I remember my first real PC build like it was yesterday. I spent weeks, maybe even months, agonizing over every part. I compared graphics card benchmarks until my eyes glazed over and watched hours of videos on CPU coolers. But you know the one component I barely thought about? The monitor. I just grabbed some generic 60Hz office display and called it a day. For a while, it was fine. Then, a friend convinced me to try his 75Hz screen. It wasn’t a world-changing revelation, but it was… better. That experience raises a common question for anyone building a rig on a realistic budget. So, is 75Hz good for gaming?
Absolutely. For gamers building budget-friendly PCs, a 75Hz monitor represents a fantastic sweet spot, offering a noticeable improvement over the old standard without demanding high-end hardware or a hefty price tag.
More in Refresh Rates Category
What Exactly Is Refresh Rate (Hz) and Why Does It Matter?
Before we dive too deep, let’s get on the same page about what we’re even talking about. It can sound like technical jargon, but the concept is actually pretty simple.
Think of your monitor like a high-tech flipbook. The refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), is simply the number of times per second that the flipbook can show you a new page, or in this case, a new image.
- A 60Hz monitor can refresh the image on the screen 60 times every second.
- A 75Hz monitor can do it 75 times every second.
- A 144Hz monitor can do it 144 times every second.
Consequently, a higher refresh rate allows for smoother motion. Since your PC’s graphics card is generating frames (images) of your game, a monitor with a higher refresh rate can display more of those frames to you. This directly translates to a gaming experience that feels more fluid, responsive, and less blurry, especially during fast action. It’s the difference between a choppy home video and a smooth cinematic shot.
The Jump from 60Hz to 75Hz: Is It a Big Deal?
Alright, so we know that more is better. But is the jump from 60Hz to 75Hz enough to actually feel? Or is it just a number on a box?
My First-Hand Experience with the 75Hz Bump
As I mentioned, my own experience moving from 60Hz to 75Hz was what sold me. It wasn’t a jaw-dropping, night-and-day transformation like you might see going to 144Hz. Instead, it was a significant quality-of-life improvement. The first thing I noticed was just moving my mouse around on the desktop. It felt more connected, more precise. Scrolling through websites was noticeably less jittery.
In games, this translated to a smoother feel when panning the camera around. In a game like Grand Theft Auto V, driving through the city felt less blurry. In a strategy game, moving across the map was just more pleasant on the eyes. It’s one of those things that you might not be able to pinpoint immediately, but if you went back to 60Hz, you’d feel that something was missing.
What Does a 25% Increase Actually Look Like?
Let’s break down the numbers. Going from 60Hz to 75Hz is a 25% increase in the number of images your monitor can display per second. That means for every four frames a 60Hz monitor shows you, a 75Hz monitor can show you five. This might not sound like a lot, but it’s enough to cross a threshold in our perception of motion.
Here’s where you are most likely to feel that 25% boost:
- General Desktop Use: Your mouse cursor will feel like it’s gliding across the screen rather than stuttering. This alone makes the entire PC experience feel more premium.
- Web Browsing: Scrolling long articles or social media feeds becomes a much smoother affair.
- Camera Movement: In any game, from first-person shooters to third-person RPGs, turning your character or panning the camera will exhibit less motion blur.
- Fast-Paced Motion: Objects moving quickly across the screen will appear clearer and more defined.
In short, it’s a tangible upgrade. While not revolutionary, it’s a solid evolutionary step that refines the entire visual experience of using your computer.
For Which Types of Games Is 75Hz Good for Gaming?
The value of a 75Hz refresh rate really depends on the types of games you’re passionate about. It’s a fantastic choice for many genres, but it’s important to align your expectations with what you play most often.
Where 75Hz Truly Shines: Strategy, RPGs, and Casual Gaming
For a huge portion of the gaming world, 75Hz is more than enough to provide a brilliant experience. If your game library is filled with titles where reaction time is secondary to immersion and visual beauty, then 75Hz is a perfect fit.
