Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we get about input lag from monitors and TVs here at Micro Center:
Q: What is input lag?
Input lag is the delay between an action you take (moving your mouse, clicking a key on the keyboard) and the system registering and displaying that action. Input lag is measured in milliseconds (or referred to as 'ms').
Q: When should I be concerned about input lag?
Input lag matters most in competitive gaming and when performing actions that require precise timing or quick reactions. With high input lag, the window to perform an action may pass before the system registers your reaction.
Q: Where can I find information on a displays input lag?
Input lag is rarely listed in manufacturer specs. The best source of information for most products will be 3rd party reviews.
Q: Can input lag be modified on a display?
There are settings you can adjust that may improve input lag:
Decreasing resolution and increasing your framerate can improve monitor performance. Disabling any power saving features and enabling Game Mode can improve the performance of a TV.
Q: Is input lag the same as response time?
No, input lag is not the same as response time. Response time is how the monitor changes from black-to-white or gray-to-gray pixels, where a lower response time will reduce the phenomenon of “ghosting” on the screen, which can be best described as smearing or blurring pixels on a display.