Locking refresh rates using nVidia or ATI cards

[SubKamran]

Another guide I actually wish they take this out, because too many don't even know what it means.

Basically, the higher the refresh rate, the smoother the desktop and games look. Some monitors (older) can't go very high, 60hz is the default. 60hz hurts my eyes though, I despise it.

ATI Users

Here's what to do:

1. Right-click the ATI icon in the taskbar.
2. Go to Settings > ATI Display Properties
3. Click the Displays tab.
4. Click the bold "Monitor" text.
5. Under "Refresh rate override", select 60hz.

nVidia Users

1. Right-click the nVidia icon in your taskbar.
2. Click Analog Display
3. Click Refresh Rate Overrides on the left side.
4. Select Override Refresh Rates.
Update
5. Put everything (or the res you play CS:S at) at 60hz, NOT Default, otherwise it will not save.

Advanced Users

If you know what refresh rate works for your computer, then you can select it. For example, I know my monitor can reach 85Hz up to 1600x1200, and I never play any games above that, so that's what I set it at.

HOPE THIS HELPS! If a mod finds this useful, you can sticky it, otherwise...let it be buried and no one will read it :upstare:

 

[TIIMMYY]

Actually, when I do that I click apply, then ok, but when i go back onto it it hasnt saved the settings and they are as they were previously :/ this sucks lol

 

[SubKamran]

Actually, when I do that I click apply, then ok, but when i go back onto it it hasnt saved the settings and they are as they were previously :/ this sucks lol

I edited.

 

[TIIMMYY]

Ahhh....... I see....

 

[Play4Fun]

Right now I'm using 85hz so I need to lock my monitor on it??

 

[SubKamran]

Right now I'm using 85hz so I need to lock my monitor on it??

If CS:S doesn't work, then yah.

 

[oldagerocker]

Im using a TFT, it only 'refreshes' at 60hz, i should have Vsync on really shouldnt i?

 

[Gunner]

Im using a TFT, it only 'refreshes' at 60hz, i should have Vsync on really shouldnt i?

Odds are your monitor can support a higher refreshrate, one way of making sure is by downloading and installing the correct drivers. Another way is to check the DDC information, disable it if needed. And Vsync should always be off if you want better framerates, but that's if you don't mind the images tearing apart every other frame

 

[Play4Fun]

Why is it when I play either CS or CS:S with vsync on my FPS goes only up to 30?? it should go up to 60, right?
My correct desktop res and hz is 1024x768 85Hz

 

[dscowboy]

At 60hz w/ vsync on, your fps be either 60, 30, 15, 7.5, etc. If your fps is always 30, it means your 'natural' fps is always somewhere between 30 adn 60. If your natural fps was over 60, you'd get 60 fps with vsync on.

 

[Triggerhappy41]

just use refresh force. its a program that forces certain refreshrates (assigned by you) for each resolution. It works for any game. search it in google.

 

[DvS]

just use refresh force. its a program that forces certain refreshrates (assigned by you) for each resolution. It works for any game. search it in google.

Refresh Force has never worked for CS 1.6 for me, don't ask me why.

 

[Triggerhappy41]

i found it resets whenever you install new vid drivers, so that might have been your prob.

 

[rEaCtin6]

whats the best rate setting? im running a 9800 pro and a 15" LCD

 

[Triggerhappy41]

it all depends on your monitor. Install your monitor drivers (off of the internet of off of the cd that came with it), and then download refresh force here:

http://files1.majorgeeks.com/files/958adb57686c2fdec5796398de5f317a/video/reforce.zip

after that, install it and run it once. It will come up with different refreshes for different resolutions. Press OK and it will force those refreshes on those resolutions. Ive never worked with an LCD, but at hopefully the process is simiar.

 

[Mad Dog]

And Vsync should always be off if you want better framerates

If by "better" you mean "higher", then yeah. A consistant 60fps is optimal, though, and tearing really REALLY sucks. Seriously, anything higher than 60 fps is pretty much just bragging rights anymore if we're talking about current tech.

Check this: at the loading screen for UT2K4 I get like 300+ FPS!!!

 

[rEaCtin6]

the higher rate i can get with me LCD is 75 should i change from 60 to 75?? im running at 1024

 

[Triggerhappy41]

If you can, theres no reason not to