Buying a high refresh rate monitor (144Hz, 240Hz, or 360Hz) is the easiest way to make gaming feel incredibly smooth. However, a surprising number of users plug in their screens and run them at 60Hz for months without realizing it. Here is how to verify and configure your display refresh rates properly.
1. Check Display Settings in Windows/macOS
In Windows, go to Settings -> System -> Display -> Advanced Display. Under "Choose a refresh rate," check if your monitor is set to its maximum capacity. In macOS, go to System Settings -> Displays, and verify the Refresh Rate dropdown is set to the highest supported frequency.
2. Verify Cable Bandwidth (HDMI vs DisplayPort)
Not all cables support high resolutions and refresh rates simultaneously. Older HDMI 1.4 cables are capped at 1080p @ 120Hz or 4K @ 30Hz. To run 144Hz or 240Hz at 1440p or 4K, you must use a DisplayPort 1.4, DisplayPort 2.0, or an HDMI 2.1 cable connected to a compatible port.
3. Configure GPU Driver Settings
Sometimes the display refresh rate is capped in your graphics card control panel. Right-click your desktop, open NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Software, go to Display -> Resolution settings, and verify the refresh rate under the PC resolution section is set to its native high value.
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