Monitor Response Time Explained: GtG vs. MPRT
Demystify manufacturer 1ms claims, pixel transition speeds, and moving picture response time.
1. GtG vs. MPRT: Two Completely Different Metrics
• GtG (Gray-to-Gray): Measures the physical speed at which a liquid crystal changes from one shade of gray to another. Slow GtG causes ghosting trails behind moving edges.
• MPRT (Moving Picture Response Time): Measures the duration that a pixel is continuously illuminated on screen. On a standard 60Hz sample-and-hold display, MPRT is 16.7ms regardless of how fast the panel switches.
2. The "1ms Response Time" Marketing Myth
When manufacturers advertise "1ms Response Time" on an LCD gaming monitor, they typically achieve this by testing an extreme overdrive setting in a lab that creates unplayable levels of inverse ghosting (overshoot).
In realistic usable modes, most high-end IPS displays average 3ms to 5ms real GtG, while VA panels often range from 4ms to 30ms on dark transitions.
Recommended Interactive Tests
Run these dedicated fullscreen tools to test your display against this guide's criteria:
Frequently Asked Questions
Does backlight strobing (BFI) achieve 1ms MPRT?
Yes, technologies like DyAc, ELMB, or ULMB strobe the backlight off between frames, slashing MPRT to 1ms or less at the expense of panel brightness and potential optical flicker.
Related Diagnostic Guides
Continue learning with complementary display inspection guides:
What is Monitor Ghosting & How to Eliminate It
A comprehensive guide to understanding monitor ghosting, pixel response times (GtG), overdrive tuning, and how to eliminate trailing on IPS, VA, and OLED panels.
60Hz vs 120Hz vs 144Hz vs 240Hz: What Really Matters?
Compare 60Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz, and 240Hz frame times, understand how persistence blur decreases with refresh rate, and see visual comparisons.