120Hz vs 165Hz Laptops: Is the Higher Refresh Rate Worth It for Gaming?

Refresh rate remains a major area concern for gamers, as it impacts overall performance and responsiveness of your device. Specially when it comes to gaming laptops speed is everything, and 120 Hz and 165 Hz laptops are the two highly popular choice, but how to decide which one should you actually go for? Let's find out.

120 Vs 165 Hz Laptop Comparison

In very simple language refresh rate is the frequency, measured in Hertz (Hz), at which a display updates the image on its screen per second. It entirely decides the responsiveness of your laptop and how fast it is going to react to the given commands. On an average a basic model of a laptop comes with 60 Hz refresh rate that gives decent performance. But when it comes to tailoring down the use case and requirements a laptop for gaming, video editing, or doing other creative works demands higher refresh rate. Now 120,144, and 165 refresh rate are the three common display panels you will come across when choosing a laptop for your gadget zone. Out of which 120Hz Vs 165 Hz remains a hot area of discussion among premium shoppers. However, the difference between 120 Hz and 165 Hz is less noticeable but we if dive deeper then the more is the refresh rate the more faster your device is going to response. Lets get a better understanding on this by discussing some of the top rated laptop models from popular brands.

What Is Refresh Rate and How Does It Affects Laptop Performance?

Number of times a display of a laptop refreshes the screen after every second is determined by the refresh rate. The higher is the refresh rate, thus, its updates are greater, creating a smoother motion and a smaller motion blur. Although it does not directly affect a laptop processor power, refresh rate has a huge influence in the apparent performance as well as user experience, particularly during games. To have a high refresh rate working, the GPU and CPU of the laptop should be powerful enough to display the same number of frames per second (FPS). A 144Hz display will not have a competitive edge over a laptop with a maximum resolution of 60 FPS. The synchronization of the refresh rate and frame rate is what offers a competitive advantage, decreasing screen tearing and a lag in inputs to provide a smooth, reactive experience. In the general case, it is possible to use a normal display with 60Hz, and gamers can use higher rates, such as 120Hz or 144Hz.

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    Dell Inspiron 3535, AMD Ryzen 5-7530U, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Thin & Light Laptop

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    Coming with a AMD Ryzen 5 this Dell laptop is a good choice to handle daily chores and light gaming. This 120 Hz refresh rate laptop gives a lag free performance and also has a long battery life, which gives you convenient and longer use. Additionally, it also manages video streaming, photo editing, and many more creative tasks while giving a smooth performance. Its performance is acceptable in multitasking, but the demanding applications might exhibit some slowdown. The 120Hz display is suitable for casual gaming, but competitive gaming may require a higher refresh rate, so here you can identify difference between 120 Vs 165 Hz based on your needs.

    Notable Features:

    • Brand: Dell
    • Screen size: 39.6 cm (15.6 inches)
    • RAM: 16 GB
    • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
    • Hard disk size: 512 GB SSD
    • Processor Type: AMD
    • CPU Model: Ryzen 5-7530U
    • Native resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD)

    Thumbs Up:

    • Solid balance of performance and affordability.
    • Pleasant viewing experience with a 120Hz refresh rate.
    • Long battery life and portable design 

    Thumbs Down:

    • Not suitable for demanding tasks or competitive gaming.
    • Performance may show limitations with high-end applications.
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    MSI Raider 18 HX, Intel 14th Gen. i9-14900HX, 46CM UHD+ MiniLED 120Hz Gaming Laptop

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    This MSI laptop offers incredibly great graphics and visual quality that makes it a ideal laptop for video editing and content creation. The MiniLED 120Hz gaming display can already provide people with impressive visuals, and in some areas, it outperforms even 165Hz panels, as it has better color accuracy and contrast ratio. It is a quality product of high-end gaming and content production. However not very portable due to its size and weight, still this laptop brand aces in terms of performance. The mini-led screen will provide the best visuals, with unbelievable color accuracy and HDR. Additionally, storage is not a cause to worry with this laptop for gaming.

