Are you looking to get the most out of your gaming setup—without spending more money? You’ve probably already tuned your graphics settings, updated your drivers, and maybe even overclocked your graphics card or CPU. But there’s one more trick that gamers often forget: overclocking your monitor.
In this easy-to-follow guide, we’ll show you how to overclock your monitor step-by-step. You don’t need to be a tech expert to understand this—just follow the instructions and learn how to unlock smoother, faster gameplay. You might be surprised how much of a difference it can make!
Let’s get started.
🖥️ What Is Monitor Overclocking?
First things first: what does it mean to overclock your monitor?
Your monitor shows you images by refreshing the screen multiple times per second. The speed it does this is called the refresh rate, measured in hertz (Hz). A monitor rated at 60Hz refreshes 60 times per second. Gamers often look for higher refresh rates—like 75Hz, 120Hz, or 144Hz—because the higher the number, the smoother and more responsive the gameplay feels.
Overclocking your monitor simply means increasing this refresh rate beyond its factory limit. For example, turning a 60Hz monitor into a 75Hz monitor.
🟢 Pros of Overclocking:
- Smoother motion and gameplay.
- Less screen tearing and lag.
- Better experience in fast-paced games like shooters and racing games.
🔴 Cons of Overclocking:
- May cause screen flickering or glitches.
- Could shorten the life of your monitor (if pushed too far).
- Might void your monitor’s warranty.
ℹ️ Tip: Most users can safely overclock their monitor a little—like 60Hz to 75Hz—without problems. Just go slowly and test as you go!
✅ What You’ll Need
Before we walk you through how to overclock your monitor, make sure you have these:
- A good graphics card from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel.
- A properly working monitor (not built into a laptop).
- Windows 10 or 11.
- A certified HDMI or DisplayPort cable (especially if you’re aiming for 75Hz or higher).
- Updated graphics drivers (check your GPU manufacturer’s website).
Note: Not all monitors can be overclocked, and results vary—even between two models that look the same.
🛠️ How to Overclock Your Monitor (Step-by-Step)
We’ll show you different methods depending on which GPU (graphics card) you use—and even include a third-party method for advanced users.
📌 First: Find Your Current Refresh Rate
Here’s how to check your current setting:
- Right-click your desktop and choose “Display settings.”
- Scroll down and click “Advanced display settings.”
- Look for “Refresh rate” and note the number (probably 60Hz or 144Hz).
- This is your starting point.
Now, let’s try raising that number!
🟡 Method 1: For NVIDIA Graphics Cards
Use the NVIDIA Control Panel:
- Right-click the desktop and open “NVIDIA Control Panel.”
- Go to “Display” → “Change resolution.”
- Select the monitor you want to change.
- Click “Customize” → Check “Enable resolutions not exposed by the display.”
- Click “Create Custom Resolution.”
- Keep your screen resolution the same, but increase the refresh rate by 1–5Hz (Example: 60Hz → 65Hz).
- Click “Test.”
If your screen stays normal, the test passed. Repeat and raise the number slightly each time—until your display starts acting weird. When that happens, return to the highest stable refresh rate.
📝 Tip: Always test games after setting a new refresh rate.
🔴 Method 2: For AMD Graphics Cards
Use AMD Radeon Software:
- Open the AMD Radeon Software.
- Click on the “Display” tab.
- Find the “Custom Resolutions” section and click “Create New.”
- Keep the resolution the same, and increase the refresh rate a few Hz.
- Save and test it.
As always, look out for flickering or black screens. If that happens—don’t worry—Windows will usually reset the settings after a few seconds.
🔵 Method 3: For Advanced Users – Use Custom Resolution Utility (CRU)
CRU is a third-party tool that works with most monitors.
- Download CRU (search “CRU ToastyX” online—it’s free).
- Open CRU and select your monitor from the top drop-down menu.
- Under “Detailed Resolutions,” click “Add.”
- Enter your monitor’s resolution and slightly increase the refresh rate.
- Save and reboot your computer.
- Go to Display Settings and select your new custom refresh rate!
📘 Tip: CRU is powerful but can be confusing. Use it carefully, and only if official GPU software doesn’t work for you.
