120hz monitor, 60 fps and vsync question

[DaGabaGhoul]

Almost all of my competitive games I play at about 90 to 120 fps. But for most single player games I usually play them at a locked or synced 60 fps sometimes 80. I have been getting more concerned with smoothness and things that happen in the background that effect the picture. I was wondering the best way to use 60 fps with a 120 hz monitor?

I was using adaptive half refresh rate but honestly it's not that great sometimes. other games I locked to 60fps but even though there is less input lag the picture just sometimes doesn't feel right.

Basically I was wondering if I could limit my fps to 60 and then use In game vsync? Would that work? how would that work? Would it just be better to change my refresh rate to 60hz when playing games that I want to sync 60fps?

[OLDMAN🎅]

cap at 60 fps and cap 120 fps for 120hz

Short for vertical sync, VSync is the graphics technology responsible for synchronizing the frame rate of a game to the refresh rate of a monitor. This synchronization delivers smooth, uninterrupted gameplay for graphics-heavy 3D games.Sep 24, 2019

[DaGabaGhoul]

Originally posted by OLDMAN:

cap at 60 fps and cap 120 fps for 120hz

Short for vertical sync, VSync is the graphics technology responsible for synchronizing the frame rate of a game to the refresh rate of a monitor. This synchronization delivers smooth, uninterrupted gameplay for graphics-heavy 3D games.Sep 24, 2019

I appreciate that. I know what vsync is. I am asking a very specific question. I am asking about capping to 60fps while having 120hz refresh rate and then using in game vsync. I am asking how that would specifically work and if it would be better to just use a 60hz refresh rate in those instances.

[Andrius227]

Why cap it at 60? Keep monitor at 120hz, have vsync on to ensure fps doesnt go above 120 and cause tearing.

[OLDMAN🎅]

Originally posted by W1LLTACULAR:

Originally posted by OLDMAN:

cap at 60 fps and cap 120 fps for 120hz

Short for vertical sync, VSync is the graphics technology responsible for synchronizing the frame rate of a game to the refresh rate of a monitor. This synchronization delivers smooth, uninterrupted gameplay for graphics-heavy 3D games.Sep 24, 2019

I appreciate that. I know what vsync is. I am asking a very specific question. I am asking about capping to 60fps while having 120hz refresh rate and then using in game vsync. I am asking how that would specifically work and if it would be better to just use a 60hz refresh rate in those instances.

you can get the answer with google, capping to 60fps


however, 60fps cap on a 144hz monitor will result in inconsistent frame display rate. set refresh on monitor to 120hz if you go with 60fps cap, in doing so it'll display each frame twice. 60 fps with Freesync on a 144 Hz monitor. you'd get a lot of tearing with that.

[OLDMAN🎅]

Originally posted by Andrius227:

Why cap it at 60? Keep monitor at 120hz, have vsync on to ensure fps doesnt go above 120 and cause tearing.

ya I have a 144 Hz monitor cap at 144Hz with a 220 to 290 fps playing TF2

[DaGabaGhoul]

Originally posted by Andrius227:

Why cap it at 60? Keep monitor at 120hz, have vsync on to ensure fps doesnt go above 120 and cause tearing.

because certain games either run at 60 fps like skyrim. Or its a newer game that is hard to keep a consistent 120 fps. That is why I am asking this specific question.

Originally posted by OLDMAN:

Originally posted by W1LLTACULAR:

I appreciate that. I know what vsync is. I am asking a very specific question. I am asking about capping to 60fps while having 120hz refresh rate and then using in game vsync. I am asking how that would specifically work and if it would be better to just use a 60hz refresh rate in those instances.

you can get the answer with google, capping to 60fps


however, 60fps cap on a 144hz monitor will result in inconsistent frame display rate. set refresh on monitor to 120hz if you go with 60fps cap, in doing so it'll display each frame twice. 60 fps with Freesync on a 144 Hz monitor. you'd get a lot of tearing with that.

if I could get this specific answer on google I would. If you can please send the link. I dont understand if you are just not reading my question or what. I am not just asking about capping the fps. I am asking about capping the fps externally to 60 AND AT THE SAME TIME using an in game vsync. Will that be smooth or will their still be frame pacing problems? I figure because 60 is easily divisible it should be fine but I am not sure how vsync reacts when the refresh rate is higher than the fps cap.

[Autumn_]

Keep the refresh rate as high as it can go (120hz?)
Then use RTSS to cap the FPS to 60.
And enabe Vsync in the game.

This would result in no tearing, proper frame pacing, and consistent frametimes.
So the game will be as smooth as it can be.