    Notable Features:

    • Brand: MSI
    • Screen size: 46 cm (18 inches)
    • Refresh rate: 120 Hz 
    • RAM: 32 GB 
    • Hard disk size: 2 TB SSD
    • Processor Type: Intel
    • CPU Model: Core i9
    • Native resolution: 3840 x 2400 pixels 
    • Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 

    Thumbs Up:

    • UHD+ MiniLED display delivers stunning visuals
    • Easily handles demanding tasks
    • Ample storage space 

    Thumbs Down:

    • Has a bulky build 
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    Dell Gaming G15-5530, Intel Core i5 13th Gen-13450HX, NVIDIA GeForce Gaming Laptop

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    Up next in the list comes this Dell gaming laptop, with a 120 Hz refresh rate that gives flicker-free use while gaming high-end games and doing other creative tasks. It is a good choice for a gamer who wants to have a compromise between performance and cost. Operating on windows 11 it has updated security features. Offering multi port connectivity options, you can easily use multiple devices together with this Dell laptop without dealing with the clutter of multiple wires. Having an average battery life of 8.5 hours you can stream, play, and create without worrying about frequent charging.

    Notable Features:

    • Brand: Dell
    • Screen size: 15.6 inches
    • RAM: 16 GB 
    • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
    • Hard disk size: 512 GB SSD
    • Processor Type: Intel
    • CPU Model: Core i5
    • Native resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD)

    Thumbs Up:

    • Multi port connectivity 
    • Handles esports and moderately demanding games 
    • Solid build quality for the price point.

    Thumbs Down:

    • Performance may bottleneck at higher resolutions.
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    Lenovo Smartchoice Yoga Pro 7 Intel Evo Core Ultra 7 2.8K-OLED 400Nits 120Hz Laptop

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    Having a high-quality display with smooth performance this lenovo laptop gives stunning visuals and even premium audio for a perfect entertainment experience. Although its refresh rate does not go as high as 165Hz, its touchscreen feature provides the flexibility, thus making it a good choice to anyone who considers flexibility and portability a priority. Lenovo Yoga Pro 7 is a good option to consider among the users who are more concerned about portability and touchscreen functionality. Having an anti glare display this lenovo laptop lets you enjoy longer computing session without giving strains on your eyes.

    Notable Features: 

    • Brand: Lenovo 
    • Screen size: 14 inches
    • RAM: 16 GB 
    • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
    • Hard disk size: 1 TB SSD 
    • Processor Type: Intel 
    • CPU Model: Core Ultra 7 
    • Native resolution: 2880 x 1800 pixels 

    Thumbs Up:

    • Built AI Features.
    • The high-resolution 2.8K OLED display.
    • Lightweight and portable design, making it easy to carry.

    Thumbs Down:

    • Mixed opinions on the performance 
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    ASUS ROG Strix G16 13th Gen,Intel Core i7-13650HX Gaming Laptop

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    This ASUS ROG gaming laptop has a stunning 165 Hz refresh rate, which gives a smooth work on a wide range of activities. It provides a balance of power and portability which makes it an all-rounder. The premium internals of the ROG Strix G16 can support both severe games and work with high and productive loads. The high refresh rate (165Hz) is very beneficial in playing games and editing videos, and is worth investing into. Plus the 16 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD store all your files in one place, without having any impact on the performance. The brightness level of 250 nits gives users comfortable viewing even in low light conditions.

    Notable Features:

    • Brand: ASUS
    • Screen size: 16 inches
    • Refresh rate: 165 Hz
    • RAM: 16 GB 
    • Hard disk size: 1 TB SSD
    • Processor Type: Intel
    • CPU Model: Core i7
    • Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 

    Thumbs Up:

    • 720P HD camera
    • Multi port connectivity issues.
    • Exceptionally smooth gameplay and video editing.
    • Offers more vertical screen space.

    Thumbs Down:

    • Some user reviews have noted potential issues with the backlight keyboard.
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    HP Smartchoice Omen AMD Ryzen 7 7840Hs, 8GB RTX 4060, AI Gaming Laptop

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    This premium AI laptop for gaming has a brightness level of 300 nits and 165 Hz refresh rate to give you top notch performance.It has great performance and smooth design, which made it a perfect choice in terms of both game and serious creative effort. This laptop performs well in the modern day gaming, being able to play AAA games in the real world. The 8-core processor and the graphic card included in the HP Omen makes the device appropriate in both creative and gaming activities. Additionally, the 16.1 inch screen size gives a huge viewing angle perfect for diverse workflow.

    Notable Features:

    • Brand: HP
    • Screen size: 16.1 inches
    • RAM: 16 GB
    • Hard disk size: 1 TB SSD
    • Processor Type: AMD
    • CPU Model: Ryzen 7 
    • Native resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels 

    Thumbs Up:

    • Fast charging feature with lasting battery 
    • 4 vents for convenient use.
    • The Omen Tempest Cooling technology keeps the system cool under heavy load.

