Streaming superstar Michael ‘shroud‘ Grzesiek showcased the difference in his first-person-shooting prowess with a 60hz/144hz/240hz monitor alongside YouTube tech guru Linus Tech Tips.
When it comes to PC gaming, having a top of the line set-up seems like a key component for consistency. Playing something like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, you want every setting to be ideal – be it the frames per second you’re running, the mouse sensitivity, and even key binds.
One of the big things that can help is a different monitor. The majority of professional players regularly shoot for 240hz monitors with super-fast response time, but does it really make a difference or is it all placebo? Well, Shroud hooked up with Linus Tech Tips to run a few different tests to get an answer.
Using CS:GO, the title that Shroud made his name in, as well as Overwatch, the YouTuber set up five tests to test the differences such as reaction time, being able to flick, and general high-level aim.
Obviously, it helps that Shroud isn’t the run-of-the-mill FPS player, but even he had his performance differ per the monitors. “I don’t think, for this test, 60/240/144 is going to make a difference because the only time you feel 60 versus 240 is when you’re moving around and you can feel the tear and everything,” shroud said following the reaction time test.
Yet, as things went on, the differences were pointed out to him more and more. The streamer was able to score more kills with the AWP on Dust 2 while using a 240hz set-up compared to 60hz. In fact, he went as far as calling it a “piece of cake.”
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He reiterated his earlier point after everything was all said and done, though – noting the biggest positive 240hz versus 60hz came from looking around.
“That’s where I’d say it helps you the most,” shroud added. “Because the faster you move, the harder it is to see on 60hz.” He noted that “nothing” would change when looking at a still image and posting up, but when everything is moving around it becomes “a lot harder” to use the 60hz.
At the end of the day, however, just having a juiced-up rig isn’t going to instantly transform you into an FPS star like Shroud.
It still takes hard work and dedicating yourself to a craft. As the streamer himself notes, the game sense is uber-important and its what makes him stand out from the crowd.
