Need help understanding Refresh rates

[cotton]

I dont quite understand about refresh rates. My monitor supports a maximum refresh rate of 85Hz at 1024 x 768 which is what I run.
I can also choose Optimal or Adapter Default when running at 1024 x 768, I have a Voodoo 3 3000 AGP card. Heres the questions:

1. Is it better to choose manually choose 85Hz, Optimal or Adapter Default.

2. When I play Unreal Tournament and go into the Preferences in the game, I can change all the way up to 1024 x 768, 1280 x 968 and 1600 x 1200. If I choose above the 1024 x768 what happens what refresh rate would I be running at since the monitor doesnt support above the 1024 x 768. Is it better to pick 1024 x 768 in the game as well ?

Thanks

 

[hungrypete]

1. It doesnt really matter. If you pick default or optimal it will set itself to something, usually lower than 85hz. In my opinion, leave it set to 85hz, not optimal or default.
2. DONT choose resolutions your monitor does not support. Not only will it scramble the screen, but you could seriously damage your monitor. The 85 hz basically means that your frame rate could not be above 85 FPS with the wait for V-sync enabled. 85 fps in UT at 1024 x 768 is hard to get unless you are in a small tunnel or staring at a wall. In heavy action, even hardcore machines drop into the 30s.

 

[obenton]

Best is what pleases the eye. Forcing a higher refresh rate than the monitor can handle (if the video adapter device driver permits it) can harm the monitor.