Setting the Right Refresh Rate — and Why 60 Hz Might Be Costing You

You buy a modern monitor advertised as 120 Hz, 144 Hz, 165 Hz or even higher, connect it to your computer and assume Windows will automatically use its full capability.

Sometimes it does. Sometimes it quietly leaves the display running at 60 Hz.

The result is not necessarily a faulty computer or monitor. Everything may look sharp and appear to work normally. However, scrolling can feel less fluid, mouse movement can seem less responsive, animations may look uneven and fast-moving content can appear blurrier than expected.

For businesses, this may mean employees are using expensive displays without receiving one of their main benefits. For gamers and creative users, the difference can be even more noticeable.

Setting the correct refresh rate takes only a few minutes, but you need to understand what the number means, what your equipment supports and why choosing the highest available setting is not always the right answer.

What Is a Monitor’s Refresh Rate?

A monitor’s refresh rate describes how many times it can update the displayed image each second.

It is measured in hertz:

• 60 Hz means the screen can refresh up to 60 times per second.
• 75 Hz means up to 75 refreshes per second.
• 120 Hz means up to 120 refreshes per second.
• 144 Hz means up to 144 refreshes per second.
• 165 Hz means up to 165 refreshes per second.

At 60 Hz, a new refresh occurs approximately every 16.7 milliseconds. At 120 Hz, that interval falls to around 8.3 milliseconds, while 144 Hz reduces it to approximately 6.9 milliseconds.

That does not mean every application is producing a completely new image at each refresh. It means the display has more opportunities to show updated visual information.

A higher refresh rate can therefore make movement appear smoother and reduce the delay between an action and its visible result.

Why 60 Hz Became the Standard

For many years, 60 Hz was the normal refresh rate for office monitors, televisions and laptop screens. It remains perfectly usable for email, document editing, accounting systems and general web browsing.

The problem is not that 60 Hz is inherently bad. The problem occurs when:

• Your monitor supports a higher rate.
• Your computer can output that higher rate.
• Your work would benefit from smoother motion.
• Windows is still configured to use only 60 Hz.

In that situation, you may have paid for a capability that is not being used.

What You May Notice When Moving Above 60 Hz

The improvement is most obvious when something moves across the screen.

You may notice:

• Smoother webpage scrolling
• Clearer movement while dragging windows
• More responsive mouse-pointer movement
• Smoother Windows animations
• Easier tracking of fast-moving objects
• Reduced visible judder in supported content
• A more immediate feeling when gaming
• More fluid timeline movement in creative applications

The difference between 60 Hz and 120 Hz is usually more noticeable than the difference between 144 Hz and 165 Hz. As refresh rates continue to rise, the improvements become progressively smaller.

That does not make very high-refresh displays pointless. It simply means the best setting depends on the work being performed, the graphics hardware and whether battery life or maximum responsiveness is the priority.

How 60 Hz Could Be Costing Your Business

The word “costing” does not necessarily mean that a 60 Hz screen directly reduces every employee’s output by a measurable percentage.

The cost is more often indirect.

You may be paying for unused hardware

A business may purchase 120 Hz or 144 Hz monitors but connect them through unsuitable docks or leave Windows at its default setting.

The organisation pays the higher equipment cost while employees receive a standard 60 Hz experience.

Movement may feel less responsive

Employees frequently scroll through long documents, websites, spreadsheets, customer databases and ticketing systems.

Higher refresh rates do not make the computer process information faster, but they can make the visual response feel smoother and more immediate.

Troubleshooting time may be wasted

A user may report that a new computer feels sluggish even though its processor and storage are performing correctly.

The real cause may be that the previous laptop ran at 120 Hz while the new external monitor is operating at 60 Hz—or even 30 Hz because of a cable, dock or resolution limitation.

Staff may blame the wrong component

Choppy movement may be blamed on Windows, the graphics card or the monitor itself. Replacing equipment will not help if the refresh rate is simply configured incorrectly.

Refresh Rate Is Not the Same as Frame Rate

These terms are related but different.

Refresh rate is how often the monitor can update its image.

Frame rate, usually measured in frames per second, is how many new frames the computer or application produces.

A 144 Hz monitor can refresh 144 times per second, but if a game produces only 45 frames per second, the monitor does not suddenly create 144 unique game frames.

Likewise, a computer might produce 150 frames per second, but a 60 Hz display cannot show 150 complete refreshes each second.

The smoothest results generally occur when the display, graphics hardware and application work together effectively.