Consider games like The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077, Civilization VI, or Baldur’s Gate 3. In these titles, the extra smoothness from 75Hz enhances the experience by making the worlds feel more alive and fluid. Panning across a gorgeous landscape or moving through a detailed city is simply more visually pleasing. The improved clarity in motion makes exploration more enjoyable. For these games, the benefit isn’t about competitive advantage; it’s about a richer, more premium-feeling adventure.
Can You Be Competitive in Esports Titles on 75Hz?
Now for the big question: what if you’re into competitive shooters like Valorant, Counter-Strike 2, or Apex Legends? Can you still hang with the competition on a 75Hz monitor?
The honest answer is: yes, but with a caveat. You can absolutely play and enjoy these games on a 75Hz display. In fact, you’ll have a small but real advantage over anyone still using a 60Hz monitor. Those extra 15 frames per second can mean seeing an opponent a few milliseconds sooner.
However, it’s equally true that you will be at a noticeable disadvantage against players using 144Hz or 240Hz monitors. The difference in smoothness and information delivery at those higher refresh rates is substantial and provides a clear competitive edge. Think of 75Hz as a powerful stepping stone. It gets you in the game and is a clear upgrade from the baseline, but it isn’t the final destination for a dedicated esports enthusiast.
What Kind of PC Hardware Do You Need for 75Hz Gaming?
This is where 75Hz monitors become such a smart choice for so many people. The appeal of a high-refresh-rate monitor can be quickly soured when you realize the powerful hardware needed to take full advantage of it.
The Good News: You Don’t Need a Supercomputer
One of the biggest hurdles for 144Hz gaming is that your PC has to be capable of consistently producing 144 frames per second (FPS) to match it. That often requires a powerful, and expensive, graphics card and CPU.
Pushing 75 FPS, on the other hand, is a much more achievable goal. Many budget and mid-range graphics cards from the last few years are perfectly capable of hitting this target in a wide variety of games, especially at 1080p resolution. Cards like an NVIDIA GTX 1660 Super or an AMD RX 580, and certainly modern entry-level options, can comfortably provide a 75 FPS experience in many popular titles. This means you can enjoy the benefits of a higher refresh rate without having to spend a fortune on your GPU.
Matching Your Monitor to Your Machine: The Key to Smoothness
The golden rule of PC building is synergy. Every component should work in harmony with the others. It makes absolutely no sense to pair a budget PC that averages 80 FPS with a 240Hz monitor. You’re paying for potential you can’t use.
This is precisely why a 75Hz monitor is the perfect partner for a budget or mid-range PC. If your machine consistently puts out between 75 and 90 FPS in your favorite games, a 75Hz monitor is the most logical and cost-effective choice. You get to use every single bit of performance your monitor has to offer.
Furthermore, many 75Hz monitors come with adaptive sync technologies like AMD FreeSync or are “G-Sync Compatible.” This technology synchronizes your monitor’s refresh rate with your graphics card’s frame rate, eliminating ugly screen tearing and stuttering. Getting a smooth, tear-free 75 FPS experience is often far superior to a stuttering, tearing 100 FPS experience.
Digging Deeper: The Technical Side of Display Technology
Beyond just the refresh rate, a few other factors play into the overall quality of a monitor. Understanding these can help you make an even more informed choice.
How Display Panels Impact the Experience
Not all monitors are created equal, and the type of panel technology used has a big impact on image quality. Most budget-friendly 75Hz monitors use one of two types:
- IPS (In-Plane Switching): These panels are famous for their excellent color accuracy and wide viewing angles. If you care about vibrant, lifelike colors in your games, an IPS panel is a fantastic choice.
- VA (Vertical Alignment): VA panels are known for their superb contrast, producing deep, inky blacks. This can make games look more cinematic, especially in dark scenes.
