V-Sync, or vertical sync, makes the graphics card deliver frames in step with the monitor refresh cycle. It removes screen tearing, but it can add input lag and stutter in some situations.
These details apply to PC gaming and console games that expose similar display settings.
Does this affect you?
Use this if the image looks split during fast movement, or if you are not sure whether to turn V-Sync on or off.
What screen tearing is and how V-Sync fixes it
Screen tearing happens when the GPU and monitor are out of sync.
- A monitor refreshes at a fixed rate such as 60, 144, or 240 times per second.
- If the GPU sends a new frame in the middle of a refresh, the display can show part of the old frame and part of the new one.
- That mismatch appears as a horizontal tear.
- V-Sync makes the GPU wait until the monitor is ready for the next refresh.
- The trade-off is input lag because frames are held briefly before display.
- Traditional V-Sync can stutter if FPS falls below the monitor refresh rate.
V-Sync is local to the GPU and display. It has nothing to do with ping or internet connection.
When to actually use it
Modern variable refresh options are often better, but V-Sync still has uses.
- Use G-Sync or FreeSync instead when your monitor supports it. Variable refresh rate follows the game’s changing FPS with less lag.
- Turn V-Sync off in competitive games if lowest input lag matters more than occasional tearing.
- Use V-Sync in slower single-player games if tearing distracts you and the small latency cost is acceptable.
- Use a frame-rate cap if your GPU is rendering far more frames than your monitor can show.
- Try NVIDIA Fast Sync or AMD Enhanced Sync if you lack VRR but want a compromise.
A frame cap slightly below your monitor refresh rate can reduce wasted GPU work and sometimes feel lower-latency than traditional V-Sync.
Game and driver settings
Check the game’s own graphics menu first because in-game V-Sync usually takes priority.
NVIDIA Control Panel and AMD Software can force V-Sync globally or per game, which helps with older games that do not include the setting.
Some G-Sync and FreeSync setups recommend enabling V-Sync as a boundary behavior while also capping FPS below max refresh. Follow your GPU manufacturer’s specific guidance for that combination.
Sources
- NVIDIA – What Is V-Sync and Should You Use It (2025)
- AMD – Understanding V-Sync and FreeSync (2024)
- RTINGS – Screen Tearing and V-Sync Explained (2025)