144Hz vs 165Hz vs 200Hz Monitors: Best for Competitive Gaming

You're lining up the perfect shot in Valorant on a local server. You peek, you click… but you're already taken out. Sound familiar? In the fast-paced world of competitive gaming, every millisecond counts. That's why the 144Hz vs 165Hz vs 200Hz monitor debate is so critical for South African gamers looking for an edge. Is a higher refresh rate really worth the ZAR, or are you just paying for numbers you can't feel? Let's break it down.

Samsung ViewFinity S6 S65UC 34″ Curved Monitor / Ultra WQHD (3440x1440) Resolution / 100Hz refresh rate / 5ms response time / AMD FreeSync™ / LS34C652UAUXEN

R11999.00In Stock

LG UltraGear Gaming Monitor 27GR75Q, 27 inch, 1440p, 165Hz, 1ms GtG, IPS Display, HDR 10, NVIDIA G-Sync & AMD FreeSync compatible, Smart Energy Saving, Displayport, HDMI / 27GR75Q

R5499.00In Stock

Alienware AW3225DM - 32" Curved Gaming Monitor / 180Hz Refresh Rate / QHD (2560x1440) / 1ms (GTG Extreme Mode) Response Time / AMD FreeSync / AW3225DM

R6499.00In Stock

ViewSonic VA1903H-2 19” WXGA Monitor / 5ms / (1366x768) TN display / Anti-Glare / VA1903H-2

R1299.00In Stock

HP OMEN 32q QHD 165Hz Gaming Monitor - Black / 1ms / 32" QHD (2560 x 1440) / AMD Freesync™ Premium / 780K0AS

R9999.00In Stock

Dahua 24 inch FullHD IPS panel 165Hz 1ms fast response time Ultra-thin bezel Monitor with DisplayPort, HDMI, VGA, Height Adjustable Stand / DHI-LM24-E231A

R2899.00In Stock

What Does "Hz" Actually Mean for Your Gaming?

Before we dive into the numbers, let's get the basics right. "Hz" stands for Hertz, and in the context of a monitor, it tells you how many times the screen updates or redraws the image every second. A 144Hz monitor refreshes 144 times per second.

Think of it like a flipbook. A 60Hz monitor is a basic flipbook—it works, but the motion can feel a bit choppy. A 144Hz monitor is a high-quality, silky-smooth animation where you see every single detail of movement. This translates to:

• Smoother Visuals: Your game looks less blurry and more fluid, especially during fast pans.
• Faster Reactions: You see enemies appear on screen fractions of a second sooner.
• Better Tracking: Following a moving target becomes significantly easier.

The jump from a standard 60Hz display to a high refresh rate is the single biggest upgrade you can make to your gaming experience. ✨

The Sweet Spot: 144Hz vs 165Hz

For years, 144Hz has been the gold standard for anyone serious about competitive gaming, and for good reason. It offers a massive, noticeable improvement over 60Hz, providing the smoothness needed for titles like CS2 and Apex Legends.

But now, 165Hz monitors are everywhere, often at a very similar price point. So, what's the real difference in the 144Hz vs 165Hz battle? Honestly… not a lot. The jump from 144 to 165 frames per second is an incremental improvement of about 15%. While technically smoother, it's a subtle difference that many gamers might not even notice without a side-by-side comparison.

AOC Q27G4/WS 27" Gaming Monitor - White / QHD (2560 × 1440) / 200Hz Refresh Rate / 0.3ms Response Time / IPS-Level Display / Certified HDR400 / Support Adaptive Sync / Q27G4/WS

R4899.00In Stock

ViewSonic TD1655 15.6" Full HD (1920 x 1080) Portable Touchscreen Monitor / Ultra-portable Design / Advanced in-cell Capacitive Touchscreen / 2-Way Power With USB Type-C / Frameless Design / Portrait and Landscape Modes / dual integrated speakers / TD1655

R5199.00In Stock

AOC U27G42 27" 160Hz Ultra-Fast Gaming Monitor, 3840 x 2160 (UHD), 0.5ms, Fast IPS, Adaptive Sync, 3-Sided Frameless Design, Black / U27G42

R9599.00In Stock

MSI MAG 32C6X 31.5-inch 1920 x 1080 (FHD) Computer Monitor, 250Hz, Adaptive-Sync, HDR Ready, HDMI, VGA Port, Display Port,VESA Mountable, Tilt, 1ms, Black / 9S6-3DD41M-027

R4799.00In Stock

Samsung Odyssey G55C 27″ Curved Gaming Monitor / QHD resolution / 1000R curvature / 165Hz refresh rate / 1ms response time / AMD FreeSync / LS27CG552EAXXA

R4999.00In Stock

HP OMEN 27 FHD 165Hz Gaming Monitor / AMD FreeSync™ Premium / Eyesafe® certified / Height adjustable for personalized comfort / Pivot rotation for flexible viewing angles / 780F9AS

R5999.00In Stock

If you're upgrading from 60Hz, both will feel incredible. If a 165Hz model costs only slightly more than its 144Hz counterpart, it's a worthwhile small step up. You can browse our full range of PC monitors to compare the latest pricing and specs.

