Knowledge

If you've ever noticed blurry trails behind fast-moving objects on your monitor—especially while gaming—you're experiencing a phenomenon called "ghosting." One common fix for this is enabling a monitor feature called Overdrive. But what exactly does Overdrive do? And more importantly, should you turn it on or off?

In this guide, we'll break down what Overdrive is, how it works, when to use it, and how it interacts with other gaming technologies like G-Sync and FreeSync. Whether you're a competitive gamer or a casual user, understanding Overdrive can help you get the best performance out of your display.

Part 1: What Is Overdrive on a Monitor?

Overdrive is a monitor feature that speeds up the transition time between pixels—formally known as response time. This technology is technically called Response Time Compensation (RTC). It works by increasing the voltage to pixels so they can change colors more quickly, reducing ghosting or blurring in fast-paced scenes.

Ghosting occurs when pixels cannot keep up with fast motion on-screen, leaving behind a blurry trail. Overdrive helps solve this by "overdriving" the voltage needed to change the color of each pixel, ensuring a faster refresh and cleaner image.

Overdrive modes are typically available in monitor settings and may be labeled as Low, Medium, High, or by branded names like ASUS's "Trace Free" or BenQ's "AMA."

Part 2: What Does Overdrive Do & When Should You Use It?

The primary purpose of Overdrive is to reduce motion blur by accelerating how quickly pixels transition between colors. This is particularly useful in:

• Fast-paced gaming (FPS, racing, esports titles)
• Watching high-action videos or sports

When to Turn Overdrive On:

• If you notice trailing effects during quick movements.
• When playing games where motion clarity is essential.

When to Keep It Off:

• For general browsing, reading, or low-motion content.
• If you observe unwanted effects like inverse ghosting, where the overdrive goes too far and introduces halo-like artifacts.

Best Practice:

Always start with a mid-level Overdrive setting. Then test it with a motion test like UFO Test: Multiple Framerates to visually inspect for ghosting or overshoot. Adjust based on your personal preferences and tolerance for artifacts.

Part 3: How Does Overdrive Work with G-Sync and FreeSync?

Both G-Sync (NVIDIA) and FreeSync (AMD) technologies synchronize your monitor’s refresh rate with your GPU's frame output. While this provides a smoother experience and reduces screen tearing, it also introduces complications with fixed Overdrive settings.

Fixed vs Variable Overdrive:

• Some displays apply a fixed Overdrive level regardless of refresh rate.
• Others feature adaptive or variable Overdrive that adjusts dynamically as frame rates change.

Potential Problems:

• At low refresh rates, aggressive Overdrive can cause inverse ghosting.
• At high refresh rates, too little Overdrive might not fully eliminate motion blur.

Recommendations:

• If using G-Sync/FreeSync: Choose a monitor that offers adaptive Overdrive.
• Otherwise: Manually test and select a setting that works well for your average frame rate.

Part 4: Overdrive Settings by Monitor Brand

Each monitor brand uses its own terminology and implementation for Overdrive. Here's a breakdown of how popular brands label and configure this feature:

Brand	Overdrive Label	Settings
ASUS	Trace Free	0–100 (increments of 20)
Acer	Overdrive	Off, Normal, Extreme
BenQ	AMA (Advanced Motion Acceleration)	Off, High, Premium
LG	Response Time	Off, Fast, Faster, Fastest
Dell	Response Time	Normal, Fast, Super Fast

How to Adjust:

Access your monitor's on-screen display (OSD) menu using the physical buttons or joystick. Navigate to the Overdrive setting and test different levels. Use visual testing tools or in-game benchmarks to determine which setting balances clarity and artifact-free motion.

Part 5: Overdrive and Its Impact on Image Quality, Lifespan, and Power

Image Quality:

Properly tuned Overdrive improves visual clarity, but excessive use leads to overshoot artifacts, such as halos or reverse ghosting. These appear when pixel voltages overshoot their targets.

Monitor Lifespan:

Overdrive has a negligible effect on display longevity. It does not physically strain the screen over time.

Battery Impact (for portable monitors/laptops):

Enabling Overdrive may cause a slight increase in power consumption due to increased pixel voltage activity. However, this difference is usually minor and won’t significantly affect battery life.

In short, while Overdrive boosts performance, it should be fine-tuned to avoid degrading visual quality.

Conclusion

Overdrive is a valuable feature designed to enhance pixel response times and improve motion clarity. While it's particularly useful in gaming and high-speed video applications, not every Overdrive setting suits every user or monitor.

Here’s a quick takeaway:

• Use medium settings for most scenarios.
• Avoid extreme settings unless your display supports variable Overdrive.
• Always test with visual tools to confirm the best balance.

By understanding and tweaking your Overdrive settings, you can unlock better display performance and enjoy smoother, ghost-free visuals.

FAQ

Should I turn Overdrive on or off for gaming?

Yes, but choose a setting that avoids inverse ghosting—usually a medium level.

What happens if I turn off Overdrive?

Ghosting or motion blur may become more noticeable in fast scenes.

Does Overdrive help reduce ghosting?

Yes, that's its main purpose.

Is LCD Overdrive good for casual users?

Not necessary unless watching fast-paced content.

Can Overdrive cause visual artifacts?

Yes, overuse can result in inverse ghosting or halos.