Originally posted by W1LLTACULAR:

Originally posted by Andrius227:

Why cap it at 60? Keep monitor at 120hz, have vsync on to ensure fps doesnt go above 120 and cause tearing.

because certain games either run at 60 fps like skyrim. Or its a newer game that is hard to keep a consistent 120 fps. That is why I am asking this specific question.

Originally posted by OLDMAN:

you can get the answer with google, capping to 60fps


however, 60fps cap on a 144hz monitor will result in inconsistent frame display rate. set refresh on monitor to 120hz if you go with 60fps cap, in doing so it'll display each frame twice. 60 fps with Freesync on a 144 Hz monitor. you'd get a lot of tearing with that.

if I could get this specific answer on google I would. If you can please send the link. I dont understand if you are just not reading my question or what. I am not just asking about capping the fps. I am asking about capping the fps externally to 60 AND AT THE SAME TIME using an in game vsync. Will that be smooth or will their still be frame pacing problems? I figure because 60 is easily divisible it should be fine but I am not sure how vsync reacts when the refresh rate is higher than the fps cap.

Not saying to ignore 'oldman', just he copy pastes most of what he says from google, or 'hardware' websites that don't understand.
So its up to you to listen to him.

Back to the topic, vsync would react fine, because what'll happen is, that frame that was scanned to the display (vsync'd, so it wont have tearing) will just be duplicated if no new update was sent.

So you would get 2 identical frames on the monitor.

Nothing bad would happen, and it should still feel slightly better since it's 120hz, even if it is 60fps.

Originally posted by OLDMAN:

Originally posted by W1LLTACULAR:

I appreciate that. I know what vsync is. I am asking a very specific question. I am asking about capping to 60fps while having 120hz refresh rate and then using in game vsync. I am asking how that would specifically work and if it would be better to just use a 60hz refresh rate in those instances.

you can get the answer with google, capping to 60fps


however, 60fps cap on a 144hz monitor will result in inconsistent frame display rate. set refresh on monitor to 120hz if you go with 60fps cap, in doing so it'll display each frame twice. 60 fps with Freesync on a 144 Hz monitor. you'd get a lot of tearing with that.

Freesync on a 144hz monitor would cause the refresh rate to match the FPS, so it would be 60hz while the FPS is 60, 120hz while its 120 FPS, and so forth.
You wouldn't get tearing unless frametimes vary wildly, or the display isn't 'gsync compatible' (only applicable on Nvidia GPUs.)

[DaGabaGhoul]

Originally posted by Autumn_:

Keep the refresh rate as high as it can go (120hz?)
Then use RTSS to cap the FPS to 60.
And enabe Vsync in the game.

This would result in no tearing, proper frame pacing, and consistent frametimes.
So the game will be as smooth as it can be.

Originally posted by W1LLTACULAR:

because certain games either run at 60 fps like skyrim. Or its a newer game that is hard to keep a consistent 120 fps. That is why I am asking this specific question.



if I could get this specific answer on google I would. If you can please send the link. I dont understand if you are just not reading my question or what. I am not just asking about capping the fps. I am asking about capping the fps externally to 60 AND AT THE SAME TIME using an in game vsync. Will that be smooth or will their still be frame pacing problems? I figure because 60 is easily divisible it should be fine but I am not sure how vsync reacts when the refresh rate is higher than the fps cap.

Not saying to ignore 'oldman', just he copy pastes most of what he says from google, or 'hardware' websites that don't understand.
So its up to you to listen to him.

Back to the topic, vsync would react fine, because what'll happen is, that frame that was scanned to the display (vsync'd, so it wont have tearing) will just be duplicated if no new update was sent.

So you would get 2 identical frames on the monitor.

Nothing bad would happen, and it should still feel slightly better since it's 120hz, even if it is 60fps.

Originally posted by OLDMAN:

you can get the answer with google, capping to 60fps


however, 60fps cap on a 144hz monitor will result in inconsistent frame display rate. set refresh on monitor to 120hz if you go with 60fps cap, in doing so it'll display each frame twice. 60 fps with Freesync on a 144 Hz monitor. you'd get a lot of tearing with that.

Freesync on a 144hz monitor would cause the refresh rate to match the FPS, so it would be 60hz while the FPS is 60, 120hz while its 120 FPS, and so forth.
You wouldn't get tearing unless frametimes vary wildly, or the display isn't 'gsync compatible' (only applicable on Nvidia GPUs.)

