When you start shopping for a new monitor, the first thing you run into is numbers like 75Hz, 165Hz, 1ms and 0.5ms, and most people assume the bigger number automatically means a better picture. The truth is more nuanced than that: each of those numbers describes something completely different, and there are cases where a 75Hz monitor suits you better than a 240Hz one. In this guide we explain both terms in plain language, pin down which number actually matters for the way you use your computer, and point to monitors we really do have in stock, with cash on delivery and shipping to every province in Iraq.
What does Hz, or refresh rate, mean?
Hertz is the number of times your monitor redraws the image in a single second. A 60Hz monitor draws 60 images per second; a 165Hz monitor draws 165. The practical result: the higher the number, the smoother and clearer motion looks, and the less stutter you feel when you flick the mouse or turn quickly inside a game. Even in everyday use, scrolling a web page or dragging a window at 120Hz or 165Hz feels clearly smoother than at 60Hz.
But keep one key point in mind: the monitor does not create frames, it only displays them. If your graphics card puts out 60 frames per second in the game you play, a 240Hz monitor will still run, but you will never see its full potential. So split your budget sensibly between the PC and the monitor, instead of spending it all on a big number printed on the box.
And what is response time (ms)?
Response time is how long a pixel needs to change its colour, measured in milliseconds. The smaller the number — meaning 1ms is better than 5ms — the less of that faint trail or shadow that follows moving objects, the effect people call ghosting. The benefit shows up most clearly in fast games and dark scenes.
You should know, though, that the number printed on the box is measured under ideal conditions in the fastest available mode, and it does not apply to every colour transition. That is why our practical advice is to make refresh rate your first criterion and treat response time as a supporting one. A 165Hz monitor rated at 1ms gives you a far better experience than a 75Hz monitor rated at the very same figure.
The difference in short
| Term | What it measures | What it affects |
|---|---|---|
| Hertz (Hz) | Images shown per second | Overall smoothness of motion |
| Response time (ms) | How fast a pixel changes colour | Clarity of moving objects and less ghosting |
How many Hz do you actually need?
- 60 to 100Hz: office work, studying, browsing, watching films, and Office or accounting software.
- 144 to 180Hz: the sweet spot for most gamers; a big step up from 60Hz at a sensible price.
- 240Hz and above: for competitive gaming, and only if the PC is strong enough to push high frame rates in the first place.
Recommended monitors for your situation
If your use is office or study work and you want the cheapest respectable entry point, the Dahua LM27-A201F at 27 inches with FHD resolution, a 100Hz refresh rate and an IPS panel is worth its money; it is a large screen that makes work and study easier on you, 100Hz is tangibly smoother than the usual 60Hz, and a 5ms response time is perfectly enough for this kind of use.
And if your goal is gaming at the lowest possible cost, here is the same brand in a version built for gaming: the Dahua LM24-E231 at 24 inches, FHD, a 165Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time on an IPS panel. It is one of the strongest offers in this class and fits mid-range PCs that push 100 frames per second and up.
If you want higher clarity together with speed, the GALAX VI-01R at 27 inches with 2K resolution, 180Hz and a 1ms response time on an IPS panel gives you both at around 282,000 IQD, and it is the balanced pick for most people who game and work on the same machine.
For the competitive player who counts every millisecond, the AOC Q27G42ZE with 2K resolution, 260Hz and a 1ms response time on a Fast IPS panel delivers the highest smoothness available in this class, at around 384,000 IQD — provided your PC can feed it high frame rates, otherwise that extra money is better spent upgrading your graphics card.
And the exact opposite case: if your work is design, video editing or photo retouching, colour accuracy matters far more than Hz. The ASUS ProArt PA278QV with 2K resolution, 75Hz, 5ms and 100% sRGB coverage is built for precisely that, at around 510,000 IQD, and it is living proof that the higher number is not always the better one.
Common buying mistakes
- Buying a 240Hz monitor with a weak graphics card; that extra money would have done far more upgrading the card.
- Relying on the 1ms figure on its own, without looking at the refresh rate and the panel type.
- Forgetting the cable: some older cables cannot carry 2K at a high refresh rate; use DisplayPort or a modern HDMI.
- Not enabling the refresh rate in Windows settings after connecting — plenty of people stay stuck at 60Hz without ever noticing.
Buying safely from Jowa Souq
Every monitor listed above is available from us with cash on delivery and shipping to all Iraqi provinces, and you have the right to inspect the product before paying: open the box, look at the monitor and check its condition while the courier is there, then hand over the money. The prices mentioned in this article are for guidance only; the final, up-to-date price is always on the product page itself.
Frequently asked questions
Will I really feel the difference between 60Hz and 144Hz?
Yes, and it is obvious even in the way the mouse cursor moves across the desktop. Most people notice it within the first minute, whereas the jump from 144Hz to 240Hz is far subtler and is felt mainly by competitive players.
Which matters more, Hz or response time?
Hz matters more for most users. Response time becomes important once you have locked in a high refresh rate, and from there it shows up in the clarity of moving objects and how little ghosting trails behind them.
Is a 165Hz monitor fine for office work?
Absolutely, there is no downside for work at all; if anything, scrolling gets smoother and easier on the eyes. But if your job depends on accurate colour, like design and printing, look for a monitor that clearly states its sRGB coverage.
Can I find 240Hz at 4K for a cheap price?
Not right now. As soon as resolution and refresh rate rise together, the price climbs fast, which is why most people on a mid-range budget pick 2K with 165 or 180Hz as the best balance.
Do I need a special cable?
Usually the cable that comes with the monitor is enough, but if you are going to use an old cable you already have at home, make sure it is DisplayPort or HDMI 2.0 and above so you can reach the full refresh rate.
