Custom Resolution Utility – CRU is a utility application developed by ToastyX. As the name suggests, this free tool makes it possible for users to define new resolutions on their monitors. It can add new monitor resolutions, not scaled ones. However, this means that lower resolutions will be scaled up and higher resolutions won't be scaled down.

Another thing to note is that Custom Resolution Utility – CRU is only compatible with AMD/ATI or NVIDIA GPUs since Intel GPUs do not allow EDID overrides. This is also the reason why the applications will not work on laptops with switchable graphics. 

What does the app do?

Custom Resolution Utility – CRU is an app that allows custom resolutions to be defined for both AMD/ATI and NVIDIA GPUs by creating EDID overrides directly in the registry without dealing with .inf files. As mentioned, it allows you to add new monitor resolutions if the GPU is enabled, although not scaled ones. With this, only lower resolutions can be scaled up and not the other way around.

There are various parameters that you can configure manually to get detailed resolutions. These include horizontal and vertical active resolution, the sync width, blanking options, the sync polarity, and the refresh rate. The app can permit up to six entries, with the first entry considered as the primary resolution. Additionally, the graphics driver automatically adds lower scaled resolutions, regardless of the GPU type.

More than that, there are predefined options for LCD and CRT monitors if users prefer not to take care of the timing conditions themselves. Alternatively, you can import EDID files to override existing resolution configurations. Aside from that, you can define standard resolutions, which are particularly for CRT monitors. However, it is broader than the average user can understand. Additionally, the features you access depend on your GPUs capabilities.

Should you use it?

Overall, Custom Resolution Utility – CRU is a tool you can use to get better resolutions for your monitor. It allows you to manually configure the parameters of your monitor and save up to six entries. However, it only supports AMD/ATI and NVIDIA GPUs. Moreover, it can only scale up lower resolutions and not the other way around. Additionally, higher resolutions work if your monitor can handle them.