The famous streamer shroud participated in a test to find out if a monitor with a higher frame rate (FPS) and a higher refresh rate (Hertz, abbreviated: Hz) really improves aiming in shooters. The result: Yes, with a “but”.
What is this test? The YouTuber Linus from Linus Tech Tips conducted a large-scale test to see if higher FPS and Hertz numbers really lead to better gameplay. For this, he set up three stations with nearly identical PCs.
These only differ in one point: The first setup runs at 144 Hz and FPS, the second setup at 60 Hz and FPS, and the third setup at 240 Hz and FPS.
Who participated? To test, he invited four different people who represent different groups of players:
- Casual: Paul from the YouTube channel PaulsHardware, who brings more technical understanding of PCs than a lot of gameplay
- Advanced: MrGrimmmz, a Twitch streamer who plays many different games, especially rhythm games
- Competitive: shroud, the former Counter-Strike pro and famous former Twitch streamer
- Pro: Corey, the DPS player for the Overwatch League team Washington Justice
Test: Is 144Hz really better?
These tests were conducted in detail: To check how the respective frame rates and refresh rates affect performance, the participants completed five tests:
- In Test 1, they must shoot as quickly as possible after a signal
- In Test 2, they must hit a moving target from a fixed position
- In Test 3, points appearing must be hit within 0.45 seconds
- In Test 4, they must eliminate 15 opponents, moving bots, as quickly as possible
- In Test 5, two participants compete to eliminate a human opponent as quickly as possible
Linus chose the popular shooters Overwatch and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive for the tests. Each player had to complete every test on each of the three devices, and their results were documented.
Additionally, high-speed cameras recorded exactly how quickly the four testers can react and where the technology of the PCs reaches its limits.
For fun, Linus also wanted to test whether shroud is even human, as he repeatedly shows skills like a “human aimbot”. The result here: He is not sure. His results are too consistent.
Result: Higher frame rate and refresh rate help
How strong is the influence? The tests show that higher FPS actually help – Even if the monitor only has a refresh rate of 60Hz. The higher frame rate ensures that a more current image appears on the monitor.
One of the tests with shroud shows this. The camera indicates at one point that his shot at 60Hz/FPS should have hit. However, the hit was not registered. In the retest with 300FPS and 60Hz, shroud achieved significantly more hits.
This is the result: The conclusion of the test is short: Yes, higher frame rates and refresh rates help. Each of the participants performed better when playing with more powerful hardware.
Players like MrGrimmmz can quickly adjust to 60Hz/FPS through experience and observation and even perform better than professionals who are used to higher rates, but even MrGrimmmz achieved better results with stronger technology.
Technology helps, but not always
Does technology make me a pro? It should be noted, however, that technology alone does not help. On average, competitive players were better than casual players, even on weaker devices.
Muscle memory and experience constitute a large part of the skills in shooters. However, it applies: Those who play with 144 or even 240 Hz and FPS have better chances of becoming good faster. Casuals with stronger technology were relatively significantly stronger than the professionals (compared to their performance at 60Hz).
In some games the frame rate can even have a direct impact on the gameplay.
What does shroud say about it? According to shroud, a higher frame rate and refresh rate make no difference regarding pure reaction time. However, what they change is performance during movement.
In a game where many things and the player himself are moving, one simply has a better overview and reaction when FPS and Hertz are increased.
The title image is from Linus’s video.
