IS exceeding the default refresh rate of a monitor damaging?

[littlegohan]

I am running my monitor at 1600*1200 @85hz
The recommended specs on the manual is 75hz

Right now at 85hz, the picture is stable,and there are no defects that i can tell
so, is it safe for me to continue running it at this refresh rate ? (This is a fe950+ btw)

Furthermore, is running a nonstandard refresh rate damaging to a monitor ?
I am planning to run my monitor at 1024*768*115hz (the manual says it can handle 119, but in windows xp, I can only see 100)

 

[Bozz]

Most modern monitors are microprocessor controlled, if the input frequency is too high, the uP will not try to feed the horizontal and vertical output circuits the excessive frequency, most monitors either switch off (standby) or display a low frequency picture saying something along the lines of "Input freqency out of specification".

Old monitors that are not uP controlled have the input H and V triggers connected directly to the horizontal and vertical drive circuits which feed the output circuits... We've blown up a few old analog 14" monitors by feeding them a frequency way too high

 

[littlegohan]

So.. this means that even though in the display propoerites, it says 85hz, is actually displaying at 75hz right ?

 

[bizmark]

no, if I understand Bozz correctly (and if my own limited experience is typical), if the refresh rate was actually too high, the monitor would simply cut off the signal or display an error. I don't know if any monitor would do in-monitor refresh rate adjustment.....

so if the monitor is running at 85Hz (according to the display properties), you're probably ok and probably actually is running at 85Hz But I don't know about possible long-term damage to your monitor.

 

[Shalmanese]

Its sorta like overclocking your CPU. Even though the official spec is 75Hz, monitor makers a notorious for keeping the spec conservative so they dont get a bad rep. It PROBABLY wont do any damage to your monitor but there is a slight chance that it might.

 

[sao123]

No. the default refresh rate is always low. The recommended or optimum refresh rate is the best rate you can get at a certain resolution.
However you will not damage your monitor unless you exceed the maximum refresh rate, at that resolution.

Example.
800x600 -> Default 60Hz, Optimal 72hz, Max 75Hz
1024x768 -> Default 70hz, Optimal 75hz, Max 85Hz
etc. etc.

 

[RemyCanad]

I have a samtron 75v and I was running it at 100hz. I didn't know it was supposed to run at 85hz max. Well one day I was switching between litestep themes and bam my monitor became out of focus. I was like hmm, great just want I wanted. So I left it on for a week and it fixed it self. I don't know if the refresh rate was the problem or not. But it did not fix until I just unplugged it from my computer and plugged it in with the new signal display on it.

 

[Bozz]

Originally posted by: bizmark
no, if I understand Bozz correctly (and if my own limited experience is typical), if the refresh rate was actually too high, the monitor would simply cut off the signal or display an error. I don't know if any monitor would do in-monitor refresh rate adjustment.....

so if the monitor is running at 85Hz (according to the display properties), you're probably ok and probably actually is running at 85Hz But I don't know about possible long-term damage to your monitor.

You're correct, they do not have the facility to do frequency conversion.

And once again, for the record, only old analog monitors can get damaged by an input signal that is too high. Every digitally controlled monitor I have seen enters a protection state should the input frequency exceed specifications.

 

[ynotravid]

Originally posted by: Bozz

Originally posted by: bizmark
no, if I understand Bozz correctly (and if my own limited experience is typical), if the refresh rate was actually too high, the monitor would simply cut off the signal or display an error. I don't know if any monitor would do in-monitor refresh rate adjustment.....

so if the monitor is running at 85Hz (according to the display properties), you're probably ok and probably actually is running at 85Hz But I don't know about possible long-term damage to your monitor.

You're correct, they do not have the facility to do frequency conversion.

And once again, for the record, only old analog monitors can get damaged by an input signal that is too high. Every digitally controlled monitor I have seen enters a protection state should the input frequency exceed specifications.

This is true but the programmed specification and the printed specification may differ.

 

[Brown2pac]

RemyCanad
what prob happened to ur monitor is that your cable was loose. I remember that thesamething happened to mine when i had run it above spec. I jiggled the cable a little, and it went back to normal.

 

[RemyCanad]

hmm I messed witht the cable a lot. I actually took it off of my computer and turned it on with the no signal window up and was still out of focus. I left it on without anyone touching it and it fixed it self.

 

[SickBeast]

I ran my monitor 5Hz above spec and the display seemed less clear. I couldn't tell for sure tho. It's not worth ruining your monitor for a few Hz.

 

[zsouthboy]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
I ran my monitor 5Hz above spec and the display seemed less clear. I couldn't tell for sure tho. It's not worth ruining your monitor for a few Hz.

Bingo! You hit the nail on the head. The specs for a monitor are usually at the greatest point of image quality vs. refresh rate....

Also, you can select greater resolutions on most monitors and they will do the same, become out of focus, because the electron beam doesn't have enough time to update everything clearly.


zs