Here are some tips and tricks to help new users get the most out of CRU without running into issues.
1. Backup Your Display Configuration Before Making Changes
Before you dive into customizing resolutions, it’s important to create a backup of your current display settings. This will help you restore your display if something goes wrong.
- How to Backup: In CRU, click on the drop-down menu for your display and select Export. Save the file somewhere safe.
- How to Restore: If needed, you can import your saved file by selecting Import in CRU to revert to your original settings.
2. Use Restart.exe Instead of Rebooting
CRU includes a small tool called restart.exe, which is incredibly useful after making changes. It restarts your graphics driver, applying the new settings without needing to fully reboot your PC.
- Tip: After saving your changes in CRU, run restart.exe from the same folder to apply the changes instantly.
3. Start with Safe Settings
If you’re new to CRU, it’s a good idea to start with small changes to avoid major display issues. For example:
- Start by slightly increasing your refresh rate by a small amount (e.g., from 60Hz to 75Hz) before trying anything more extreme.
- Don’t exceed the maximum resolution or refresh rate that your monitor and GPU can handle. Always check your display’s documentation for supported specs.
4. Know How to Enter Safe Mode
In case your custom resolution causes the display to go blank or makes your screen unusable, you should know how to access Safe Mode. Safe Mode allows you to fix issues without loading custom display settings.
- How to Enter Safe Mode: Restart your PC and interrupt the boot process twice by holding down the power button while Windows is loading. This will open recovery options. From there, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings and choose Enable Safe Mode.
5. Use Predefined Timings for LCD and CRT Monitors
If you’re unsure about the timing details for your monitor, CRU provides predefined timing options for both LCD and CRT displays.
- Tip: When adding a custom resolution, use the Timing drop-down menu and select options like LCD Standard or LCD Reduced. This takes the guesswork out of timing settings and helps prevent display issues.
6. FreeSync Range Adjustment
If your monitor supports FreeSync, you can use CRU to adjust the FreeSync range to fit your preferences. Adjusting this can improve gaming performance, especially if your monitor flickers or has a limited FreeSync range.
- How to Adjust FreeSync Range: Open CRU, navigate to the Extension Blocks section, and modify the FreeSync Range under the DisplayID block. Make sure to stay within the supported refresh rate range of your monitor.
7. Test Custom Resolutions Before Finalizing
Always test custom resolutions to ensure they work properly. Start with small changes and monitor performance to avoid any issues.
- How to Test: After adding a new resolution, go to Display Settings in Windows, select the new resolution, and make sure it works without display problems like screen flickering or scaling issues.
8. Remove Unnecessary Resolutions
If you have resolutions listed that you don’t need or want, removing them can help streamline your settings and prevent clutter in the resolution dropdown.
- How to Remove: In CRU, select a resolution from the Detailed Resolutions or Standard Resolutions section, and click Delete to remove it from the list.
9. Reset All Changes if Something Goes Wrong
If your display stops working or you can’t fix a resolution issue, you can reset everything back to the default configuration.
- How to Reset: Run reset-all.exe (included with CRU) and reboot your computer. This will remove all custom resolutions and restore the default display settings.
10. Use Copy and Paste for Multiple Displays
If you have multiple monitors and want to apply the same settings to each, CRU makes it easy to copy settings from one display to another.
- How to Use Copy/Paste: Select the display you’ve configured, click Copy, then switch to the other display and click Paste. This will apply the same resolutions, extension blocks, and other settings to the second display.
11. Avoid Overclocking Monitors Beyond Safe Limits
Monitor overclocking, such as increasing the refresh rate beyond the manufacturer’s specifications, is possible with CRU, but proceed with caution.
- Tip: Always check your monitor’s official documentation to avoid exceeding the safe limits. Overclocking too far can cause instability or even damage your monitor.
12. HDMI and DisplayPort Considerations
When using HDMI or DisplayPort, keep in mind the limitations of the connection type and adapter, if applicable. For example:
- Passive DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapters are limited to 165 MHz, so keep this in mind when configuring resolutions.
- Make sure that HDMI Support is enabled in the Extension Blocks section if you’re using an HDMI connection.