Table of contents: 1. How to increase the screen refresh rate 2. How to increase the monitor screen refresh rate – NVidia GPU – AMD GPU 3. How to make sure that the monitor screen refresh rate became higher
How to increase the screen refresh rate
When producing a monitor matrix, the manufacturer is obliged to provide the consumer with a refresh rate of 60 Hz screen, if such is stated in the technical specifications of his device. Since matrix production is quite a complicated process, each manufacturer lays some errors when creating the screen. Since downward error is unacceptable due to the likelihood of lawsuits from customers, some matrix manufacturers increase the average value of the screen refresh rate.
It turns out that almost all monitors that are positioned on the market with a refresh rate of 60 Hz, actually have a higher refresh rate (up to 25% or even higher). Thus, from a normal screen with 60 Hz, you can get a screen with a refresh rate of 75 Hz. This number may be a little bigger or smaller, but in any case more than the stated 60 Hz.
Important note: Screen refresh rate depends not only on the matrix, but also on the cable used to transmit images from the GPU to the monitor. The DVI format cable is not capable of transmitting an image with a refresh rate above 75 Hz. Frequency above 75 Hz can be handled only by HDMI cables (latest versions) and DisplayPort cables.
How to increase the monitor screen refresh rate
As it can be understood from the description above, 99% of the matrices have the ability to produce a screen refresh rate higher than 60 Hz, which is based on their technical characteristics. The software restriction prevents them from working at increased frequency. Accordingly, it is at the program level that the issue needs to be resolved in order to increase monitor screen refresh rate.
Depending on whether the AMD or Nvidia GPU is installed in the computer, the way of setting the increased refresh rate of the monitor screen will differ.
NVIDIA GPU
To increase the refresh rate on the monitor screen that is connected to a computer with an NVidia GPU, you can use the graphics card utility:
- Right-click in any free space on the desktop screen, and then select the “NIVIDIA Control Panel” option in the drop-down menu;
- There will open a utility for setting video, 3D and display parameters. Here you need to switch to the subsection “Change resolution” in the section “Display” in the left part of the window;
- Next, you will need to create your own resolution settings. To do this, click “Settings” at the bottom of the window;
- There will open the parameter settings page will open, here you need to check “Enable resolutions not exposed by the display” checkbox and click “Create Custom Resolution”;
- You are going to see the user permission settings window. In the “Timing” section, set the “Automatic” option at “Standard” item. Above, you will see the “Refresh rate (Hz)” parameter, which will be configured. Since it is impossible to say in advance what potential there is in the matrix of your particular monitor, you will need to gradually increase the frequency, then click “Test”, check for any distortions in the image or artifacts. If there are no problems, then you can increase by another 1 Hz and test again. And so on until the maximum value of the refresh rate of the screen is found;
- Having found the maximum value of the screen refresh rate, click “Yes” in the window with a suggestion to apply the changes;
- After that, you need to save the result, and on the rate changing screen select a custom rate. As you can see, the update frequency for it will be at the level that was set as a result of the setting process.
AMD GPU
It is not possible to use integrated AMD utility to perform similar manipulations on setting the refresh rate of the screen, so you will have to use third-party software. To solve this problem you can use Custom Resolution Utilities (CRU), which can be downloaded online for free.
Important note: Unlike configuring for the NVidia GPU, this method is somewhat more complicated. Its main difficulty is that it is not possible to test the monitor before the new value of the screen refresh rate is established. Accordingly, if problems arise after installing the wrong refresh rate, it may be necessary to return to the original settings through the Windows safe mode.
To increase the screen refresh rate setting through the Custom Resolution Utilities (CRU) program, follow these steps:
- Use the CRU.exe shortcut to run the program;
- There will open a window with settings. Here you need to create a new resolution. Click “Add” at the top;
- As in the method described above, you need to further select the maximum permissible refresh rate for a particular monitor. This has to be set by the Refresh Rate parameter;
- You should also add 1 Hz at a time to find the optimal value, after each selection pressing “OK”;
- Next at the top of the main program screen you need to select a new resolution and click “OK”;
- After that, run all Restart exe-files that are in the program folder one by one on behalf of the administrator. As noted above, if any failures occur as a result of such actions, you will have to use safe mode to return to the original settings.
How to make sure that the monitor refresh rate became higher
It’s quite easy to check if the refresh rate of the monitor screen has increased with the help of online services. For example, the testufo service is suitable for testing. Here you can see the maximum frame rate, which makes it possible to see the monitor. Without making the above changes for a 60 Hz monitor, the value will be 60 FPS, and after performing the steps described above, it will increase to the level you configured for the matrix of your monitor.
