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120hz and why I should get it
posted in Hardware
1
#1
2 Frags +

So I've been thinking a lot about whether or not I should get a 120hz monitor. The main reason that I've been confused about it is because I can't pull anything about 50 fps on anything that isn't a source game or an old game. Is it really worth the difference to get a 120hz monitor, or should I just hold off until I get an upgrade?

I feel like posting my build would probably get me better advice.

FX-4170
Asus M5A97 LE R2.0
XFX R7870
2x8GB GSkill 1600 MHZ
Sandisk Extreme 120 GB SSD

That's basically all that's relevant to how my games play.
I get good temps. 44 C max on 100% load on the CPU, like 65 @ 100% on the GPU

So I've been thinking a lot about whether or not I should get a 120hz monitor. The main reason that I've been confused about it is because I can't pull anything about 50 fps on anything that isn't a source game or an old game. Is it really worth the difference to get a 120hz monitor, or should I just hold off until I get an upgrade?

I feel like posting my build would probably get me better advice.

FX-4170
Asus M5A97 LE R2.0
XFX R7870
2x8GB GSkill 1600 MHZ
Sandisk Extreme 120 GB SSD

That's basically all that's relevant to how my games play.
I get good temps. 44 C max on 100% load on the CPU, like 65 @ 100% on the GPU
2
#2
1 Frags +

do you not hear how people boast about them and all the threads about 120s...

do you not hear how people boast about them and all the threads about 120s...
3
#3
15 Frags +

if you cant maintain 120fps, dont get a 120Hz monitor
thats it

if you cant maintain 120fps, dont get a 120Hz monitor
thats it
4
#4
0 Frags +
aimdo you not hear how people boast about them and all the threads about 120s...

I mean, I understand the benefits of it and everything, and I know which ones are good. My question is if it's even worth the extra money if the only games that benefit are source games.

[quote=aim]do you not hear how people boast about them and all the threads about 120s...[/quote]

I mean, I understand the benefits of it and everything, and I know which ones are good. My question is if it's even worth the extra money if the only games that benefit are source games.
5
#5
0 Frags +

what percentage of the games do you play that are source games? if it was a 50/50 thing I would do it. I recently made the switch and it has made a world of difference to me.

Edit: looks like you play TF2 a lot and you kinda said source games are the only ones you can manage high enough fps. Yes I would get it if I were you. get the 24" asus 144hz its the best bang/buck

what percentage of the games do you play that are source games? if it was a 50/50 thing I would do it. I recently made the switch and it has made a world of difference to me.

Edit: looks like you play TF2 a lot and you kinda said source games are the only ones you can manage high enough fps. Yes I would get it if I were you. get the 24" asus 144hz its the best bang/buck
6
#6
RGB LAN
2 Frags +

If you do quick mouse movements (extremely noticeable for 90 degree or 180 degree movements), it looks WAY smoother and you can see everything perfectly (especially if you're used to 60hz). It just looks really nice.

I've heard conflicting arguments about if it helps relieve eye-strain vs a 60hz monitor, though.

If you do quick mouse movements (extremely noticeable for 90 degree or 180 degree movements), it looks WAY smoother and you can see everything perfectly (especially if you're used to 60hz). It just looks really nice.

I've heard conflicting arguments about if it helps relieve eye-strain vs a 60hz monitor, though.
7
#7
1 Frags +

I got my 144hz Asus yesterday. Even if I am not playing any game I keep moving the mouse around in joy of the complete smoothness.
If you can afford a 120hz monitor, get a 120hz monitor. You will not regret it.
Also you will probably be upgrading your graphics card sooner or later and when that happens you will already have your monitor there ready to play anything at delicious 120hz. Also you can probably set most games' graphics settings down to get stable 120 fps.

