The PS5 console is perfect for competitive gaming, as it allows players to choose from all kinds of frame rates. If you want your game to run at a silky smooth 120FPS, it really is as simple as toggling a few options!
But with all of these optional frame rates, you might find yourself wondering whether you need to grab a TV with an inflated refresh rate. For instance, is a 144Hz TV a better option than a 120Hz TV for PS5 gaming?
Our Reliant tech experts are here to help you navigate the world of television refresh rates. So that you can find the TV of your gaming dreams.
Is 144Hz Better For PS5 Gaming Than 120Hz?
The PlayStation 5 can achieve some serious power that prior iterations of the console could only dream of. Specific titles can now run at a silky smooth 120 frames per second when paired with the right display. This means that it’s a great call to pair the PS5 console with a 120Hz TV screen.
But you might wonder whether there’s any merit to grabbing a 144Hz TV for your PS5. Surely a TV with a bumped-up refresh rate would let your games appear smoother, right? Unfortunately, this just isn’t the case.
The PlayStation 5 console is capped at a total of 120 frames per second. This means that those extra Hertz you would have to pay extra for would simply be put to waste.
The PlayStation 5 can only achieve a 120FPS frame rate at most. This means purchasing a 144Hz gaming TV would be pointless! However, if you also use the display for film and TV, then it might be a worthy investment!
But this doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to play games on a 144Hz TV. Merely that it would be a waste of extra money.
Is It Worth Buying A 144Hz Gaming TV?
There’s no point in grabbing a 144Hz TV if you only plan on using it for PS5 games. As we mentioned earlier, the PS5 system is capped at a total frame rate of 120FPS. This means that the extra Hertz offered by a 144Hz TV would be put to waste.
However, it might be worth buying a 144Hz TV for more than just gaming. If you plan to also use the display to enjoy streaming content, or to watch your favourite films, then it can be a worthy investment. To make the investment worthwhile, we’d recommend making sure that the TV has plenty of HDMI 2.1 inputs. This will ensure that you can easily switch from one input source to the next.
Whenever you’re looking for a gaming TV with a good refresh rate, it’s worth looking for variable refresh rate technology. This technology essentially allows your TV to shift its refresh rate, on the fly, to match the frame rate of your games. For instance, if you were to play a game at 30FPS, the TV would adjust to a 30Hz refresh rate!
Variable refresh rate technology is important because it prevents screen tearing. Screen tearing occurs when the frame rate of an input source does not match the refresh rate of the TV.
Is 144Hz Better Than 120Hz For PC Gaming?
Though it’s not often, many PC gamers do opt to use TVs as alternate displays from standard computer monitors. When it comes to PC gaming, a 144Hz display would be a worthwhile investment. This is because PC games are not capped at 120FPS. In fact, PC games theoretically can be played at frame rates that exceed 240FPS.
Games played on PC can easily exceed 120FPS with the right hardware. As such, a gaming TV with a 144Hz refresh rate may be a worthwhile investment. However, you would ultimately be better off with a PC monitor!
What Content Makes Use Of A 144Hz Refresh Rate?
If you have a 144Hz TV, you can rest assured that there’s plenty to enjoy on there. We’d recommend checking out platforms like YouTube. Content hosted here is entirely user-generated. Some very creative users have been able to create mind blowing content that makes full use of high refresh rates.
Content can also be upscaled to display at higher frame rates up to 144FPS. If you have a 144Hz TV, it’s worth looking around to find content that takes advantage of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 144Hz Better Than 120hz For PS5 Gaming?
No. You’re much better off buying a 120Hz TV for use with the PS5 console. The reason for this is that the PS5 cannot produce frame rates higher than 120FPS. Why pay more for extra hertz you may not actually need? However, 120FPS games will still run perfectly on a 144Hz TV. Just make sure the TV has a variable refresh rate. This will prevent screen tearing!
Is There A Big Difference between 120Hz And 144Hz?
To the untrained eye, there may not seem to be much of a difference between 120Hz and 144Hz at all. However, to seasoned professionals, and hardcore gamers, the difference can be night and day. Footage on a 144Hz display ultimately looks much more smooth, and much more lifelike. Refresh rates higher than 144Hz, similarly, look more realistic. The higher the refresh rate, the more realistic the movement looks!
Is 120Hz Worth The Extra Money?
If you’re only planning on using your TV to watch films and TV shows, then 120Hz may not be worth it. Filmed content most usually plays at around 30FPS. 30FPS content can easily play just right on a 60Hz display. If you’re planning on using the screen for gaming, then a 120Hz display might be just right!
