Method and system for detecting a display mode suitable for a reduced refresh rate

A method and system for detecting a display mode suitable for a reduced display refresh rate are disclosed. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention sets forth a computing device, which includes a memory and a processing unit. The memory stores multiple image surface data. The processing unit is configured to compose a first display frame from a first base surface and optionally a first overlay surface, calculate a first numerical code representative of a first frame content of the first display frame, compose a second display frame from a second base surface and optionally a second overlay surface, calculate a second numerical code representative of a second frame content of the second display frame, and track the results of comparing the first numerical code with the second numerical code to determine whether a change between the first frame content and the second frame content has occurred.