Update rates are one of the common components of technology that we see highly advertised whenever possible. Usually demonstrated in computer monitors or computer mice, high refresh rates and polling rates are supposed to offer an improved experience and even give players the edge over competitors. Which of the claims are true, and where should claims and the necessity of higher refresh rates be taken with a grain of salt?
What Does Update Mean?
Refresh rate is the term that refers to the number of times in a second that a device is updated with new information, usually measured in Hz. The higher the Hz, the more updates per second, and thus the lower the delay between each update. Hz is traditionally tied to computer monitor outputs, though mice have a nearly identical system in place, which is referred to as polling rate. In monitors, 60 Hz is considered the modern standard for smooth movement, while 1,000 Hz for mice is similarly considered the standard starting point.
This is a multifaceted question that depends on what you’re using your device for, and at which point you can expect diminishing returns. For a baseline, let’s consider iGaming like you’d see in an NJ online casino. Starting with browsing, collecting bonuses like deposit matches and free spins, and then playing games like slots and live roulette, higher refresh rates wouldn’t really change these experiences. These games don’t require fast reflexes, and they don’t have rapidly shifting graphics, so there’s not much point going over the standard.
In computer mice, a polling rate of 1,000Hz means the gap between updates sits at a single millisecond. Double this to 2,000Hz, and the update interval drops to 0.5ms, then reaching 0.25ms at 4,000Hz, and 0.124ms at 8,000Hz. Though some pro-level gamers use mice on the higher end of this spectrum, many are quite happy to sit at 1,000Hz or 2,000Hz, with higher rates often considered as gimmicks that don’t offer real advantages given maximum possible human performance.
In display devices, faster refresh rates have two primary advantages. The first is for smoother scrolling on a monitor or phone. This is often imperceptible to an untrained eye, with many people unable to pick between the standard 60Hz modes and the common higher standards of 90Hz, 120Hz, or 144Hz.
On a competitive level, most gamers will aim for screens that offer at least 144Hz output. Higher refresh rates here have been shown in tests by companies like Linus Tech Tips to improve performance, though diminishing returns do appear to raise their head over the 144Hz mark.
One element to keep in mind here is that Hz in monitors will only matter if your computer can keep up. A system needs to deliver the number of frames per second a monitor is capable of to take full advantage of low latency, and this can be difficult for demanding titles at high settings. It doesn’t matter if you have a 144Hz monitor if your game can only hit 60FPS, for example.
Looking at the different elements of update rates, how much care you should care about these numbers depends on your budget and what you want to play. Just like there’s no point buying a Ferrari if you only drive on crowded roads to the local shops, overkill in mice or displays can just end up wasting cash. Still, it’s worth trying the different options if you can, to see if they make an appreciable difference to you.