How to Check Your Refresh Rate in Windows 11

Microsoft places the refresh-rate controls within the Advanced display settings.

1. Open Start.
2. Select Settings.
3. Go to System.
4. Select Display.
5. Choose Advanced display.
6. If you have multiple monitors, select the correct display.
7. Find Choose a refresh rate.
8. Select the appropriate available rate.

Windows only lists modes that the connected display arrangement reports as supported. Microsoft also notes that the available options can vary depending on the monitor and the current resolution. 

After changing the setting, move the mouse, scroll a webpage and drag a window around the desktop. The difference should be immediately visible when moving from 60 Hz to 120 Hz or higher.

Check Every Monitor Separately

A dual-monitor setup may have one screen running at 144 Hz and the other at 60 Hz.

That can be intentional, particularly when one monitor is designed for high-performance work and the second is used for email or reference material.

However, do not assume that changing one monitor changes them all. Select each display individually under Advanced display and check:

• Resolution
• Refresh rate
• Connection type
• Colour format
• Whether variable refresh features are supported

Windows supports choosing display settings separately, although mixed-refresh multi-monitor configurations can occasionally contribute to video or playback issues. Microsoft recommends testing matched rates if problems occur. 

Which Refresh Rate Should You Choose?

60 Hz

Suitable for:

• Basic office tasks
• Static dashboards
• Reception displays
• Secondary monitors
• Systems with limited graphics output
• Battery-focused laptop use

There is no need to replace every functioning 60 Hz office monitor simply because faster displays exist.

75 Hz or 100 Hz

A useful improvement for general office work.

These rates can make scrolling and pointer movement feel smoother without requiring high-end graphics hardware. They are increasingly common on business monitors.

120 Hz

Often an excellent balance for modern laptops and office workstations.

It provides a clear improvement over 60 Hz while remaining practical for business applications, web browsing, design work and video.

144 Hz or 165 Hz

Common on gaming and performance monitors.

These rates can also feel excellent for everyday desktop use, but the computer, cable, dock and monitor must all support the selected resolution at that rate.

240 Hz and above

Primarily valuable for competitive gaming and specialised high-motion uses.

For ordinary office work, the improvement over 120 or 144 Hz is unlikely to justify replacing otherwise suitable equipment.

Why the Highest Option May Be Missing

A monitor advertised as 144 Hz may offer only 60 Hz in Windows.

This usually means that one part of the display connection cannot carry the required mode.

The complete chain includes:

• The graphics processor
• The computer’s video port
• The cable
• Any adapter
• A docking station
• The monitor’s input port
• The selected screen resolution
• Colour depth and HDR settings

Display bandwidth is affected by resolution, refresh rate and colour depth. The desired signal must fit within the capabilities of every component in the connection. 

For example, a connection might support 144 Hz at 1920 × 1080 but only 60 Hz at 3840 × 2160.

The Cable Matters More Than It Looks

Two cables with identical connectors may support different capabilities.

An older or low-specification HDMI cable may work perfectly at 1080p and 60 Hz but fail to support a higher resolution and refresh-rate combination. DisplayPort, HDMI and USB-C can all support high-refresh displays, but the precise capability depends on the versions and equipment involved. 

When troubleshooting, check:

• The monitor manufacturer’s recommended connection
• Which monitor input supports the maximum rate
• Whether the computer’s port supports the required bandwidth
• Whether the cable is certified for the required specification
• Whether the cable is damaged or excessively long
• Whether an adapter is limiting the signal

Do not assume that buying the most expensive cable will solve the problem. It needs to support the required standard and be connected to suitable ports at both ends.

Docking Stations Can Quietly Limit Refresh Rates

A docking station may support multiple monitors but still impose limits on the available resolution and refresh rate.

The dock may share bandwidth between:

• Video outputs
• USB devices
• Ethernet
• Audio
• Power delivery
• Multiple connected displays

Adapters, splitters and docks can contribute to low refresh rates, flickering or unavailable display modes when they cannot support the requested configuration. 

This is particularly common when:

• Two high-resolution screens are connected to one dock.
• The dock uses an older DisplayPort or HDMI standard.
• The laptop’s USB-C port has limited video capability.
• DisplayLink software is being used.
• A monitor is connected through several adapters.
• The dock supports high resolution but only at 30 or 60 Hz.

Where practical, connect the monitor directly to the computer as a test. If the higher rate then appears, the dock or adapter is probably the limitation.

Watch for a Display Running at 30 Hz

A monitor accidentally running at 30 Hz is usually much more noticeable than one operating at 60 Hz.

