Do KVM Switches Support High Refresh Rates for Gaming?

When setting up a multi-device workstation or gaming setup, you might wonder if a KVM switch can handle high refresh rates (120Hz or above) without affecting your display quality. High refresh rates are important for smooth visuals and quick response times, especially for gamers and professionals. But can a KVM switch keep up with these demands, or will it hold your display back? The answer is absolutely yes. Let’s explore how KVM switches perform with high refresh rates and what you need to know when choosing one.

What is Screen Refresh Rate?

Screen refresh rate refers to the number of times per second that your monitor updates with new images. It’s measured in Hertz (Hz), so a 60Hz refresh rate means the screen refreshes 60 times per second. This is crucial for determining how smooth motion appears on your display.

As illustrated above, a higher refresh rate means the display refreshes more frequently, resulting in smoother motion and less blur. The interval between these refreshes is measured in milliseconds (ms), indicating the time it takes for the screen to update with a new image. Together, these factors determine the clarity and responsiveness of your visual experience.

How will Screen Refresh Rate Affect Your Gaming Experience?

Before you can understand how screen refresh rate impacts your gaming experience, it’s important to know how different components contribute to overall gaming performance. Here are the three key factors:

• Monitor Refresh Rate A higher refresh rate, like 144Hz, provides smoother and more fluid motion in games. This reduces motion blur and makes fast-moving scenes clearer, improving overall responsiveness and gameplay feel.
• CPU Speed A faster CPU handles game-related calculations and tasks more efficiently, reducing lag and ensuring the GPU receives timely data. This results in smoother gameplay and better performance, especially in CPU-intensive games.
• GPU Performance The GPU must generate enough frames per second to match the monitor’s refresh rate. For example, a 144Hz monitor requires the GPU to deliver at least 144 frames per second. If the GPU can’t keep up, you might experience screen tearing, stuttering, or a less smooth gaming experience.

So, the impact of screen refresh rate on your gaming experience depends on the synergy between these three components. When these three components work well together, they enhance the overall gaming experience more than if each component performed well individually but didn't complement the others.

For example, if you have a high-performance GPU and a fast CPU but are using a 60Hz monitor, the monitor's refresh rate limits the frame rate you can see. Even if your hardware is capable of producing more frames per second, you'll only experience up to 60fps because the monitor can only display 60 frames per second.

How KVM Switches Work in Multiple Gaming Devices?

A KVM switch is a hardware device that allows a single keyboard, monitor, and mouse to control two or more computers. It acts as an intermediary: the computers/gaming consoles connect to the KVM switch, which in turn connects to the keyboard, monitor, and mouse, enabling users to manage all the connected systems from one central location.

Most gamers often use multiple devices for different purposes, such as a gaming PC, a streaming console, and a media player. To utilize all these devices without needing to plug and unplug, a KVM switch is an ideal choice. It eliminates cable clutter and saves time, providing a more efficient and streamlined gaming experience.

KVM Switches and High Refresh Rates

Modern KVM switches, designed to manage multiple computers from a single set of peripherals, have evolved to handle high refresh rates. Below is how they manage to support these advanced display capabilities.

To handle high refresh rates, a KVM switch must support sufficient bandwidth to transmit high-quality video signals. For instance, a 144Hz refresh rate at 4K resolution requires a significant amount of data bandwidth to ensure smooth performance. KVM switches that support DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.1 (and beyond) typically offer the bandwidth needed for higher refresh rates and resolutions.

In fact, both DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.1 support DSC 1.2a technology, which enables efficient compression of high-resolution video signals. This technology reduces the data bandwidth required without compromising visual quality, allowing KVM switches to handle high refresh rates and resolutions more effectively.

Additionally, a KVM switch that support VRR technologies, such as NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, can synchronize the monitor's refresh rate with the GPU’s frame rate. It helps eliminate screen tearing and stuttering, ensuring a smoother and more responsive gaming experience even when switching between multiple high-refresh-rate sources.

Choosing the High-Refresh-Rate KVM Switch

• DP 1.4 KVM Switches Supporting 4K@144Hz/165Hz

High refresh rates are a game-changer for PC gamers, and TESmart DKS202-M24 and DKS203-M24 KVM switches are designed to deliver just that. With support for dual 4K monitors at up to 144Hz or 165Hz through DSC 1.2a technology, these KVM switches ensure that gamers experience incredibly smooth and responsive gameplay. Both models come with DisplayPort 1.4 ports, which are crucial for achieving these high refresh rates and maintaining top-tier visual quality.

For content creators and professionals who demand precision, the dual/triple 8K@60Hz capability of DKS202-M24 and DKS203-M24 offers unparalleled clarity for high-resolution editing tasks. The integrated EDID emulation technology prevents resolution resets or icon rearrangements, allowing you to focus on your work without interruptions.

Switching between multiple devices is effortless between PCs using various methods, including keyboard shortcuts, mouse wheel, a front panel button, or IR signals. The USB 3.2 Gen 1 support provides rapid data transfer and peripheral sharing, adding to the overall convenience and efficiency of the setup.

Broad system compatibility further enhances the versatility of these KVM switches. Whether you're using Windows, macOS, Linux, or various other systems, DKS202-M24 and DKS203-M24 are ready to integrate into your setup, making them suitable for your fast-paced gaming experience.

• HDMI 2.1 KVM Switch Supporting 4K@144Hz/165Hz

For gamers prioritizing high refresh rates, TESmart HKS202-P23 HDMI 2.1 KVM switch is perfect, especially for those using gaming consoles like the PS5 or Nintendo Switch. It supports dual 4K@144Hz/160Hz displays, ensuring smooth and immersive gaming with no screen tearing, thanks to features like VRR (G-Sync, FreeSync) and ALLM.

Professional creators will appreciate the precision this switch offers in dual 8K/4K editing, with 12-bit color support at dual 4K@120Hz. The built-in EDID emulator maintains consistent display settings, avoiding any disruptions like resolution changes or icon shifts.

Managing multiple devices is seamless with this KVM switch, which allows you to control two PCs with one keyboard and mouse while keeping your high-res displays connected. It includes all the necessary cables and supports Gigabit Ethernet for network access through a single connection.

HDMI 2.1 compatibility provides the speed and bandwidth required for advanced video formats such as HDR10 and Dolby Vision, making it a versatile choice for both gaming and professional use. Customizable RGB lighting and multiple switching methods enhance convenience and personalization.

Compatible across multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, this KVM switch fits easily into any setup, whether for gaming, work, or a mix of both. Hot plug support allows you to connect or disconnect devices without interrupting your workflow.