I got my 144hz Asus yesterday. Even if I am not playing any game I keep moving the mouse around in joy of the complete smoothness.
If you can afford a 120hz monitor, get a 120hz monitor. You will not regret it.
Also you will probably be upgrading your graphics card sooner or later and when that happens you will already have your monitor there ready to play anything at delicious 120hz. Also you can probably set most games' graphics settings down to get stable 120 fps.
8
#8
1 Frags +

I'd say first upgrade your system. If your video card can't handle 120hz 1080p then it'll just sit there for show or you'll be playing on your old resolution(unless you're already playing on 1080p)

I'd say first upgrade your system. If your video card can't handle 120hz 1080p then it'll just sit there for show or you'll be playing on your old resolution(unless you're already playing on 1080p)
9
#9
1 Frags +

A 120hz monitor is prty gud. But it won't transform you into a new player or "make you better much better". I think I remember you pc setup and I would say just wait for an upgrade on your pc. Unless you have a shitty 60hz or 50hz monitor that's shit I wouldn't go spend $300++ with your current setup. If all you play for tf2 then you should get it but I wouldn't of gotten it if I didn't have a shitty 16inch 50hz monitor just simply because of the price.

If you're going to get one though get the new 144hz.

A 120hz monitor is prty gud. But it won't transform you into a new player or "make you better much better". I think I remember you pc setup and I would say just wait for an upgrade on your pc. Unless you have a shitty 60hz or 50hz monitor that's shit I wouldn't go spend $300++ with your current setup. If all you play for tf2 then you should get it but I wouldn't of gotten it if I didn't have a shitty 16inch 50hz monitor just simply because of the price.

If you're going to get one though get the new 144hz.
10
#10
7 Frags +

remember, you can still be bad with a 120hz monitor (dflame [jk he's pretty good]) and still be insane with a 60hz (zbryan/rr)

remember, you can still be bad with a 120hz monitor (dflame [jk he's pretty good]) and still be insane with a 60hz (zbryan/rr)
11
#11
0 Frags +

Hitscan registration significantly improved at 120 hz for me.

Hitscan registration significantly improved at 120 hz for me.
12
#12
2 Frags +

As for the "it doesn't make you a better player": It does, in some way. If you play scout a lot and there have always been these shots that you didn't seem to be able to hit or that other scout in MGE that you couldn't hit because everything was too fast and you didn't really see where you were shooting: That is going to be gone. I played a lot of MGE today and I did a lot better than before. Whenever I missed, I could really see why I missed and that I missed because I legitemately did not shoot where the opponent was.
Bottom line: 120hz will let you improve significantly better if you play scout and/or any class where you feel that you cannot pinpoint your misses during fast combat.

I will probably not help you a lot if you are a main heavy.
(In that case, wtf are you doing?)

As for the "it doesn't make you a better player": It does, in some way. If you play scout a lot and there have always been these shots that you didn't seem to be able to hit or that other scout in MGE that you couldn't hit because everything was too fast and you didn't really see where you were shooting: That is going to be gone. I played a lot of MGE today and I did a lot better than before. Whenever I missed, I could really see why I missed and that I missed because I legitemately did not shoot where the opponent was.
Bottom line: 120hz will let you improve significantly better if you play scout and/or any class where you feel that you cannot pinpoint your misses during fast combat.

I will probably not help you a lot if you are a main heavy.
(In that case, wtf are you doing?)
13
#13
1 Frags +
downpourif you cant maintain 120fps, dont get a 120Hz monitor
thats it

I always heard that you need to maintain 240fps to get the full effect of the 120hz, is that true?

[quote=downpour]if you cant maintain 120fps, dont get a 120Hz monitor
thats it[/quote]

I always heard that you need to maintain 240fps to get the full effect of the 120hz, is that true?
14
#14
0 Frags +

http://www.blurbusters.com/zero-motion-blur/lightboost/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hD5gjAs1A2s
don't personally know how big of a difference, if at all, this makes (monitor isn't supported) but people were saying that it was almost as night and day as 60hz -> 120hz was.

http://www.blurbusters.com/zero-motion-blur/lightboost/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hD5gjAs1A2s
don't personally know how big of a difference, if at all, this makes (monitor isn't supported) but people were saying that it was almost as night and day as 60hz -> 120hz was.
15
#15
1 Frags +

Lightboost. This makes me angry. Why the fuck does this not work with my AMD card. Grmpfdsghblbldf
They better get this hack to work with AMD.

