Many gamers upgrading to high-refresh-rate monitors, like 144Hz, notice something unexpected: 60 FPS feels choppy or stuttery. You might have thought a 144Hz monitor would make all games ultra-smooth, but lower frame rates often feel worse than they did on a 60Hz display.
Understanding why does 60fps feel choppy on 144hz, the relationship between FPS and refresh rate, and how to fix this issue is critical for smooth gaming performance. This guide explains what’s happening behind the scenes and offers practical solutions.
Why 60FPS Feels Choppy on a 144Hz Monitor
1. FPS and Refresh Rate Mismatch
A 144Hz monitor refreshes 144 times per second, but if your GPU only outputs 60 FPS, each frame is repeated multiple times. This mismatch can cause judder or micro-stutter, making motion feel less smooth than on a 60Hz monitor, where each frame corresponds directly to one refresh.
- 60 FPS on 144Hz → each frame displayed ~2.4 times
- Visuals appear uneven due to inconsistent frame pacing
2. Frame Timing Issues
Even at 60 FPS, if frames are not evenly spaced, motion can appear stuttery. High-refresh-rate monitors are more sensitive to frame timing inconsistencies, revealing micro-stutter that a 60Hz monitor would hide.
3. Input Lag Differences
Higher refresh rate monitors reduce latency when FPS matches Hz. When FPS is significantly lower than refresh rate:
- Input feels less responsive
- Mouse and keyboard movement appear delayed relative to display updates
This makes 60 FPS on a 144Hz monitor feel worse than 60 FPS on a 60Hz monitor.
How Refresh Rate Affects Perceived Smoothness
FPS < Monitor Hz
- Every frame may be repeated unevenly
- Motion appears jerky
- Input lag increases
FPS = Monitor Hz
- Motion is perfectly smooth
- Each frame displayed once
- Input lag minimized
FPS > Monitor Hz
- Extra frames are invisible
- Reduces input lag
- Adaptive sync technologies prevent tearing
For a detailed guide on FPS vs Hz, see How Many FPS Can a 144Hz Monitor Handle?.
Solutions to Make 60 FPS Smoother on 144Hz
1. Enable V-Sync or Adaptive Sync
- G-Sync (NVIDIA) or FreeSync (AMD) synchronizes FPS with refresh rate
- Reduces tearing and judder at low FPS
- Improves perceived smoothness on high-refresh-rate monitors
2. Cap FPS to Refresh Rate
- Limit FPS to 60 or 61 using in-game settings or drivers
- Ensures even frame pacing, reducing micro-stutter
3. Lower Monitor Refresh Rate
- Temporarily set monitor to 60Hz for older games or low FPS scenarios
- Each frame matches the refresh cycle perfectly
4. Optimize Game Settings
- Reduce GPU-intensive settings to maintain higher FPS closer to 144
- Higher FPS reduces perceptible choppiness
5. Check for System Bottlenecks
- CPU or GPU bottlenecks can cause inconsistent frame timing
- Use Bottleneck Calculator to check system balance
Why Higher FPS Feels Smoother
- 60 FPS on 144Hz → repeated frames, judder visible
- 120 FPS on 144Hz → smoother motion, closer to refresh rate
- 144 FPS on 144Hz → perfectly smooth, minimal input lag
Competitive gamers often aim for FPS matching or exceeding monitor Hz for best responsiveness.
Common Misconceptions
1. “More Hz always makes motion smoother”
- Only true if FPS is high enough to match refresh rate
- Low FPS on high Hz can feel worse than low FPS on low Hz
2. “60 FPS is always smooth”
- Perceived smoothness depends on monitor Hz, frame pacing, and input latency
- On high-refresh-rate monitors, low FPS exposes inconsistencies
FAQ: People Also Ask
Why does 60FPS feel choppy on 144Hz?
Because the monitor refreshes faster than your GPU outputs frames, causing repeated frames, uneven frame pacing, and higher perceived judder.
Will enabling V-Sync fix 60FPS choppiness on 144Hz?
Yes, adaptive sync technologies like V-Sync, G-Sync, or FreeSync synchronize FPS with the refresh rate to reduce stutter.
Is 60 FPS enough for a 144Hz monitor?
It can work, but motion will not feel as smooth as higher FPS that matches the monitor’s refresh rate.
How do I make 60 FPS smoother on 144Hz?
Enable adaptive sync, cap FPS to refresh rate, or increase GPU output to get closer to 144 FPS.
Do I need a 144Hz monitor if I can’t hit 144 FPS?
144Hz is beneficial for high FPS, but if your system cannot sustain high frame rates, consider adjusting settings or using 60Hz for older games.
Conclusion
60 FPS feels choppy on a 144Hz monitor due to FPS and refresh rate mismatch, frame pacing issues, and higher sensitivity to input lag. While 60 FPS is smooth on a 60Hz display, high-refresh-rate monitors reveal micro-stutter and judder when FPS is low.
To improve smoothness: enable V-Sync or adaptive sync, cap FPS to refresh rate, optimize graphics settings, or increase FPS closer to 144. Competitive gamers benefit most from high FPS that matches or exceeds monitor Hz.Check your system for CPU or GPU limitations with the Bottleneck Calculator to ensure your hardware can maintain stable FPS on high-refresh-rate monitors.