Few questions about 120/144hz monitors

[frogzila]

I'm thinking of making the jump from my Asus VE247H 60z monitor to a 120/144hz monitor.

This is purely to play CS:GO with and it's quite a hot topic which is debated both ways.

Regardless of whether it's perceived to make a difference or not I'm wondering if I should expect to expect lower FPS on a 120/144hz monitor?

I'm not sure what would be happening if I was to upgrade;

Either the GPU is working harder to provide a signal which refreshes twice as fast (lower fps)

Or its all the monitor doing the work using the input signal and therefore the GPU is doing just as much work irrespective of the monitors refresh rate so the fps is the same.

Or something completely different

I'm using a 960gtx (2gb)

Thanks

 

[Yaayuh!]

Basically (there's more to it than this, just simplifying) assuming no v-sync:
A 60Hz screen can show 60fps. So if you're GPU is running a game out at 120fps, you'll still only be seeing 60 images per second. You'll also get a lot of tearing.

With 120hz screen you'll be seeing all frames rendered and it appears VERY smooth in comparison but the GPU isn't doing anything more than it was previously.

This all changes when you bring v-sync and adaptive sync into it as it limits the fps your GPU throws out based on refresh rate. G-Sync/Freesync works both ways and syncs your refresh rate to FPS.

I suggest enabling an FPS monitor (make sure v-sync is off!) so you can see how many FPS you're able to achieve first before deciding whether or not a 120/144hz monitor is worth it. If you're hitting above 80fps say, then i'd suggest going for it.

 

[frogzila]

Thanking you for clearing that up so well.

My average fps is around 180. To that end. Would it make sense to enable v-sync?

Else, if v-sync is disabled is the GPU is working overtime to produce frames which can't be displayed? (Edit: plus the negative effect of screen tearing)

Are there any 120/144hz monitors which are well reviewed/praised?

 

[Yaayuh!]

Thanking you for clearing that up so well.

My average fps is around 180. To that end. Would it make sense to enable v-sync?

Else, if v-sync is disabled is the GPU is working overtime to produce frames which can't be displayed? (Edit: plus the negative effect of screen tearing)

Are there any 120/144hz monitors which are well reviewed/praised?

I personally wouldn't enable V-sync as it gives a horrible laggy feel. First, try capping your FPS. You can do this via tools such as MSI Afterburner.

Essentially yes, V-Sync limits fps to sync with your monitor's refresh rate. So if you enabled it, it would limit to 60fps then:

When it drops below 60fps, it'll limit to 30 fps
If it drops below 30fps, it'll limit to 20fps
below 20fps, limit to 15fps etc etc

This just keeps your FPS in sync with your refresh rate by restricting fps to a number that "goes into" your refresh rate.

There's also adaptive sync that disables below your monitor refresh rate:
http://www.geforce.co.uk/hardware/technology/adaptive-vsync/technology

There are loads of 120/144hz monitors out there that are reviewed well, though depends on how deep your pockets are! I use the BenQ XL2411Z, it's not a bad TN monitor at all once calibrated a little but is only 1920x1080.
I'm looking to get the Dell S2716DG but like a lot of recent 2560x1440 144hz monitors, it seems to be a gamble as a lot have faults whether it's TN or IPS.

 

[frogzila]

Thanks for the link. Am I right in interpreting that adaptive V sync is just essentially NVIDIAS version of V sync, so you don't want to be using that either?

2560x1440 prices are totally out of my price bracket!

I think realistically I'm looking at either

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/asus...z-1ms-gaming-led-monitor-black-mo-053-as.html

or

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/benq...0-widescreen-led-monitor-black-mo-097-bq.html

I'm leaning more towards the Asus at the moment, but I'll have to read some full on reviews.

 

[Yaayuh!]

I haven't used Adaptive V-Sync in a long time, it's better but still V-Sync.

I have the BenQ and can't fault it really.

 

[theMilitant]

I'd advise limiting your frame rate using a program like MSI afterburner as Rossi~ suggested. For competitive FPS a 120/144hz monitor really does make a big difference, so you don't want Vsync ruining the competitive advantage you've gained by introducing lag.

 

[Disco_P]

Your FPS won't change when you upgrade to a higher Hz monitor.

Your experience will get hugely better. The difference in smoothness is night and day, I made the upgrade to 100Hz 2 years ago and struggle to use 60Hz monitors.

Don't use V sync if you care about input lag. It's full blown aids. Your GPU produces a frame and then there is a delay for the monitor to display it. Often frames will get queued increasing the delay.

I'd only cap the frame rate if pushing your GPU is having obvious bad side effects. For example it's getting loud or causing coil whine. The flip side is the game will feel less responsive at a capped refresh rate.

Explanation here:

In csgo you can limit it with the fps_max command.