This is a popular question for wannabe gamers with an existing PC. For a higher refresh rate monitor to be useful, you need a good graphics card video card.  A higher refresh rate is not so vital in the first case. You can start with a decent 60 Hz monitor rather than a 144 Hz monitor. Your computer can handle higher refresh rates with compatible hardware. Choose a monitor with a higher refresh rate if you intend to have the best quality and smoother experience during multiplayer games.