ya, they are independent

I used to do this with my old gaming setup before I built my new computer.

IIRC VGA doesnt support enough data to do 120Hz though
I may be crazy, as I also recall VGA being the only port CRTs could do.
So half ignore me

the lower the resolution the higher the potential hertz

Afaik VGA is cabable of 2048x1536px @85 Hz (388 MHz) ~ 1440x1080 @170Hz ~ 1024x768 @340Hz ~ 921x691 @420Hz.
You're usually limited by the monitor, iirc most aren't built to handle higher bandwidth than needed so if you want to up the refresh rate you have to turn down the resolution anyway.

okay, i wasnt really sure at all I just remember that it was a problem with my PC, before
thank you for clearing it up~

Your laptop's video card will have to support output at a higher refresh rate as well. If it's some integrated junk, it's technically possible that it won't, but most likely it will.

I actually do have an integrated Intel HD 4000, do you know if it supports a higher refresh rate? Thanks for the answers.

It totally should. No reason not to.

You might not get 120 fps at a good resolution, but if you lower it, it should work well.

Thanks a lot everyone!

Sorry to bump, but I bought a CRT monitor today that has a max refresh rate of 140 hz, but I don't see that option when I go into Monitor settings. The max I can get it to is 100 hz at 800x600. Does anyone know how I can get it higher? Thanks!

640x480

When I go to Screen Resolution, the lowest I can select is 800x600.

Add a custom resolution, just because windows doesn't have it listed doesn't mean your monitor can't display it.

http://www.monitortests.com/forum/Thread-Custom-Resolution-Utility-CRU

It looks like that link refers to Nvidia or AMD GPU's, I have an integrated Intel HD 4000 so I don't think it will work.

No, it doesn't work with intel's iGPUs iirc :/

I think this is what you want, not sure though.

I followed the instructions in that link and added a custom resolution, but I don't see anywhere I can apply it in the Intel HD Graphics Control Panel. It's weird how the monitor has a listed 140 hz max refresh rate but I can only get 100 hz on 800x600 which is already pretty low.

http://i.imgur.com/Y99qd88.png

remove pin #12 with pliers. no i'm not joking.
basically pin #12 gives your OS information about your monitor and then your OS puts limitations on resolution and refresh rate based on that data. remove that pin and remove the limitations.

more info: https://nookkin.com/articles/how-tos-and-guides/allowing-any-screen-resolution-on-vista.ndoc

That looks crazy but I'll try it haha thanks hooli.

i use an intel hd 3000 and all i had to do was create the custom res and use the proper launch options, try appending -w 640 -h 480 -freq 120 to yours

well, how did it go?

I had the pliers in my hand and then I saw vcr's response so I tried that instead. Is there any way to confirm or measure that my monitor is refreshing at 120 hz with the freq command?

you should be able to hit a button on your monitor that will give you information

Ah got it, thanks a lot!! Looks like it's working.