Imagine yourself unearthing an ancient relic from your basement: a 50Hz TV! You might be wondering if it’s suitable for gaming or whether you should stick to your trusty 60Hz screen. In this electrifying guide, we’ll tackle the dizzying world of refresh rates and help you understand the differences between 50Hz and 60Hz displays, their historical ties to resolutions, and how they have evolved over time.
We’ll explore the reasons behind these refresh rate standards, how they differ across the globe due to PAL and NTSC, and discuss the impact of modern advancements in display technology. Plus, we’ll answer that burning question: are 50Hz and 60Hz good for gaming? Whether you’re curious about screen tearing, input lag, or the ideal refresh rate for gaming, we’ve got you covered. So get ready to embark on an adrenaline-charged journey through the realm of Hertz, where the battle of refresh rates rages on!
Understanding Refresh Rates: The Basics
Before we pit 50Hz and 60Hz against each other in a thrilling showdown, it’s essential to understand what refresh rates are and why they matter, especially for gaming enthusiasts and indeed streamers.
A refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), represents the number of times a display can refresh the panel in one second. The higher the refresh rate, the more frequently the image on the screen is updated, resulting in smoother motion and reduced input lag. In the world of gaming, these factors can make a noticeable difference in your overall experience.
Simply put, 50Hz is 50 frames per second, 60Hz is 60 frames per second.
Now that we’ve laid the groundwork let’s jump into the main event: the epic battle between 50Hz and 60Hz refresh rates. We’ll examine their differences, historical ties to resolutions, and how they’ve been affected by advancements in display technology. We’ll also reveal whether these refresh rates are suitable for gaming, so you can make an informed decision and level up your gaming experience!
Is Hz the same thing as FPS?
Yes, but at the same time, no. But they are linked.
Hz (hertz) and FPS (frames per second) are related but not the same. Hz refers to the refresh rate of a display, indicating the number of times the screen refreshes per second. FPS, on the other hand, refers to the number of individual frames that a graphics card or game console can render per second during gameplay.
While these two terms are connected, they serve different purposes. Hz is a fixed specification of the display, whereas FPS can be variable, depending on the performance of the hardware running the game. A 60Hz display can show up to 60 frames per second, but the actual frame rate of the game can be higher or lower than 60 FPS, depending on the hardware’s capabilities.
In short, Hz represents the maximum potential frame rate a display can handle, while FPS reflects the actual frame rate being output by the hardware running the game.
If your game is running at 60 fps but you have a 50hz monitor or TV then you will only see 50 frames.
50hz or 60hz for Gaming?
When it comes to determining the ideal refresh rate for gaming and streaming, it’s essential to consider both the past and the present. Modern games and TVs have come a long way, with higher refresh rates becoming the standard. However, in the realm of retro gaming, lower refresh rates and higher resolutions had their unique charm and advantages.
For Modern Gaming:
Today’s games often run at 60 FPS (frames per second) or higher, which means a 60Hz or higher refresh rate is ideal for smooth gameplay. This is because a 60Hz display can show 60 frames per second, synchronizing perfectly with the game’s frame rate. Most modern TVs and gaming monitors come with a refresh rate of at least 60Hz, making them suitable for contemporary gaming experiences.
For Retro Gaming:
The story takes a different turn when we delve into the world of retro gaming. In the era of NTSC/PAL regions, lower refresh rates like 50Hz weren’t necessarily a drawback, as they sometimes offered a better image quality. For instance, the Mega Drive boasted a higher resolution at a lower refresh rate. While the action might not have been as smooth compared to higher refresh rates, the picture quality was much clearer.
Another example comes from the PAL and NTSC PlayStation 1 consoles. The PAL PS1 had a resolution of 288p at 50Hz, while the NTSC version had a resolution of 240p at 60Hz. This meant that the PAL version provided a better image quality, albeit at a lower refresh rate, which led to slower gameplay compared to the NTSC version.
Interesting, all N64’s could output 50hz/60hz as it was the game that controls the refresh rate and not the console.
For Streaming:
In the context of streaming, the debate between 50Hz and 60Hz refresh rates is less significant. Most viewers today have screens that can easily handle a 60Hz refresh rate, including mobile devices. If a streamer chooses to output their content at 50Hz for any reason, the viewer’s experience will be capped at that refresh rate, although the difference might not be easily noticeable for most users.
It’s worth noting that many streamers opt for 30 FPS when streaming, allowing for higher visual quality without demanding excessive bandwidth or processing power. The choice between 50Hz and 60Hz is not a primary concern for streaming content. Instead, the focus should be on balancing the visual quality and the smoothness of the stream.
Related: GPU 100% usage
In conclusion, the 50Hz vs. 60Hz debate is more relevant to gamers seeking the best possible experience for playing their games offline. When it comes to streaming, other factors such as visual quality, bandwidth, and processing power take precedence over the refresh rate.
50Hz or 60Hz: Which is Best?
When it comes to choosing between 50Hz and 60Hz refresh rates, the answer may seem straightforward. If all other factors, such as resolution, are equal, then 60Hz is objectively better than 50Hz. The reason is simple: more frames per second result in smoother motion and a more enjoyable gaming experience, particularly in fast-paced games such as first-person shooters.
With advancements in display technology, refresh rates have been pushed even further, with 120Hz and 144Hz TVs now available. These higher refresh rates provide an even smoother gaming experience, reducing motion blur and input lag, making them ideal for competitive gaming and demanding gamers.
However, it’s essential to consider that not all games or systems will benefit from higher refresh rates. Some older games, especially those from the PAL/NTSC era, were designed to run at specific refresh rates, which means they might not perform optimally on higher refresh rate displays.
In conclusion, when given the choice between 50Hz and 60Hz, the latter is generally the better option for most modern games, especially in terms of motion smoothness and responsiveness. However, it’s crucial to consider the specific requirements of your gaming system and the games you play, as some titles may perform better at their original refresh rates.
