Questions on 144hz Monitors

[imported_dvdman]

I'm new monitor shopping and at the moment I am using a 75hz monitor (drivers allow change from 60 to 75) and I always try and stay above the standard 60hz; my brothers PC is sitting @ 60hz and I get a headache if I use it for too long; however it may be his brightness settings causing more flicker as other 60hz monitors I have used I can for the most part use ok without issue.

In saying that if I am getting a new monitor I would like to get a really good one for my eyes. I believe my current one uses CCFL and I have read that the newer LED ones use a technique that causes flicker (depending on the brightness settings); through my research I have found many manufacturers make "flicker free" models and also "blue light reduction", however this differs in comparison to the refresh rate.

I'm not much of a gamer, but it seems that the only monitors that do 144hz are gaming ones, I had a heck of a time finding a 24inch monitor with all of the above features and came up with these three..

ViewSonic VG2401MH 24 Inch – $465 AUD (Doesn't seem to be available anywhere where I live)
BenQ XL2430T 24inch – $550 AUD
BenQ XL2411Z 24inch – $440 AUD

Now I'm unsure if I really need 144hz or not as people say you really do notice a difference when using it over 60hz, but then I have read stuff like unless you graphics card can support it then it is of no use – is that right? FTR I have a GeForce GTX 560 Ti.

Thanks for any help!

 

[4K_shmoorK]

I'm new monitor shopping and at the moment I am using a 75hz monitor (drivers allow change from 60 to 75) and I always try and stay above the standard 60hz; my brothers PC is sitting @ 60hz and I get a headache if I use it for too long; however it may be his brightness settings causing more flicker as other 60hz monitors I have used I can for the most part use ok without issue.

In saying that if I am getting a new monitor I would like to get a really good one for my eyes. I believe my current one uses CCFL and I have read that the newer LED ones use a technique that causes flicker (depending on the brightness settings); through my research I have found many manufacturers make "flicker free" models and also "blue light reduction", however this differs in comparison to the refresh rate.

I'm not much of a gamer, but it seems that the only monitors that do 144hz are gaming ones, I had a heck of a time finding a 24inch monitor with all of the above features and came up with these three..

ViewSonic VG2401MH 24 Inch – $465 AUD (Doesn't seem to be available anywhere where I live)
BenQ XL2430T 24inch – $550 AUD
BenQ XL2411Z 24inch – $440 AUD

Now I'm unsure if I really need 144hz or not as people say you really do notice a difference when using it over 60hz, but then I have read stuff like unless you graphics card can support it then it is of no use – is that right? FTR I have a GeForce GTX 560 Ti.

Thanks for any help!

What you are describing is a result of PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) backlight dimming. It can cause eye discomfort. A 60Hz monitor is not going to cause eye discomfort in itself. No you do not need a 144Hz panel, just a monitor that uses DC backlight dimming rather than PWM.

A link describing PWM, specifically monitors that use PWM.
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/articles/pulse_width_modulation.htm

What is PWM?

Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) is one method of reducing the perceived luminance in displays, which it achieves by cycling the backlight on and off very rapidly, at a frequency you can't necessary detect with the naked eye, but which could lead to eye issues, headaches etc. This method generally means that at 100% brightness a constant voltage is applied to the backlight and it is continuously lit. As you lower the brightness control the perceived luminance for the user reduces due to a number of possible controlling factors:

 

[imported_dvdman]

Great - thanks!

 

[Ventanni]

I wondered this same question myself; would a 144hz monitor ruin me for using 60hz monitors ever again? The answer is no. While my 144hz monitor is definitely smoother, the eyestrain thing is not caused my refresh rate. The refresh rate difference of looking at two monitors at the same time with different refresh rates (one 144 and one 60hz) does not cause eye strain, and using a 60hz monitor after using a 144hz one seems pretty normal. The only real benefit to having one is gaming, honestly.

 

[imported_dvdman]

I wondered this same question myself; would a 144hz monitor ruin me for using 60hz monitors ever again? The answer is no. While my 144hz monitor is definitely smoother, the eyestrain thing is not caused my refresh rate. The refresh rate difference of looking at two monitors at the same time with different refresh rates (one 144 and one 60hz) does not cause eye strain, and using a 60hz monitor after using a 144hz one seems pretty normal. The only real benefit to having one is gaming, honestly.

Excellent - thanks for the great insight! Good to get an opinion from someone that has both.