If your monitor's advertised refresh rate is 144hz, but the actual refresh rate is not as claimed, you may need to activate the high refresh rate.
Let's understand the refresh rate of a computer monitor, and then we will explore how you can change it to 144hz.
What is a screen refresh rate?
For most computer monitors, the frame rate is 60hz, i.e., the screen shows 60 frames in a second. A 144hz monitor would show a higher refresh rate than the usual 60hz, and thus the screen would show more frames in one second.
PC gamers may prefer a higher refresh rate monitor to improve the gaming experience. A high refresh rate monitor may not mean high speed. Also, the monitor's resolution and refresh rate are two different things. But it would provide them with more frames as they play games and make pc gaming even more exciting.
Changing your monitor settings to 144hz
When you buy a 144hz monitor, it may not necessarily display the monitor's advertised refresh rate, and you may have to go into advanced settings to change the display settings to 144hz.
Here is how you can change the display settings and set the monitor to 144hz.
- Firstly, check if your monitor's refresh rate can be more than 60hz. You can go to the settings and then the system tab. Now click on the drop-down menu and select the advanced display settings to check your monitor's refresh rate.
- Now, if you want to change the monitor's refresh rate, click on the display adapter properties and then go to the monitor tab to go to the drop-down menu and choose the desired refresh rate.
Here's a great video by Codelife on it:
Confirming your monitor's refresh rate compatibility
There are a few things you need to consider.
Your monitor must be compatible to support a high refresh rate. You can check the monitors compatibility on the internet. However, there are other factors you need to consider.
If your pc has a new window and display ports on the I/O ports, you can enjoy high refresh rates even if you do not have the graphics cards.
However, if you have the older discrete graphics cards which do not have display ports, you may not get a higher refresh rate. Moreover, check your graphics drivers and ensure that the graphics card must be up-to-date.
Using window settings (Windows 10 and 7) to enable high refresh rates
If you want to enable your desired high refresh rates, you must use the display port cable that came with the monitor. Any other DisplayPort cable may not work.
Now, if it's Windows 10, go to the settings, click on the system, and open the display tab to go to the display adapter properties. Now go to the monitor tab, go to the drop-down menu, and choose the monitor's refresh rate.
If you have Windows 7, you may first have to click on the blank space on your desktop and click screen resolution. It will direct you to advanced settings, from where you can select the desired refresh rate.
If you liked this article, check out our posts on 480hz monitors and 240hz gaming monitors.
