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For most players, turn VSync on if screen tearing bothers you and your game usually reaches your display’s refresh rate. Turn it off if minimizing input latency matters more and you can tolerate tearing. If your display supports variable refresh rate (VRR), enable its FreeSync or G-SYNC feature and follow the guidance for your graphics hardware.
What VSync does—and what it trades off
VSync coordinates a game’s frame presentation with the display’s refresh cycle to reduce screen tearing. NVIDIA describes VSync-on as synchronizing the game’s frame rate with the monitor’s refresh rate in its FrameView guide.
On a fixed-refresh display, turning VSync off can allow tearing when the game produces frames faster than the display refreshes. Turning it on can reduce tearing, but may introduce input latency; if the frame rate falls below the display’s refresh rate, stutter can also occur. The exact behavior depends on the game and implementation. NVIDIA outlines these trade-offs in its Adaptive VSync explainer and system latency guide.
Choose based on your display and priorities
| Setup or priority | Starting point | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed-refresh display; tearing is distracting; frame rate usually reaches refresh | Turn VSync on | It may add latency; reassess if controls feel less responsive. |
| Fixed-refresh display; lowest input latency matters most; tearing is acceptable | Turn VSync off | Tearing may appear, especially when frame rate exceeds refresh. |
| Fixed-refresh display; frame rate often falls below refresh | Test for stutter; consider a frame-rate cap or adaptive-sync option if available | Behavior below refresh can vary by game and implementation. |
| FreeSync display with compatible graphics | Enable FreeSync; if FPS regularly exceeds refresh, use VSync or a frame cap as AMD advises | Check the display’s FreeSync range and driver settings; some display presets can disable support. |
| G-SYNC or G-SYNC Compatible display; tear-free play is the priority | Enable G-SYNC and follow NVIDIA’s current setup guidance | NVIDIA’s latency guide describes VSync on with a cap below refresh, plus Reflex or Ultra Low Latency Mode; this is vendor-specific guidance. |
VRR changes the decision because it synchronizes display refresh with the game’s frame rate within the display’s supported range. AMD describes this function for FreeSync. If FPS regularly exceeds the display’s refresh rate, AMD advises using VSync or a frame-rate cap. For G-SYNC, NVIDIA’s G-SYNC guide specifies a G-SYNC or G-SYNC Compatible display; its latency recommendations should not be treated as universal instructions for other hardware.
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How to decide and test your settings
- Check the display. Find its refresh rate and whether it supports FreeSync, G-SYNC, or G-SYNC Compatible VRR. With VRR, check the display’s actual operating range and your graphics hardware’s compatibility rather than relying on a label alone.
- Enable VRR where applicable. Turn it on in the monitor’s on-screen controls if required, then verify it in the graphics software. AMD notes that some display presets can disable FreeSync and that individual game profiles may have separate settings.
- Pick your priority. If avoiding visible tearing matters most, start with VSync on for fixed-refresh play. If the lowest latency matters more and tearing is acceptable, start with it off. Set the option in the game or driver, but do not assume those controls behave identically in every game.
- For VRR, check the vendor’s current instructions. Frame-rate caps and VSync behavior depend on the VRR technology and configuration. AMD advises VSync or a cap when FPS regularly exceeds refresh; NVIDIA provides a G-SYNC-specific approach for tear-free play.
- Compare the result in the same scene. Look for tearing, stutter, and changes in responsiveness. If the image is smooth but controls feel sluggish, reconsider VSync; if tearing is distracting, try enabling it or using the appropriate VRR setup.
Changing VSync is a software setting; buying a new monitor is not required. If your current display lacks VRR and you are considering one, verify its VRR range and compatibility with your GPU before choosing a FreeSync or G-SYNC Compatible model.
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