You can indeed run 120fps on a 144Hz monitor. Let me explain how it works.
First, it’s important to understand what the refresh rate of a monitor means. The refresh rate refers to the number of times the monitor updates the image on the screen per second. In the case of a 144Hz monitor, it means that it can display up to 144 frames per second.
Now, when you have a game or any other application running at a specific frame rate, let’s say 120fps, it means that the application is generating 120 frames per second. If you have a 144Hz monitor, it can display up to 144 frames per second.
In this scenario, the monitor will still be able to display all the frames generated by the application, but it won’t reach its maximum potential of 144fps. However, this doesn’t mean that the experience will be inferior or that you won’t benefit from the higher refresh rate.
Having a higher refresh rate monitor, even if you are not reaching its maximum refresh rate, can still offer advantages. One of the main benefits is the reduction of motion blur. With a higher refresh rate, each frame is displayed for a shorter amount of time, resulting in smoother and more fluid motion.
In addition, having a higher refresh rate monitor can also improve the responsiveness and feel of your gameplay. Even if you are not hitting the maximum refresh rate, the monitor will still update the image more frequently, reducing input lag and providing a more responsive experience overall.
I can share a personal experience to illustrate this. I have a 144Hz monitor, and while playing games, I sometimes cap the frame rate at 120fps to ensure a more stable performance. Even though I’m not reaching the maximum refresh rate, I can still notice the benefits of the higher refresh rate, such as smoother motion and improved responsiveness.
To summarize, a 144Hz monitor can definitely run a game or application at 120fps. While you won’t be able to reach the maximum potential of the monitor, you can still benefit from the higher refresh rate in terms of reduced motion blur and improved responsiveness.