Chasing Peak Performance: The 200Hz+ Advantage

This is where we enter the territory of esports professionals and dedicated enthusiasts. When comparing 165Hz vs 200Hz monitors, the law of diminishing returns hits hard. The visual difference is even smaller than the 144Hz to 165Hz leap.

However, for a pro player whose career depends on split-second advantages, that tiny sliver of extra information can be the difference between winning and losing a round. A 200Hz (or higher) monitor provides the absolute lowest possible motion blur and the most up-to-date information from the game server. To get the most out of these screens, you need a beast of a PC that can consistently push 200+ frames per second, a feat often achieved by top-tier hardware found in premium displays like these top-tier LG monitors. 🚀

Beyond Refresh Rates: Key Features to Consider

A high refresh rate is crucial, but it's not the only spec that matters. To truly build the best setup for competitive gaming, you need to look at the whole package.

Response Time & Adaptive Sync

A fast response time (ideally 1ms GtG) is vital to prevent "ghosting," where you see a blurry trail behind moving objects. Equally important is Adaptive Sync technology, which synchronises your monitor's refresh rate with your GPU's frame output to eliminate ugly screen tearing.

• For NVIDIA users, look for NVIDIA G-Sync screens.
• For AMD users, you'll want one of these FreeSync-enabled displays.
• Many modern screens also use the VESA standard, found in these Adaptive Sync monitors.

While most gamers benefit from these technologies, some pros prefer to disable them to minimise input lag, relying on raw GPU power instead. For those specific use cases, you can even find monitors without adaptive sync.

AOC CQ27G3S 27" QHD (2560x1440) 165Hz 1ms VA Curved FreeSync HDR Gaming Monitor / Superior High Quality Viewing / Ultra-smooth Tear-free Gaming / Enjoy top-tier Gaming Performance / Instant Response Times / Illuminate Your Visuals / Reducing Shortwave Blue Light / CQ27G3S

R6399.00In Stock

AOC U27G42 27" 160Hz Ultra-Fast Gaming Monitor, 3840 x 2160 (UHD), 0.5ms, Fast IPS, Adaptive Sync, 3-Sided Frameless Design, Black / U27G42

R9599.00In Stock

HP 527SA G5 FHD Gaming Monitor - White/Silver / 27" FHD (1920 x 1080) / IPS Panel / 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x VGA / Eye Ease with Eyesafe Certification / 94F48AS

R4999.00In Stock

Dahua 30" Ultrawide WFHD 200Hz 1MS DCR Intelligent Adaptive-Sync HDMI DP VA Gaming Monitor Black / DHI-LM30-E330CA

R3999.00In Stock

AOC C27G4ZE 27" 280Hz Curved Ultra-Fast Gaming Monitor, 1920 × 1080 (FHD), 0.3ms, Fast VA, 1500R, Adaptive Sync, Three-sided frameless design, Black / C27G4ZE

R4999.00In Stock

HP OMEN 27 FHD 165Hz Gaming Monitor / AMD FreeSync™ Premium / Eyesafe® certified / Height adjustable for personalized comfort / Pivot rotation for flexible viewing angles / 780F9AS

R5999.00In Stock

So, Which Refresh Rate is Best for You?

Choosing the best monitor for competitive gaming comes down to your budget, your PC's power, and how seriously you take your gameplay.

• 144Hz: The undisputed champion of value. It provides a huge competitive advantage over 60Hz and is perfect for the vast majority of South African gamers.
• 165Hz: The new sweet spot. If you find one for a great price, it's a fantastic choice that offers a slight edge over 144Hz.
• 200Hz+: For the dedicated enthusiast or aspiring pro. It's a luxury upgrade for those with high-end rigs who need every possible micro-advantage to climb the ranks.

Ultimately, the debate over 144Hz vs 165Hz vs 200Hz monitors shows there's a perfect fit for every player. The key is matching the screen to your setup and your goals.