Monitor Refresh vs. Resolution

[jardows]

The first new monitor I purchased was a luxurious 15" CRT in 1996! My, how times have changed. I am currently using an older business class 21" LCD running at 1600x1200 resolution. Great monitor for basic use, but I'm thinking about upgrading to something with better lighting and contrasts. I am kinda spoiled now on the 1200 resolution, so I'm not sure if 1080 will work for me.

I have seen 24" 1900x1200 IPS screens for less than what I paid for that 15" monitor so many years ago, and that is tempting me. BUT! I am also seeing some 24" 1900x1080 120hz refresh screens for about the same price.

So, my question is, which is a better experience? Higher resolution with 60hz refresh, or lower resolution with 120hz refresh?

My usage is more business than gaming, but I do play games. Once I have the money to upgrade my video card, the new Tomb Raider game looks nice, and Bioshock looks interesting. Oh, and I definitely plan on playing Star Citizen when it comes out.

 

[TheELF]

So, my question is, which is a better experience? Higher resolution with 60hz refresh, or lower resolution with 120hz refresh?

Tough question,120hz will look much smoother "calmer" to the eye, so a lot of small numbers on a spreadsheet for instance will be much easier to look at.
But for games your gpu will have to be able to cope putting out more frames,or you will have to disable v-syncing in games but then you lose the smoothness and it may look worse in general.

 

[BrightCandle]

I can see a noticeable difference in Windows of 120Hz verses 60Hz. However it wouldn't say that 60Hz fails to be smooth in desktop applications. I would prefer contrast and resolution for applications.

In games however a modern 120Hz modern is amazing for me. The reduction in motion blur alone is worth it but additionally the extra hz make a game much smoother.

 

[Germanic]

Anything over 1600p is useless for a monitor unless they are bigger than 35 inches which means they're not really monitors anymore and are in TV territory.

1080p 120Hz vs 1440p 60Hz... I would say the 1440p 60Hz gives the better overall viewing experience.

For avid gamers it can be a different story.

There are 120Hz 1440p monitors now like the QNIX and X-STAR Korean Samsung PLS monitors.

 

[XavierMace]

Anything over 1600p is useless for a monitor unless they are bigger than 35 inches which means they're not really monitors anymore and are in TV territory.

1080p 120Hz vs 1440p 60Hz... I would say the 1440p 60Hz gives the better overall viewing experience.

For avid gamers it can be a different story.

There are 120Hz 1440p monitors now like the QNIX and X-STAR Korean Samsung PLS monitors.

Nobody mentioned 1600p or 1440p....

 

[Remobz]

I can see a noticeable difference in Windows of 120Hz verses 60Hz. However it wouldn't say that 60Hz fails to be smooth in desktop applications. I would prefer contrast and resolution for applications.

In games however a modern 120Hz modern is amazing for me. The reduction in motion blur alone is worth it but additionally the extra hz make a game much smoother.

I rather contrast and resolution for applications as well.

Games are not a priority to the point that I would sacrifice that for "smoother" game play.

I game at 1080p with 60Hz on an IPS panel. I have no problems with that.

 

[mindless1]

I'd take more pixels over refresh rate or anything else for that matter... unless you have the option of adding another monitor for more workspace.

 

[Throckmorton]

You don't need 120hz PERIOD. It will make zero difference since you're not gaming, because unlike a CRT there is no flicker with an LCD. All you will be doing is subjecting yourself to an awful TN panel.

Buy yourself an Asus PA248Q. It's IPS and comes color calibrated!

 

[nightspydk]

True and not. It will make a difference.

120 hz makes a difference in frames aka fast movement on the screen as seen in movies or games, hence why 120 hz is needed for 3d. More data is transmitted thru the cable/time.

60 hz is fine for the normal eye under normal circumstances.

Remember refresh on an LCD is a completely different measurement from refresh on a CRT or equivalent.

 

[BigChickenJim]

Personally, I'd go for the higher resolution. It could just be that I've spent so much time on 60Hz displays, but I don't much care for the weird life-like feeling that 120Hz displays tend to have. That said, I definitely know there are people out there who love that.

I just think 120Hz makes everything look like it was filmed as a daytime soap opera...

 

[ElFenix]

if you want better contrast you want an MVA or PVA screen.

 

[Throckmorton]

if you want better contrast you want an MVA or PVA screen.

I've bought and returned a couple MVA/PVA screens. They had to much contrast- I could tell because all my photos looked too contrasty and saturated