I'm getting more interested in competitive gaming, especially CS2, but my ASUS VivoBook 15 (F1504VAP-BS54T with a Core 5 120U) cannot run games locally. I currently use a 240Hz monitor, but Windows only offers 120Hz when it's connected through the laptop's HDMI port. The laptop appears to have HDMI 1.4, two USB-A ports, and a USB-C port that supports data and charging only—not video output. It has no DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, or Ethernet port.
I'm considering a KOORUI 27-inch 1440p 320Hz IPS monitor. Would buying an HDMI 2.1 cable allow the laptop to output 320Hz, or would the laptop's HDMI 1.4 port remain the limiting factor? Also, while using GeForce NOW Ultimate, would I actually be able to see 320Hz—especially if CS2 is reporting around 320–400 FPS at 1080p—or does the streaming service impose its own refresh-rate limits?
3 Answers
Look at the monitor’s input specifications too. Some 320Hz displays only reach their maximum refresh rate through DisplayPort, while their HDMI input may be limited to a lower rate. Even if the monitor supports 320Hz over HDMI 2.1, your laptop’s HDMI 1.4 output would still prevent that. It would make more sense to choose a monitor that matches the laptop’s actual output or use a computer with a suitable DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1 connection.
The laptop’s HDMI output is the bottleneck. An HDMI 2.1 cable cannot upgrade an HDMI 1.4 port; the connection will still operate at the older port’s capabilities. In practice, HDMI 1.4 is generally limited to around 120Hz at 1080p and about 60Hz at 1440p, depending on the exact implementation. Since the USB-C port has no DisplayPort video output, there probably isn’t another way to drive that monitor at its full refresh rate from this laptop.
GeForce NOW also has its own streaming limits and requirements, so a very high in-game FPS number does not automatically mean you’ll receive a 320Hz stream. At 1440p, the service may not support the refresh rate you’re targeting, and streaming latency and network performance matter just as much as the monitor’s specification. Check the current GeForce NOW app limits for your resolution and membership tier before buying the display.
What about running the monitor at 1080p? If GeForce NOW shows roughly 320–400 FPS in CS2, could I see 320Hz that way?