Refresh Rates

Understand refresh-rate choices, reporting, protection and their interaction with HiDPI and HDR.

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Why does choosing a HiDPI desktop reduce the available refresh rate?
A scaled HiDPI desktop can require more rendering work than the monitor’s native output dimensions suggest.
Why does macOS Settings show a different refresh rate from BetterDisplay?
BetterDisplay can offer connection-level refresh rates that macOS Settings does not list.
Why does my refresh rate still change when Configuration Protection is enabled?
Configuration Protection can restore a saved choice only when a compatible mode is available.
Can I run a virtual screen at 120 Hz?
You can add a 120 Hz mode to a virtual screen, but selecting it does not guarantee that a mirrored or streamed image delivers 120 distinct frames per second.
Why does HDR disappear at some HiDPI resolutions or refresh rates?
macOS can offer HDR for one display mode but not another, even on the same HDR-capable monitor.