. Key points

A higher refresh rate only helps when the GPU supplies matching frame rates.
Variable refresh rate (Adaptive-Sync, HDMI VRR) syncs the display to GPU output, reducing tearing.
Slow pixel response causes blur or smearing regardless of refresh rate.
Display connections must support the bandwidth for high refresh at a given resolution.

2. Refresh rate

Measured in hertz; common gaming values include 144, 165 and 240 Hz.

3. Response time

Faster transitions reduce ghosting; overdrive settings tune it, sometimes causing overshoot.

4. Connections

DisplayPort (VESA) and HDMI 2.1 support high refresh rates and VRR when versions match.

Refresh Rate and Response Time

1. Key points

2. Refresh rate

3. Response time

4. Connections

See also

References

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