Lightboost. This makes me angry. Why the fuck does this not work with my AMD card. Grmpfdsghblbldf
They better get this hack to work with AMD.
16
#16
1 Frags +

Btw, people are on it:
http://www.techngaming.com/topic/1086-guide-updated-eliminate-motion-blur-while-gaming-with-nvidia-lightboost/page-6

It is definately possible to get lightboost working with any good enough card and according monitor. We just have to figure out the commands.

Btw, people are on it:
http://www.techngaming.com/topic/1086-guide-updated-eliminate-motion-blur-while-gaming-with-nvidia-lightboost/page-6


It is definately possible to get lightboost working with any good enough card and according monitor. We just have to figure out the commands.
17
#17
0 Frags +

I've been playing on a 75hz for the majority of the time I've been playing this game. I, for a short period of time, was using a 100hz monitor and holy shit, I was literally in a frag video every time I played.

Give me an extra 20 or 44hz and I think I might just kill myself.

I've been playing on a 75hz for the majority of the time I've been playing this game. I, for a short period of time, was using a 100hz monitor and holy shit, I was literally in a frag video every time I played.

Give me an extra 20 or 44hz and I think I might just kill myself.
18
#18
1 Frags +
morningfoxA 120hz monitor is prty gud. But it won't transform you into a new player or "make you better much better".

Actually I'd say 120hz is the only thing that almost guarantees some performance improvement after a short time for money.

I had to switch back to 60hz for like the last month and I can't hit half the shots I know I could with 120hz just because I literally can't see clearly enough to hit them, even after I got used to 60hz again. Scout's are almost invisible unless they're moving in straight lines. It's crazy.

[quote=morningfox]A 120hz monitor is prty gud. But it won't transform you into a new player or "make you better much better".[/quote]
Actually I'd say 120hz is the only thing that almost guarantees some performance improvement after a short time for money.

I had to switch back to 60hz for like the last month and I can't hit half the shots I know I could with 120hz just because I literally can't see clearly enough to hit them, even after I got used to 60hz again. Scout's are almost invisible unless they're moving in straight lines. It's crazy.
19
#19
0 Frags +

One more addition @lightboost on ATI: It IS actually possible to get it on AMD/ATI cards by hotplugging your DVI from an nvidia card to your AMD card. So you will need a second PC with an nvidia card (labtop?), activate LB and hotplug your DVI over to your PC. Lightboost will stay on as long as you don't manually plug out your monitor's power. System restarts will not affect it. So if you really really want it, that's how you do it.

One more addition @lightboost on ATI: It IS actually possible to get it on AMD/ATI cards by hotplugging your DVI from an nvidia card to your AMD card. So you will need a second PC with an nvidia card (labtop?), activate LB and hotplug your DVI over to your PC. Lightboost will stay on as long as you don't manually plug out your monitor's power. System restarts will not affect it. So if you really really want it, that's how you do it.
20
#20
-1 Frags +
Lunacidedownpourif you cant maintain 120fps, dont get a 120Hz monitor
thats it

I always heard that you need to maintain 240fps to get the full effect of the 120hz, is that true?

Sort of. I can notice when I go under 240. Can you notice when you go under 120 at 60Hz? If so, you'll probably notice it when you go under 240 at 120Hz.

If you need a new monitor and want a nice one, might as well get a 120hz (or THE 120Hz right now, since afaik there is only one good one). Or get one if you have gobs of money. It's not going to make you a god, it is just a bit smoother. You can actually see scouts' legs move when they ADADADAD hard.

Also pretty sure the BenQ monitor already has something pretty similar to lightboost on it already, but I didn't really look to much into that.