🔍 How to Test If the Overclock Worked
You raised the refresh rate—now let’s make sure it’s actually working properly.
Here are three easy ways to test:
- Go to https://www.testufo.com/refreshrate
- Look at the number: it should match your new refresh rate.
- Move your mouse quickly across the screen—does it feel smoother?
You can also launch a game and look for smoother motion and better reaction time.
🏁 Bonus Tools:
- MSI Afterburner (log screen statistics)
- TestUFO Frame Skipping
- Windows Performance Overlay
🛠 Troubleshooting Problems
If something doesn’t work right, try these fixes:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Screen goes black | Wait 15 seconds — Windows should automatically revert to a safe mode. |
| Flickering or glitches | Lower the refresh rate by a few Hz (e.g., from 75Hz to 72Hz) for stability. |
| Monitor resets after restart | Use Custom Resolution Utility (CRU) or update GPU drivers to save settings. |
| Settings won’t apply | Confirm your cable (HDMI/DP) supports the high refresh rate and resolution. |
| Games crash at new refresh | Revert to the previous stable refresh rate; test gradually for compatibility. |
💡 Pro Tips:
- ✅ Use DisplayPort instead of HDMI for higher refresh rates (especially above 60Hz).
- 📦 Always update GPU drivers (NVIDIA/AMD/Intel) before tweaking display settings.
- 🔧 Tools like CRU (Custom Resolution Utility) help permanently add custom refresh rates.
- ⚠️ Avoid pushing monitors beyond their certified refresh rates — can cause instability.
🎯 Pro Tip: It’s safer to overclock in small steps. Don’t jump from 60Hz straight to 100Hz.
💡 Should You Overclock Your Monitor?
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons of monitor overclocking:
🟢 Pros:
- Smooth, fluid motion—ideal for fast games.
- Reduced input lag hints better reaction time.
- Free upgrade you can do today.
- Makes games and menus feel more responsive.
🔴 Cons:
- May not be supported on your display.
- Could reduce monitor lifespan (if extreme).
- Might void your monitor’s warranty.
- Not all overclocks are equal (some work better than others).
Verdict? If your monitor supports it and you’re careful—go for it! It’s one of the easiest free tweaks to improve your gaming experience.
🖥️ Top Monitors That Support Overclocking
Here are some monitors gamers love for easy, safe overclocking:
- Dell S2721DGF – Goes from 144Hz to 165Hz (DisplayPort).
- ASUS VG248QE – Fans report stable 75Hz or more.
- LG 27GL850-B – Often overclocks to 165Hz cleanly.
- Acer Predator XB271HU – Can be overclocked to 165Hz.
Tip: Always look at buyer reviews and game forums to see what refresh rates people have achieved with the same monitor.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can all monitors be overclocked?
A: No. Some monitors have strict limits. Try it slowly—your screen will let you know if it’s not happy.
Q: Will it damage my monitor?
A: A small overclock (like 60Hz → 75Hz) usually doesn’t, but pushing too far might cause problems. Only go as far as your monitor can handle.
Q: Can I overclock a laptop screen?
A: Usually no—but if you plug your laptop into an external monitor, you might be able to overclock the external display.
Q: Is there a big difference between 60Hz and 75Hz?
A: Yes! It’s not as big as 60Hz to 144Hz, but even 60Hz to 75Hz feels noticeably smoother in fast games.
Q: Do I need a high-end graphics card?
A: Not necessarily. Just make sure your GPU supports the refresh rate you’re trying to hit.
🎮 Final Thoughts: Unlock Smooth Gaming—The Easy Way
Now that you know how to overclock monitor settings, you have a powerful new option to boost your gaming experience—without spending a cent. Going from 60Hz to 75Hz can make games feel smoother, sharper, and more responsive, giving you that edge in intense battles or esports matches.
Just remember: go slow, test as you go, and don’t push your monitor beyond what it can safely handle.
So what are you waiting for? Take a few minutes to try it out and see how much better your gaming could feel today.
Do you have a great overclocking experience—or maybe a question? Drop it in the comments below and join the conversation!
🧠 Tip: If you can follow this guide, you’re already ahead of most casual gamers. Happy tweaking and enjoy the smoother gameplay! 🎮