The idea of a motion picture is like a flipbook. The faster you flip the pages, the more seamless the pictures form into motion graphics. This is exactly the fundamental of motion videos.
The interval at which every picture frame gets updated on the display screen determines how smooth the video is going to be played. This is called refresh rate and as it moves higher, you can get higher Frames Per Second (FPS).
Many gaming-based monitors are featured with higher refresh rates. Let us understand how to change the monitor from lower to higher refresh rates.
How to change Monitor from 60hz to 144hz?
By default, all the monitors irrespective of their user mode are set to 60Hz. This is the standard-setting and if your monitor supports higher refresh rates, you will be able to change it easily. If the monitor is capable of producing higher refresh rates, then go to the next step.
Changing Refresh Rate Using Windows Settings
- Go to Settings and click on System
- In the System menu, click on Display. You will have an option called Advanced Display Settings, click on that.
- This shows the display properties including the resolution and the current refresh rate.
- Now click on the Display Adapter Properties. If you have multiple displays, choose the compatible monitor and click on the option.
- This opens a new dialog box. Click on the tab named “Monitor”.
- Here you will have a drop-down menu called Screen Refresh Rate where you will have different frequencies to choose from.
- Select the 144Hz option and click Ok. Exit the settings and your monitor is now set to the highest refresh rate available.
Change Refresh Rate Using Nvidia or Radeon Applications
The GPU you have installed comes with a default control panel to tweak the graphics card settings. It also has the ability to change the display resolution and refresh rates.
If you are using an Nvidia card, you will have an Nvidia Control panel to alter the refresh rate:
- Go to Nvidia Control Panel. You will see a panel on the left side. Click on the Display option.
- In the drop-down, select Change Resolution option.
- On the right side, choose the display you want to change the refresh rate.
- Then click on the desired resolution and choose 144Hz as the refresh rate.
- Click Apply and exit the control panel to use the monitor at higher refresh rates.
If you are using an AMD card, then use the AMD Radeon settings to alter the refresh rate:
- Right-click on the desktop and Click on AMD Radeon Settings to enter the graphics control panel.
- Here choose the Display tab and enter it. You will find an option called Refresh Rate (Hz), click on it.
- Now change the refresh rate to 144Hz and save the settings. Now your monitor is changed to a higher refresh rate.
Change Refresh Rate Using In-Game Settings
Almost all games avail the option to change graphics settings inside the game. You can change them to increase the refresh rate easily.
- Go to the Graphics settings or video settings or any other similar named option inside your game.
- Choose the desired resolution and select the refresh rate to 144Hz.
- You can also enable options like anti-aliasing to get a more seamless experience.
Benefits of changing monitor from 60Hz to 144Hz
Higher refresh rates benefit gamers more than anyone else. To experience the smooth video display, the input signals must be potential.
Games, especially competitive titles such as First-person shooter, will have more advantages. Because with a higher refresh rate, you will be able to view more clearly than your opponent.
Other than games, there is not much use case for higher refresh rates. For example, applications like MS Word don’t show any significant difference with higher rates.
What to check before changing the monitor from 60Hz to 144Hz?
There are several things you must look into before changing the monitor to higher rates. Without checking these, your monitor will not be able to change or display the change in refresh rate.
Check Monitor Compatibility
Primarily, you need to check whether the monitor is compatible with higher refresh rates. If the manufacturer hasn’t made the product for 144Hz, then you cannot change the settings.
Therefore, check the monitor’s specifications with the user manual provided or go to the manufacturer’s website and confirm the highest refresh rate it can achieve.
Check the GPU and CPU specifications
Your CPU and GPU must be potential enough to process heavy tasks from games such as the game logic, physics, AI, renderings, etc.
If your CPU and GPU are not high enough, then it is very difficult to experience the difference and most of the time, the monitor will not change.
If your processor is capable of overclocking, you can try it. But it is not a permanent solution as it requires thermal management.
Check Cable Type and Specifications
If you want to have higher refresh rates, connect the monitor to the GPU with the latest HDMI or Display Port.
Only such cables enable you with rapid data transfer. The display port can support 3840 x 2160 at 120Hz and a data transfer rate of 32.2 Gbps.
Therefore, try to use a display port to achieve a higher refresh rate and check the quality of the cable too.
Can i calibrate my Monitor in high Refresh rate?
Yes, you can. In order to calibrate your monitor in high Refresh rate, you will need a tool that can do it for you. There are few tools that can help you with this process – Display Calibration Wizard from NVIDIA and Spyder from X-Rite. (Check this helpful article how to calibrate monitor for video editing? )
When it comes to high refresh rates, there are two types of monitors – dynamic and static.
- Dynamic monitors have a variable refresh rate, which means that they can refresh at any speed from 60Hz to 240Hz.
- Static monitors can refresh at a constant 60Hz rate.
The higher the refresh rate, the more responsive your monitor will be and you will experience smoother animations.
Is Changing the refresh rate on a Monitor consume more power?
Yes, monitors that change their refresh rate consume more power. The reason is because the monitor has to work harder to maintain the frame rate. This causes it to use more energy and increase the amount of heat generated by the monitor.
The screen refreshes 60 times a second in most monitors. When this number is changed, such as from 60Hz to 144Hz, it consumes almost 60 and 160 Watts.
Final Words
Changing the refresh rate in monitors helps gamers to experience super-smooth gameplay. The experience cannot be expressed by words. The seamless experience brought by the higher refresh rate must be practically seen. If your monitor and processors support 144Hz, change the settings and get the ultimate gaming experience.
