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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →For a smooth, tear-free picture, use your monitor’s variable refresh rate (VRR)—NVIDIA G-SYNC or AMD FreeSync—if both your monitor and graphics hardware support it. With G-SYNC, NVIDIA recommends V-Sync on alongside Reflex or Ultra Low Latency when you want to avoid tearing; a frame-rate cap just below the monitor’s maximum refresh rate can help keep gameplay inside the VRR range. With FreeSync, enable it in both the display and AMD Software, and use V-Sync or a frame cap if your frame rate often exceeds the display’s refresh rate. On a fixed-refresh display, V-Sync is a tradeoff: it removes tearing but may add input latency.
There is no universal best setting. Your monitor, GPU, game, and preference for responsiveness versus tear-free output all matter.
Choose a starting setting for your display
| Setup or priority | Starting point | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA G-SYNC; tearing is unwanted | Enable G-SYNC. NVIDIA recommends V-Sync on with Reflex or Ultra Low Latency; if needed, cap FPS slightly below the display’s maximum refresh rate. | NVIDIA says this combination has slightly more latency than uncapped FPS with Reflex enabled. Setup behavior can also depend on the display and whether a game runs windowed. NVIDIA’s latency guide and G-SYNC setup guidance explain the options. |
| AMD FreeSync; FPS generally stays within the display’s VRR range | Enable FreeSync in the monitor’s menu and AMD Software, then check how the game behaves. | Some display presets can turn FreeSync off. See AMD’s FreeSync setup steps. |
| AMD FreeSync; FPS often exceeds the display’s maximum refresh rate | Turn on V-Sync or cap the frame rate, as AMD recommends. | Choose based on whether you value tear-free output or lower latency more; AMD does not establish one cap value for every display and game. See AMD FreeSync guidance. |
| AMD Radeon; FPS often exceeds refresh and latency matters | Consider Enhanced Sync. | AMD positions it for reducing tearing, latency, and stutter compared with traditional V-Sync in its target use case. It does not support OpenGL and may cause multimedia playback issues. Details are in AMD’s Enhanced Sync documentation. |
| Fixed-refresh display; tearing is distracting | Try conventional V-Sync on. | It can add latency. NVIDIA recommends turning it off for players willing to tolerate tearing, but how noticeable the tradeoff is varies by player and game. See NVIDIA’s explanation of display back pressure and latency. |
| Fixed-refresh display; responsiveness is the priority | Try V-Sync off. | Tearing can occur when the game renders frames out of step with the display. This is a preference tradeoff, not a universally superior setting. |
What V-Sync, VRR, and frame caps do
V-Sync
Vertical synchronization coordinates application output with the monitor’s refresh to prevent tearing. With conventional V-Sync, this can introduce display back pressure and additional latency, so some players prefer to turn it off even if tearing appears. Its practical effect depends on the game and system, not only on the menu setting.
Driver controls are not always global. AMD’s Radeon “Wait for Vertical Refresh” setting applies only to OpenGL applications; for APIs such as DirectX or Vulkan, V-Sync is controlled in the game’s graphics settings. AMD documents this distinction in its Radeon configuration guidance.
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Variable refresh rate
VRR lets a compatible monitor adjust its refresh rate to follow the game’s frame rate. G-SYNC requires a compatible display; FreeSync likewise requires supported display and graphics hardware. AMD says FreeSync uses standards that include DisplayPort Adaptive-Sync and HDMI Variable Refresh Rate. Vendor explanations are available from NVIDIA and AMD.
VRR works within the display’s supported refresh range. On supported FreeSync tiers, low-framerate compensation can duplicate frames if FPS drops below the display’s minimum range. AMD’s example is a 60–144 Hz display running a game at 40 FPS: duplicating frames lets the display run at 80 Hz. That illustrates the feature; it is not a guarantee for every monitor.
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Frame-rate caps
A frame cap limits the maximum FPS the game or driver will render. NVIDIA says its Max Frame Rate setting can help keep a game within a G-SYNC/VRR range, reduce power use, or reduce system latency in some GPU-bound situations. NVIDIA recommends a cap slightly below the display’s maximum refresh rate for staying in range, but does not establish one universal number of frames below refresh.
AMD says its Frame Rate Target Control can help avoid exceeding the maximum FreeSync range. The documented FRTC feature applies to fullscreen DirectX 9, 10, and 11 applications and a target range of 30–200 FPS, so available controls and limits depend on the driver, game, and system. See NVIDIA Max Frame Rate and AMD Radeon settings guidance.
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Enable G-SYNC or FreeSync correctly
- Set the display to its highest supported refresh rate. Use the operating system’s display settings or graphics control panel. NVIDIA specifically recommends selecting the highest available refresh rate for G-SYNC.
- Turn on VRR in the monitor’s on-screen menu. Look for FreeSync, Adaptive-Sync, or the manufacturer’s equivalent setting. AMD includes display-side enablement in its FreeSync setup guidance.
- Enable the matching feature in the graphics software. For NVIDIA, configure G-SYNC in NVIDIA Control Panel as described in NVIDIA’s instructions. For AMD, check and enable FreeSync in Adrenalin using AMD’s instructions.
- Check the game’s FPS against the display’s maximum refresh rate. If FPS regularly goes above it, AMD recommends V-Sync or a cap; NVIDIA recommends a cap slightly below the maximum to stay within VRR range.
- Adjust one setting at a time in the game you play. Check for tearing, stutter, responsiveness, and consistent frame pacing before changing another option.
- If trying Enhanced Sync, check the game API and playback behavior. Disable it for multimedia apps if flicker or other unwanted behavior appears.
When Enhanced Sync may fit
AMD Enhanced Sync is an alternative for some Radeon users whose frame rate exceeds the display’s refresh rate and who want less latency than traditional V-Sync may provide. AMD describes its benefits for that use case, not as a universal replacement for FreeSync or conventional V-Sync. Its documented limitations include no OpenGL support and possible problems during multimedia playback; consult AMD Enhanced Sync documentation before enabling it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to decide whether to leave V-Sync on
- Choose tear-free output: Use VRR where available and follow the relevant vendor’s setup guidance. If the display is fixed-refresh, try V-Sync on.
- Choose responsiveness: On a fixed-refresh display, try V-Sync off and decide whether the resulting tearing is acceptable. With G-SYNC, NVIDIA’s recommended no-tearing setup is not the same as uncapped FPS with Reflex; it carries slightly higher latency according to NVIDIA.
- Seeing tearing above refresh: Try a frame cap or synchronization option rather than assuming VRR alone will cover FPS above the display’s maximum.
- Seeing judder or inconsistent motion: Confirm the display is actually running at its intended refresh rate and that VRR is enabled in both the monitor and driver where applicable; then test the game’s own V-Sync and frame-cap controls separately.
AMD describes FreeSync as a hardware/software solution for smooth, tear-free, low-latency gameplay and video. That is AMD’s characterization of its technology, not an independent benchmark or a promise that every configuration will feel identical.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
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