Is 1ms better than 144Hz?

The terms 1ms and 144Hz refer to different aspects of display performance, so it’s important to understand that they aren’t directly comparable in the sense of one being “better” than the other. However, they do both impact your gaming experience significantly, especially in fast-paced and competitive gaming. Let’s break down what each term means and how they work together to provide the best experience.

1ms Response Time (Millisecond Response Time)

• What It Is: The response time of a monitor refers to how quickly a pixel can change from one color to another, typically from black to white, or between different shades of gray.

• How It Affects Gaming:

  • 1ms response time means that a pixel can change from one state to another in 1 millisecond.
  • Faster response time results in less motion blur and ghosting, which are especially noticeable in fast-moving scenes or while gaming.
  • Low response times (like 1ms) are important for competitive gaming because they can reduce visual artifacts such as ghosting (when an image remains visible as you move the camera around), which can impair your ability to spot opponents quickly.

• When It Matters:

  • 1ms is typically crucial for fast-paced, competitive games like FPS (First-Person Shooters), RPGs with lots of action, or Fighting Games where split-second decisions matter.
  • While a faster response time is beneficial, it isn’t always noticeable unless you're playing games where speed and precision are critical.

144Hz Refresh Rate

• What It Is: The refresh rate refers to how many times per second the display refreshes the image. A 144Hz refresh rate means the screen refreshes 144 times per second.

• How It Affects Gaming:

  • Higher refresh rates result in smoother visuals, less motion blur, and a more fluid gaming experience. This is especially noticeable in fast-moving games where every frame counts (e.g., action-packed FPS games).
  • A 144Hz refresh rate allows you to see more frames per second, which provides smoother animations and can improve reaction times (due to reduced motion blur and a smoother overall gameplay experience).
  • Higher refresh rates also minimize screen tearing, which occurs when the frame rate of the graphics card doesn’t match the refresh rate of the display.

• When It Matters:

  • 144Hz is ideal for competitive gamers who want to maximize fluidity in fast-paced games. It’s particularly beneficial in FPS games, Racing games, and MOBA games, where smooth and fluid animations are key.
  • If your frame rate is consistently above 60 FPS, 144Hz will allow you to take full advantage of those higher frame rates, delivering a much smoother experience than a 60Hz monitor.

Which Is More Important: 1ms or 144Hz?

It’s not a matter of choosing one over the other, as both are important and work together to enhance your gaming experience. Here’s how to think about it:

1. Both Work Together:

   • A 1ms response time ensures that the pixels change fast enough to keep up with high frame rates, preventing ghosting and motion blur.
   • A 144Hz refresh rate ensures that the screen can display more frames per second, providing smooth, fluid motion without stutter or tearing.

   Together, they create a seamless and immersive gaming experience. Having one without the other can still result in a subpar experience. For example:

   • If you have a 144Hz monitor but a high response time (like 5ms or 10ms), you might still see ghosting or motion blur despite the smooth refresh rate.
   • On the other hand, if you have a 1ms response time but a 60Hz monitor, your frames will be limited, and the refresh rate won’t be high enough to showcase the benefits of fast pixel response times.

2. What Matters More for Competitive Gaming?

   • For Competitive Gaming, a combination of low response time (like 1ms) and a high refresh rate (like 144Hz) is generally the best option.
   • If you have to pick one: 144Hz is more important for smoother gameplay and minimizing screen tearing. However, if you’re really competitive (like in esports), both are crucial. In some cases, players prioritize 1ms response time slightly more, but if you're playing on a 144Hz display, the difference between 1ms and 5ms response times is often negligible unless you're at the highest competitive level.

Which Should You Buy: 1ms vs. 144Hz?

1. If You’re Playing Fast-Paced FPS Games (e.g., Call of Duty, Valorant, Apex Legends):

   • Aim for both 1ms response time and 144Hz refresh rate to maximize both the smoothness and precision of your gameplay.

2. If You’re Gaming on a Budget:

   • If you need to prioritize one over the other, consider 144Hz over 1ms if you can only afford one of these features. You can still get good performance on a 144Hz monitor with slightly higher response times (e.g., 3-5ms), while a higher refresh rate will give you a smoother experience.

3. If You Are Into Content Creation or Non-Competitive Gaming:

   • If you do content creation (e.g., video editing or photo editing), or you’re into non-competitive gaming (e.g., strategy games), then color accuracy and visual quality may matter more. In these cases, a high refresh rate and lower response time can still provide an enjoyable experience, but they’re not as critical as they are for competitive gaming.

Conclusion:

• 1ms response time and 144Hz refresh rate are both important features for gaming, but they serve different purposes.
• 1ms is crucial for reducing motion blur and ghosting, while 144Hz is all about providing a smoother gaming experience and reducing screen tearing.
• Ideally, you want both — a monitor with 1ms response time and 144Hz refresh rate will give you a top-tier gaming experience.
• If you have to prioritize, 144Hz is generally more noticeable for competitive gaming, but having both features in one monitor will elevate your performance to the next level.

For the latest monitors with 1ms response time and 144Hz refresh rate, you can check out Amazon, Best Buy, or specialized tech retailers, and look for reviews on platforms like RTINGS.com or Digital Foundry to ensure you're getting the best performance for your needs.