I'm looking at a new monitor and found a 1080p model that boasts a 240Hz refresh rate, but I noticed that its native refresh rate is actually 200Hz. I'm curious about why monitors have these two different refresh rates instead of just listing the higher one as the standard. Also, I'm concerned about whether using the overclocked 240Hz setting could impact the monitor's lifespan. Is it worth it to use 240Hz given that I'm okay with 200Hz?
3 Answers
The overclocking feature usually adds more ghosting and some other visual issues. It tends to be more of a marketing strategy to show a higher number on the box, even if the panel can't really handle it without compromising on quality. At times, these companies might just avoid the responsibility of making a panel that meets the advertised refresh rate effectively, hence the 'OC' label. So if the real capacity is 200Hz, you might be better off sticking with that to prevent any long-term issues.
It's mainly about marketing! Manufacturers know gamers love big numbers, so they advertise these higher refresh rates even if the panel isn’t really designed for them. For your monitor, the panel is probably only capable of handling 200Hz well. Going to 240Hz could potentially compromise picture quality or increase wear.
Gamers usually want higher refresh rates for a smoother experience. Even before monitors come with factory OC settings, people often tweak software to reach higher performance. Running at the overclocked setting shouldn’t damage your monitor, but you might notice some quality drops like ghosting. It might not be obvious, though, so it could be a good idea to try both settings and see what works best for you!
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