How-To Guides: Master Laptop Screen Extenders & Multi-Monitor Setups

Whether you're gaming, editing videos, or simply browsing the web, your monitor’s refresh rate (Hz) can significantly affect your experience. Many users often wonder: “How many Hz is my monitor?” or “How do I check Hz on monitor?” In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to find that information, why it matters, and how to optimize it for better performance.

What Is Refresh Rate, and Why It Matters

A monitor’s refresh rate is the number of times per second the display updates with new information — measured in Hertz (Hz). For example, a 60Hz monitor refreshes 60 times per second.

While refresh rate is often confused with FPS (frames per second), the two are not the same. FPS refers to how many frames your GPU renders, whereas refresh rate is how many your monitor can display. Even if your PC outputs 144 FPS, a 60Hz monitor will still only show 60 frames.

Common Refresh Rates:

• 60Hz – Standard for general use.
• 75Hz – A small step up, slightly better for casual gaming.
• 144Hz – Great for competitive gaming.
• 240Hz & 360Hz – Niche use for high-end esports.

Higher refresh rates provide smoother visuals, reduce motion blur, and can even reduce eye strain during extended use.

How to Check Your Monitor’s Refresh Rate on Windows 10 or 11

If you want to know “how many Hz is my monitor,” the most direct way is through Windows display settings.

Steps:

1. Right-click on your desktop and select Display settings.
2. Scroll down and click Advanced display settings.
3. Under Display information, you’ll see your active refresh rate.
4. To change it, click on Display adapter properties → Monitor tab, and choose a higher refresh rate if available.

Pro tip: Sometimes, your monitor supports higher Hz, but Windows defaults to 60Hz, so it’s worth checking manually.

Check and Adjust Refresh Rate in Nvidia or AMD Control Panels

If you use a dedicated GPU, you can also manage refresh rate from your graphics control panel.

For NVIDIA Users:

1. Right-click on desktop → NVIDIA Control Panel.
2. Navigate to Display → Change resolution.
3. Select your monitor and choose the refresh rate from the dropdown menu.

For AMD Users:

1. Open AMD Radeon Software.
2. Go to Display
3. Enable FreeSync, and ensure the refresh rate is set correctly.

Note: You need a DisplayPort or HDMI 2.0+ cable to unlock higher Hz like 144Hz or 240Hz. Older VGA or HDMI 1.4 cables may limit your refresh rate.

What Affects Your Monitor’s Refresh Rate

Sometimes your monitor supports 144Hz or more, but you’re stuck at 60Hz. Why?

Factors That Impact Your Refresh Rate:

• Monitor specs – Not all 1080p monitors support 144Hz.
• Cable type – VGA can’t carry 120Hz; use DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1 for high Hz.
• Resolution – Some monitors only offer 144Hz at lower resolutions.
• Graphics card – Your GPU must support high refresh rates at your chosen resolution.

Example Compatibility:

Resolution	Max Hz (Common)
1080p	60Hz – 240Hz
1440p	60Hz – 165Hz
4K	60Hz – 144Hz

Optimize Your Refresh Rate for Gaming or Console Use

Wondering if 75Hz is enough for gaming, or how many Hz your PS5 supports?

• PS5 supports up to 120Hz at 1080p or 4K (only for select games).
• Competitive PC gamers benefit most from 144Hz or higher.
• Casual gamers or console users may find 75Hz a good middle ground.

Enable G-Sync or FreeSync:

• NVIDIA G-Sync or AMD FreeSync help eliminate screen tearing and reduce input lag by syncing the refresh rate with your GPU’s frame rate.
• If your monitor supports it, enable it in your GPU control panel and monitor settings.

Troubleshooting: Why Your Monitor Isn't Running at Max Hz

If your monitor is stuck at 60Hz despite supporting 144Hz or 240Hz, try the following:

• Use a DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1 cable.
• Make sure drivers for GPU and monitor are up to date.
• Set refresh rate manually in Windows or GPU settings.
• Check your monitor’s on-screen display (OSD) for a refresh rate setting.
• In some cases, your monitor may default to a limited mode (like HDMI 1.4).

💡 Reminder: A 144Hz monitor doesn’t guarantee 144 FPS in games — your system must be powerful enough to deliver high FPS, too.

FAQ: People Also Ask About Monitor Refresh Rates

Q: Is 75Hz better than 60Hz?

A: Yes, especially for smoother scrolling and casual gaming.

Q: Can 1080p run 240Hz?

A: Yes, many 1080p monitors support 240Hz, provided your GPU and cable can handle it.

Q: Is 100Hz or 120Hz good for gaming?

A: Absolutely. They offer a noticeable improvement over 60Hz and are ideal for action games.

Q: Is Hz the same as FPS?

A: No. Hz = screen refresh rate; FPS = GPU rendering speed. Both affect visual smoothness.

Q: Can I use 144Hz on PS5?

A: PS5 supports up to 120Hz, but not 144Hz — your monitor will default to 60Hz or 120Hz depending on the game.

Conclusion

Knowing how many Hz your monitor has and how to check or change the refresh rate can significantly improve your digital experience. Whether you're trying to get the most out of your new gaming monitor or just want smoother performance, this simple tweak can make a big difference.

So don’t settle for 60Hz if your display can do more — check it, change it, and feel the difference.