Monitor Optimization Guide for LOW input delay

fancy studio

Nov 15, 2025

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Ultimate Monitor Optimization Guide for Zero-Input Delay

1. Optimize Built-in Monitor Settings

Start by adjusting the settings directly on your monitor using the physical buttons:

• Disable Enhancement Features: Turn off features like "Game Enhance Mode" or "Gaming Mode," as they add overhead without significant benefit.

• Response Time/Overdrive: Set this to the lowest or fastest possible option (e.g., "Extreme"). If you experience visible ghosting, step it down one level.

• G-Sync/FreeSync: It is generally recommended to turn this off to reduce latency, except in specific cases like games, where the reduction in screen tearing is more valuable to you.

• Backlight Strobing: Features like ULM, ELM, DAK, or Pure XP should be enabled. While they may add slight latency, they significantly reduce motion blur, which is considered a worthwhile trade-off.

• Disable Colour/Image Effects: Turn off all other image processing features, including Black Equaliser, Shadow Boost, HDR, sRGB, Dynamic Contrast, Motion Interpolation, and Noise Reduction. If you need a Low Blue Light mode, use the Windows setting instead of the monitor's built-in feature.

2. Advanced System Tweaks

These system-level adjustments further reduce potential bottlenecks:

• Disable Multiplane Overlay (MPO): Running a specific batch file prevents the PC from sending multiple image layers to the GPU. This can resolve issues like flickering, black screens, or stutters.

• Full Screen Optimisations (FSO): Ensure FSO is set in the most optimal way to reduce input lag and prevent black screens when using Alt-Tab.

3. Fixing the Refresh Rate with CRU

Many monitors are not set to their full, advertised refresh rate (e.g., they may show 239.47 Hz instead of 240 Hz). This requires a fix using the Custom Resolution Utility (CRU):

• Check Current Rate: Navigate to Display Settings → Advanced Display to verify your current refresh rate.

• Use CRU: If it's incorrect, use the Custom Resolution Utility to find the highest refresh rate in the extension blocks, edit it, and set the correct refresh rate (e.g., 240).

• Apply Change: Run restart64.exe after applying the change to restart your graphics driver.

4. Optimize Monitor Timings (Front Porch and Sync Width)

This advanced tweak directly affects how your GPU and monitor coordinate refresh cycles, significantly improving display latency on 240+ Hz monitors:

• Access Settings: Find the custom resolution settings in your GPU software (Nvidia Control Panel or AMD Radeon Software).

• Adjust Timings: Decrease the Front Porch and Sync Width values. The recommendation is to decrease them in increments of five. If you lower them too much, your display may lose signal, but it should revert automatically after 15 seconds.

5. Essential Final Tips

• Use DisplayPort: DisplayPort is recommended in almost all cases over HDMI on PC, as its packet-based transmission generally results in slightly lower latency.

• Firmware Updates: Check your monitor manufacturer's website for firmware updates, which can fix bugs and improve features like overdrive tuning.

• Primary Port: Plug your main gaming monitor into the primary display port on your GPU. Secondary ports can sometimes be routed through extra controllers, adding delay.

• Stable FPS Cap: Do not cap your FPS and refresh rate at a level your PC cannot consistently maintain (e.g., 360 FPS on 360 Hz). Lower both to a stable rate (e.g., 240 Hz/FPS) for better frame pacing and consistent input lag.