Question:

How to avoid pixelation when lowering refresh rate from 144Hz to intermediate values? >
> I have a monitor that supports refresh rates from 50Hz to 144Hz. However, when I lower the refresh rate from 144Hz to any value between 60Hz and 120Hz, the image quality deteriorates and becomes pixelated. The resolution and color settings remain unchanged. I have tried using a custom resolution with a different refresh rate, but it did not help. My monitor is connected via Display Port. This problem does not occur when I use 60Hz or below, or 144Hz. I have searched online and found some similar cases, but they were related to increasing the refresh rate or using a faulty cable. I do not understand why this is happening and how to fix it. Any advice or explanation would be appreciated. Thank you.

Answer:

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> If you have a monitor that supports a high refresh rate of 144Hz, you might expect a smooth and clear picture quality. However, some users have reported that when they lower the refresh rate from 144Hz to any value between 60Hz and 120Hz, the image quality becomes pixelated and blurry. This is a frustrating and puzzling problem, especially when the resolution and color settings are unchanged. What causes this problem and how can you fix it? >
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The possible causes of pixelation

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> Pixelation is a term that describes the appearance of individual pixels or blocks of pixels on the screen, instead of a smooth and continuous image. Pixelation can be caused by various factors, such as low resolution, compression artifacts, signal interference, or display issues. In this case, the problem seems to be related to the display refresh rate, which is the number of times the screen updates the image per second. A higher refresh rate usually means a smoother and more responsive image, especially for fast-moving scenes or games. However, a higher refresh rate also requires more bandwidth and processing power from the graphics card and the monitor. If the refresh rate is not compatible with the monitor’s specifications or the graphics card’s capabilities, it can result in pixelation or other display problems. >
> One possible cause of pixelation when lowering the refresh rate from 144Hz to intermediate values is a contact field issue. This is a problem in the vertical contact field, which is the part of the monitor that powers the horizontal lines of pixels. Some of these contacts may have a higher impedance (electric resistance) at certain frequencies, which means they cannot deliver enough voltage to the pixels. This results in missing or distorted lines of pixels, which appear as pixelation or black stripes on the screen. This problem can be caused by manufacturing defects, mechanical stress, or heat damage. It can also worsen over time and affect more lines of pixels at any frequency. >
> Another possible cause of pixelation when lowering the refresh rate from 144Hz to intermediate values is a monitor setting issue. This is a problem in the monitor’s configuration, which may not be optimized for the refresh rate that you are using. For example, some monitors have features such as FreeSync, which synchronizes the refresh rate with the graphics card’s output to reduce screen tearing and stuttering. However, some users have reported that turning off FreeSync can improve the image quality and reduce pixelation. Other monitor settings that may affect the image quality include the eco or power saving modes, the color temperature, the sharpness, or the contrast. You may need to adjust these settings to match the refresh rate that you are using. >
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The possible solutions for pixelation

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> If you are experiencing pixelation when lowering the refresh rate from 144Hz to intermediate values, there are some possible solutions that you can try. However, keep in mind that these solutions may not work for everyone, and some of them may have trade-offs or drawbacks. You may need to experiment with different settings and combinations to find the best option for your situation. Here are some possible solutions: >
> – Use a lower or higher refresh rate. If the pixelation only occurs at certain refresh rates, such as 99.93Hz or 119.88Hz, you may try to use a lower or higher refresh rate, such as 60Hz or 144Hz. This may avoid the contact field issue or the monitor setting issue that causes the pixelation. However, this may also affect the smoothness and responsiveness of the image, especially for gaming or video playback. You may need to weigh the pros and cons of the refresh rate that you choose. > – Use a custom resolution and refresh rate. If the pixelation occurs at any refresh rate between 60Hz and 120Hz, you may try to use a custom resolution and refresh rate that are not offered by the default settings. For example, you may try to use a resolution of 1920×1080 and a refresh rate of 95Hz, or a resolution of 1600×900 and a refresh rate of 100Hz. This may bypass the contact field issue or the monitor setting issue that causes the pixelation. However, this may also affect the aspect ratio and the clarity of the image, especially for text or graphics. You may need to adjust the scaling and the sharpness of the image to make it look better. > – Check and change the cable. If the pixelation occurs at any refresh rate, you may try to check and change the cable that connects the monitor to the graphics card. The cable may be faulty, damaged, or incompatible with the refresh rate that you are using. For example, some HDMI cables may not support refresh rates above 60Hz, while some DisplayPort cables may not support refresh rates above 120Hz. You may need to use a cable that meets the specifications and standards of the refresh rate that you are using. You may also need to check the cable’s connection and make sure it is not loose or bent. > – Check and update the drivers. If the pixelation occurs at any refresh rate, you may try to check and update the drivers that control the graphics card and the monitor. The drivers may be outdated, corrupted, or incompatible with the refresh rate that you are using. For example, some users have reported that updating the Nvidia drivers can improve the image quality and reduce pixelation. You may need to use the latest and official drivers from the manufacturer’s website and follow the installation instructions carefully. You may also need to check the driver settings and make sure they are optimized for the refresh rate that you are using. > – Replace the monitor. If none of the above solutions work, or if the pixelation worsens over time, you may need to replace the monitor. The monitor may have a hardware defect or damage that cannot be fixed by software or settings. For example, some users have reported that replacing the monitor can solve the contact field issue and eliminate the pixelation. You may need to contact the manufacturer or the seller and check the warranty or the return policy of the monitor. You may also need to choose a monitor that has a high refresh rate and a good image quality. >
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Conclusion

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> Pixelation is a common and annoying problem that can affect the image quality of your monitor. It can be caused by various factors, such as the refresh rate, the monitor settings, the cable, or the drivers. If you are experiencing pixelation when lowering the refresh rate from 144Hz to intermediate values, you may try some of the possible solutions that we have suggested. However, keep in mind that these solutions may not work for everyone, and some of them may have trade-offs or drawbacks. You may need to experiment with different settings and combinations to find the best option for your situation. If none of the solutions work, or if the pixelation worsens over time, you may need to replace the monitor. We hope that this article has helped you understand and solve the pixelation problem. Thank you for reading.