How To Overclock Your Monitor? [Complete Guide]

Computer technicians are like magicians. With a few fixes here and there, they can transform your old PC into a new one. But that isn’t all! Not only can they fix and repair the broken and damaged components, but they can also boost your PC’s performance by making some changes to the software.

The question is, how is it is possible for one to boost the speed and performance of a computer component such as the processor or the monitor more than it was initially designed to run at without making any hardware changes? Well, the answer is simple – overclocking!

Computer techs and geeks have been using the overclocking method to enhance the performance of their PC’s. In most cases, the overclocking process applies only to CPU and GPU, but now you can also overclock your monitor to get a higher refresh rate.

If you are new to the concept of overclocking, then you are not alone. There are thousands of computer users out there who are unaware of the process. The good thing is that you don’t need a computer tech to help you overclock your monitor; you can do it on your own.

So, to help you out, we decided to create a full guide on the overclocking process. The guide explains the overclocking process in detail, along with its pros and cons. So continue reading to find out how you can overclock your monitor on your own.

What is Overclocking?

A computer monitor is designed to run at a certain maximum speed initially. The factory setting of the monitor in-built by the manufacturer is based on the rate that, according to the manufacturer, will give maximum efficiency.

However, you are not limited to the factory set monitor speed. You can easily increase the speed of your monitor by setting it at a higher clock rate by changing a few settings in the BIOS of the computer. The higher clock rate forces the monitor to perform better per second.

What Does Overclocking A Monitor Do?

When we talk about the overclocking of the monitor, it is the refresh rate that we are talking about. The refresh rate is the number times the image on your screen gets regenerated to avoid flicker. It mostly denoted in Hertz, and 60 Hz is enough for regular usage.

But if you are into entertainment, high-end video games, and video editing tools, then overclocking your monitor could be the best thing that ever happened to you. In most cases, you can boost it up to 144 Hz, which means that your screen will get refreshed 144 times within a second. Awesome, right?

Risks Associated With Overclocking Your Monitor

Before we move on to the process of overclocking, you should understand the risk associated with the process. Yes, overclocking can help speed up your monitor, but at the same time, it can also damage it. Computer hardware has certain limitations, and if you exceed those limits, you are asking for unwanted risks. There are three common risks associated with overclocking your monitor;

1. Most manufacturers don’t cover the damage caused by overclocking; thus, the process can void your warranty.
2. More speed means more energy, which means more heat. Therefore high refresh rate can damage the hardware itself as well.
3. Since you will be drawing more heat to your monitor, thus it can affect the life span of the monitor.

How to Overclock Your Monitor?

Overclocking your monitor is very easy. You can do it on your own without the help of a professional. All you need is software, and you will be all set. The good thing is there are multiple third-party tools that you can use to overclock your monitor. Instead of just going through, one of them, we are going to discuss all of them in detail so you can use any of them to overclock your monitor.

CRU – Custom Resolution Utility

It is one of the oldest methods used for overclocking monitors. The good thing about it is that it works quite well with AMD graphics. However, it isn’t fully compatible with the user graphic cards and the integrated Intel graphics. So, only use this method if your monitor comes with AMD graphics.

Once you have downloaded the tool, you can go ahead and launch it to start the overclocking process. Simply follow the steps below, and you shouldn’t have any problem with the process.

1. Lunch the CRU Tool.
2. Two boxes naming detailed resolutions and standard resolution will appear on the screen.
3. Click the add button under a detailed resolution box.
4. Now select the ‘timing’ option.
5. Change it to ‘LCD standard’ from the drop-down menu.
6. Now change the refresh rate above the factory set rate that you see in the box. It is best to increase it 5 Hz at a time to analyze the performance effectively.
7. Select the ‘Ok’ button.
8. It will ask you to reboot your PC.

Once your PC reboots, it is time to change the refresh rate setting in your Windows. To do so, follow the steps below.

1. Go to display settings (Right Click on the desktop).
2. Now select ‘Advanced Display Settings’ in the popup window.
3. Scroll Down.
4. You will see ‘display adapter properties’ on the list.
5. Select it and then the monitor tab.
6. Now change the refresh rate.
7. And you are all done!

If your monitor goes black, then do not worry! It only means that you have set the refresh rate too high. It will automatically go back to the factory setting within 15 seconds. So avoid panicking.

Using AMD Radeon settings

If you have an AMD graphics card, then the AMD Radeon software can also deliver the same results as the Custom Resolution Utility tool. Download the tool and follow the steps below to set a custom refresh rate to your monitor.

1. Right-click on your desktop screen.
2. Now select the AMD Radeon settings from the list of options.
3. Select the Display tab at the left corner of the popup window.
4. Click on custom resolutions from the options displayed.
5. Now hit ‘click.’
6. Adjust the refresh rate accordingly.
7. And you are all done!

Make sure to reboot your PC once you are done. Now follow the same steps as mentioned in the Custom Resolution Utility process to save the settings in your Windows 10.

Using the NVIDIA control panel

This tool is perfect for individuals using the NVIDIA graphics card. The steps are quite similar to the AMD tools, with a bit of variation. Follow them, and you should have no trouble customizing your monitor’s refresh rate. 

1. Right-click on your desktop screen.
2. Select NVIDIA Control Panel from the list of options,
3. Select the Display Menu and Expand it.
4. Select ‘change resolution’ option on the screen.
5. Next, hit the ‘create custom resolution’ button.
6. Customize the refresh rate and test it out.
7. Once satisfied, reboot your PC.
8. And you are done.

Now follow the same steps as mentioned in the Custom Resolution Utility process to save the settings in your Windows 10.

Using Intel graphics

Integrated graphics cards are often a bit tricky to work with since they are in sync with the rest of the computer components as well. But you can customize the refresh rate on them as well if the panel allows you to do so. Follow the steps to customize it successfully.

1. Lunch Intel HD graphics control panel.
2. Click the Display Tab.
3. Select ‘custom resolution.’
4. Adjust the settings according to your desired level.
5. Hit Add.
6. And you are done!

If the system doesn’t allow you to customize the rate, then you will be prompted. You can try again with a different refresh rate, but you will have to start all over. However, if the system successfully accepts your settings, then simply reboot it, and you will be done.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is overclocking your monitor safe?

No, overclocking your monitor isn’t a completely safe process. Yes, the process has worked for several individuals out there, but only because they have a proper understanding of their system. If you set the refresh rate too high, it can cause heating problems and other compatibility problems. Most manufacturers don’t cover the damage caused due to overclocking, so you do it all on your own risk.

Why do you need to overclock your monitor?

Overclocking your monitor boosts the refresh rate. It means that the screen displayed on your monitor gets refreshed more times within a second to avoid flicker when viewed from a human eye. Increasing the refresh rate means, fast response system which works best for gaming individuals or image and video editors.

Do the manufacturers recommend overclocking?

No, there are hardly a few manufacturers out there that recommended overclocking to the customers. Most monitors that you get will often state that in case of overclocking, your guarantee would expire. So, in short, if something terrible happens, then it is all on you. You can always check in with your manufacturer before trying the process.

Final Words

Overclocking your monitor comes with both risks and rewards. Thus, you are doing it at your own risk. We do not provide any guarantee, and neither will the manufacturer, so make sure to do it if you are confident. Also, remember that the overclocking process works differently for everyone based on the panel of the monitor, so learn about it before taking any chances.