Thankfully, you can find plenty of great 75Hz monitors with beautiful IPS or VA panels, so you don’t have to sacrifice image quality for a smoother picture.
Understanding the Underlying Science of Refresh Rates
To really grasp why this matters, I spent some time going through more technical resources beyond the usual marketing fluff. I wanted to understand the core mechanics. After looking through various materials, I found that university course notes often provide the clearest, no-nonsense explanations.
For instance, lecture materials on display technology from the University of Texas at Austin clarify how a display controller scans out the image pixel by pixel, line by line. A higher refresh rate means this entire process happens more frequently. This shortens the “display latency”—the time between when a frame is ready in the computer’s memory and when it’s fully visible on your screen. This reduction in latency creates a more immediate and connected feeling between your mouse or controller inputs and the action you see, which is fundamental to a good gaming experience.
The Cost Factor: Is a 75Hz Monitor Worth Your Money in 2025?
At the end of the day, every purchase for a PC build comes down to budget and value. So where does a 75Hz monitor land on that spectrum today?
The Price Gap Between 60Hz, 75Hz, and 144Hz
The market for monitors is incredibly competitive, which is great news for consumers. As technology has improved, the price difference between a standard 60Hz monitor and a 75Hz model has shrunk dramatically. In many cases, a 75Hz monitor might only be $10 to $20 more than its 60Hz counterpart. When you consider the tangible benefits, that small extra cost is an absolute bargain.
Conversely, the jump to a decent 144Hz monitor is still quite significant. You’re often looking at a much larger price increase, which could be the difference between getting a better graphics card or more storage. For a budget-conscious builder, that money is almost always better spent on core components that will boost your actual in-game FPS.
My Personal Verdict on the Value Proposition
Having used a 75Hz monitor for over a year before I eventually upgraded my whole system and made the leap to 144Hz, I can say with confidence that it was one of the best value-for-money upgrades I made to that initial build. It elevated the entire experience, from gaming to just browsing the web.
It hits a unique sweet spot. It provides a clear, palpable upgrade over the outdated 60Hz standard without forcing you to compromise on the budget for the rest of your PC. It’s an investment in smoothness and responsiveness that you’ll appreciate every single time you sit down at your desk.
The Final Takeaway: A Smart Choice You Won’t Regret
So, let’s circle back to the original question. Is 75Hz good for gaming? Yes, it absolutely is. It’s more than just “good”—it’s a smart, efficient, and highly effective choice for anyone building a PC without an unlimited budget.
It delivers a noticeably smoother and more responsive gaming experience, making your games look and feel better. Crucially, it does this without requiring an ultra-powerful PC, allowing you to build a balanced and cost-effective system.
If you are upgrading from an old 60Hz screen or planning a new budget build, choosing a 75Hz monitor is one of the highest-impact, lowest-cost upgrades available. It’s a practical, logical step forward that you will feel and appreciate every single day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do to ensure I am running my monitor at 75Hz?
You should use a compatible cable like DisplayPort or HDMI 1.4+, check your display settings in Windows to select 75Hz, and verify with online tools like the Blur Busters test to confirm the actual refresh rate.
Is 75Hz suitable for different types of games, including competitive shooters and RPGs?
Yes, 75Hz is suitable for a wide range of games including competitive shooters where it offers better motion clarity, and RPGs or strategy games where the extra smoothness enhances immersion.
How much of an improvement is 75Hz compared to 60Hz?
The increase from 60Hz to 75Hz is a 25% boost in refresh rate, which results in smoother motion and clearer images during fast-paced scenes.
Is upgrading from 60Hz to 75Hz noticeable for gamers?
Yes, the jump from 60Hz to 75Hz provides a noticeable improvement in smoothness and responsiveness, especially for those coming from a standard monitor.
What does a monitor’s refresh rate (Hz) mean?
A monitor’s refresh rate, measured in Hertz, indicates how many times per second the screen updates with a new image, affecting the smoothness of motion displayed.
