- What is refresh rate?
- Refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), is the number of times your screen updates its image per second. For example, a 60 Hz display refreshes 60 times per second, while a 144 Hz display refreshes 144 times per second. Higher refresh rates result in smoother motion and reduced motion blur.
- What's the difference between refresh rate and frame rate?
- While refresh rate is how often your display can update (hardware capability), frame rate (FPS) is how many new frames your device actually delivers per second (software performance). For optimal smoothness, your frame rate should match or exceed your display's refresh rate.
- What is VSync and why does it matter?
- VSync (Vertical Synchronization) synchronizes your device's frame rate with your display's refresh rate to prevent screen tearing. When VSync is enabled, frames are delivered precisely when the screen refreshes, ensuring smooth, tear-free visuals at the cost of potentially increased input lag.
- What is a good refresh rate for my display?
- For everyday use and office work, 60 Hz is standard and sufficient. For gaming or fast-motion content, higher refresh rates like 120 Hz, 144 Hz, or even 240 Hz provide noticeably smoother motion. Mobile devices often support 90-120 Hz for smoother scrolling and animations.
- Why does my measured refresh rate vary slightly?
- Small variations in measured refresh rate are normal due to hardware timing precision and system load. For example, a 60 Hz display might report between 59.94 and 60.06 Hz. These minor variations are typically imperceptible during normal use.
- How does refresh rate affect battery life on mobile devices?
- Higher refresh rates consume more power as the display updates more frequently. This is why many mobile devices dynamically adjust their refresh rate, using higher rates for scrolling and animations but lower rates for static content to balance smoothness with battery life.
- Can I change my display's refresh rate?
- Most modern displays support multiple refresh rates that can be changed in your operating system's display settings. On Windows, go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced display settings. On macOS, go to System Preferences > Displays and look for refresh rate options if available.
- Why is frame timing important?
- Frame timing measures how consistently frames are delivered to your display. Consistent frame timing (low frame time variance) results in smoother motion, while inconsistent timing can cause stuttering or jitter even if the average refresh rate is high.