What Is Vsync or Vertical Sync And Do I Need It For Gaming?

If you’ve ever come across an selections menu in a video game, you’ve probably found the Vsync or Vertical Sync option and don’t know what to do about it, but that sounds cool, so there you have it. Please turn it on; then your game is overdue, you turn it off.

What Is Vsync In Gaming And Should I Turn It On Or Off?

Vertical sync, or Vsync for short, is a graphics technology for games that detects the number of frames per second (FPS). Your PC is rendering a game, then sees the refresh rate (usually 60Hz) of your monitor, and then syncs them to solve problems like avoid screen tearing. You should only enable it when your in-game FPS (frames per second) is higher than your screen refresh rate (typically 60 Hz). And it would help if you weren’t using the game’s Vsync menu option, but the one from your graphics driver configuration (Nvidia or AMD).

Also Read: What is VulkanRT (Vulkan Runtime Libraries)?

What Is The Screen Cracking?

Screen tearing is an issue that you have likely experienced without knowing the name while playing a PC game. It happens when you suddenly move the camera, and the image is “cut in half”. This video from Circuits Anonymous explains it perfectly:

This effect occurs when the game sends information that your computer’s refresh rate cannot keep up with. It is more likely to occur in games with enhanced graphics and a refresh rate of over 60 FPS without a monitor at around 60 fps.

The relationship between the display’s refresh rate and the GPU update master should be 1: 1. It means that a 60 Hz monitor can display a game at 60 fps or less. If the game “floats” above the monitor update rate, desynchronization occurs.

The technology implemented to solve this problem was precisely Vsync. Iy prevents the game from updating faster than the monitor. For example, a 60Hz monitor will prevent the game from rendering more than 60 frames per second.

Vertical sync does not improve graphics quality. The resolution, shadows, colours, and brightness are unrelated to Vsync.

Benefits Of Enabling Vsync:

You need to turn on Vsync when you play a game and try cracking the screen, making the image look halved.

If you play older titles and your GPU far exceeds the gaming requirements. Your GPU will try to beat and display a ridiculous number of frames per second, which can lead to both unnecessary overheating and screen tearing. In this case, you can enable Vsync or limit the FPS.

Also Read: Which Allocation Unit Size Is Best for Drive Formatting

Disadvantages Of Enabling Vsync:

Some games and computers can experience slow performance with Vsync enabled.

Vsync can increase display latency because vertically syncing images wait for the monitor to become ready. It degrades performance in games that require quick responses and may not have the vertical sync necessary at all as the screen would not crack.

It can cause significant FPS drops if your GPU is not good enough, and you should be aware that variation in FPS is worse than low FPS.

Also Read: How to Fix Your Mouse Button When It’s Not Working

 Different Types Of Vsync

The vertical sync option has been around on the PC for a long time. However, recently, the graphics processing industry has started to develop new and improved solutions which do not have the problems described above.

AMD Freesync

AMD FreeSync is the technology developed by AMD to compete with G-Sync, the owner of Nvidia. It’s rights-free, free to use, and with no performance penalty. Therefore, FreeSync compatible monitors are cheaper than G-Sync (Nvidia) compatible monitors. It enables a smooth experience with no interruptions and low latency.

AMD FreeSync Premium and Premium Pro

They complement AMD FreeSync technology and are best suited for more demanding gamers with screens with a refresh rate of at least 120 Hz and Full HD resolution. Premium Pro also enables HDR compatibility with rigorous certification for colour and brightness.

AMD Enhanced Sync

AMD Enhanced Sync is a technology that allows non-compatible FreeSync monitors to benefit from vertical sync without the negative part. Improved timing focuses on reducing display lag and preventing stuttering before you worry about screen cracks.

Nvidia G-Sync

Developed before AMD’s FreeSync, this technology allows for a smooth Vsync experience without inconvenience, that is to say, without display lag, jerks or sudden drops in FPS. It would help if you had a G-Sync compatible monitor, which is quite expensive, more so than AMD FreeSync compatible monitors.

Nvidia Adaptive Vsync

It corresponds to the advanced synchronization from AMD and is included in the Nvidia settings app. Uses Vsync when the frame rate exceeds your monitor’s refresh rate but turns it off immediately when your frame rate drops below your monitor’s refresh rate. It prevents games from stuttering as Vsync does. It is essential when playing online games.

Nvidia Smooth Vsync

With this technology, you can predict when your GPU performs well and only then increase your frame rates. Maintain higher frame rates without dropping.

Did Vsync Enable Or Disabled?

Should I enable or disable Vsync? If your FPS count is higher than your monitor’s refresh rate (usually 60Hz), the only time you should allow Vsync to if you’re not concerned about input lag. However, if you have an Nvidia or AMD GPU with its own Vsync technology, you need to enable it here.