LCD Monitors and Frame rates: Are you actually seeing 60+ FPS?

[EastCoasthandle]

This thread is created to generate discussion on whither or not we are actually seeing frame rates higher then the 60Hz refresh rate that the majority of monitors can produce 1920x1200, etc?

Furthermore, are games much more smoother, input responsive and uniformed when using monitors that offer refresh rates higher then 60Hz (IE: 100Hz)? (when frame rates are much higher then 60 FPS)

If you are able to increase the refresh rate by lowering the resolution of you monitor (IE: from 1920 @ 60Hz to 1680 @ 75Hz) do you notice any improvements at the same frame rates?

One last but very important question to throw in this discussion; can LCD be attributed to in game stutter do to it 60Hz refresh rate? For example is it possible to notice in game stutter when at 60Hz but smooths out at 100Hz when frame rates are at 75+ FPS?

 

[n-ster]

This is a great question... I would like to know as well... and for those that have 120hz LCDs, do you see any difference between that and 60Hz?

 

[DRDNA]

I would see big differences in CRT monitors but not in LCD.In CRT 60HZ would hurt me after a few hours headaches eye strain and the such.

 

[n-ster]

Interesting... why do you think that is?

 

[nicholasblock]

yeah i'm curious also cause im actually picking up a 22inch crt monitor that does 1920x1200@120hz so i'm wondering if its worth it right now i'm using a 19 inch samsung that does 1440x900

 

[Darknova]

At 60Hz you can actually see a CRT monitor flicker.

I hated IT when I was at school, all the monitors ran at 60Hz and they couldn't be changed, by the end of the lesson I had headaches.

At 60Hz on a TFT or LCD you can't see it flicker (unless you sit it by another TFT/LCD at higher refresh rate) and the strain on the eyes is much less.

 

[n-ster]

Is it worth the price premium for a 120Hz LCD? What are the ADVANTAGES of lower refresh rates?

 

[iandh]

Is it worth the price premium for a 120Hz LCD? What are the ADVANTAGES of lower refresh rates?

It mainly helps with motion scenes, even if the signal being fed is only 60Hz, higher refresh capability requires lower pixel response times and therefore there is less susceptibility to motion blur.

It can be pretty obvious in an appropriate side-by-side demo, but I'm not sure whether it would be incredibly obvious if you just switched out panels.

 

[blkhogan]

Ive actually seen a 60Hz lcd and a 120Hz side by side. I personaly cant really make out a difference. Worth the upgrade? As of right now I dont think so. Maybe the 120Hz minimizes "ghosting" better and possibly little better frame rate, but with the quality of a good 60Hz lcd thats not really an issue anyway. I will stick with my current 24" 60Hz for now.

 

[iandh]

Ive actually seen a 60Hz lcd and a 120Hz side by side. I personaly cant really make out a difference. Worth the upgrade? As of right now I dont think so. Maybe the 120Hz minimizes "ghosting" better and possibly little better frame rate, but with the quality of a good 60Hz lcd thats not really an issue anyway. I will stick with my current 24" 60Hz for now.

It has to be the correct source material, and if the 60hz display you are watching is already a really high quality unit, the difference will be close to nil.

I must say though, I most definitely notice a difference in gaming with my 60Hz LCD vs. my 120Hz DLP, even with vsync enabled.

 

[DrPepper]

My screen can do 60hz 50hz and 24. I just leave it on 24 and everything is fine. Thats at 1920 x 1080. The difference to me between 60 and 24 is nil.

 

[EastCoasthandle]

It has to be the correct source material, and if the 60hz display you are watching is already a really high quality unit, the difference will be close to nil.

I must say though, I most definitely notice a difference in gaming with my 60Hz LCD vs. my 120Hz DLP, even with vsync enabled.

What kind of difference?

 

[AsRock]

What kind of difference?

I've noticed no difference with LCD's, well except you can get better FPS with v sync on were a 75Htz monitor you would see 75 FPS max and with a 120Htz you would see 120 as the max but game play is not different.

It will just stick at 60FPS if v sync is on unless some thing demands more of the system but it's going be just the same with a monitor runing at the higher Htz too.

With LCD 60Htz is just fine all though as most know and said 60Htz is not with CRT, In fact 75Htz is to low for my eyes and require 85Htz at least to stop noticing the flicker. It's a none issue with LCD for sure as i know at least with CRT my eyes are very sensitive with.

 

[NastyHabits]

The old CRT's would get to you at 60 Hz because they would "sync" with the florescent lighting also flickering at 60 Hz. The human eye works at @ 22 FPS which is why movies were filmed at 24 FPS - at least once they stopped hand cranking the camera.

 

[Sasqui]

Response time is a big factor AFAIK. The 6ms they might list is good for a referesh rate of 160hz (1000/6), but in reality the specs are "grey to grey". What is the real-world equivalent of the refresh rate? I suspect 60hz does even a 4ms monitor justice, but I'm just guessing.

 

[AsRock]

Response time is a big factor AFAIK. The 6ms they might list is good for a referesh rate of 160hz (1000/6), but in reality the specs are "grey to grey". What is the real-world equivalent of the refresh rate? I suspect 60hz does even a 4ms monitor justice, but I'm just guessing.

Responce plays a massive role and in most cases fast paced \ sports need 6ms or lower. On a 8ms monitor you will notice the delay mainly with sports.

i'd get a 60Htz 4ms over a 120Htz 8ms LCD any day.

 

[n-ster]

My screen can do 60hz 50hz and 24. I just leave it on 24 and everything is fine. Thats at 1920 x 1080. The difference to me between 60 and 24 is nil.

doesn't that mean your playing at 24fps basically??? isn't 24fps considered "playable" in the gaming world?

 

[DrPepper]

doesn't that mean your playing at 24fps basically??? isn't 24fps considered "playable" in the gaming world?

It is easily playable and fluid but some people will say it stutters. If they are genuine or not there is no way to tell except if you show them two monitors with different refresh rates and dont tell them which one is which.

 

[n-ster]

I don't you just use 60Hz?

 

[DrPepper]

I don't you just use 60Hz?

Currently its on 60hz. I don't remember changing it but there you go it changes and I didn't notice This 3450 can't even get 60fps on anything anyway.

 

[n-ster]

LOL xD I guess a standard 60Hz LCD is good enough then

 

[iandh]

What kind of difference?

Edge blur on fast moving objects against a stationary background.

As I said, not obvious unless you watch the two sets right next to each other with the same signal. My PC happens to be sitting next to my HDTV in clone mode so it is very easy for me to compare.

 

[troyrae360]

The old CRT's would get to you at 60 Hz because they would "sync" with the florescent lighting also flickering at 60 Hz. The human eye works at @ 22 FPS which is why movies were filmed at 24 FPS - at least once they stopped hand cranking the camera.

LOL the human eye works at 22fps!!!

You are right about the floresent lights

 

[EastCoasthandle]

Edge blur on fast moving objects against a stationary background.

As I said, not obvious unless you watch the two sets right next to each other with the same signal. My PC happens to be sitting next to my HDTV in clone mode so it is very easy for me to compare.

Interesting, very interesting.

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I also found this thread discussing this very issue (this thread). Xbit reviewed Samsung's 22" 120Hz LCD monitor. But I found this page most interesting.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Most modern fluorescent lights aren't at 60Hz anymore. Newer ones have high efficiency, high frequency ballasts (up in the kHz range). That's part of the reason why they turn on so much faster than old 60Hz fixtures.