    Thumbs Down:

    • The off-center keyboard can be uncomfortable for typing
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    Acer Nitro V 16, Intel Core i5 14th Gen - 14450HX, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050-6GB, Gaming Laptop

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    Powered by Intel core i5 this Acer nitro laptop for gaming gives a smooth visual display, which makes it immersive. Acer Nitro V 16 is the suitable option that can be offered to those who want to find a compromise between the performance and the cost. The 165Hz display improves the general experience of the user especially in playing games and editing videos. It is an excellent option among users who do not require the very high-end level of performance, as well as who would like to have high price to performance ratio. You can consider adding this laptop to your gadget zone in case you are seeking a good laptop for gaming.

    Notable Features:

    • Brand: Acer
    • Refresh rate: 165 Hz
    • Screen size: 16 inches
    • RAM: 16 GB 
    • Hard disk size: 512 GB SSD
    • Processor Type: Intel
    • CPU Model: Core i5
    • Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 
    • Native resolution: 1920 x 1200 pixels 

    Thumbs Up:

    • Offers a great balance of performance and affordability for a gaming laptop.
    • Handles multitasking and a variety of applications with ease.
    • The RTX 4050 GPU is capable of running modern games at high settings.

    Thumbs Down:

    • Average build quality 
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    MSI Katana 15, Intel 14th Gen. i9-14900HX, 40cm QHD 165Hz Gaming Laptop

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    The MSI Katana 15 enables you to uplift gaming and creative experiences. This is an impressive laptop with a 14th Gen Intel core i9 processor, having 24 cores and 5.8 GHz max turbo frequency to address even the issues of the most demanding tasks. Its 15.6-inch QHD screen provides very beautiful images with a refresh rate of 165Hz making the images very smooth and vibrant and the gameplay very smooth and beautiful. This MSI laptop makes it possible to experience the next level graphics with AI-accelerated graphics and a realistic ray tracing. Cooler Boost 5 technology has a shared-pipe design that keeps the system cool when it is under pressure.

    Notable Features:

    • Brand: MSI
    • Screen size: 15.6 inches
    • RAM: 16 GB (DDR5)
    • Hard disk size: 1 TB SSD
    • Processor Type: Intel
    • CPU Model: Core i9
    • Weight: 2.4 Kg

    Thumbs Up:

    • Exceptional performance for gaming and demanding creative tasks.
    • The QHD resolution provide a significant visual upgrade.
    • The Cooler Boost 5 technology effectively manages thermals.
    • The 4-zone RGB keyboard adds a personalized and premium gaming feel.

    Thumbs Down:

    • Fan noise can be quite loud under heavy gaming loads.
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120 Hz Vs 165 Hz: How Much Refresh Rate Should You Go For Your Gaming Laptop?

Here is a quick takeaways from these popular refresh rates of laptop and how it impacts overall performance and user experience.

Feature

120 Hz Laptop 

165 Hz Laptop 

User

Good for most gamers and general use. A significant upgrade from 60 Hz.

Ideal for competitive gamers and enthusiasts.

Performance

Provides a smooth and responsive experience for most games.

Offers an even smoother and more fluid visual experience.

Motion Clarity

Reduces motion blur effectively.

Further reduces motion blur for a clearer image in fast-paced scenes.

Input Lag

Lower input latency compared to 60 Hz.

Has a slightly lower input latency than 120 Hz, which can be beneficial in competitive gaming.

GPU Requirement

Requires a graphics card capable of consistently producing 120+ FPS.

Needs a more powerful GPU to consistently reach 165+ FPS, especially at higher resolutions.

Cost

Generally more affordable and widely available in gaming laptops.

Typically found in higher-end gaming laptops, which may come at a premium.

Conclusion

A great "sweet spot" for performance and value. It provides a huge improvement over standard 60 Hz laptops.

A worthwhile upgrade for those who play fast-paced esports and have a powerful GPU to take full advantage of the refresh rate.

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Faq's

  • s there a huge difference between 120Hz and 165Hz to play games?
    +
    Whereas the two are substantial improvements over 60Hz, the distinction is subtle. The competitive gamers might see the marginally smoother movement and reduced input lag, however, the visual difference between 120Hz and 165Hz will have little effect on most casual gamers.
  • Will a strong GPU be required to play games at 165Hz?
    +
    Yes, it needs a potent graphics card to reach a steady frame rate of 165 and above FPS, and this is achieved at higher resolutions.
  • What is the ideal refresh rate for gaming laptops?
    +
    The sweet spot of most gamers is 120Hz laptop. It is also a massive upgrade in smoothness and responsiveness compared to regular laptops at a lower cost and more affordable to be driven by the mid-range GPU.