The issue of a 165Hz monitor being capped at 144Hz can arise due to various factors, primarily related to hardware limitations and configuration settings. Monitors are designed with specific maximum refresh rates, and attempting to exceed this limit may result in the monitor defaulting to its maximum supported rate, in this case, 144Hz.
Overclocking, often used to achieve higher refresh rates, might require adjustments in the monitor settings. It’s essential to check the monitor’s specifications and ensure that overclocking is properly configured.
Understanding Monitor Refresh Rates
The monitor refresh rate refers to the frequency at which the monitor changes the displayed image per second. The unit of measurement is Hertz (Hz), denoting the number of cycles per second. For instance, a monitor with a refresh rate of 60Hz updates the image 60 times per second, but a monitor with a refresh rate of 165Hz updates the image 165 times per second.
Why are Higher Refresh Rates Desirable?
Because they can improve the visual quality and performance of your games and applications. Higher refresh rates can reduce motion blur, screen tearing, input lag, and stuttering, making the image smoother and more fluid. This can give you a competitive edge in fast-paced games, such as first-person shooters, racing, and sports. Higher refresh rates can also reduce eye strain and fatigue, as they reduce flickering and ghosting.
However, higher refresh rates also come with some drawbacks. They require more processing power and bandwidth from your graphics card and monitor. They also consume more electricity and generate more heat. Therefore, not all monitors and graphics cards can support high refresh rates, and you might need to adjust some settings to make them work properly.
Troubleshooting Tips: How to Make Your Monitor Run at 144Hz / 165Hz / 240Hz
If you have a monitor that supports high refresh rates, but you are not getting the performance you expected, here are some tips to help you fix the issue:
Check Your Display Settings
The first thing you should do is check your display settings in Windows and make sure that your monitor is set to run at its native resolution and refresh rate. To do this, right-click on your desktop and select Display settings. Then, click on Advanced Display Settings and select your monitor from the drop-down menu. You should see the resolution and refresh rate of your monitor under Display information. If the refresh rate is lower than what your monitor can support, click on Display adapter properties and then on the Monitor tab. There, you can change the refresh rate to the desired value and click OK. You might need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Enable Overclock Mode in Monitor Settings
Some monitors have an overclock mode that allows you to increase the refresh rate beyond the default value. For example, some 144Hz monitors can be overclocked to 165Hz or higher. To enable this feature, you need to access your monitor’s on-screen display (OSD) menu and look for the overclock option. The exact steps may vary depending on your monitor model and brand, so you should consult your monitor’s manual for more details. Once you enable the overclock mode, you should also change the refresh rate in your display settings as explained above.
Update Graphics Card Drivers
Another possible reason why your monitor is capped at a lower refresh rate is that your graphics card drivers are outdated or corrupted. Drivers are software that allows your hardware to communicate with your operating system and applications. If they are not updated or working properly, they can cause compatibility issues and performance problems. To update your graphics card drivers, you can use the device manager in Windows or download the latest drivers from your graphics card manufacturer’s website. You should always download drivers from official sources and follow the installation instructions carefully. After updating your drivers, you might need to restart your computer and check your display settings again.
Change the Cable
Finally, the cable that connects your monitor and graphics card can also affect the refresh rate. Not all cables can support high refresh rates and resolutions, and some cables might be damaged or faulty. To ensure that your cable is not the problem, you should use a high-quality cable that meets the specifications of your monitor and graphics card. For example, if you have a 165Hz monitor that supports DisplayPort 1.4, you should use a DisplayPort 1.4 cable that can handle the bandwidth and signal. You should also avoid using adapters or converters that might degrade the quality or introduce latency. If you have multiple cables, you can try swapping them and see if that makes a difference.
