Gaming Monitor 144Hz vs 240Hz comparison

Best Gaming Monitors: 144Hz vs 240Hz — Is the Upgrade Worth It?

06 May, 2026
Posted by: GamingDesktop Team

One of the most frequent questions from Australian gamers building or upgrading their setup is whether a 240Hz monitor is worth the premium over 144Hz. The answer depends on what you play and how serious you are about performance.

Understanding Refresh Rates

Refresh rate is how many times per second your monitor updates its image. At 144Hz, you get 144 frames per second displayed. At 240Hz, that jumps to 240. Higher refresh rates mean smoother motion and potentially faster reaction times.

Can Your PC Handle 240Hz?

To benefit from 240Hz, your gaming PC needs to output 240+ FPS consistently in your target game. At 1080p in titles like Valorant or CS2, a mid-range GPU can hit this. At 1440p or 4K, you'll need a high-end system.

Who Benefits Most from 240Hz

Competitive FPS players in titles like Valorant, CS2, and Call of Duty benefit significantly from 240Hz. Studies show that going from 60Hz to 144Hz improves performance noticeably. The jump from 144Hz to 240Hz is smaller but still measurable for serious players.

144Hz: The Sweet Spot for Most Gamers

For most Australian gamers — including those playing RPGs, strategy games, battle royale, or casual shooters — 144Hz is the performance sweet spot. Quality 144Hz monitors start from around $250 AUD, offering excellent value.

Panel Types Matter Too

IPS panels offer better colour and viewing angles. TN panels have the fastest response times but worse colours. VA panels are a middle ground. For gaming, IPS 144Hz monitors are widely recommended in 2026.