SERIOUSLY THANK YOU!

lol i was going crazy because this was a really specific question. I really did not think anyone could asnwer. I am super sensitive to like how the game feels and for a while I was just capping the fps. it worked and there wasnt that much screen tearing but the games just did not feel as smooth as when they were synced. I do not want o always have to change the refresh rate based on what game I play. I also cant trust nvidia to always make the right decision and auto set the refresh rate.

so it would be super easy for me to cap the refresh rate and just use in game vsync for smoothness. I was just super worried about like the pacing and smoothness and if it would even work. Also worried about if the frames were duplicated if that is more work on my gpu? I do have freesync on this monitor but im not sure if that works with my nvidia card.

edit- also the monitor can reach 144hz but it tends to frame skip at 144 so I use 120.

oh also if I do enable freesync on my monitor do i have to use like vsync in game or anything. or just cap the fps?

[Autumn_]

No problem happy to help.

I personally don't like Vsync because if the latency, but if it's what you enjoy, not reason to stop you.

No extra load in the GPU or Monitor.
The frame is already in the buffer and just needs to be scanned again.

You can google if Freesync works with nvidia GPUs with your display, or test it youself.
Some panels go strange if they don't work, like flickering, bluring, brightness goes ♥♥♥♥♥, tearing, or just not working.
That's few and far between though. Worth trying.

What do you mean 'frame skip'?
You should only experience slight frame pacing issues (occasional microstutter)

Freesync isn't meant to replace Vsync, but it can be used without it.
It works best with Vsync, though.
What Freesync does is lower the refresh rate to match the framerate, updating the display when a frame is placed into the front buffer.
It reduces latency, and improves smoothness.
But it can be a bit janky with fps drops, because it will tear.
So using an FPS limter (RTSS) with it is advised.

[DaGabaGhoul]

Originally posted by Autumn_:

No problem happy to help.

I personally don't like Vsync because if the latency, but if it's what you enjoy, not reason to stop you.

No extra load in the GPU or Monitor.
The frame is already in the buffer and just needs to be scanned again.

You can google if Freesync works with nvidia GPUs with your display, or test it youself.
Some panels go strange if they don't work, like flickering, bluring, brightness goes ♥♥♥♥♥, tearing, or just not working.
That's few and far between though. Worth trying.

What do you mean 'frame skip'?
You should only experience slight frame pacing issues (occasional microstutter)

Freesync isn't meant to replace Vsync, but it can be used without it.
It works best with Vsync, though.
What Freesync does is lower the refresh rate to match the framerate, updating the display when a frame is placed into the front buffer.
It reduces latency, and improves smoothness.
But it can be a bit janky with fps drops, because it will tear.
So using an FPS limter (RTSS) with it is advised.

Idk if you have ever been to that UFO site where you can test if your monitor frame skips. This crappy monitor I have is very stable at 120hz but if I set it to 144hz it frame skips. basically its like if someone is running in front of me they teleport quick. or like I missed a frame.

Also I honestly only ever use vsync in console ports. everything else I usually use 120hz with some type of frame cap unless there is horrible screen tearing or skipping.

[Autumn_]

I have used the UFO site a lot to test my monitors, but I've never encountered a 'skipped frame', I can understand how it would happen, but like I said, never seen it happen, so I can't give any advice about it.

[DaGabaGhoul]

Originally posted by Autumn_:

I have used the UFO site a lot to test my monitors, but I've never encountered a 'skipped frame', I can understand how it would happen, but like I said, never seen it happen, so I can't give any advice about it.

seriously appreciate the advice. Yeah this monitor is a pain I am going to get a better one soon. It is just super unstable at 144hz. I sometimes was able to get it working by restarting the monitor but then it would end up happening eventually. embarrassingly it is the HP omen 25 monitor I got on sale because it was supposed to be 144hz and freesync. Then I checked online to see tons of threads about frame skipping lol. Ill for sure test out limiting plus vsync and freesync. ty again.

[Autumn_]

Let me know if you have any other questions or problems.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

60 fps is still smooth on a high refresh display. It depends on the fps sync method used and how the game runs with that applied. I've been using 165hz displays for many years and playing games like Fallout 4 or Red Dead 2 at 60 lock isn't an issue and is very smooth overall. Better then on any 60hz display.

[DaGabaGhoul]

Originally posted by Bad 💀 Motha:

60 fps is still smooth on a high refresh display. It depends on the fps sync method used and how the game runs with that applied. I've been using 165hz displays for many years and playing games like Fallout 4 or Red Dead 2 at 60 lock isn't an issue and is very smooth overall. Better then on any 60hz display.

interesting that has not been my experience with every game. Some are amazing I can be at 120hz or 144hz just lock the game to 60 or 80 or whatever and get no tearing while running smooth. Though other games unless locked to a good 60 hz whether through full screen auto nvidia detection if it works, or manually doing it is sometimes the only way I have been able to get rid of tearing or a frame pacing issue. it really just depends on the game for me.