EXPLAINER

What Does a 165Hz Gaming Monitor Actually Mean?

165Hz explained simply: what refresh rate is, how it relates to frames per second and frame time, why 165Hz feels so different from 60Hz, and what you need to get the benefit.

THE SHORT ANSWER

165Hz means the monitor can redraw the whole screen 165 times every second — one new image every 6.1 milliseconds. A standard 60Hz monitor redraws 60 times a second, every 16.7ms. The result of 165Hz is smoother motion, clearer tracking of moving objects and lower input lag, provided your PC or console is producing enough frames.

Hertz, frames and frame time

Hertz (Hz) is simply 'times per second'. A 165Hz gaming monitor refreshes its image 165 times per second. Frames per second (fps) is how many images your graphics card produces per second. When fps and Hz are matched, every frame the GPU draws is shown once, and motion is as smooth as the hardware allows.

Frame time is the gap between refreshes: 16.7ms at 60Hz, 8.3ms at 120Hz, 6.1ms at 165Hz, 5.6ms at 180Hz and 5ms at 200Hz. Shorter frame time is what your eyes and hands perceive as 'smooth' and 'responsive'.

Why 165Hz feels so different from 60Hz

At 60Hz, a fast-moving object jumps a large distance between frames, so it looks like it stutters and blurs. At 165Hz it moves in nearly three times as many smaller steps, so it appears to glide. When you flick your mouse, the screen catches up 10ms sooner on average than at 60Hz — a difference competitive players feel immediately.

What you need to actually get 165Hz

A graphics card capable of rendering your games at high frame rates — Full HD and QHD are far easier than 4K.
A DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.1 cable connected to a matching input (all GAMEO monitors include both port types).
The refresh rate set to 165Hz in Windows Display Settings → Advanced display; many monitors default to 60Hz until you change this.
Adaptive Sync enabled so the monitor's refresh follows your frame rate, eliminating tearing when fps dips below 165.

165Hz in the GAMEO range

GAMEO Q24-165 24" QHD 165Hz IPS gaming monitor and GAMEO U27-165 27" 4K UHD 165Hz IPS gaming monitor both run at 165Hz with a 1ms response time, MPRT and Adaptive Sync. If you want to go beyond 165Hz, the GAMEO F27-180 27" FHD 180Hz IPS gaming monitor offers 180Hz and the GAMEO F24-200 24" FHD 200Hz IPS gaming monitor offers 200Hz.

COMMON QUESTIONS

FAQ

Is 165Hz better than 144Hz?

Slightly — 165Hz refreshes about 15% more often (every 6.1ms versus 6.9ms). The difference is small but real, and 165Hz has become the more common standard on modern IPS gaming monitors.

Do I need 165 fps to use a 165Hz monitor?

No. The monitor works at any frame rate. With Adaptive Sync enabled it will match your GPU's output, so 100fps on a 165Hz monitor still looks smoother than 60Hz.

Is 165Hz good for casual gaming?

Yes. Even in slower games, everything from camera pans to cursor movement feels smoother. It also makes everyday desktop use feel more fluid.

Can the human eye see 165Hz?

You don't perceive individual frames, but you do perceive smoother motion and lower latency. Most people can immediately tell 165Hz from 60Hz in a side-by-side test.

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