Refresh Rates vs. Response Times: What You Need to Know (ft. MSI & Dell)
- VERGENERD
- 4 days ago
- 7 min read
Introduction to Monitor Performance Metrics
When most people buy a monitor, they head straight for the big numbers—screen size, resolution, maybe whether it’s got “4K” or “OLED” in the name. And while those things absolutely matter, there’s a pair of specs that are often overlooked, but can completely transform your experience: refresh rate and response time. Whether you’re a gamer chasing every last frame, a video editor demanding smooth playback, or just someone who stares at a screen all day—these two metrics deserve more of your attention.
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What Is Refresh Rate, Really?
Think of refresh rate like a monitor’s heartbeat. It’s measured in Hertz (Hz), and it tells you how many times your screen refreshes the image every second. A typical display runs at 60Hz—that means it’s redrawing the image 60 times a second. For browsing, emails, or basic productivity, that’s perfectly fine. But step into a high-speed game or start working with high-frame-rate footage, and 60Hz quickly starts to feel… sluggish.
Modern monitors now go well beyond that baseline, offering 75Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz, and even all the way up to 360Hz. And the jump isn’t just a number on paper—it’s something you feel instantly. Everything looks and feels smoother: the motion is cleaner, the input feels more responsive, and screen tearing becomes a thing of the past. Once you've experienced 144Hz while playing a competitive shooter like Call of Duty or Valorant, going back to 60Hz feels like rewinding a decade.
Even in everyday use, refresh rate makes more difference than you'd expect. A 75Hz monitor might not sound like a huge leap from 60Hz, but scrolling through webpages or documents becomes noticeably smoother. It’s easier on the eyes, especially if you spend hours at your desk.
Common Refresh Rates and Their Use Cases
Refresh Rate | Ideal Use Case |
60Hz | Basic computing, productivity tasks |
75Hz | Budget-friendly gaming, smoother motion |
120Hz / 144Hz | Competitive gaming, high-speed action |
240Hz / 360Hz | Esports professionals, elite responsiveness |
Refresh Rate in Real-World Use Cases
Gaming is where high refresh rates shine brightest. Fast refresh rates reduce latency and motion blur, helping you react quicker and with greater precision. Competitive gamers often gravitate to 240Hz or even 360Hz monitors for that ultra-responsive feel. It’s not just a luxury—it’s an edge.
For video editors or creatives working with 60fps or 120fps footage, a display that can match that output is invaluable. Playback becomes seamless, and you’re far less likely to miss visual details when scrubbing through a timeline or fine-tuning colour.
Even casual users benefit. From switching tabs to dragging windows around the desktop, a higher refresh rate makes the entire interface feel more fluid. It’s one of those upgrades you only notice after you’ve experienced it—then you wonder how you ever tolerated anything less.
Response Time: The Other Half of the Story
Refresh rate gets a lot of attention, but response time is just as crucial—especially when it comes to image clarity during fast movement. Response time refers to how quickly a pixel can change from one colour to another. It’s measured in milliseconds (ms), and the faster it is, the clearer your screen will look when things are moving.
There are two common ways it’s measured: GtG (grey-to-grey) and MPRT (moving picture response time). GtG tells you how long a pixel takes to shift between shades of grey—typical for most spec sheets. MPRT focuses on how long a pixel stays visible, and it tends to give a more realistic picture of motion clarity. Either way, lower is better, and the range to aim for is usually between 1ms and 5ms.
Slow response times can lead to ghosting—that annoying effect where fast-moving objects leave a blurred trail behind them. Combined with low refresh rates, it can make fast games or quick edits feel mushy. Good monitors handle both: fast refresh, fast response.
One thing worth noting: response time and input lag aren’t the same. Input lag is the delay between a command (like clicking your mouse) and the result showing up on screen. Response time is just about how fast pixels react—but both affect how “instant” the display feels.
MSI vs Dell: Two Brands, Two Philosophies
Now, let’s talk brands. If you’ve been comparing monitors lately, you’ve probably come across MSI and Dell. They’re both great—but they serve slightly different audiences.
MSI leans heavily into gaming. Their monitors are built for performance, with aggressive designs, RGB accents, and specs that scream speed. The Optix MAG274QRF-QD, for instance, offers 165Hz and a 1ms response time—perfect for fast-paced gaming with rich colour. Then there’s the Oculux NXG253R, which ramps things up to 360Hz for esports-level precision. MSI also includes features like Rapid IPS panels, G-Sync compatibility, and Night Vision AI for better clarity in dark scenes. It’s all about maximising every frame.
