The truth about 1ms gaming monitors: GtG vs MPRT explained
Most gaming monitor boxes say "1ms", and it is easy to assume motion will look perfectly sharp. In reality that number can be measured in more than one way, and each method measures something different. Here is a simple guide to GtG vs MPRT, and why two "1ms" monitors can feel different in game.
What is response time?
Response time is how long the screen takes to change from one frame to the next. The lower it is, the less trailing you see behind moving objects. Brands mainly use two measures, GtG and MPRT, and the label often does not say which one.
GtG: how fast the pixel changes
GtG (Grey to Grey) measures how long a pixel takes to shift from one shade of grey to another. According to BenQ, it is the closest measure to the hardware itself, the simplest to measure and the most accurate, and it has far less to do with framerate. A 1ms GtG pixel behaves essentially the same on a 60Hz or a 144Hz screen.
MPRT: how long the pixel stays visible
MPRT (Moving Picture Response Time) measures how long a pixel remains visible. The longer it stays, the more blur you see in motion. BenQ notes MPRT is almost entirely dependent on refresh rate: a 144Hz monitor has a natural minimum MPRT of about 6.9ms (1/144 of a second). By the same arithmetic, each frame lasts about 5.6ms at 180Hz and about 3.7ms at 270Hz, which is why higher refresh rates reduce blur even when GtG stays the same.
So how does a 144Hz screen claim 1ms MPRT?
Motion-clarity features. BenQ lists techniques such as black frame insertion that push MPRT below its natural limit. Brands give them their own names, such as ASUS ELMB, which ASUS says reduces motion blur. These modes usually lower brightness a little and may not work with every setting, so try them yourself.
Common myths
- "Every 1ms monitor is the same": no. Check whether it is GtG or MPRT, and the refresh rate.
- "Refresh rate has nothing to do with blur": wrong. Higher refresh shortens each frame and directly cuts blur.
- "Lower is always better": not always. Marketing figures are measured under specific conditions.
What should you pick?
For competitive play, prioritise a high refresh rate with a fast panel rather than the 1ms number alone. The AOC 23.8" 180Hz 1ms gaming monitor is a practical first gaming screen, and the ASUS TUF Gaming VG249QM1A 270Hz Fast IPS adds ELMB for even smoother motion. Check the current price on the product page.
Bottom line
"1ms" on the box is the start of the story, not the end. GtG tells you how fast pixels change, MPRT tells you how clear motion looks, and refresh rate links the two.
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