Help with finding the "correct" or "best" refresh rate...

[SirFelixCat]

I do not really understand refresh rates and what one to choose...anyone want to throw me a bone here and try and explain them to me & help me choose the "right" one?

Also, should the refresh rate stay the same while just surfing the net/regular usage and when gaming?

 

[Dethfrumbelo]

Picture quality (sharpness) will degrade as you increase the refresh rate. 72Hz is considered adequate for some people while others complain of eyestrain and like to push it up to 85Hz or more. If 72/75Hz doesn't give you problems, that would be ideal. The downside to lower refresh rates occurs when you use vsync in games, depending on how many frames/s your video card is outputting, the game will get jerky as the in-between frames are dropped while waiting for the monitor's refresh. If you don't use vsync, it's not a problem, and generally most games are fine without it when played on a CRT. LCDs are another matter.

 

[SirFelixCat]

First off, thank you for the explanation. I much appreicate it.


That being said, I've always had this monitor at 60Hz (that's what is native, I'm guessing as I never have changed it). I have always noticed a very slight pulsating effect with it...maybe due to it being at 60Hz?

I tried changing it to 72Hz and it shrunk my screen size down...is this normal? And if so, why does it do that?

Thanks again.

 

[Dethfrumbelo]

60Hz induces headaches in most people because of that noticeable strobe-effect, where one can actually see the screen refresh, especially at the corners.

When you change the refresh rate, you usually need to re-adjust your monitor's geometry settings - height, width, shift, pincushion effect, etc., so it fits the screen properly again. Some monitors, like the Mitsubishi Diamondtrons, come with software to change these settings - if not, it can be done manually. You should have buttons that allow you to bring up the OSD menu and make adjustments.

 

[Sable]

Originally posted by: SirFelixCat
First off, thank you for the explanation. I much appreicate it.


That being said, I've always had this monitor at 60Hz (that's what is native, I'm guessing as I never have changed it). I have always noticed a very slight pulsating effect with it...maybe due to it being at 60Hz?

I tried changing it to 72Hz and it shrunk my screen size down...is this normal? And if so, why does it do that?

Thanks again.

Yeah it can do that sometimes. Just use the controls on the monitor OSD to stretch the picture to display over the full area.

 

[ShadowOfMyself]

I've always had this monitor at 60Hz

I have still to find out how can people not notice the difference between 60 and 85... 60 = HEADACHES.. I cant even look at the screen @ 60 hz for more than a minute.. 85+ is all good though

 

[JBT]

Pretty sure the optimal res + refresh rate for the GW900 is 1920x1200 @ 85hz.

 

[Vallybally]

Case closed! Dethfrumbelo, you da man (nicely done).

 

[SirFelixCat]

This is the kind of info that I have come to expect from this great forum.

Thanks to all and my eyes may be saved now

 

[TheRyuu]

With that monitor, if you game crank it up as high as it goes (or windows will safely let you). If not anything over 85 is good for me. 75 is also fine but that and starting to get under that I notice the flashing and get a headache.