Symptoms can include:

• A mouse pointer that feels delayed
• Very choppy scrolling
• Stuttering window movement
• Unpleasant desktop animations
• A computer that feels slow despite low processor use

This commonly happens when a 4K monitor is connected through equipment that supports the resolution but lacks enough bandwidth for 60 Hz or higher.

Before replacing the computer, check Advanced display.

Use the Monitor’s Native Resolution

Refresh rate and resolution should be considered together.

A monitor normally looks best at its native resolution—the physical pixel layout for which it was designed. Running a lower resolution to obtain a higher refresh rate may make text and images look softer.

For most business users, a good priority order is:

1. Use the monitor’s native resolution.
2. Select the highest stable refresh rate supported at that resolution.
3. Confirm that text, colour and scaling remain correct.

Windows generally identifies the preferred resolution as Recommended. 

Dynamic Refresh Rate in Windows 11

Some supported laptops offer Dynamic Refresh Rate, or DRR.

DRR allows Windows to adjust the refresh rate according to the current activity. It may use a lower rate when the screen is relatively static and increase it when smoother motion is beneficial.

The purpose is to balance responsiveness and battery life. Microsoft states that DRR is available only on supported hardware and can be enabled from the display settings when the option is present. 

This can be useful for mobile workers who want:

• Smoother scrolling and inking
• Better battery efficiency during static work
• Automatic switching rather than a permanently high rate

On a desktop computer connected to mains power, a fixed high refresh rate may be simpler.

Dynamic Refresh Rate and Variable Refresh Rate Are Not the Same

These features are often confused.

Dynamic Refresh Rate

Windows changes the rate according to the type of activity, primarily to balance smoothness and power consumption.

Variable Refresh Rate

The monitor changes its timing to match the frames being produced by the graphics processor.

Variable-refresh technologies include:

• VESA Adaptive-Sync
• AMD FreeSync
• NVIDIA G-SYNC
• HDMI Variable Refresh Rate

AMD describes FreeSync as synchronising the display’s refresh rate with the graphics card’s frame rate to reduce effects such as tearing and stuttering. NVIDIA describes G-SYNC in similar terms. 

VESA’s Adaptive-Sync standards also cover variable-refresh performance for gaming and media playback. 

What Is Screen Tearing?

Screen tearing occurs when the display shows portions of more than one rendered frame during a single refresh.

It can appear as a horizontal break where the upper and lower parts of the image do not align.

Variable-refresh technology helps by coordinating the display’s refresh timing with the graphics processor. This is most relevant during gaming and other real-time rendered content.

For Word, Outlook and ordinary static office applications, tearing is rarely the main reason to choose a higher refresh rate. General smoothness is the more noticeable benefit.

Will a Higher Refresh Rate Make the PC Faster?

No. It does not increase:

• Processor speed
• Storage performance
• Internet speed
• Application calculation speed
• Available memory
• Export or rendering performance

It changes how frequently visual updates can be displayed.

A slow application may feel slightly more responsive because pointer movement and animations are smoother, but the underlying workload is not completed more quickly.

If Task Manager shows high processor, memory or disk use, changing the refresh rate will not correct that bottleneck.

Can a Higher Refresh Rate Affect Battery Life?

Yes, particularly on laptops.

Refreshing the display more frequently can increase power use. The precise effect depends on the display panel, graphics hardware, brightness, workload and system design.

This is one reason Windows offers Dynamic Refresh Rate on compatible devices: it can use a higher rate when useful and reduce it during less demanding activity. 

For a laptop used away from power, consider:

• Using DRR where supported
• Selecting 60 Hz during long mobile sessions
• Returning to 120 Hz when connected to power
• Reducing brightness
• Closing graphics-heavy applications

Could a High Refresh Rate Cause Flickering?

A correctly supported rate should be stable.

Flickering, black screens or signal dropouts after increasing the rate can indicate:

• An inadequate cable
• A marginal dock or adapter
• An unsupported display mode
• An outdated graphics driver
• Monitor firmware or configuration problems
• A high-resolution signal exceeding available bandwidth
• Instability from a monitor’s overclocked mode

Intel advises using a certified cable capable of handling the combination of high resolution and refresh rate when investigating flicker or stuttering above 60 Hz. 

Return to the previous stable setting if the display becomes unreliable.

Step-by-Step: Correcting a Monitor Stuck at 60 Hz

Step 1: Confirm the monitor’s specification

Check the exact model rather than relying on a general product family.

