V-Sync, G-Sync, FreeSync and Frame Limits: What to Turn On and Why

The display refreshes at a fixed rate, measured in hertz (Hz), and the graphics card delivers frames at a rate that changes from moment to moment. When the two rates do not match, two problems appear: tearing (the image split horizontally) or, if corrected badly, stutter and latency. Vertical sync (V-Sync), variable sync (G-Sync, FreeSync) and the frame limit are the three tools to solve it. This guide says what each one does and which combination to start with.

The problem: two rates

A 144 Hz display refreshes 144 times per second, once every 6.94 ms. If the graphics card delivers a frame right in the middle of a refresh, the display shows the top of the old frame and the bottom of the new one: that is tearing. It is most visible with fast horizontal motion.

To convert rates to milliseconds, see frames per second and milliseconds.

V-Sync: vertical sync

V-Sync forces the graphics card to wait for the next refresh to deliver a frame. It eliminates tearing, but has two side effects:

• Latency. The frame waits its turn, and your action takes longer to show.
• Rate steps. If the PC does not reach the display’s rate, classic V-Sync does not fall smoothly: it drops from 60 to 30, for example. Stutter appears.

That is why it is almost always used combined with variable sync, not alone.

Variable sync: G-Sync, FreeSync, Adaptive-Sync

Variable sync turns the problem around: instead of the graphics card waiting for the display, the display waits for the graphics card. When a frame arrives, the display refreshes; if it takes longer, it waits. Tearing and steps disappear, with little latency.

Technology	From	What it is
G-Sync (and “G-Sync Compatible”)	NVIDIA	Variable sync with GeForce cards; many FreeSync monitors are compatible
FreeSync	AMD	Variable sync with Radeon cards; based on an open standard
Adaptive-Sync / VRR (HDMI)	Open standards	The basis of both in many TVs and monitors

Many monitors now support several. To check, the graphics maker’s control panel shows whether variable sync is active. It works within a range (for example 48 to 144 Hz): below it, many displays repeat frames to stay in range; above it, variable sync stops acting and tearing or V-Sync returns.

On Windows, variable sync can also work in windowed or borderless games, with the corresponding option in the graphics display settings. Microsoft’s documentation explains games’ “Variable refresh rate” support at the API level.

The frame limit: the missing piece

If the PC produces more frames than the display’s Hz, variable sync stops acting and tearing or V-Sync returns. A frame limit slightly below the maximum rate keeps the game inside the range:

• It keeps variable sync active. A 144 Hz monitor with a 141 limit stays always inside the range.
• It lowers latency. Without a limit, the graphics card’s frame queue grows and adds delay. A limit keeps it short.
• It gives more regular frames. A PC running “flat out” oscillates; a limited one does not.
• It lowers heat and noise. A PC that does not run at the maximum heats less.

It is also useful when the CPU limits: the limit stabilizes frame time at the rate your PC sustains. NVIDIA Reflex, where available, regulates the render queue by itself and usually sets a cap slightly below the refresh rate when variable sync is on.

Where to set the limit: the game’s own usually gives the lowest latency; the graphics driver’s is the second option; external tools, the third. One limiter, not several at once.

Starting setup

Step	Setting
1	Enable variable sync (G-Sync or FreeSync) on the monitor and in the graphics control panel
2	Enable V-Sync in the driver (not in the game), so it acts only above the range
3	Disable V-Sync in the game, if it offers the option
4	Set a frame limit about 3 fps below your display’s Hz (141 for 144 Hz, 117 for 120 Hz)
5	If your PC cannot hold that rate, lower the limit to a figure it does sustain steadily
6	Enable low latency (Reflex or an equivalent option) if the game has it

It is a widespread starting setup; some games or displays call for variations. If in doubt, measure frame time with and without each change (how to measure).

What to do in each case

Your case	What to do
60 Hz display without variable sync	V-Sync on, or a limit at 60; accept some latency
144 Hz display with variable sync	The starting setup above
PC that does not reach the display’s rate	Variable sync on and a limit at what it sustains
Competitive game	Variable sync + a limit just under the maximum + low latency; avoid frame generation (when to use it)
Tearing in a window	Enable variable sync for windowed games or use fullscreen

Cases that confuse

• “I have G-Sync on and still see tearing.” Usually variable sync is not active for the game’s window (in borderless fullscreen you have to enable it for windowed mode), the game exceeds the display’s Hz with no limit, or the cable does not support the rate. Check the graphics control panel.
• “With V-Sync the mouse feels sluggish.” That is classic V-Sync latency. With variable sync and a limit just below the maximum, the effect almost disappears.
• “Fullscreen or borderless.” Borderless mode is convenient for switching windows and, on Windows, supports variable sync in windowed games if the option is on. Exclusive fullscreen can save a little latency in some games; try both.
• “I want maximum frame rate, no limit.” With no limit, variable sync stops acting above the range and tearing or V-Sync returns. It only makes sense on 60 Hz displays without variable sync, with tearing accepted.
• “What about HDR?” HDR and variable sync coexist on most modern monitors, but on some models the variable sync range changes with HDR on; check the display’s specifications.

And in an MMO

In an MMO, network latency usually weighs more than a few milliseconds of V-Sync, but visual smoothness depends on this setup. If you see stutter in a crowded zone, the origin is usually the CPU or memory and not sync: what a bottleneck is helps you tell. For the detail on ping, ping, latency and servers.

COLONIZED (closed alpha applications open, first waves planned for winter 2026-2027, not yet playable) has not announced the final game’s display options or its system requirements; this guide is general. What was measured in the development build is in our guide to optimizing Unreal Engine 5 games.