[quote=Lunacide][quote=downpour]if you cant maintain 120fps, dont get a 120Hz monitor
thats it[/quote]

I always heard that you need to maintain 240fps to get the full effect of the 120hz, is that true?[/quote]


Sort of. I can notice when I go under 240. Can you notice when you go under 120 at 60Hz? If so, you'll probably notice it when you go under 240 at 120Hz.

If you need a new monitor and want a nice one, might as well get a 120hz (or THE 120Hz right now, since afaik there is only one good one). Or get one if you have gobs of money. It's not going to make you a god, it is just a bit smoother. You can actually see scouts' legs move when they ADADADAD hard.

Also pretty sure the BenQ monitor already has something pretty similar to lightboost on it already, but I didn't really look to much into that.
21
#21
2 Frags +

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22
#22
3 Frags +
downpourif you cant maintain 120fps, dont get a 120Hz monitor
thats it

This isn't particularly accurate. The monitor will be refreshing twice as many times per second, which means mouse movements will feel smoother and input lag will be less noticeable even if you're at 30 fps. The difference isn't as dramatic as if you're able to maintain 120 fps, but it will still be a noticeable upgrade.

Plus, 120hz benefits you even if you're not gaming by giving you less eye strain.

[quote=downpour]if you cant maintain 120fps, dont get a 120Hz monitor
thats it[/quote]
This isn't particularly accurate. The monitor will be refreshing twice as many times per second, which means mouse movements will feel smoother and input lag will be less noticeable even if you're at 30 fps. The difference isn't as dramatic as if you're able to maintain 120 fps, but it will still be a noticeable upgrade.

Plus, 120hz benefits you even if you're not gaming by giving you less eye strain.
23
#23
0 Frags +

Eye strain benefits are contentious.

Eye strain benefits are contentious.
24
#24
4 Frags +
wareyaEye strain benefits are contentious.

your first mistake was not buying gunnars to wear around everywhere

[quote=wareya]Eye strain benefits are contentious.[/quote]
your first mistake was not buying gunnars to wear around everywhere
25
#25
-5 Frags +

Your ability to track movements may increase with consistent 120 fps. I'm not going to say it WILL, because sometimes people aren't good at tracking. but, since you aren't getting 120fps constant, it's not really worth the investment. Scout tracking and rocket tracking should get a little easier if you do get 120fps. Things should be a lot crisper and you might see an increase in your own performance. However, if you don't see tracking as an issue in your play, it's more of a masturbatory process.

Your ability to track movements may increase with consistent 120 fps. I'm not going to say it WILL, because sometimes people aren't good at tracking. but, since you aren't getting 120fps constant, it's not really worth the investment. Scout tracking and rocket tracking should get a little easier if you do get 120fps. Things should be a lot crisper and you might see an increase in your own performance. However, if you don't see tracking as an issue in your play, it's more of a masturbatory process.
26
#26
2 Frags +

I purchased an ASUS VG236H in December 2011, and I have enjoyed it ever since the first minute I powered it on, adjusted my refresh rate and moved my mouse cursor around in awe of how smoothly it moved across the screen. Even if you can't maintain 120 FPS in games, the 1-2ms gray to gray response time of the panels is much nicer than the average 5ms panels you get in monitors around the $100 mark. Screen tearing is also much less noticeable if you play without VSYNC enabled and your frame rate exceeds the refresh rate from what I've seen.

If your computer is horrendous though, you're probably better off upgrading it first. A $300 monitor won't improve a $300 PC you got at Walmart 5 years ago.

I purchased an ASUS VG236H in December 2011, and I have enjoyed it ever since the first minute I powered it on, adjusted my refresh rate and moved my mouse cursor around in awe of how smoothly it moved across the screen. Even if you can't maintain 120 FPS in games, the 1-2ms gray to gray response time of the panels is much nicer than the average 5ms panels you get in monitors around the $100 mark. Screen tearing is also much less noticeable if you play without VSYNC enabled and your frame rate exceeds the refresh rate from what I've seen.

If your computer is horrendous though, you're probably better off upgrading it first. A $300 monitor won't improve a $300 PC you got at Walmart 5 years ago.
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