While you asked "How to change monitor response time?", the provided reference actually explains how to change your monitor refresh rate. These are two different specifications for monitors. Response time is typically a hardware characteristic, whereas refresh rate can often be adjusted in your operating system settings. The steps outlined in the reference show you how to modify the refresh rate.
Understanding the Difference: Response Time vs. Refresh Rate
Before proceeding, it's helpful to know the difference:
- Refresh Rate (Hz): This indicates how many times your screen updates the image per second. A higher refresh rate (e.g., 144Hz, 240Hz) results in smoother motion and a more fluid visual experience, especially important in fast-paced applications like gaming.
- Response Time (ms): This measures how quickly a pixel can change from one color to another (usually grey-to-grey). A lower response time (e.g., 1ms, 5ms) reduces motion blur and ghosting. This is largely a fixed characteristic of the monitor panel itself.
The method described in the reference specifically targets the refresh rate setting.
Changing Your Monitor Refresh Rate Using System Settings
Based on the provided reference, you can change your monitor's refresh rate through your operating system's display settings. Here are the steps commonly used on Windows:
- Access the System settings.
- Click on Display.
- Under the Display settings, look for and click on Advanced display.
- In the Advanced display settings, you will find an option to choose your Refresh rate.
- Select the desired refresh rate from the available options. The reference mentions setting it to 144 Hz as an example.
Note: The exact wording of menu options might vary slightly depending on your version of Windows.
Adjusting Response Time (Overdrive/TraceFree)
As mentioned, response time is primarily a hardware spec. You generally cannot "change" the inherent response time value. However, many monitors include a setting, often called Overdrive, TraceFree, or similar names in the monitor's On-Screen Display (OSD) menu.
- Purpose: This setting applies a voltage push to pixels to make them change state faster, potentially reducing motion blur and ghosting.
- Caution: Setting Overdrive too high can lead to overshoot or inverse ghosting, where artifacts appear behind moving objects.
- How to Adjust: Access your monitor's OSD menu using the physical buttons on the monitor itself and look for a setting related to "Response Time," "Overdrive," "TraceFree," or "Pixel Response." You can often choose between different levels (e.g., Off, Normal, Fast, Fastest). Adjusting this requires experimenting to find the best balance for your specific monitor.
Unlike refresh rate which is changed via OS settings as shown in the reference, adjusting Overdrive is done directly on the monitor hardware via its built-in menu.
Summary of Settings Locations
| Setting | What it Affects | Where to Change | Method Shown in Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refresh Rate | Smoothness of motion (Hz) | Operating System Display Settings | Yes |
| Response Time | Speed of pixel color change (ms), ghosting | Monitor's On-Screen Display (OSD) via Overdrive | No |
By following the steps derived from the reference, you can effectively change your monitor's refresh rate to match your monitor's capabilities and your preferences for smoother visuals. Remember that response time adjustments, if available, are handled separately through the monitor's own menu.
