144Hz vs 165Hz Monitors: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

What Refresh Rate Means for Gaming Play

Refresh rate, measured in hertz (Hz), is the number of times a monitor updates the image each second. A higher refresh rate can make motion appear more fluid and reduce the visibility of flicker. For gaming, a monitor with a higher refresh rate can display more frames per second, which can improve the perceived fluidity of fast-moving scenes.

The refresh rate of a monitor works together with the graphics card. If the graphics card can output enough frames, a high refresh monitor can show them all. The topic of refresh rate is closely tied to the hardware that drives it. For a deeper look at how refresh rate is measured, see what is Hz and monitor refresh rate meaning.

Comparing 144Hz and 165Hz Monitors

Gaming monitors commonly come with refresh rates of 144Hz and 165Hz. The 144Hz figure is a long-standing sweet spot for high refresh gaming, offering a significant improvement over the 60Hz monitors that are still common for general use. The 165Hz figure adds a bit more headroom. Modern graphics cards from NVIDIA list support for digital resolutions such as 4K at 480Hz and 8K at 165Hz with Display Stream Compression on RTX 50 Series cards, which indicates that high refresh rates are well within the capability of current GPUs.

The gap between 144Hz and 165Hz is smaller than the gap from 60Hz to 144Hz. That means the perceived improvement is not as dramatic. Choosing between the two often comes down to the rest of your setup and the types of games you play. If you are considering a monitor upgrade, see best gaming monitors for a list of models by stated refresh rate.

Is the Extra Refresh Rate Noticeable?

For many players, the difference between 144Hz and 165Hz is subtle. The eye may not perceive the extra 21 frames per second as a striking change. In fast-paced games where motion is constant, the higher refresh rate can make tracking moving objects feel slightly more fluid, but some players will not notice a difference. The larger jump from 60Hz to 144Hz is much more noticeable, while the increase to 165Hz is an incremental improvement.

A practical way to think about it: if your graphics card can consistently output frame rates above 144Hz, a 165Hz monitor gives you a little more room. If your system stays around 144Hz, a 144Hz monitor is sufficient. Understanding the relationship between refresh rate and your system's frame output helps you decide. For more, see what is a good refresh rate for gaming.

Input Lag and Responsiveness

Input lag is the delay between an action and its appearance on screen. A higher refresh rate can reduce input lag because each frame is displayed sooner, and the monitor polls for new input more frequently. However, the change from 144Hz to 165Hz is small in terms of input lag reduction compared to the switch from 60Hz to 144Hz.

Some monitors also include variable refresh rate technologies that synchronize the display with the graphics card output, which can further reduce stutter and tearing. For a full explanation of input lag, see input lag explained.

System Support and Streaming Considerations

The refresh rate a monitor can display depends on the graphics card and the connection. NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 50 series specifications list support for high refresh rates, including 8K at 165Hz with Display Stream Compression, showing that modern GPUs have the bandwidth for these rates. The GPU and CPU work together to produce the frames that a monitor displays. Intel's processor naming and generation information can help you identify a CPU that keeps up with a high refresh monitor.

If you stream while playing, the encoding workload can reduce the frame rate your system can output. NVIDIA's broadcasting page highlights the dedicated NVENC encoder that offloads video encoding from the CPU, which can help maintain high frame rates during gameplay. Windows 11 also includes optimizations for windowed games and Auto HDR, as described in Microsoft's Windows 11 comparison, which can enhance the gaming experience on a high refresh monitor.

Making the Decision: When 165Hz Makes Sense

Upgrading from 144Hz to 165Hz is a judgment call that depends on what you play and the performance of your current system. If you mainly play fast-paced competitive games where every millisecond of responsiveness counts, the extra refresh rate may give you a slight edge. A 165Hz monitor also provides a little more headroom for the occasional frame spikes that push above 144Hz, which can help keep motion consistent.

On the other hand, if your computer consistently delivers close to 144 frames per second or lower in the games you enjoy, a 144Hz monitor is often the more practical choice. The cost difference between the two rates is not the focus of this article, but it is worth considering whether the incremental benefit is worth the investment for your specific setup.

A useful way to approach the decision is to check the stated capabilities of your graphics card and CPU. Modern GPUs, such as those in the GeForce RTX 50 series, are designed to support high refresh rates, and Intel's processor naming guide can help you identify a CPU that matches the demands of a 144Hz or 165Hz monitor. For a broader view of monitor options, the best gaming monitors guide lists models by refresh rate.

• Consider the refresh rate your graphics card can realistically output in the games you play.
• Think about whether you are sensitive to motion clarity and input lag.
• Factor in the resolution you use; higher resolutions may lower achievable frame rates.

What to pick for your play

Questions

Is 165Hz noticeably better than 144Hz?

For most players, the difference is subtle. It can be slightly more fluid in fast-paced games, but many players will not notice a significant change. The improvement is most noticeable if your system can consistently output above 144 frames per second.

Do I need a 165Hz monitor if my game runs at 144Hz?

If your system consistently outputs above 144 frames per second, a 165Hz monitor can show those extra frames. Otherwise, a 144Hz monitor is sufficient. The headroom can also help during frame spikes.

Does a higher refresh rate reduce input lag?

A higher refresh rate can reduce input lag by displaying frames sooner and polling for new input more frequently. The reduction from 144Hz to 165Hz is small compared to the step from 60Hz to 144Hz.

What refresh rate should I choose?

It depends on your GPU performance and the types of games you play. For most players, 144Hz is a balanced choice. If you have a very capable GPU and want a bit more fluidity in competitive play, consider 165Hz.

Can my graphics card support 165Hz?

Many modern graphics cards support 165Hz and higher. NVIDIA's RTX 50 series lists support for 8K at 165Hz with DSC, and most current cards can handle 1080p or 1440p at 165Hz with the right connection.