Some monitors support different maximum rates depending on:

• Resolution
• Input port
• HDR mode
• Colour depth
• Whether an overclock option is enabled

Step 2: Select the monitor’s native resolution

Open:

Settings > System > Display

Choose the resolution marked Recommended.

Step 3: Open Advanced display

Go to:

Settings > System > Display > Advanced display

Select the correct monitor and inspect the available rates.

Step 4: Try the highest normal supported rate

Choose 120 Hz, 144 Hz, 165 Hz or the appropriate value for the display.

Avoid unsupported custom modes unless you understand the risks.

Step 5: Check the cable and input

Use the connection recommended by the monitor manufacturer.

A DisplayPort input may support the full rate while another input is limited.

Step 6: Bypass the dock

Connect the display directly to the laptop or desktop.

If the missing rate appears, investigate the dock’s video and bandwidth specifications.

Step 7: Update the graphics driver

Use drivers supplied by the computer manufacturer or graphics-hardware provider.

Restart the PC after installation.

Step 8: Check the monitor’s own menu

Some monitors require a high-refresh, gaming, Adaptive-Sync or overclock mode to be enabled through their on-screen controls.

Step 9: Test without HDR

In some configurations, enabling high colour depth or HDR increases bandwidth requirements. Temporarily disabling HDR can help identify whether the connection is at its limit.

Step 10: Test another certified cable

A cable can display an image successfully while still being unable to maintain the required high-bandwidth mode reliably.

Common Refresh-Rate Myths

“60 Hz is unusable”

It is not. Millions of office systems operate effectively at 60 Hz.

The issue is whether it is appropriate for the equipment and workload.

“A 144 Hz monitor always runs at 144 Hz”

Not necessarily. Windows, the cable, the graphics output and the selected resolution must all support it.

“Higher is always better”

Higher rates can improve motion, but they can also increase power consumption and expose limitations in cables or docks.

“A high-refresh monitor needs a gaming PC”

Basic desktop use at 120 or 144 Hz does not necessarily require a top-end gaming graphics card. However, demanding games must produce sufficiently high frame rates to make full use of the display.

“Refresh rate and response time are the same”

They are different.

Refresh rate describes how often the screen updates. Pixel response time describes how quickly individual pixels change. A monitor can have a high refresh rate but still show visible smearing if its pixel transitions are slow.

“Changing to 144 Hz will improve image resolution”

It will improve motion presentation, not pixel count. Resolution controls the amount of displayed detail.

Choosing Monitors for a Business

When purchasing business displays, do not focus only on screen size and resolution.

Consider:

• Native resolution
• Available refresh rates
• USB-C and docking requirements
• Number and type of inputs
• Power delivery
• Ergonomic adjustment
• Colour accuracy
• Warranty
• Compatibility with existing laptops
• Whether high refresh is supported through the planned dock
• The total bandwidth required for multiple monitors

For many office environments, 100 Hz or 120 Hz displays provide a sensible balance between smoothness, price and hardware compatibility.

Creative teams, engineering users and employees working with fast-moving visual content may benefit from higher specifications.

A Quick Display Audit for Your Organisation

Check a selection of workstations and record:

• Monitor model
• Native resolution
• Current refresh rate
• Maximum supported refresh rate
• Cable type
• Dock model
• Graphics hardware
• Whether the image is stable
• Whether employees report lag or flicker

You may discover that premium monitors across the organisation are operating at 60 Hz because of a standard Windows setting or a bandwidth-limited dock.

Correcting the configuration may improve the user experience without buying any new hardware.

The Right Setting Is the Highest Stable Rate That Fits the Job

For a desktop monitor, the best practical choice is usually the highest stable refresh rate supported at the monitor’s native resolution.

For a laptop, battery life may justify Dynamic Refresh Rate or a lower fixed setting while travelling.

For gaming, variable-refresh support and consistent frame delivery matter as much as the maximum number printed on the monitor’s box.

Most importantly, do not assume that Windows is already using the right option.

A two-minute check can reveal whether your 120 Hz, 144 Hz or 165 Hz monitor has spent its entire life behaving like a 60 Hz display.

Need Help Getting the Best From Your Business Hardware?

Hamilton Group can review your monitors, docking stations, graphics drivers and Windows display settings, identify compatibility problems and help ensure your business is receiving the performance it paid for.

For professional IT support, call Hamilton Group on 0330 043 0069 or visit hgmssp.com to book a meeting with one of our experts.