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How to enable 144 Hz on your monitor and set up G-Sync / FreeSync

A 144/165/240 Hz monitor only shows its real smoothness when the refresh rate is set in Windows. Many people buy a gaming monitor and play for months at 60 Hz because Windows picked a default. Adaptive sync (G-Sync or FreeSync) then removes tearing without the input lag of classic V-Sync.

The higher the refresh rate, the smoother the motion
60 Hz
16.7 ms per frame
144 Hz
6.9 ms per frame
240 Hz
4.2 ms per frame

Illustration: the ball moves in more, smaller steps on a faster screen.

1. Check the cable and the port

  • Use DisplayPort if the monitor and graphics card have it. It is the safest way to get full refresh rate and G-Sync.
  • HDMI works too, but you need HDMI 2.0 or newer at 1080p/1440p high refresh. An old cable or an HDMI 1.4 port can cap you at 60 Hz.
  • Plug the cable into the graphics card, not the motherboard video output.
  • Use the cable that came with the monitor, or a certified one.

2. Enable the refresh rate in Windows

  1. Right-click the desktop → Display settings → Advanced display.
  2. Select your monitor and, in Choose a refresh rate, pick the highest value (144 Hz, 165 Hz, 240 Hz…).
  3. Click Keep changes.

With two monitors, check each one separately.

3. If only 60 Hz is available

  • Open the monitor menu (buttons on the monitor) and look for the input or HDMI setting, such as HDMI mode 2.0, DisplayPort 1.2 or Overdrive.
  • Try another port or a better cable.
  • Install the latest graphics driver (see our driver guide).
  • In NVIDIA Control Panel → Change resolution or AMD Software → Display select the refresh rate there.

4. Enable G-Sync / FreeSync

NVIDIA graphics card

  1. Open NVIDIA Control Panel → Set up G-SYNC.
  2. Tick Enable G-SYNC, G-SYNC Compatible. Choose Enable for full screen mode (or windowed and full screen).
  3. Monitors with FreeSync usually work as G-SYNC Compatible over DisplayPort. Enable FreeSync in the monitor menu first.

AMD graphics card

  1. Enable FreeSync in the monitor’s own menu (it is sometimes off by default).
  2. Open AMD Software → Gaming → Display → turn on AMD FreeSync.

5. Best settings for games

  • In NVIDIA Control Panel → Manage 3D settings turn Vertical sync: On, and turn V-Sync off in the game itself. Together with G-Sync this removes tearing.
  • Limit FPS about 3 below the refresh rate (for example 141 FPS on a 144 Hz monitor) with Max Frame Rate in NVIDIA Control Panel, or with RTSS. It keeps G-Sync working and reduces lag.
  • In the game, run in fullscreen and select the same refresh rate in the video settings.

6. Check it works

  • Windows → Advanced display shows the refresh rate you picked.
  • Open testufo.com: the page reports your actual refresh rate.
  • NVIDIA Control Panel can show a G-SYNC indicator in a game (Display → G-SYNC Indicator).

Note for esports: in fast shooters like CS2 many players turn adaptive sync off and play with a very high uncapped FPS for the lowest delay. Try both and choose what feels better.

7. Problems

  • Flicker or black screen with G-Sync: update the driver and monitor firmware, try another DisplayPort cable, or disable G-Sync for windowed mode.
  • Screen flickers in menus or loading screens is normal for some VA/OLED panels with variable refresh. Limit the FPS in menus.