Refresh rate vs. frame rate: Why they matter for gaming performance

Some PC gamers use the terms frame rate and refresh rate interchangeably. But while they’re related, your gaming PC’s frame rate and refresh rate measure two very different things — one fixed, the other varies.

Frame rate explained

The frame rate, which is measured in frames per second (FPS), indicates the number of images displayed on the monitor per second. The higher the number of frames, the smoother the animation appears. In games, FPS determines how smoothly you see the animations and how quickly inputs are registered. A low FPS means that animations are not displayed correctly or are even skipped completely, which can lead to a stuttering display.

The performance of the graphics card (GPU) and the processor (CPU) mainly influences the FPS. The GPU does the main work in most games while the CPU plays a particularly important role in games with complex calculations such as physics or artificial intelligence. 30 FPS is considered acceptable for many games that do not rely on fast reactions. However, 60 FPS is the target for most games in order to guarantee a smooth experience. Higher FPS such as 120 or 144 offer advantages in competitive games in which every millisecond counts.

Refresh rate explained

The refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), indicates how often the screen refreshes the image per second. The refresh rate depends on the display technology and the capabilities of the screen. Standard monitors offer a refresh rate of 60 Hz, which is sufficient for general use and casual gamers. However, gaming monitors can go up to 500 Hz.

Although both the refresh rate and the frame rate are crucial for smooth displays, there are important differences. For example, the frame rate is mainly influenced by the GPU while the refresh rate depends solely on the monitor technology.

It’s crucial that the frame rate does not exceed the refresh rate of the monitor, as this can otherwise lead to image errors such as tearing. An imbalance can also lead to stuttering, which is when the image is displayed several times in succession. To achieve the best results, you should check the refresh rate of your monitor and adjust the frame rate in the game settings accordingly. For example, if your monitor has a refresh rate of 60 Hz, you should set the game to 60 FPS.

Technologies such as VSync, G-Sync, or FreeSync can help here. VSync synchronizes the FPS with the refresh rate to prevent tearing, but leads to a slight input delay. G-Sync and FreeSync flexibly adjust the refresh rate of the screen to the FPS to prevent tearing without causing a noticeable input delay. A balanced combination of refresh rate and frame rate is essential for a smooth gaming experience. Additional frames that your computer calculates but your monitor cannot display will only waste resources and increase the load on your device. A customized balance between frame rate and refresh rate not only ensures a smooth display, but also protects your system’s hardware.