Upgrading to a 240 Hz monitor can feel like a big step, especially if you’re coming from 60 Hz or even 144 Hz. The jump in smoothness is huge, and once you experience it, there’s no going back. But to get the best out of your new screen, you’ll need to adjust a few settings right from day one. Things like color, scaling, overdrive, and strobe options can make a big difference in how your monitor performs.
Let’s go through each of these settings in simple terms so you can enjoy your 240 Hz display at its best.
First Step is to Make Sure if It’s Really Running at 240 Hz
Before you touch anything else, you need to make sure your monitor is actually running at 240 Hz. Many people forget this, and the system stays at 60 Hz by default.
To check, go to your display settings:
- On Windows, right-click on your desktop → Display Settings → Advanced Display Settings → and look for “Refresh Rate.”
- Choose 240 Hz from the list.
If you don’t see 240 Hz, make sure you’re using the right cable such as DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.1 since older cables might limit the refresh rate. Once that’s done, you’re ready to move on to fine-tuning.
Color Settings: Making It Look Right
A 240 Hz monitor can be super smooth, but sometimes the colors may look too cold, washed out, or overly bright out of the box. You can fix that by adjusting the color settings.
Most monitors have presets like Standard, sRGB, or User Mode. For daily use and gaming, you want a balance that looks natural and comfortable on your eyes.
Here are simple steps:
- Set Brightness around 90–100 nits if you work in a dim room or 120–150 nits if your room is bright.
- Adjust Contrast to around 70–80%.
- Pick the sRGB or User Mode color profile if available.
If you want your colors to be more accurate (for content creation or editing), you can use a basic calibration tool or follow a professional 1440p 240 Hz setup guide by Bright Side of News. That guide explains how to fine-tune your colors to look perfect for gaming and design without overcomplicating the process.
Scaling: Keeping Things Sharp and Readable
When you switch to a high-resolution monitor, sometimes text and icons can look too small. This is where scaling comes in.
Scaling helps your screen display text and apps at a readable size without losing sharpness. For most people:
- 100% scaling works well if your monitor is 27 inches or larger.
- 125% or 150% scaling might be better if your monitor is smaller or if you sit far away.
Just remember, scaling doesn’t affect your refresh rate but it can make your experience more comfortable. Adjust this in your Display Settings under “Scale and layout.”
If you plan to game at 1440p, scaling isn’t usually needed, but you might still use it for work or browsing. The key is to test what looks best for your eyes.
Overdrive: Reducing Motion Blur
Overdrive is a feature that helps your 240 Hz monitor respond faster. It reduces the “ghosting” effect that makes moving objects look blurry. Most monitors have levels like Off, Normal, Fast, or Extreme. Here’s what to do:
- Start with Normal or Fast.
- Open a fast-moving video or game and see how it looks.
- If you notice a weird halo around moving objects, turn it down a notch.
You don’t always need the fastest setting. Some “Extreme” modes can cause overshoot, where pixels change color too quickly and create unwanted trails. The right setting depends on your monitor model, so test each mode briefly to see what feels best.
Strobe or Backlight Settings: The Caveats
Many gaming monitors have features like Motion Blur Reduction or Backlight Strobing. These modes use flashing backlights to reduce motion blur but they also have trade-offs.
When you turn on strobing:
- Your screen might get dimmer.
- Adaptive sync (like G-Sync or FreeSync) may turn off.
- You might notice flicker in some cases.
So, while strobing can make games feel incredibly smooth, it’s not always ideal for everyday use. It’s best for competitive gaming sessions where you want every movement to feel crisp.
If you mainly use your monitor for both gaming and productivity, you can keep strobing off most of the time and turn it on only when needed.
Test Games and Apps After Setup
After adjusting everything, spend a few minutes testing your favorite games or videos. Try a fast-paced title like a racing or shooting game then you’ll notice how much smoother everything looks.
If you see any flicker or color issues, double-check your overdrive or strobe settings. Sometimes small changes make a big difference.
Also, if you use your monitor for work or creative tasks, you’ll love how sharp text and colors look once scaling and color calibration are balanced.
Understanding How AI Tools Affect Display Tuning
Here’s something that might surprise you, even AI tools and browsers can show colors differently depending on scaling and refresh rate. For example, when comparing displays or performance in tools like Gemini vs ChatGPT comparison, you might notice how visuals, brightness, and smooth scrolling differ between browsers and apps.
This is because different platforms process animations and text rendering differently, especially at high refresh rates like 240 Hz. So, if you’re testing AI tools, creative apps, or online editors, make sure your monitor settings are locked at 240 Hz and your scaling is consistent. It makes your workflow smoother and your visuals more accurate.
Optional: Adjust HDR and Night Modes
If your 240 Hz monitor supports HDR, try enabling it but be aware that not all monitors have great HDR quality. Some make the image look too bright or unnatural.
You can test HDR in your system settings:
- On Windows: Settings → System → Display → HDR.
- Turn it on and adjust brightness until the picture looks comfortable.
At night, consider enabling Blue Light Filter or Night Mode to reduce eye strain. It slightly warms the color tone, which is easier on your eyes when using the screen for long hours.
Conclusion
Getting your first 240 Hz monitor is exciting. You’re stepping into a world where everything feels smoother from your mouse cursor to your favorite games. But to truly enjoy it, take some time to adjust your color, scaling, overdrive, and strobe settings. Each monitor is a little different, so don’t be afraid to experiment until you find what feels best. With a few tweaks, you’ll notice how much more responsive and enjoyable your experience becomes.
Your first day with a 240 Hz monitor should be all about smooth visuals, rich colors, and the excitement of seeing every frame come to life exactly the way it’s meant to be.
