refresh rates vs. fps Options

[Bargod]

I was asked on a server tonight how I could possibly be getting 120 fps for cod4. I was asked what the refresh rate was on my monitor and how could my fps be greater than that. Also, I was asked how it could make a difference when the human eye can only see X amnt of frames a second.

I had no real answers for this other than pointing out that somebody had asked me how my new pc was and I said I hit 120 fps steady for cod 4.

I checked my refresh rate for my old Dell monitor and it had been set for 60. I've now got it set for 85. After restarting the computer I actually seem to notice a difference. Instead of a window "appearing" I now see it's last few moments of growth, so it "expands" from nothing intead of appearing.

i gamed for just a minute or so, but didn't really see a difference there.

Anyway, if my max fps can only equal my refresh rate, I'll set my max fps for that and call it a day until I get a new monitor.

Can anyone help me out with this?