Disable Intel Graphic Automatic Reduce to 40Hz Refresh Rate

Last year I posted a method on how to change Intel Graphic to 60Hz refresh rate, because 40Hz refresh rate sometime can make our eyes very tired after long hours of looking at it. 
http://outdatedpenanguncle.blogspot.com/2011/12/making-intel-graphics-more-comfortable.html

The above method however is not permanent and Intel Graphic and Media Control Panel will eventually automatically change 60Hz refresh rate back to 40Hz. At some forum, someone explained that this is method of slowing down the refresh rate to 40Hz is to reduce the power usage, therefore prolong the battery life. However I don't find it much different with the battery life with both setting. The biggest different with battery life is turning on the WiFi.



So what can I do to disable the Intel Graphic and Media Control Panel that automatically reduced refresh rate to 40Hz?


So here is the method:

1. Open Registry Editor by typing "regedit" with the double quote in the "Search Program and Files" box after click the Windows button. Click Yes if UAC ask the usual question.
2. Go to this registry key:
•  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class
3. Now hit Ctrl+F or select find from the edit menu.
4. Search for: FeatureTestControl
5. When you find it, change whatever it currently is to f840 (as hex) or 63552(decimal).
6. Click OK to save it. 
7. Close Registry Editor and restart. You should noticed that the refresh rate on Intel Graphics and Media Control Panel is always stick with 60Hz refresh rate.

I hope that this tutorial will help you somehow. Happy hacking. :)


Warning: editing registry can be harmful to Windows OS. Please be extra careful, and backup the Windows via Windows Restore or other backup system you use. I am not responsible if your Windows behave strangely or crash due to this registry hacking.


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source: this tutorial I learned from http://forum.tabletpcreview.com/hp-elitebooks/46411-disable-intels-automatic-60hz-40hz-refresh-rate-change-batt.html

Making Intel Graphics more comfortable to see

If your laptop is the new Sandy Bridge platform and using Intel's integrated graphics, and if your eyes sometimes feels very tired after staring at laptop's monitor after a while, then you are on same situation like me.

In order to prolong the battery life, the default setting of the refresh rate on Intel Graphics is most likely is set at 40Hz only. This is a very good feature on Sandy Bridge platform to preserve power, my few months old Sandy Bridge HP laptop on single charge can last up to 7 to 8 hours on wired network, or 4 to 5 hours on WiFi [okay, okay, it should be longer, but I always open at least 15 Windows at same time, not including over 30 Chrome tabs :P ]

However if your eyes are sensitive like mine, 40Hz refresh rate would be more like a burden than convenient. I would rather bring along the charger than killing my eyes.

To make Intel Graphics more comfortable to see, here are few simple steps:
1. Open Intel Graphics and Media Control Panel (the top left icon in below picture) by double click on it.


2. Change the refresh rate from 40Hz to 60Hz. Save it as a new Display Profiles.


3. Repeat the step while the laptop on charging as well. My laptop has both on charging and on battery at 40Hz refresh rate, so I have to change the refresh rate and save the Display Profile for both.

Do note that changing power profile might change it back again to 40Hz again, use the above step to make your eye comfortable. :)


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source: I wrote this tutorial!