Quick question about 120Hz+ monitors and FPS

[DreadBelch]

I'm going to be buying parts for a Skylake rig next month (linked below). I've heard some talk about certain games looking silky smooth at 100+ frames per second on 120Hz monitors. Is it worth trying to build a monster rig that can maintain that kind of frame rate on high/ultra settings, or should I just be content with 60fps? I mean, how much would I really be missing out on? Thanks.


Monitor= Asus VG248QE 144Hz

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/y4mrkL

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($369.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15S 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus Z170 PRO GAMING ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($165.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($121.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($171.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($324.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Core 3500 ATX Mid Tower Case ($60.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($89.89 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Fractal Design FD-FAN-SSR2-140 66.0 CFM 140mm Fan ($13.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case Fan: Fractal Design FD-FAN-SSR2-140 66.0 CFM 140mm Fan ($13.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $1503.69

 

[vbored]

It somewhat depends on what you mainly play. First person shooters at high frame rates benefit alot so if you play those kinda games alot it could be worth it. There is a upside to that monitor even if you can't hit 144fps, if you play with vsync off it should make the tearing a little less noticable compared to a 60hz screen.

You could always start with the single card and see how it goes, play some things on medium to hit high frame rates and see what you think. After you have had to chance to feel the difference you could make your own mind up.

Cheers.

 

[beginner99]

At 1080p it should be possible to get above 100fps in a lot of games with CF/SLI. But as was said, it depends on the game. For single player, not worth it.

For multiplayer, probably depends. I think for games like SC2, benefit is lower than for first person shooters. But then it also depends on what your goals are. Getting a better mouse and mousepad could help more due to better mouse accuracy and control. And costs way, way less.

How long have you owned the monitor? You could try with older games and compare 60 vs 120 hz.

Note: I recently just upgraded my display to 1080p 120 hz and also GPu (used 290x). Now playing BC2 at 120 hz (plus Benq Blur Reduction). Of course there is way, way less blur best seen in artificial tests. For example I can read the street names on this test, no joke:

http://www.testufo.com/#test=photo&photo=toronto-map.png&pps=960&pursuit=0&height=0

In game benefit? It's not that huge that it is immediately obvious. Need to track my KDR over time. I think there is a small benefit. But not much. maximum 0.2 in KDR. Other factors are just too important starting with network lag, server lag, bad luck, dumb allies, bad team...So no, your KDR will not magically double.

 

[Mastercommander]

120+ fps looks amazing

Skyrim can only handle 100 fps btw. The laws of Physics become mutable in game otherwise

 

[Midwayman]

100fps is great. More than just being smooth, it means that you rarely drop to a frame rate where it starts looking jerky. In BF4 I can do 120-130 FPS on my card @1080p. However I have it limited to 100fps for extreme consistency. Frame rate=refresh rate with ULMB on. Almost never see the FPS counter move off 100.

 

[Headfoot]

High FPS looks immensely better. Diminishing returns start to kick in around ~100 or so. FPS's are so much better at high HZ

 

[Termie]

The GTX 970 the OP is planning on is actually sufficient for 100+ fps in many games at 1080p.

Just buy the rig you planned on and enjoy!

By the way, that testufo.com link is a pretty amazing demonstration of what ULMB can do (and the VG248QE can be hacked via software to enable it). ULMB is actually superior to G-Sync at very high hertz. Just tested on my XB270HU.

 

[Midwayman]

ULMB is actually superior to G-Sync at very high hertz. Just tested on my XB270HU.

If you can get to a FPS that your monitor can strobe at, always choose ULMB. The difference in clarity is pretty amazing and there's no need to smooth out fps jumps at those refresh rates anyways.

 

[hawtdawg]

60fps isnt the same once you've seen 100+fps on a 144hz monitor. It's one of those things where you might be better off leaving well enough alone.

 

[Squeetard]

If you can get to a FPS that your monitor can strobe at, always choose ULMB. The difference in clarity is pretty amazing and there's no need to smooth out fps jumps at those refresh rates anyways.

Thirded.