Setting Up an External Monitor Right (Mac & Windows)

Plugging in an external monitor "just works" — but rarely at its best. Five settings make the difference.

1. Native resolution

Set the monitor to its native resolution (e.g. 2560×1440 for a 27" 1440p). Anything else looks soft.

2. Refresh rate

Don't assume the max is selected — it usually isn't. Set it (see our refresh-rate guide) and confirm with the Refresh Rate Test.

3. Scaling

High-PPI panels make UI tiny. Pick comfortable scaling (Windows: Display → Scale; macOS: Displays → Scaled). Integer scaling (e.g. 200%) is sharpest.

4. RGB range

Over HDMI, GPUs sometimes default to Limited range, crushing blacks and whites. Set the GPU to Full RGB and the monitor to match. Verify with the Greyscale Test — you should see distinct steps at both the dark and bright ends.

5. Color profile

Select an sRGB profile for general use, or a calibrated ICC profile if you have one.

Quick verify pass

Dead Pixel Test for the new panel, Brightness Uniformity Test for backlight evenness, and Ghosting Test if you'll game on it.