VSync is an essential part of video game technology that can help your games look much smoother. Despite new options like G-Sync or FreeSync, VSync remains a key option for many gamers. But what does it do and is it still worth using?
You’ll find VSync in almost every PC game you play, and it’s usually turned on by default. In this guide, we’ll explore what VSync is, why it’s useful, and whether you should leave it on in your PC games.
What is VSync technology?
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VSync, short for vertical sync, is a graphics technology designed to synchronize a game’s frame rate with the refresh rate of a gaming monitor. Originally a first by GPU manufacturers, this technology was introduced to solve the problem of screen tearing, which occurs when your screen displays parts of multiple frames at the same time. This can lead to visual artifacts similar to the example shown above, which usually manifest as a horizontal split on the screen. Screen tearing occurs when the monitor’s refresh rate (the frequency at which it updates per second) is out of sync with the number of frames per second produced by the graphics card.
Screen tearing can happen at any time, although it’s most common during fast movements, especially when the game is running at a higher frame rate than the monitor can handle, or when the speed changes dramatically and the monitor can’t keep up. This is especially noticeable during fast games with vertical elements of the image, such as trees, entrances or buildings. When this happens, those lines will quite obviously not be placed correctly, which can break the immersion and make a beautiful game look quite ugly.
VSync does a few things to mitigate this. First, it limits the graphics card’s frame rate to the monitor’s refresh rate (60 Hz, unless you have a high refresh rate monitor), making it easier to avoid more frames per second than the monitor can handle.
It does this by preventing the GPU from doing anything with display memory until the monitor has finished its current refresh cycle — not actually giving it any more information until it’s ready. Through a combination of double buffering and page flipping, VSync synchronizes the drawing of frames to the screen only when it completes a refresh cycle, so you should never see tearing when VSync is enabled.
Is there a big difference?
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VSync only helps with screen tearing, and it really only does that by limiting fps when necessary. If your monitor can’t keep up with the fps of a particular game, then VSync can make a big difference.
However, VSync cannot improve your resolution, colors or brightness levels like HDR. It is a preventive technology that is aimed at stopping a particular problem, not improving it. It also tends to hurt performance.
By forcing the frames to fully render before rendering, your fps can be damaged, and at best, your fps is limited to your screen’s refresh rate. In some games where a higher fps can lead to reduced input lag, this can also affect your competitive performance.
If you really want to get the most out of your PC’s gaming capabilities, it’s important to fine-tune your settings to the max. Check out our guide to the best Nvidia control panel settings, and if you love Call of Duty, we’ve got a game-specific guide Call of Duty: Warzone that can help you push your computer to its limits.
What do I need to enable VSync technology?
You don’t need a special monitor to use VSync — it’s designed to work with all types of displays. You need a graphics card that supports it, but the latest generations support it across all product lines. VSync has been around for years, and both Nvidia and AMD have options to enable the setting in their drivers for all games.
However, if you’d rather do this on a per-game basis, most games offer this as a toggle option in their graphics settings menu.
Any VSync issues?
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VSync is far from a perfect solution and can negatively impact your gaming experience, even if it’s useful and working properly. If the monitor and game are having trouble synchronizing, then VSync can drop the frames per second significantly to try to find a point where it can. This can lead to input lag and increased stuttering, which degrades the gaming experience. Screen tearing is most noticeable in fast-paced games like shooters and fighters, but it can affect all types of games regardless of genre.
So if you’re particularly serious about these types of games, enabling VSync might not be worth it. Another setting, called triple buffering, can help reduce some VSync issues, but it doesn’t come with any guarantees.
What are Adaptive VSync and Fast Sync?
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This is where things get a little more complicated. GPU companies were aware of the potential problems with VSync when it was first released, and have been trying to make improved versions ever since. That’s why when you go into the GPU control panel, you can see different synchronization options. More advanced forms of VSync include:
- Adaptive VSync: This is Nvidia’s enhancement that tracks the monitor’s maximum refresh rate. If the game’s FPS is equal to or greater than the refresh rate, VSync is enabled. If the FPS drops below, it is disabled, preventing input lag issues from occurring.
- Quick Sync: Quick Sync is a more advanced form of Adaptive VSync from Nvidia that enables VSync when needed and adds automatic triple buffering to select the best possible frame data. It takes a lot of power to use, but it helps solve a lot of VSync issues.
- Enhanced Sync: Enhanced Sync is AMD’s version of Fast Sync. Disables VSync when the frame rate drops below the monitor’s refresh rate to prevent related issues.
Is VSync better than G-Sync or FreeSync?
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G-Sync and FreeSync provide quality features. Although VSync works, it provides minimal capabilities.
Nvidia’s G-Sync and AMD’s FreeSync aim to improve VSync capabilities. Both GPU technologies work to synchronize refresh and data rates with your GPU’s frame rate. The companies wanted to end problems with VSync, especially image accuracy and uniformity, and cracks. Essentially, G-Sync and FreeSync are more efficient versions of the VSync software. If they are available to you, we suggest you try them.
However, these technologies are compatible with your graphics card and monitor. Most monitors have G-Sync or FreeSync, but there is minimal support. Since it’s competing software, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a monitor that uses both. In the end, you’ll probably have to try to match the capabilities of your monitor to your GPU. As long as you understand the technical specifications of both units before purchasing, this is relatively easy to achieve.
Who can use G-Sync and FreeSync?
Most, if not all, modern Nvidia and AMD graphics cards offer access to either G-Sync or FreeSync. VSync, on the other hand, should be available to almost everyone – if your computer can handle games, it can support VSync.
Nvidia users will need at least a GTX 650 Ti Boost GPU for basic G-sync compatibility and a GTX 1050 or higher for G-Sync HDR. This means that if you own one of the best graphics cards, such as the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, you will definitely have access to G-Sync. However, keep in mind that your monitor also matters as only some monitors support G-Sync. G-Sync is available on Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows 11.
AMD FreeSync is also quite available. Not only can AMD GPU owners use it, but some Nvidia GPUs also support it. To run AMD FreeSync on a Radeon graphics card, you’ll need at least an AMD Radeon RX 200 series GPU. FreeSync is also available on compatible desktop AMD Ryzen APUs.
How to enable VSync?
If you have a graphics card that supports VSync, you can simply enable it to ensure smooth performance on most displays. VSync can be activated via AMD FreeSync (AMF) technology or Nvidia graphics drivers. Alternatively, you can change the VSync setting within your game’s graphics options.
To guide you through the process, here’s a simple step-by-step guide to enabling VSync using the Nvidia Control Panel on your computer:
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- Start by choosing Beginning button and typing Nvidia control panel in the search bar. choose input to launch the Nvidia Control Panel.
- Once the Nvidia Control Panel opens, you’ll find an option to manage 3D settings on the left side of the control panel.
- Choose Vertical synchronization option, located below Global settings tab.
- If it is not already enabled, simply select it On from the VSync activation drop-down menu. You can also let a 3D application, like games, decide whether it wants to enable the feature or not.
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Source: newstars.edu.vn