Does refresh rate affect performance?

Van Hellseek · 3 Mar 2021 at 13:39

My graphics card is only a 1660ti and I currently have a 60hz screen. I was wondering if upgrading to a 144hz screen would put any extra stress on my graphics card? (assuming same resolution etc).

venomx · 3 Mar 2021 at 15:21

Well it's twice the refresh rate meaning your GPU has to work harder. Why would strain on the GPU be a problem ?

I went from 60hz to 144hz and the GPU temp seemed to be the same on my 3060ti

Van Hellseek · 3 Mar 2021 at 15:32

venomx said:
Why would strain on the GPU be a problem ?

I'm basically clueless about this stuff, but 60hz with vsync = 60 fps, no? So going above that is going add stress to the GPU, isn't it?
144 with v-sync is what? 144fps? Idk.. that's why I'm asking.

venomx · 3 Mar 2021 at 15:41

If it causes problems then just lower it to 60hz/75hz/100hz or whichever suits you.

I can't see it causing any problems

Randomface74 · 3 Mar 2021 at 15:45

Just get the monitor. The gpu will work harder to render more than 60 frames per second, but that's fine.

chroniclard · 3 Mar 2021 at 15:46

It will do whats its designed to do, push as many frames as it can.

Radox-0 · 3 Mar 2021 at 15:51

Van Hellseek said:
My graphics card is only a 1660ti and I currently have a 60hz screen. I was wondering if upgrading to a 144hz screen would put any extra stress on my graphics card? (assuming same resolution etc).

As other chaps pointed out, your GPU will be able to render more frames then if it was stuck at 60hz so if it has headroom at 60hz, it could eat into that hence a seemingly higher load on the GPU. Good thing is, that most 144hz monitors these days have VRR of some sort and the 1660ti will support it, so it will help alleviate issues you get around that.

Note CPU load will also increase as FPS goes up as it prepares more information to feed to the GPU with higher refresh rates.

chaparral · 3 Mar 2021 at 23:06

Van Hellseek said:
My graphics card is only a 1660ti and I currently have a 60hz screen. I was wondering if upgrading to a 144hz screen would put any extra stress on my graphics card? (assuming same resolution etc).

Why do yo worry about it putting more stress on your GPU ?

Most of us overclock are GPU so we can put even more stress on it