Dell, on the other hand, plays a different game. Their Ultrasharp series is focused on colour accuracy, resolution, and clean professional design—ideal for creative work or dual-purpose setups. But don’t write them off for gaming. The Alienware line, particularly models like the AW2723DF with 280Hz, packs serious punch. Dell uses Fast IPS and Nano Colour tech to deliver excellent motion handling without compromising visual quality.
Put simply:
If you're after a monitor that looks like it belongs in a spaceship and acts like it too—go MSI.
If you want a display that fits into a studio or sleek workspace but still handles games like a champ—Dell’s got you covered.
Picking the Right Monitor for You
Specs are one thing—but how you use your monitor should drive the decision.
Gamers should prioritise high refresh rates (144Hz and up) with low response times (ideally 1–2ms).
Content creators will benefit more from accurate colour reproduction and high resolution, though a decent refresh rate helps too.
Casual users won’t need the high-end stuff—something around 75Hz with solid build quality and reasonable response time will do just fine.
If you’re deciding between better refresh rate or better response time and can’t have both?
Go for refresh rate if you’re gaming competitively.
Choose response time if you’re doing work where motion clarity is critical.
Clearing Up the Confusion
There’s a lot of marketing noise around monitor specs, so let’s clear up two of the biggest myths.
Not All 1ms Monitors Are Created Equal
Many brands advertise 1ms response times, but often that’s under perfect lab conditions—usually GtG, and sometimes only in overdrive mode. Don’t take it at face value. Real-world results vary, and some “1ms” monitors still show visible blur.
A 144Hz Monitor Doesn’t Magically Make Games Smoother
If your PC is only pushing 60 frames per second, your 144Hz monitor can’t invent new frames out of thin air. Make sure your system can deliver enough performance to take advantage of the higher refresh rate.
Tools to Test and Tweak
Before you settle on a monitor—or if you're setting one up—you can test your screen’s capabilities and calibrate things for the best experience.
TestUFO (testufo.com): Great for spotting ghosting or testing refresh rate.
DisplayCAL: Ideal for colour calibration and profiling.
Lagom LCD Tests: Helpful for checking contrast and fine-tuning pixel performance.
And don’t forget the low-tech approach: move your mouse around quickly. If you see a trail behind the cursor, your response settings may need tweaking.
Best Monitors in 2025 by MSI & Dell
Here’s a quick guide to the best MSI and Dell monitors available now:
Category | MSI Pick | Dell Pick |
Best for Gaming | Oculux NXG253R (360Hz, 1ms) | Alienware AW2524H (500Hz, esports king) |
Best for Content | MPG321UR-QD (4K, 144Hz) | Ultrasharp U2723QE (4K, accurate color) |
Best Budget Option | G2412 (1080p, 170Hz) | Dell S2421HGF (1080p, 144Hz) |
Simple Tweaks That Make a Big Difference
Once you've picked your monitor, don’t just plug it in and walk away. Adjusting your settings can make a serious difference.
On Windows: Go to Settings → Display → Advanced Display → Set your refresh rate to the highest it supports.
On macOS: System Preferences → Displays → Set refresh rate (if the display supports it).
For better colour and clarity:
Use calibration tools like SpyderX or DisplayCAL.
Turn on overdrive or response boost in the monitor’s on-screen settings.
Enable G-Sync or FreeSync for smoother gameplay with compatible systems.
What the Experts and Users Say
Trusted review sites like RTINGS.com praise MSI monitors for their gaming performance and low response times, while Tom’s Hardware regularly puts Dell’s Ultrasharp series at the top for colour accuracy and build quality.
And real users?
“Upgraded from a 60Hz Dell to a 144Hz MSI—never realised how much I was missing.” — Alex R., esports gamer
“Dell’s Ultrasharp just works. Out-of-the-box calibration is perfect for my Photoshop work.” — Maria L., graphic designer
What’s Coming Next
The future of monitor tech looks promising. OLED panels are finally catching up in refresh rates, offering deeper contrast and no backlight bleed—without sacrificing speed. And some newer displays will start using AI to adjust response time dynamically based on what you're viewing, fine-tuning motion clarity without you lifting a finger.
Whether you’re building a gaming rig, upgrading your creative workspace, or just looking for a smoother ride through everyday tasks, understanding refresh rates and response times makes all the difference. Specs matter—but how they feel on your desk matters even more.
FAQs About Refresh Rates and Response Times
1. What’s better for gaming: refresh rate or response time?
For most gamers, refresh rate is more crucial—it directly affects how smooth gameplay feels. A good response time complements it.
2. Can the human eye see the difference beyond 144Hz?
3. Are Dell monitors good for gaming?
4. What causes ghosting on a monitor?
5. Can I change my monitor’s refresh rate?
6. Do I need a powerful GPU for high refresh rate monitors?
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