so it it usually best just to set the monitor to the highest refresh rate or is there a reason why they let you select lower rates?

Sometimes higher refresh rates are only possible in lower resolutions. I have a monitor that can do 70 Hz at 800x600 but only 60 Hz at 1024x768.

but if my monitor can do it, should i set it up so it will use the higher refreshrate? i'm just wondering if there is a downside to using a higher refresh rate if my monitor can go up that high.

Highest refresh = smoothest display = highest demand on the monitor = more heat generated = bigger electricty bill = global warming increase! :)

"Up to a point, higher is better. Everyone agrees that appearance improves up to at least 70-75 Hz (vertical) non-interlaced but beyond this point is a hotly debated issue (and a topic for a never ending discussion on your favorite Internet newsgroup)."
http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_monfaqd.html#MONFAQD_019

thanks

>Highest refresh = smoothest display = highest demand on the monitor = more heat generated = bigger electricty bill = global warming increase! :)

simple as that, huh? please.

The power consumption is not really an issue, it increases just by a few percent. The true problems arise in the following pitfalls:

• High demand on the VGA cable (extender). If the cable is too thin and/or not properly shielded, there will be ghosts in the picture.
• Moire. It gets more prevalent with higher refresh rates on some monitors. View a pattern-dithered GIF to see this.
• Screen shrinking. Some monitors, albeit supporting a said refresh rate, will produce a picture that is horizontally shrinked and it cannot be compensated within it's OSD menu.

So select the highest RR which doesn't suffer from any of the said artifacts.

Speaking of monitors, are there any cheap ones that will do over 60hz in resolutions higher than 1024*768?